Bikepacking in Slovenia is a unique experience. Despite its southern location in Europe, everywhere you go you breathe mountain air, even when the sea is only 30 kilometers away.
With The Grand Escape we are lucky enough to ride every year through the most fascinating parts of this magnificent country, which keeps surprising us during our route tests.
Here are some must-see places for bikepacking in Slovenia, genuine hidden gems worth discovering.
Soca Valley
The Soca Valley is actually not just one, but many. The Soca, Slovenia's main river, flows through numerous municipalities, changing shape, size and color along its course. We encounter it often during The Grand Escape: before the Vrsic climb, in Gorica, but our favorite part is the quieter part near Tolmin. On the final section of the course, we cross a small bicycle/pedestrian bridge that leads to an extraordinary bike path, following a lightly trafficked railroad. If you spot the train, let us know with a photo - its rarity makes it a special sighting!
The route follows the river gently with minimal gradients, giving constant views of endless blue expanses. During The Grand Escape we always capture breathtaking pictures of it here, such as this one:
The bright green forests and the quiet make crossing the Soca Valley an unforgettable experience. The slight downhill slope makes it even more enjoyable. Further on, the river widens enough to resemble a lake near Mosta na Soca.
Of the many valleys crossed by the Soča, this remains unquestionably our favorite.
- Stop in Tolmin to refuel
- Occasionally look down to admire the color of the river
Radovna Valley
In the heart of Triglav Park, Slovenia's only national park, lies the peaceful Radovna Valley. The road, a narrow bike path, is frequented only by cyclists in training from Bled and hikers heading for the mountain trails. We advise you to take off your headphones: the sound of streams and wind in the leaves creates a magical atmosphere, especially when crossing the wooden bridges
The valley is also famous for its hidden waterfalls, especially the Šum Waterfall, which can be reached via a short path that branches off the main road. Along the way, you will also encounter restored old watermills that stand as evidence of the rural history of the area.
A fascinating aspect of the Radovna Valley is its biodiversity: the valley is home to numerous species of alpine flora, and with any luck, you might spot chamois and marmots. In spring, the meadows are filled with colorful flowers, creating a breathtaking natural show.
The valley is also an important ecological corridor connecting two areas of the Triglav National Park, and is considered one of the best preserved places in Slovenia from a naturalistic point of view. The road through it was designed with special care to minimize environmental impact.
- take enough water with you: water fountains are rare along the route
- the road is mostly shaded, perfect on hot days
Vrsic Pass
The iconic climb of The Grand Escape Italy/Slovenia. The 15 kilometers before it into the valley are spectacular, with continuous ups and downs that seem to transport you to another world. Then the road ramps up to 15 percent, maintaining double digits all the way to the top, but the views repay any effort. Just turn around for a moment (or give yourself a break) to admire this spectacle:
Vrsic Pass, the highest driveway in Slovenia, provides breathtaking views of the Julian Alps. Fatigue is quickly forgotten thanks to the two mountain huts at the summit, where you can take a break before descending to Kranjska Gora. The trail is rich in history, with a monument to the Russian prisoners who built it during the World War, and offers numerous clearings from which the Triglav Park trails depart. Vrsic is a real achievement for a cyclist, but more importantly it is one of those climbs that provide unforgettable views at every turn.
The road was built during World War I and was originally called the “Russian Road” (Ruska cesta). Its 1,611 meters in elevation make it not only the highest road in Slovenia, but also a prime vantage point over the surrounding peaks, including Mount Triglav.
Fear not when you arrive and see the famous “50 turns” sign: to get to the top, it's less than half 🙂
Don't worry if this sounds daunting—every Grand Escape participant has felt the same way, yet without fail, everyone reaches the summit with big smiles and satisfaction.
Mangartski slap
Slap is not a rude hand movement in Slovenian but waterfall!
After reaching the Predil lake this is the first hotspot in Slovenia: a great bridge over the Mangartski slap.
This majestic waterfall, fed by the melting waters of Mount Mangart, drops dramatically for about 50 meters through a narrow limestone gorge. The thundering sound of water echoing off the rocky walls creates an impressive natural amphitheater effect.
The bridge offers one of the best vantage points to observe this natural wonder, especially in late spring when the melting snow increases the water flow. The surrounding area is rich in Alpine flora, and if you're lucky, you might spot some local wildlife like Alpine ibex or golden eagles.
Local legend says that the waterfall was created when a giant who lived in Mount Mangart cried after losing a battle with neighboring mountain giants. This is why the water appears particularly crystal clear - they say it's made of giant's tears.
There is a gigantic mountain in front of you, but don’t worry as there is a 30 km descent ahead. Stop for a picture in the shade of the Mangart mountain and look around as you enter the Triglav Park surrounded by a thic forest and small houses. A truly great moment.
If you want to join the Grand Escape Italy/Slovenia, mark June 21, 2025: it will be the third edition. This year again, we'll maintain a maximum participant limit to ensure the best possible experience for everyone. So, be aware: registration opens on January 13 at 11:00 AM (Italian time) and automatically closes when spots are filled.
Check out thegrandescape.cc for more info.
See you in Slovenia,
Lepo se imejte!