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Cycling the Lakes of Austria and Slovenia Plus! Ljubljana

Cycling the Lakes of Austria and Slovenia Plus! Ljubljana

This cycling tour has you border hopping through Austria, Slovenia and also features a quick jaunt to Italy for lunch. We'll experience the fascinating influences of Slavic, German and Italian cultures. Join us to relish alpine landscapes with a hint of the Mediterranean. We'll bicycle along idyllic alpine lakes in Austria's Carinthia region and northern Slovenia. Quiet roads and river paths lead us through picturesque villages, traditional farmhouses, imposing medieval castles and cozy hotels. We'll introduce you to several of Europe's most overlooked and pleasant cities, including Villach and Slovenia's capital Ljubljana, a true gem.

***If this sounds great but you prefer a shorter tour - check out our Cycling the Lakes of Austria and Slovenia which features the first 8 days of this itinerary.***

Tour Dates & Prices

Date
Price
Private Room Fee
Note
Sep 2-12, 2023
USD$5095
USD$650
Departure confirmed to go.
Book It
Jun 1-11, 2024
USD$5350
USD$650
Book now and save $200 per person
Book It
Jun 22-Jul 2, 2024
USD$5350
USD$650
Book now and save $200 per person
Book It
Sep 14-24, 2024
USD$5350
USD$650
Book now and save $200 per person
Book It

* We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the private room charge. This charge will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available it will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour.

** For information about what your tour status means please see our FAQ page.

Tour Style: Classic Hold A Space Request Private Departure Download Itinerary Tour Map
  • Trip At-A-Glance
  • Tour Summary
  • Daily Itinerary
  • Travel Information
  • Map
  • Reviews
  • Similar Tours
Trip At-A-Glance

Trip At-A-Glance

  • Length / 11 Days
  • Total Distance / 383 - 401 km (236 - 248 miles)
  • Avg. Distance / 48 - 50 km (29 - 31 miles) per riding day
  • Tour Level & Tour Style / 2.0 Classic
  • Countries / Austria, Slovenia
  • Begin/End / Klagenfurt, Austria / Ljubljana, Slovenia
  • Price / From USD$5095
More Photos
Tour Summary

Tour Summary

  • Highlights
    Tarvisio, Lake Faak, Orientation walk of Ljubljana, Kranj, Lake Ossiach, Drava river path , Klagenfurt, Villach, Lake Bled, Border hopping between Austria, Slovenia, Julian Alps, Triglav Mountain, Savica waterfall, Lake Worth

    Keep in Mind: We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.

    We use charming and modern hotels but A/C or fans may not always be available since they haven't been needed traditionally. Read more on the use of air conditioning in Europe here.

    We use a number of bike paths on this trip which means that the support van is less readily available.
  • Includes
    11 days, 10 nights' accommodation; meals as noted in itinerary; and the usual (see below).

    Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Classic tour at the Classic Tour Style page.
  • Arrive / Depart
    Klagenfurt Airport (KLU), Vienna International Airport (VIE), Munich Airport (MUC), Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU/LJLJ)
  • Overall Tour Level
    2.0 difficulty level 2.0
  • Daily Ride Summary

    Day

    Distance/Gain
    mi/ftkm/m

    Terrain

    Day Level

    Notes

    1
    Test ride
    2
    38km / 432m
    Rolling hills
    difficulty level 2.0
    3
    42km / 345m
    Mostly flat
    difficulty level 1.5
    4
    37km / 436m
    Rolling hills
    difficulty level 1.5
    Today's ride is an optional loop ride
    5
    55km / 764m
    Rolling hills
    difficulty level 2.5
    6
    Rest day
    7
    54km / 370m
    Mostly flat
    difficulty level 1.5
    8
    12km / 208m
    Rolling hills
    difficulty level 1.0
    9
    52km / 727m
    Rolling hills
    difficulty level 2.5
    10
    57km / 390m
    Mostly flat
    difficulty level 1.5
    11
    Last day

