Self guided tour: Soča valley - Cycling adventure based in one hotel
Our self-guided walking holidays are ideal for friends, couples, individuals or for a family looking for an independent trekking tour. Our prepared hiking vacations also help you to experience history, culture, great scenery and of course local cuisine.
Our tours have been carefully selected and designed to appeal to all tastes, levels of fitness and age groups from the leisure walker to the most experienced hiker. When designing the routes we have selected choice trails to ensure you will have the best possible views of the beautiful scenery in our region. The accommodation we offer is always hand-picked to ensure not only do you have somewhere comfortable to sleep at night but also somewhere to relax and unwind after your days walking. We can cater for all tastes and budgets offering modern hotels as well as traditional-style accommodation with great character. We also offer tailor-made tours and customised programmes to suit the needs of our clients.
About the tour
Slovenia is a little country in the heart of Europe with incredible natural attractions and a diverse landscape.
“Soča, you are a beautiful daughter of the mountains”. That is how the famous Slovenian poet Simon Gregorčič described the Slovenian river Soča, which impresses everyone with its emerald colour and picturesque surroundings.
For a lot of visitors Soča is one of the most amazing rivers in Europe. It is especially popular amongst people who enjoy fishing, rafting, canoeing and other outdoor activities.
With its mountains and plateaus that surround the Soča river, it is also well-liked amongst mountain climbers, hikers and backcountry skiers.
For the cyclists there are many beautiful roads with breathtaking views of Slovenian nature.
Among other things you can enjoy the local culinary specialties and see the heritage of WW1.
Details
Destination: Slovenia
Duration: 8 days
Season: March-November
Departure/Return location: Tolmin
Departure time: Daily arrivals are possible from March 15 to November 15 2019.
Age limit: 14+
Difficulty level: The tour is light moderate. Some of the stages have transfer included. The tour is suitable for children from the age of 14.
Included:
- 7 nights in bedrooms with a shower/WC/tourist tax
- 7 nights with half board
- transport to tour starting points
- welcome meeting with representative of local agency
- road book: a detailed description of routes (one per booking / available in English, German and French language)
- map with the marked trail routes
- service hotline in case of problems or questions
- GPS tracks available upon request
Not included:
- airfare to and from the trip
- transfer to/from airport/train or bus station
- bike rental
- personal expenses
- tips and gratuities
- insurance
- optional activity costs
Contact us for more information or to book
Itinerary
Highlights
During our cycling trip through Soča Valley you will visit:
- Bovec – the main centre for outdoor activities in upper Soča Valley
- Kobarid with its famous WW1 museum and the centre of local cuisine in the valley
- Most na Soči with its lake and the famous steamer
- Čedad, the historic city in the neighbouring Friuli region (Italy)
- Nova Gorica, Slovenian Las Vegas and the city of roses
- River Nadiža, a paradise for bathing in nature
- Waterfalls Boka, Kozjak and Tolmin gorges
- The plateau Šentviška planota and Kolovrat mountain, which offer beautiful panoramic views
- Goriška Brda, amazing landscape, a paradise for wine and food lovers
In order to insure that you will have the best time of your life and an easier time cycling, we have organised transfers with a van or train on some parts of the tour.
Day 1: Arrival in Tolmin
First you can settle in your accommodation (hotel Dvorec 4*) in Tolmin and have a little rest. Tolmin is located approximately in the middle of Soča Valley, therefore it is a great starting point for cycling in all directions.
Day 2: Circuit around Tolmin
On the circuit road around Tolmin you will visit the famous Tolmin Gorges with the Devil’s bridge and Dante’s cave. The Tolmin gorges are also the lowest entry point into the picturesque Triglav National Park. Then you will ascend to a mountain village where you will have the chance to try the delicious cheese in the local cheese dairy. The path back to Tolmin will lead you through the confluence of Soča and Tolminka.
