Bikepacking mountain adventure From hut to hut across Slovenian Alps
Daily distance
35-45 km
Daily elevation gain
800-1000 vm
Duration
5 nights | 4 riding days
Skill level
enthusiast
Weekend warrior
Novice
You have little or no experience in riding a mountain bike but you can ride mostly on gravel tracks or smooth trails. You have a modest degree of basic fitness from exercising once or twice per week. You can ride on flat or gently rolling terrain at a steady pace for 2 to 4 hours per ride.
Enthusiast
Intermediate
You can ride on gravel tracks and trails with confidence, taking loose stones and rough ground in stride. You may have some experience riding man-made single trails or rough gravel roads. You are moderately fit from two or three sessions of exercise per week. You can ride hilly terrain at a steady pace, or do shorter rides in more demanding terrain.
Amateur racer
Intermediate
You can tackle most normal terrain including steep, rough and narrow tracks with exposed tree roots and other small obstacles as part of a normal ride. You can ride most small drops/step-downs or similar technical trail features. You have good fitness from regular exercise and active involvement in cycling. You can ride full days in any terrain at a steady pace.
Semi-pro
Advanced
You can ride over just about anything, including very rocky and steep descents including drop-offs over two feed and other even more challenging trail features. You have excellent fitness from regular training and a large amount of time riding or even racing. You can ride anywhere at a demanding pace.
About the adventure
As the name suggests, this bikepacking adventure will take us from hut to hut over beautiful mountain pastures, hidden creeks and remote parts of the Kamniško-Savinjske Alps in Slovenia. Our route will take us down on forest tracks and gravel roads through pristine wilderness to some of the most breathtaking views of mighty mountains and deep valleys down below. Homely mountain huts will make sure each overnight stay is a special experience.
This is a thoroughly relaxing and carefree journey as all you need to do is turn pedals and apply the brakes every now and then. We used all our local knowledge and experience to create a route full of natural beauty and surprise. There is no need to pack a tent, mat or sleeping bag for this trip.
Your guide will carry the stove for coffee stops and a big pack of good vibrations so all you need to do is leave your everyday worries at home and embark on an unforgettable bikepacking adventure in the Slovenian Alps.
Highlights
- Cabine ride and crossing the Velika Planina mountain pasture plateau (cheese tasting and traditional pasture life)
- Relaxing afternoon on the Savinja river (optional: rafting, canyoning, kayak, SUP trip)
- Home cooked meals in mountain huts
- 700 year old linden tree and mineral water spring
- Sunrises and sunsets in high mountains
- Swimming in the Planšar lake
Tour Dates
655 €
Didn't find your date? Ask us and we will create a new package just for you.
Itinerary
Arrival to Ljubljana and meeting at Bikegalaxy headquarters. Bikes and equipment check and transfer to Kamniška Bistrica valley.
Overnight at Kamniška Bistrica mountain hut.
The adventure begins. After breakfast we double check our bikes and equipment and ride down to the gondola that takes us up to Velika Planina, 1400 meters above the sea to a rolling green Alpine plateau that looks like a chocolate commercial, complete with unique wooden huts and breathtaking views of the Kamniško Savinjske Alps. Our route takes us past groups of quintessential oval houses that are characteristic for the area and not found anywhere else. After leaving Velika Planina behind we slowly ride down past the villages around Kranjski Rak towards the Savinja River. We follow the river to Camp Menina where we stop for the day and relax by the river’s edge.
Overnight in kamp Menina.
(cca 45 km, 1000 vertical meters of climb and 1700 vm of descent).
In the morning we turn our backs to the valley and follow another river, the Ljubija, towards the Smrekovec hut and the heart of a protected Natura 2000 nature reserve. The hut caretakers always take care to pay special attention to traveling groups so the afternoon is sure to be especially relaxing. We can also use the afternoon to hike to the top of 1,577 m high peak of Smrekovec and watch the sun slowly set behind the ridges of the Kamniško Savinjske Alps.
Overnight at Smrekovec mountain hut.
