Biking

I only biked one day -- mountain biking around Bovec -- but I just spent 16 days driving around Slovenia, and I have biked in other countries. My one comment is that the main roads in Slovenia are often curvy, just wide enough for 2 cars, and without shoulders. So while the scenery is beautiful, I would not feel super safe biking on many of those roads. The smaller backroads between towns, such as the ones we drove one day between Ljubljana and Bled and another day between Maribor and Ptuj, seemed excellent. I suspect you can find other good bike routes.

Thanks for your insights. We were in Slovenia last fall, but I wasn't paying any attention to biking. I did see bikers climbing very steep grades and remarked to my husband that I was glad it wasn't us.

I also saw a path along the river in Maribor that could be used for biking - I think. I will keep on checking different areas of Slovenia where there may be biking paths.

Thanks again.

My wife and I have cycled twice in Slovenia, both as seniors (early 60s and 70s). First time in about 2014 with a Slovenian company (Trek Trek) renting their bikes and having them haul luggage, and then on our own in 2017 with touring bikes we brought with us on the airline. We hauled clothes etc. in rear panniers and handlebar bags (no camping involved). The commercial tour (self-guided) involved a good deal of climbing, as the route essentially circled the Julian Alps (over Vrsic Pass) and then wound its way down to Piran on the coast. The Soca Valley was relatively flat if I recall correctly but there were mountains at the north end (the alps) and then hills (wine country) at the south end. On our own touring bikes we rode from Kamnik over a modest pass (I recall only one short steep section) to reach Ljubno ob Savinji (40 km) a neat little village on a river, to Logarska Dolina (30 km), a beautiful, quiet valley with hiking trails into the Karavanke Mountains. From LD we road to Celje (80 km, mostly downhill or flat--we did it on a rainy day so didn't see much of anything). Celje to Ptuj (42km ?) was also mostly flat or modest hills. Almost all of this was on roads, some with little traffic and some with moderate traffic. Back in NW Slovenia, the Radovna Valley between Bled and Kranska Gora is a short (15 km?) delight, but there are a few hills to get to the start (from Bled) and a short, very steep hill (we may have walked up it) toward the north end. There is a good "rails-to-trails" bike path between Kranska Gora and Tarvisio Italy that is 20-30 km long. The route between Villach, Austria and Tarvisio is also a day's ride and not difficult. I can dig out actual distances and provide where we stayed if it would be helpful. We did a lot of clothes washing in the sink associated with our room.

dcainco,

This is exactly what I was hoping for. We are not big on riding up huge hills, but it sounded as if you did fine without electric bikes. I had looked at bike trails around Ptui and Maribor that went along the river. They looked nice and flat. We are from FL, and flat is what we are used to.

Any suggestions about where you stayed or more specifics on route would be much appreciated. If you'd rather, we could do this privately rather than on the forum. Biking in Slovenia doesn't seem like a popular topic given the lack of responses.

Really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

I have cycled in Slovenia four times, the first way back in 1964 when it was still part of Yugoslavia
On a couple of the trips we stopped at farms, highly recommended.
Be prepared for rain
Not sure why you are adverse to climbing, this is the most rewarding aspect of cycling. Without climbing you would miss out on the superb Vrsic Pass.

Catherine: I sent you a private message with more information on my cycling routes.
dcainco

Roger,
Thank you for your insights. Sounds as though you had an interesting trip. We enjoyed watching Tadej Pogacar, the outstanding Slovenian rider, win the Tour de France for two years running and coming in second this year. He is a wonderful climber in the mountains, and I am sure he shares your sentiments regarding hill climbing. Alas, we are no Tadejs. We are 50 years older than he is and prefer flatter terrain. I think we will drive through the high passes and enjoy the views that way!

Thanks, decaino.