Slovenia to Italy - Bled to Trieste

Welcome to Bled, Slovenia’s picture-perfect gateway to Triglav National Park. On arrival you’ll find a compact, walkable town built around a crystal-clear lake with its tiny island and a medieval castle perched on a cliff. The castle gives a commanding view over the water and surrounding mountains and is a good first stop to get your bearings. Take a gentle lakeside walk, hire a traditional wooden boat to row to the island if you like, or simply sit at a café and watch the light change on the water.

Bled’s town centre is small but lively, with artisan shops, bakeries and restaurants serving regional dishes. Don’t miss trying the local kremšnita cream cake; it is a local institution. If you arrive early, a short hike or cable car ride up nearby viewpoints is an easy way to stretch your legs before the cycling begins. Arrive at your hotel, allowing time to prepare bikes, review route notes and meet your guide or local contact if you are self-guided. Evening at leisure to enjoy a relaxed meal and a final check of kit for tomorrow’s ride.

Today you leave the classic Lake Bled view behind and follow the clear Sava Bohinjka river through a mellow alpine valley toward Lake Bohinj. The route is scenic and generally gentle, making it an excellent warm up for the tour. You will pass traditional mountain villages, meadows and forested slopes, with plenty of opportunities to stop for photos, a coffee or a short riverside break.

Arriving in Bohinjska Bistrica, you’ll notice a change of scale and atmosphere: it is a working alpine town with a friendly, local feel. From here it is a short ride to Lake Bohinj, set in a broader, more remote valley than Bled. Bohinj is quieter than Bled and has a more rugged alpine character. If you prefer a longer challenge, there is an optional climb up to the Pokljuka Plateau. The road up rewards you with sweeping panoramic vistas and a quieter descending run back to the lake. Otherwise, enjoy an easy ride to the lakeshore, swim in clear water or explore short walking trails.

The evening is peaceful. Many guests choose to relax by the water, have a simple dinner of mountain produce and prepare for the day ahead. Accommodation is lakeside, so fall asleep to the gentle sounds of the alpine night.

This is one of the most varied days of the trip. You begin with a short pedal back to Bohinjska Bistrica where a brief train transfer takes you through Slovenia’s longest rail tunnel into the neighbouring valley. The train ride is practical and scenic; it shortens otherwise long transfers and delivers you quickly to the start of a long descent into the Soča Valley.

From the valley mouth you descend toward the Soča River whose emerald waters are among Europe’s most striking. The road follows the river upstream for a sustained but gentle climb into the heart of the Soča Valley. Expect sparkling pools, rock formations and classic alpine river scenery. Tolmin is a relaxed base and sits at the confluence of the Tolminka and Soča rivers. It is a great place to stretch your legs, visit a local deli and sample regional snacks.

For fit riders looking for a tougher day you can choose the alternative mountain road to Soriška Planina. That option climbs higher, opens up panoramic viewpoints and then rewards you with a long, exhilarating descent into the Soča Valley. Whatever you choose, the day balances transit, river scenery and the pleasure of riding in a remarkably unspoilt region. Evening in Tolmin with options for a riverside walk before dinner.

Heading south, the Soča Valley continues to provide unforgettable scenery as you cycle toward the Italian border. Early in the stage you might pause at Kobarid to admire the dramatic gorge and narrow bridges that make excellent photo stops. The river and surrounding cliffs provide a dramatic backdrop while your route gently transitions from high alpine tones to softer, rolling hills approaching Italy.

Crossing into Friuli, the landscape becomes quieter and more pastoral. You’ll follow the Natisone River through small, attractive villages and eventually arrive in Cividale del Friuli. This town has deep historical roots: founded in Roman times, it later flourished under Lombard rule and today boasts a well preserved medieval centre. Take time to amble the narrow streets, visit the Lombard Temple and taste Friulian cuisine in a local osteria.

There is an optional mountain pass route if you prefer high-altitude riding; it is more demanding but affords sweeping vistas across both countries. For most riders the valley route offers a satisfying balance of manageable distances and cultural interest, making Cividale a delightful overnight stop.

Today is intentionally relaxed and sensory. The Collio region is one of Italy’s most respected wine areas, known for elegant white wines and family run wineries. The loop is rolling rather than steep, with short climbs that open into vineyard covered ridges and quiet country lanes. Stops are frequent and recommended: cellar doors, small agriturismi and scenic viewpoints are scattered across the route.

Cycling here feels like stepping into a postcard: dry stone walls, neatly tended vines and olive trees, interspersed with hamlets where local hospitality is genuine and unhurried. Many guests schedule a winery tasting or a light lunch at a vineyard that serves local cheeses, prosciutto and freshly baked bread. The food and wine culture is part of the experience; riders often spend longer than planned over an afternoon tasting, which is entirely part of the day’s aim.

The terrain is perfectly suited to relaxed exploration: you can set the pace, enjoy hospitality and return to your base in Cividale for a refined Italian dinner. This day is about enjoyment, flavours and the quiet pleasure of rolling through one of Italy’s best kept wine secrets.

Leaving Cividale, you continue through vineyard slopes before climbing a serpentine road that drops you back toward the Soča Valley. The descent into Kanal ob Soči reveals the river’s vivid blues and greens; it is one of the most photogenic stretches on the tour. The path beside the river is often calm, allowing you to take in reflections, rock faces and small riverside villages as you ride.

One highlight en route is the Solkan Bridge, a remarkable stone arch spanning the Soča. It is an engineering landmark and a striking site to pause. From here the route leads into Gorizia, a city with a rich and complex identity where Italian style meets Central European history. Gorizia’s main square, cafés and cultural venues provide a pleasant evening setting. The city’s architecture and museums reflect its multi-ethnic past and make for a stimulating cultural contrast to the day’s natural scenery.

This is a longer stage, so pace yourself and plan stops. The day rewards effort with dramatic river scenery early on and an urban, cosmopolitan finish in Gorizia.

The final cycling day crosses a small border into Slovenia then returns to Italy, giving you a taste of both countries in a single stage. After a short stretch through vineyard terraces you climb onto the karst plateau. From the plateau you can see the deep blue of the Adriatic and the wide sweep of the Gulf of Trieste. The karst landscape is unique: stony fields, sparse vegetation and expansive coastal outlooks.

The descent from the plateau is rewarding and leads through small villages with local cafés and bakeries. As you approach Trieste, the atmosphere shifts from rural to maritime. Trieste is an elegant port city where grand Austro-Hungarian architecture meets Italian cafés and seafood restaurants. Piazza Unità d’Italia, one of Europe’s largest seafront squares, is a lovely place to end the tour, and the waterfront offers many options for a celebratory meal.

Trieste is culturally rich and a fitting finale. Spend the evening sampling Adriatic cuisine, visiting a historic café or strolling the seafront watching ships come and go. This final day perfectly blends inland scenery, wine country and coastal splendour.

After breakfast, your official tour concludes. You may depart directly from Trieste, or extend your stay to explore more of the city, take a boat trip along the coast, or travel further into Italy or Slovenia. If you have time, consider a relaxed morning in Trieste’s cafés, a visit to Miramare Castle or a short trip to the nearby Slovenian coast. Whatever you choose, you will leave with a varied taste of alpine lakes, emerald rivers, vineyard hills and Adriatic charm.