Day 3: Nova Gorica-Kanal-Tolmin tour
The first part of the journey will lead you from Tolmin to the town Most na Soči. Then you will take a train to Nova Gorica, which is known for gambling and the tombs of the bourbons in Kostanjevica. After a short stroll and a coffee in the city of roses you will cycle past the Solkan Bridge, which is known for the longest stone arch in the world. Cycling on the new cycle lane along the Soča River you will arrive to the small town Kanal ob Soči. There you will be able to enjoy the stunning view of the surrounding nature and the famous bridge from which every year a diving competition takes place.
Day 4: Bovec-Tolmin
Morning transfer to Bovec. A small town in upper Soča Valley is a great starting point for outdoor activities. Especially popular are rafting, kayak and canoe, canyoning, etc. Our tour goes along the Soča River to Kobarid. This is the most beautiful part of Soča’s path to the Sea, because it offers a lot of rapids and pools. It truly is a beautiful sight to behold. Along the way you can also admire the waterfall Boka with the biggest flow rate in Slovenia and the idyllic waterfall Kozjak.
Day 5: Plateau Šentviška planota
Morning transfer to the plateau Šentviška planota. A lot farms were built here, which as a result transformed this plateau in a unique and beautiful place, where people and nature live in cohabitation. After a circuit trip around the plateau you will be able to experience a spectacular descent into the valley to Most na Soči and then you will continue the journey back to Tolmin.
Day 6: Kolovrat-Goriška Brda-Čedad
Morning transfer to the Kolovrat mountain. You will then slowly descend from the military graveyard towards Goriška Brda. Behind your back you will have the Julian alps and in front of you will have the pleasure of experiencing the panoramic view of the picturesque hills and the Friuli region. You will have the chance to try out some amazing wines and the local cuisine in Goriška Brda. Then you will cycle though through the vineyards to the border town with rich history and beautiful architecture Čedad. After sightseeing you will be transferred back to Tolmin.
Day 7: Tolmin-Robič with Nadiža River-Kobarid
You will ride from Tolmin past Kobarid to the Nadiža River. Nadiža is known as one of the warmest rivers in this part of the Alps, therefore it is perfect for those who want to have a swim in the most beautiful pools that nature has to offer. By the river you can observe the Napoleon bridge. The afternoon is reserved for sightseeing in Kobarid, including the WW1 museum and a visit to any of the many restaurants. The last thing is the transfer to Tolmin, where the cycling tour in Soča Valley ends.
Day 8: Departure
Ride to the airport or extension of your stay in Slovenia.
Contact us for more information or to book
Arrival at your destination
Slovenia is easily accessible as it is well-connected with the European network of motorways, railway lines and airports.
- By car:
Slovenia is easily accessible and offers a good network of roads. Across the Tauern-motorway (A10) to Villach, than forward on the motorway (A11) direction Slovenia, passing the “Karawanken-Tunnel” on the motorway (E61) direction Ljubljana- exit Bled. For the motorway (E61) you need the Vignette (road user charge), otherwise you can take the first exit Hrušica on the main street 452 and go through Jesenice forward to Bled. Distances from European capitals to Bled: Amsterdam: 1,200km, Venice: 260km, Munich: 420km, Vienna: 440km. - By bus & train:
Bus: Slovenia is connected with the following bus companies: Euro, Touring and Flixbus. The majority have a stopover in Bled or Lesce.
Train: several international trains arrive in Slovenia on a daily basis. The closest station is in Bled Jezero. The train Station Lesce-Bled (ca. 4 km away from Bled) is directly on the international Munich – Ljubljana railway connection. Find the time table on www.slo-zeleznice.si / www.oebb.at / www.deutschebahn.de / www.trenitalia.com.
From the bus or train station you can take a taxi, the local bus (pay directly to the driver) or contact us to organise private transportation (see table for prices). - By aeroplane:
Several airlines offer flights to Slovenia. The airports are Ljubljana-Brnik (ca. 35 km away from Bled), Klagenfurt (ca. 80 km) or Ronchi dei Legionari Trieste (ca. 170 km). Upon request we can organize a transfer.
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