Terrain Legend

Gentle Gentle

Rolling hills Rolling hills

Hilly Hilly

Very hilly Very hilly

Mountainous Mountainous

Daily Itinerary
Download Itinerary

DAY 1: Meet in Klagenfurt on the shores of Lake Woerther

Highlights: Gateway to Lake Woerther; beautiful city center; welcome dinner

Meet us today in Klagenfurt on the shores of Lake Woerther. Arrive in Klagenfurt a bit early to enjoy the hometown to Gustav Mahler and Robert Musil. Klagenfurt boasts one of Austria's prettiest old towns and was thrice awarded the prestigious Europa Nostra Diploma for its arcaded Renaissance courtyards which today accommodate modern boutiques, trendy bars, and rustic beer gardens.

DAY 2: Cycle to Lake Ossiach

Highlights: Lake Ossiach, Feldkirchen, idyllic countryside.

Our ride today takes us through beautiful countryside along small lakes before arriving in the larger town of Feldkirchen with its quaint square where you'll be tempted to stop for a coffee. Continue on then to Lake Ossiach, nestled between the Gerlitzen Mountain and the Ossiacher Tauern mountain range. It is the third largest lake in this region and unique in that the lake's water temperatures reach up to 28C (82F) in summer. A perfect place for a swim after a day on the bike!

  • Distance: 38km (24mi)
  • Gain: 432m (1417ft)
  • Terrain: Rolling hills
  • Day Level: difficulty level 2.0
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Lodging:

DAY 3: Lake Ossiach to Lake Faak or Villach

Highlights: Lake Ossiach, Villach, Drava River bike path, Lake Faak

Catching up with the Drava river path, we'll head to the center of Villach, a modern and flourishing city with an ancient history as a crossroads between Austria, Slovenia and Italy. For our September 2023 tour, we will call this our home for the next two nights. We will be staying at a charming boutique hotel overlooking the river, and a stone's throw from the ancient center. For the June 2023 tour, the crystal-clear waters of Lake Faak await us for an afternoon of relaxation or water sports after we catch a ferry to our hotel.

The Sept 2, 2023 departure is staying at the Hotel Goldenes Lamm.

DAY 4: Loop to Velden

Highlights: Drava river bike path, Velden Castle, Lake Woerther riviera

Today you'll take a loop ride to Lake Woerther, where you can try your luck in Velden, dubbed Austria's Monte Carlo, and gamble at the lakeside casino. We'll head back to our hotel and enjoy dinner together on our last evening in Austria.

The Sept 2, 2023 departure is staying at the Hotel Goldenes Lamm.

DAY 5: Bicycle across three borders in one day: Austria, Italy and Slovenia

Highlights: Forest roads, mountain surroundings, Tarvisio, forest of Tarvisio

Enjoy the perfectly manicured landscape of southern Austria's Carinthia region before you cross the border into Italy, where a Rails to Trail bike path leads you to the border and market town of Tarvisio. We'll continue through the Tarvisio forest and cross the border into Slovenia on a dedicated bike path built on a former rail line. Your destination today is the peaceful alpine town of Kranjska Gora, crowned by the Julian Alps, where mountain culture comes with a Slavic flavor.

DAY 6: Relax in the Julian Alps

Highlights: Ski jumps, Italian lakes, stunning high mountain scenery, charming hamlets

Today is a rest day. And you can choose to hang out in Kranjska Gora or ask your Tour Leaders to recommend a hike, taking in the characteristic Slovenian hayracks, now preserved as part of the national heritage. If you want to get on the bike there is an optional ride that will take you back into Italy to the stunning alpine lake - Laghi di Fusine. On the way back the route takes you by one of the biggest ski jumps in the world near Planica, where the ski-flying world championships take place every year. You can simulate the ski jump attached to a zip line if you are feeling extra adventurous.

