On arrival in Bled make your way to your hotel. Bled is one of Slovenia’s undoubted highlights. This unique town is dominated by a cliff-top castle and set beside a stunning glacial lake, surrounded by mountains. Take a boat trip to the lake’s pretty island church, hike up to the castle for sweeping lake views and don’t forget to visit a teashop to sample the rather excellent local cream cakes.

You’ll first be transferred by mini-bus up to the nearby Pokljuka plateau (12 km) from where you mount up for an enjoyable cycle ride down into the beautiful Bohinj Valley. Cycling along the valley floor you’ll pass through a succession of tiny alpine villages. At the end of this stunning valley you reach Lake Bohinj and the village of Ribčev Laz. The view across the lake from the lovely old bridge is something to savour. At this point you can opt for an additional, bolt-on ride around the lake to the Savica waterfall. Along the way you can also stop and ascend Mount Vogel by cable car for stunning views across the forested valley to Mount Triglav, the highest of the Julian Alps. From Ribcev Laz it's an easy and scenic ride along the gently descending valley to the pleasant town of Bohinjsa Bistrica where you will spend the night.

This morning the day starts with an uphill ride to the Jelovica high plateau* where your efforts are rewarded with a cooling ride through a shady forest. After a while you reach the alpine hamlet of Sorica the birthplace of Ivan Grohar, a famous Slovenian painter who’s work is on display in a small gallery. There’s a perfect spot for a picnic stop near the statue of the painter just after the church – the view is wonderful! Continue down the pleasant valley alongside a mountain stream to Železniki a town that used to be known for its iron smelting works – an old furnace is still on display paying homage to the town’s past. Another 12 kilometers easy cycling down the valley brings you to the charming medieval town of Škofja Loka. If you still have some energy you could take on the climb to the castle overlooking the old town. In the evening the ancient narrow streets are a delight to explore on foot.

*Important: It's possible to book a lift to the top of the Jelovica high plateau with your bike if you think the climb might be too tough for you. The cost is 30 Euros per person and must be booked through our local representative on your arrival in Bled.

Head across the wide Sora plain for an easy and relaxing ride with a backdrop of the dramatic Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Your route then takes you north up a gentle incline towards the green flanks of the high alps in the distance. At the top of the hill you reach the small village of Preddvor. If it's warm you maybe tempted to stop for a swim at the little lake on the edge of this charming alpine village. You will either spend the night here or in the village of Predoslje a few kilometres down the road.

There's lots to see on today's ride and we recommend making a small detour to the lovely old town of Kranj, once the capital of the tiny Camiola region. Thereafter the route follows undulating quiet lanes and cycle paths through forests and beautiful countryside dotted with small villages and hamlets. The fascinating Blacksmiths' town of Kropa is worth a stop before enjoying more fabulous rolling countryside as you follow the perimeter of the high Jelovica plateau to the beautifully preserved town of Radovljica. You'll spend the night in this gorgeous little place.

The day starts with a ride to the town of Begunje, a town with a dark tale from WWII (visit the Museum of Hostages to learn more). From here the route follows a network of quiet lanes along a wide valley between the Karawanke Mountains and Julian Alps. The alpine scenery is breathtaking, so much so that you hardly notice you are gently ascending all the time. The Sava river is your guide and before you know it you arrive in Slovenia’s best-known mountain resort, Kranjska Gora. It’s a very popular skiing destination and in the summer it’s used as a base for climbing and other outdoor activities. If you have time, ride a little further up the valley to the Planica ski jumping site (15km round-trip). Then settle into you hotel in this pretty, bustling little alpine town.

Your last day of riding leads you from Kranjska Gora back downhill to Lake Bled. You’ll return to the Triglav National Park to take in some incredibly beautiful riverside scenery, first along the River Sava Dolinka to where it meets the Sava Bohinjka and becomes the River Sava proper. Then it’s into the lush green Krma Valley and the foot of Mount Triglav itself, the highest of the Julian Alps. The views are breathtaking and we recommend the short detour to take in the incredible Vintgar Gorge carved 150m into the rock. The route finally delivers you back to beautiful Lake Bled where you can find a restaurant to celebrate completing your Slovenian cycling adventure.

After breakfast it’s time to check out and head for home or your next adventure.