Five friends and I have arrived in Slovenia looking for an alternative to Europe’s established cycling hotspots. The country’s growing reputation, helped by its reigning Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar, has persuaded us to take a closer look.
The author (second from left) with his friends on the Predel Viaduct, Bovec © Boris Pretnar
We base ourselves in Bled, a lakeside town on the edge of Triglav National Park. From there, everything – from high Alpine passes to quiet rolling roads – is within easy reach. The scenery is impressive, the road surfaces generally excellent and, as we soon discover, cyclists are particularly well served.
Rather than organise everything ourselves, we’ve left the logistics to a tour operator. Flights, transfers, hotels and support throughout the trip have been taken care of. Our group wanted to maximise the riding, so the five-day itinerary revolves around long days in the saddle, albeit with plenty of time for coffee stops and leisurely lunches along the way.
Lake Jasna, near Kranjska Gora, with the Julian Alps in the background © Boris Pretnar
