Slovenes love to get on their bikes and take them for a spin around the city streets, as well as to the green outdoors. The countless marked cycling routes lead you across diverse landscape that offers terrains for both family cycling and for those seeking cycling experiences full of adrenaline. Cycling’s popularity in Slovenia is also reflected in the country’s numerous cycling events, which are well attended.
Slovenian tourism invites people to an active holiday outdoors
An active holiday with outdoor experiences is one of the best ways to explore Slovenia as a tourist.
Slovenia is becoming increasingly popular at home and abroad as a desirable green destination for an active and healthy holiday.
You can take your family for a cycling trip along flat terrain, while cycling enthusiasts can tackle the uphill climbs that reward them with astounding views. An extensive network of cycling routes leads you between numerous natural and cultural sights, across some of the region’s most scenic cycling trails, where you can discover the distinctive characteristics of Slovenia's different regions.
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The countless marked cycling routes lead you across diverse landscape. Photo: STO Archive
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The joy of cycling is to be found on a vast network of cross-border cycling routes. Photo: STO Archive
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Slovenes love to get on their bikes and take them for a spin around the city streets, as well as to the green outdoors. Photo: STO Archive
Numerous international cycling routes
The joy of cycling is to be found on a vast network of cross-border cycling routes. The cycling route along the Drava River passes through four countries (Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia) and is approximately 710 km long. The route begins close to the source of the Drava River in Toblacher Field (Toblach) in Italy. It then continues through Austrian Carinthia (Kärnten) and Slovenia before ending in Croatia (where the trail has not yet been completely cleared and marked).
The Parenzana route runs along the railway route between Trieste and Poreč, while the Trans Slovenia 01 links three countries, i.e. Slovenia, Italy and Austria. The route runs from the Julian Alps through the picturesque Soča Valley to the green hills of Brda, and from there on through the Vipava Valley and over the mysterious region of Kras to the coast.
On the cycling route across the 120 km long massif of the Karawanks mountain range, cyclists enjoy spectacular views, tranquillity and a genuine contact with nature. Long-distance cyclists can cross major mountain groups along the Slovenian Mountain Bike Route, which is around 1800 kilometres long and includes a total of 50,000 metres of climbs.
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The cycling route along the Drava River passes through four countries (Italy, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia) and is approximately 710 km long. Photo: STO Archive
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On the cycling route across the 120 km long massif of the Karawanks mountain range, cyclists enjoy spectacular views, tranquillity and a genuine contact with nature. Photo: STO Archive
Cycling is becoming an increasingly popular way to move around Ljubljana
Ljubljana has been ranked for the third time among the 20 Most Bike-Friendly Cities on the Planet (The Copenhagenize Index). It boasts more than 300 kilometres of marked cycling routes, adding new cycling connections and modernising the existing connections through road renovations. Cycling in Ljubljana is also promoted by the BicikeLJ bike sharing scheme, which complements the public transport system in Ljubljana. The first hour of use is free, something well-received among users. Free rides account for 98% of the total rides.
BicikeLJ has been available to Ljubljana residents since 2011. At the time 300 rentable bicycles were placed at 30 stations. Today users can rent 610 bicycles at 61 stations. The municipality stated that “the system's popularity has exceeded all our expectations, thereby needing to continuously expand our network of bikes and stations.”
Cyclists also have two small service stations at their disposal in Ljubljana that do minor repairs free-of-charge. The first is located in front of the Ljubljana Tourism’s information point at Krek's Square, while the second is located at KoloPark Šiška.
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Ljubljana has been ranked for the third time among the 20 Most Bike-Friendly Cities on the Planet (The Copenhagenize Index). Photo: Mankica Kranjec
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It boasts more than 300 kilometres of marked cycling routes, adding new cycling connections and modernising the existing connections through road renovations. Photo: Mankica Kranjec
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Cycling in Ljubljana is also promoted by the BicikeLJ bike sharing scheme, which complements the public transport system in Ljubljana. Photo: Mankica Kranjec
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Today users of Bicikelj can rent 610 bicycles at 61 stations. Photo: Mankica Kranjec
ZaMestoPoDveh society
Bicycles are also a great way to explore Ljubljana. In cooperation with the Za Mesto Po Dveh society, Ljubljana has made thematic cycling routes, with Ljubljana Tourism also involved in the implementation.
Visitors and Ljubljana residents can experience Plečnik’s architecture, enjoy the beauty of the Ljubljanica River or visit the city’s many green spaces – all by bike.
Ljubljana Tourism also offers multiple bike-guided tours of the town to visitors.
Date: 14. September 2020
Time to read: 3 min