DAY 7: Lake Bled

Highlights: Tito's summer residence, Otok Island, Bled Castle, wine tasting

An easy ride takes us along the Sava Dolinka Valley to the old town of Radovljica, a peaceful, medieval haven. We'll continue to Lake Bled, Slovenia's leading mountain resort. Our hotel offers postcard views of the lake and handy access to the path around the lake. You can hike up to the castle, take a typical pletna boat to the island, or just go for a refreshing swim in the lake. Our sommelier will lead us through a delicious tasting of Slovenian wines before dinner tonight.

  • Distance: 54km (34mi)
  • Gain: 370m (1214ft)
  • Terrain: Mostly flat
  • Day Level: difficulty level 1.5
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Lodging:

DAY 8: Loop ride to Vintgar Gorge

Highlights: Walking the pristine Vintgar Gorge, Sum Waterfall, relaxing afternoon in Bled

After a short ride this morning, we'll hike the Vintgar Gorge together. It's an easy walk where you can connect with unspoiled nature and spectacular views. The mile-long gorge is a high point of the tour, and culminates with the Sum waterfall. We're back to Lake Bled in time for lunch and a free afternoon to visit the castle, explore Bled's island, or enjoy more riding. The hike is approximately 3 kms (1.8 miles) long.

  • Distance: 12km (8mi)
  • Gain: 208m (682ft)
  • Terrain: Rolling hills
  • Day Level: difficulty level 1.0
  • Meals: Breakfast
  • Lodging:

DAY 9: Bicycle to Adergas

Highlights: The metal working town of Kropa, the historical center of Kranj

We'll ride toward the town of Kranj today, stopping first to visit Kropa, a very important metal working town, and a hub of worker immigration and trade through the ages. After our visit of an old iron workshop we'll continue riding to the historic city of Kranj. We recommend visiting the city center, which is filled with monuments, galleries, and museums, including a network of tunnels built during WWII. The Kokra river has formed a 30 meter (over 100 feet) gorge which you can view from town. We'll end our ride today in the tiny village of Adergas, just outside Kranj.

  • Distance: 52km (33mi)
  • Gain: 727m (2385ft)
  • Terrain: Rolling hills
  • Day Level: difficulty level 2.5
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Lodging:

DAY 10: Ride to Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital

Highlights: Kamnik Village, architectural gems, sidewalk cafés and boutiques

We leave Kranj to ride countryside roads till the ancient village of Kamnik. Enjoy Kamnik before our final ride takes us to Slovenia's dazzling capital, Ljubljana. Ljubljana is a charming city full of artists, museums, and galleries. With a population of 300,000, it is one of the smallest capital cities in Europe, making it easy to explore while strolling around its old town. Enjoy people watching from a riverside café before our final celebratory dinner together.

  • Distance: 57km (36mi)
  • Gain: 390m (1279ft)
  • Terrain: Mostly flat
  • Day Level: difficulty level 1.5
  • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Lodging:

DAY 11: Bicycle tour ends in Ljubljana

Highlights: Guided walk of Ljubljana

Our tour ends after a fascinating guided walk of Ljubljana. We highly recommend that you take a few days to enjoy all that the city has to offer. Whatever you decide have a wonderful journey.

  • Meals: Breakfast
Travel Information

Travel Information

Day 1: Arrival Information

Meet in Klagenfurt on the shores of Lake Woerther

Meeting time 2 p.m. - on Day 1, meet your fellow cyclists and Tour Leaders at the Day 1 Hotel specified on the itinerary.

Note: As you are planning, remember that the hotels listed in our itineraries are our primary hotels and are - in rare cases - subject to change. Before you make arrangements, check with us if your tour departure is guaranteed. If your tour departure is out further than 6 months, please also check with us as there might be slight changes to the itinerary.

We recommend flying into Klagenfurt Airport (KLU). You can also fly into Ljubljana (LJU) or Munich (MUC).

