1 CYCLING IN SLOVENIA Green. Active. Healthy. www.slovenia.info #ifeelsLOVEnia www.hiking-biking-slovenia.com Slovenia is indeed a hidden gem for LONG-DISTANCE CYCLING cycling enthusiasts, even though TRAILS this authentic and diverse country has already been well explored from TRANS SLOVENIA the handlebars by many visitors TRANS KARAVANKE from all over the world. POHORJE CYCLING TRAIL So let yourself wander – first through this catalogue and then on your next DRAVA CYCLING TRAIL biking holiday. We offer a selection of PARENZANA some of the best cycling experiences JURE ROBIČ CYCLING TRAIL in the region, and much more awaits when you visit each and any of Slovenia’s cycling destinations. Slovenia in Europe AUSTRIA 1 2 10 4 29 25 6 31 24 17 36 33 21 26 11 7 37 22 9 18 34 3 15 35 30 ITALY 27 8 19 38 5 12 32 28 37 13 23 14 Map 1 SLOVENIA BIKE HOTELS SPECIALIST ACCOMMODATION 20 Maribor, HOTEL MILENA FOR CYCLISTS AND CYCLING 21 Mozirje, HOTEL GOLTE CAMPSITES 22 Mozirje, APARTMAJI & WELLNESS SKOK 1 Jamnica, EKOHOTEL KMETIJA KOROŠ 23 1 Hiking & Biking member Strunjan, HOTEL OLEANDER 2 Kranjska Gora, APARTMAJSKI HOTEL BERGHI 24 Zreče, HOTEL VITAL 25 Camp Bovec, APARTMAJI MRAKIČ Bohinjska Bistrica, APARTMAJI TUBEJ 3 Other cycling accommodation Bohinjsko jezero, HOSTEL POD VOGLOM Debeli Rtič, HOTEL BOR MZL 4 Govejk, Spodnja Idrija, Rogla, HOTEL ROGLA PRENOČIŠČA NA KLUK Radenci, HOTEL RADIN Hoče, APARTMAJSKA HIŠA RUŠEVEC Lokev, APARTMAJSKA HIŠA MUHA Kobarid, HOTEL HVALA Koper, HIŠKE SLOVENSKE ISTRE Maribor, HOSTEL PEKARNA Maribor, HOSTEL TOMI Murska Sobota, HOSTEL HUNGARY LOVENJAKOV DVOR Pokljuka, HOTEL JELKA Strunjan, TERME KRKA, TALASO STRUNJAN Šmarješke Toplice, TERME KRKA, TERME ŠMARJEŠKE TOPLICE Zreče, HOTEL SMOGAVC 20 25 Bled, HOTEL KRIM BLED 26 Bled, HOTEL RIBNO 27 Cerkno, HOTEL CERKNO 28 Divača, HOTEL MALOVEC 29 Kranjska Gora, HOTEL LEK 30 Kobarid, GOSTIŠČE JAZBEC 31 Logarska dolina, HOTEL PLESNIK 32 Otočec, TERME KRKA, HOTEL ŠPORT 5 Ajdovščina, MLADINSKI HOTEL Ljubljana, HOTEL SLON 6 Bled, BEST WESTERN PREMIER Maribor, HOTEL BAU HOTEL LOVEC Maribor, HOTEL TABOR CROATIA 7 Bohinjsko jezero, HIKE & BIKE Moravske Toplice, HOTEL VIVAT 8 Moravske Toplice, VILLA TAMARA Brda, HOTEL SAN MARTIN Pliskovica, Dutovlje, 9 Dobrna, HOTEL GOSTILNA TRIGLAV HOSTEL PLISKOVICA 16 Ptuj, GH PRIMUS 10 Kranjska Gora, HOTEL ŠPIK Rogaška Slatina, GH DONAT 11 Solkan, HOTEL SABOTIN Krvavec, HOTEL KRVAVEC Strunjan, HOTEL SALINERA 12 Rakitna, HOTEL RAKITNA Šempeter pri Novi Gorici, HOTEL LIPA Topolšica, HOTEL VESNA 13 Piran, HOTEL TARTINI 14 Portorož, HOTEL TOMI SLOVENIA BIKE CAMPS 15 Snovik, TERME SNOVIK Banovci, HOTEL ZELENI GAJ Brežice, MC HOSTEL BREŽICE 33 Bled, CAMPING BLED Kranjska Gora, HOTEL KOMPAS 34 Lendava, HOTEL LIPA Bohinjska Bistrica, KAMP DANICA Moravske Toplice, HOTEL TERMAL 35 Kobarid, KAMP KOREN KOBARID Novo mesto, APARTMAJI, SOBE RAVBAR 36 Luče, KAMP ŠMICA 37 Metlika, KAMP PODZEMELJ 16 Brestanica, HOSTEL KOZMUS 38 Ozeljan, KAMP LIJAK 17 Bovec, APARTMAJI SKOK 39 Rečica ob Savinji, CAMPING MENINA 18 Drežnica, GOSTIŠČE JELKIN HRAM Banovci, KAMP SONČNI GAJ Maribor, KOLESARSKI KAMP POHORJE 19 Idrija, HOSTEL IDRIJA Podčetrtek, KAMP NATURA 2 A GREEN CYCLING PARADISE IN THE HEART OF EUROPE “Let the masses head out to the Alps. When it comes to mountain biking, Slovenia is Europe’s best-kept secret. Brothers and sisters we have seen the light, we know that the country is a mountain biker’s paradise, and we’ve been chomping at the bit to get back there ever since.” – Singletrack Magazine, UK. TEN REASONS TO VISIT pily tell you about this or that great trail or impossible to encounter them. SLOVENIA BY BIKE help you get oriented, and in every town you will find local bikers that you can team 9 1 up with to really discover the land. Rich history and culture – In Slovenia It’s green! A well-preserved natural envi- you can explore ruins going back to Ro- ronment, ruled over by mighty forests, 5 man times, tour medieval castles or get fresh air and clean water. “Feel Green” is Travelling by bike in Slovenia is full of to know some of the still very active not just a gimmick, it’s a feeling you expe- positive surprises, and at the same time master craftspeople. You can choose for rience when you come to Slovenia. this is one of the safest countries in Eu- yourself how much time you devote to rope. We’re not saying you can just leave cycling and how much to spend on cul- 2 your bike out anywhere, but especially in ture, but everywhere you go there will be Diverse landscape – Your very first ex- the countryside you will feel as safe as in opportunities for both. ploration of Slovenia will yield much, your garden at home. and when you glance at the map you will 10 instantly notice the colourful landscape 6 Cycling almost has to end (or perhaps created at the meeting point of different Nature is accessible – When you turn off a begin) with the “tastes” of Slovenia – in geographical regions. Mountains and hills Slovenian road into the forest, you will not authentic local inns, with a glass of su- with breathtaking views, interspersed be stopped by any “no trespassing” signs, perlative Slovenian wine and one of the with plains and river valleys just made for you will be welcomed by the refreshing traditional dishes and desserts. cycling. Given the contours of this land, it shade and free access to almost all the coun- is no surprise that cycling in all its forms try’s forests and uplands. There are some In Slovenia you will learn that the “per- is very popular, and it is true that the restrictions in Slovenia on wheeled vehicles fect trail” is not just enjoying some awe- countless trails and forest roads will bring in the natural environment, but they will some wilderness path or conquering a the broadest smiles to mountain bikers. not stop you having wonderful experiences. serpentine ascent, it is enjoying a ride that is woven into the environment, the 3 7 people, the natural world, culture, cui- Slovenia is all within reach! This is a small In Slovenia you can bike in all seasons, sine and surprises around each bend. but varied and in many respects rich coun- with the cycling season in most places try, whose diversity can be experienced starting in April and ending in November, even in a long weekend of cycling, but to but in Istria you can bike all year given the DID YOU KNOW? really engage with the natural world and Mediterranean influence. The oldest known wooden wheel and people here you will need a week or more axle were discovered close to the cap- on holiday. And then you’ll want more! 8 ital city Ljubljana. It is some 5,200 Parts of Slovenia are still home to wild years old, evidence that people “rode” 4 game animals, and you might see a sign around here back in pre-history. The friendliness of the local people and the saying “Caution, bears!” (it will actually strong cycling culture – Cycling is deeply read: “Pozor, območje medveda!”). But you rooted in the Slovenian environment, in have nothing to fear, the protected wild an- terms of tourism, sports and simply as a imals stay off the trails and are more afraid way of getting around. The locals will hap- of you than you are of them, so it is almost 3 BIKE HOTELS AND CAMPS SLOVENIA BIKE HOTEL cle routes, a cycling guide and the option of local bike rental. The premises offer inter- Alongside the traditional star system, net access, special overnight packages for FIVE BIKES cyclist-friendly providers of accommoda- cyclists, bike and clothes washing facilities, tion and food (hotels, hostels, pensions, transport for cyclists, bikes and gear and Premises with five bikes must meet al- apartments and others) can acquire bi- the option of packed lunches for bikers. most all the needs of cycling tourists, cycle symbols indicating the extent and and in addition to the facilities provid- quality of what they offer to cyclists. ed, these needs are met by an employed Basic services are indicated with one cycling guide. In addition to everything bicycle, and then range up to five bicy- THREE BIKES mentioned earlier, these establishments cles, a designation reserved for tourism must offer a minimum of 20 suggested providers who live with cyclists and for The hotel provides professional cycling ad- individual bike tours, daily programmes of whom it represents their main activity. vice for planning tours, with several cycling guided tours and a cycling proficiency pro- Below we present the requirements for guides available, it provides GPS data for gramme. The bike shed has special protec- acquiring one or more bicycle signs, with tours and guided cycling tours, and offers tion with alarms and video surveillance, each higher ranking offering more than at least a 4-day programme of local cycling higher-quality bikes are rented out and the previous one. tours. Assistance in finding and booking the establishment offers its own transport accommodation in other destinations. The of cyclists and bikes. The premises offer hotel offers individual bike locking, a ser- dinners suitable for cyclists and typical vicing point and related services, mid-range local and regional dishes. The facilities are bike rental, local roadside bike assistance further enhanced by a massage spot and and transport of bikes to local services, and sauna. ONE BIKE in addition to cycling it offers alternative The hotel provides information on what programmes. there is for cyclists in the local area, as well as a cycling info point, one night’s accommoda- SLOVENIA BIKE CAMPS tion without surcharge, a safe place for stor- ing bikes, loan of basic tools, a space for dry- FOUR BIKES Biker-friendly campsites provide a range of ing cycling clothes and shoes and a breakfast information on cycling excursions nearby enhanced with fruit and whole grains.