Flying into Klagenfurt:

  • Taxi from the airport to the Day 1 Hotel (20 min/EUR 20)

Flying into Ljubljana:

  • Private transfer (1 hour/EUR 200)

or Public transportation:

  1. Taxi from the Ljubljana Airport to Ljubljana Central Station (35 min/EUR 30-45)
  2. Train From Ljubljana to Klagenfurt Hbf (3-4 hours/Fares vary)
  3. Taxi From the Klagenfurt Central Station to the Day 1 Hotel (10 min/EUR 10)

Flying into Munich:

  • Munich central station has direct train connections to Klagenfurt central station (5 hours/fares vary)

For more travel planning tips, including our packing lists, visit our Travel Planning Pages.

Day 11: Departure Information

Bicycle tour ends in Ljubljana

Your trip ends on the final day after a walking tour back at the hotel around 12 noon. If you'd like to join this tour, book your outbound flight for the next day.

The below information will help you plan your departure. For more tips or other routes, you might like Rome2Rio. 

We recommend flying out of Ljubljana (LJU). You can also fly out of Klagenfurt Airport (KLU).

Flying out of Ljubljana:

  • Taxi from the ending hotel to the Ljubljana Airport (35 min/EUR 40-45)

Keep in Mind

We work hard to maintain consistency across all of our tours, but some trips have unique differences. Here are some things to keep in mind about this tour.

We use charming and modern hotels but A/C or fans may not always be available since they haven't been needed traditionally. Read more on the use of air conditioning in Europe here.

We use a number of bike paths on this trip which means that the support van is less readily available.

Pre-Trip Planning Checklist

To do right after you booked!

6 to 3 Months Prior to Tour Start Date

  • Refer to your Tour Packet/Itinerary to see step-by-step arrival and departure information for your tour, meeting place and time, if a reservation on a complimentary ExperiencePlus! Shuttle (if applicable) is required, and other important information to help you plan your arrival and departure.
  • Reserve your flights after you know you have a confirmed tour departure. Please check with our office if you do not know if your trip is confirmed.
  • Book your pre and post-tour hotel nights.
  • Begin your chosen training program.
  • Final payment is due 90 days (120 days for Bike &Barge/Boat tours) prior to the tour start. Please refer to your Invoice and the Final Payment Reminder e-mail we send 10 days prior to the due date for detailed instructions.

6 to 2 Weeks Prior to Tour Start Date

  • Start reading one of the books or watching one of the movies from our Reading and Movie Lists: https://www.experienceplus.com/blog/travel-planning/
  • Plan what you are going to pack and start packing! Refer to the Packing Lists on our website at https://www.experienceplus.com/blog/travel-planning/packing/.
  • We'll email you your access code to Digital Daysheets, Hotel Itinerary, Participant Roster, names and contact information of your Tour Leaders, emergency phone numbers, and other important departure information about 2 weeks prior to your tour start date. All this will be provided to you via a feature called Experiences via the RideWithGPS App (tracks available but not necessary for navigation on Classic, Expedition and Bike & Boat tours).

Day of Your Flight

Get as much sleep on the plane as you can. Pack your one day of cycling gear in your carry-on. See you soon!

What to Expect on Tour

Classic Tour Style

Learn more about what is included and what to expect on your Classic tour at the Classic page.

Map

Map

Reviews

Reviews

  • As this was only my second organized bike trip I have few comparisons but I thought the trip was fabulous. The routes were picked to be the least busy with cars and the scenery great. The guides were excellent.

    Roberta K., Ann Arbor, MI - Sept 2019

  • The tour was a wonderful vacation with a great group of bikers and guides. We all really connected and enjoyed learning from each other regarding other adventures. Biking is a great way to see the world and I hope to continue exploring this way.

    Barbara P., Ann Arbor, MI - September 2018

  • As always, Experience Plus did an amazing job.

    Lynn F., Park City, UT - September 2018

  • We had a great time on this trip. Biking, food and wine, events, and leaders were just great.

    Bill C., Pelham Manor, NY - September 2018

  • What was your favorite experience on this trip? Hard to pick one. I loved everything.

    Tracey M., Christchurch, NZ - September 2017

  • Fantastic scenery and wonderful cultural resources. Excellent route selection. The day sheets and arrows put Experience Plus! above the competition.

    John O., Durango, CO - September 2017

  • Great trip. Great tour leaders. Great company. Just hope my cycling ability lasts for me to enjoy your tours for years to come.

    William W., Mt Pleasant, SC - August 2017

  • An opportunity to explore a hidden gem of a country unknown to most Americans. You''ll see stunning scenery, meet friendly people, experience great cycling, some on good bike paths, stay in interesting hotels and eat well.

    Linda M., Livermore, CA - August 2017

  • This was a wonderful trip, made exceptional by our tour leaders.

    Kathy S., San Ramon, CA - August 2017

  • Thanks for always providing consistent service, accommodations, guides and yes the arrows.

    Don B., Newport Beach, CA - June 2017

  • It was a great ride; scenery, leader and fellow riders were all outstanding.

    Mary B., Newport Beach, CA - June 2017

  • What was your favorite experience on this trip? 20 mile downhill ride on rail trail thru the beautiful alps.

    Gary B., Huntington Beach, CA - June 2017

  • The scenery was great and the bike routes were perfect. I loved the bike paths and lack of traffic on the back roads. The difficulty (201) was just right for me. I like how you rate your rides. The bicycles were also just right (I had a road bike).

    Nancy I., San Francisco, CA

  • Great well worth doing, beautiful scenery, not too hard for beginners.

    Gary A., Victoria, Australia

  • A great group that all got along well and our tour leaders contributed to the atmosphere of fun, adventure, and learning! The tour was very organized and focused without being overboard, lots of great cultural experiences, great food, drink, and the perfect amount of riding for me. Lovely routes and beautiful scenery.

    Jane S., Fort Collins, CO

  • It''s hard to pick just one! I loved the polka-dancing & accordion happy hour in Podkoren; the day we were in 3 countries was extra-special; Lake Bled was like being inside a real life fairy tale; Ljubljana was a real treat.

    Laura E., Tacoma, WA

  • Terrific-- beautiful country, excellent food and the biking was great.

    Freya S., Madison, CT

  • It was superb trip and the hotels, food and scenery were fabulous. Tour leaders were excellent!

    Burt S., Madison, CT

  • Spectacular. Life changing.

    Verdi D., Wynnewood, PA

  • Fabulous guides, back country biking thru farmland and woods with views of the Julian Alps, lots of lakes, streams and rivers, great fun going from country to country with a guide from each country, delicious local cuisine, wonderful ending in the charming capital of Ljubljana, charming hotels with welcome planning of two nights in three of the hotels, good distribution of rooms among guests, interesting introduction to history and culture.

    Lenore L., Weston, MA

  • Outstanding trip, exceptional guides, wonderful selection of activities and places to stay. Really fun with friends.

    Janet S., Boulder, CO

  • Beautiful country side in both countries; many miles of safe bike paths. Now, one of my favorites among my first 21 ExperiencePlus! tours.

    Dave F., Columbia, MD

  • Wonderful trip through lovely countryside...challenging for me (but not for most others!)...great staff support...fabulous bicycle!

    Anne V., Edgartown, MA

  • It was great! Super scenery, great roads with lots of safe bike trails and village roads. Excellent leaders. It felt wonderful every day to be on the bike. Love those arrows! Slovenia was a wonderful discovery.

    Linda Z., Sherborn, MA

  • Incredible scenery, wonderful bike paths, just the right amount of mileage, and excellent hotels. A week of thoroughly enjoyable riding. And the bikes are wonderful.

    Stephen I., Aurora, CO
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