(cca 35 km, 1100 vertical meters of climb and 100 vm of descent).
In the morning we set off past Smrekovec and down to the northern side of the ridge towards the old Viennese hut. Past the hut the route leads to the 700 year old Najevska linden tree and back up to the ridge where we stop at Bukovnik, Slovenia’s highest laying homestead. If the day is clear, we can enjoy the view across half of the country all the way to Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s tallest peak. After a rest, homemade lunch and a drink we set off towards the last climb up to Grohot hut and pasture under the rocky ridge of Raduha. Bikes then take their place along the fence and we take our places at the table in the safe hands of our caretakers.
Overnight at Grohot mountain hut.
(cca 45 km, 1600 vertical meters of climb and 1000 vm of descent).
Our last day on the bike is an active and fun filled affair. We leave the hut and ride down gravel roads and backroads through the woods towards the Solčava panoramic road. The Solčava panoramic road is like a first love. It is a glorious undulating strip of tarmac high above the valley floor that offers view after stunning view of high mountains and deep valleys below. It takes us past high mountain homesteads and farms where people have been cultivating the Alpine terrain for centuries with love and dedication. After making our way across the two mountain passes of Pavličevo sedlo and Jezersko (both used in the Tour of Slovenia cycling race) we enjoy the descent towards the Planšarsko lake, take a dip if the weather is nice and enjoy a well earned cold one.
Overnight at Cerklje.
(cca 45 km, 1300 vertical meters of climb and 1000 vm of descent).
It is time to say goodbye after an adventure and a half. Transfer to the airport can be arranged as required and is charged separately.
What's included?
Price for From hut to hut around the Alps tour includes:
- 4 active biking days
- 5 nights accommodation (3 stars hotel, glamping and mountain huts)
- 5 days fully catered breakfast and dinner with local/ typical touch
- Expirienced and licenced guide
- Bikepacking bags set hire
- Cable car ticket to Velika planina
- Transfer in an airconditioned van with a bike trailer
- Sight seeing as desired and information on the surrounding areas
- Organisation and support
- Use of workshop for repairs
- Second to none service with passionate staff
- Goodie bag
- Power bag
Rates are valid per person, based on double room occupancy.
Price for From hut to hut around the Alps excludes:
- Travel and activity insurance
- Personal safety & cycling equipment
- Lunches
- All beverages with included meals
- Any other items not mentioned as included
OPTIONAL
- Supplement for single room: 100 €
- e-bike rental: from 40€/day
- bike-rental: from 25€/day
We provide full mechanic service in our transport van. There is a lot bike shops in Slovenia in case that we need some special spare bike parts.
FAQ
Got a question? Check below:
We meet at 16.00 in our office in Ljubljana. Transfers from the airports Ljubljana, Maribor, Zagreb, Trieste, Venice, and Klagenfurt are possible upon request and subject of surcharge. For information about transfers and prices please phone +386 68 147 467 or send an email to: info@bikegalaxy.si
The official currency in Slovenia is the Euro – €. Additional costs you may encounter during your stay: lunch (cca. 10 – 15€/day), souvenirs, drinks in bars, massage treatments in hotels, etc. Most places allow payments by credit card, but we recommend you visit an ATM machine and pay in cash. Tipping is welcome (if you are satisfied with the service), not mandatory. The usual tip is up to 10 – 15% of the bill.
In all multi-day trips breakfast & dinner is included in the price. Lunch is the only meal that needs to be paid separately (around 10 – 15€ per day). Breakfast and dinner are part of the half-board lodging option at each hotel. Each day includes a lunch stop at a specially selected local restaurant, serving local home made food, friendly atmosphere and range of foods characteristic for the area. Other lunch option is buying food in the grocery store.
We kindly ask our guests to report any special nutritional requirements in advance (vegetarians, gluten free …) so we can notify the hotels and restaurants accordingly.
The best bike for our trips is a good all mountain or enduro bike with at least 120 mm of travel. The bike should not weigh more than 14 kilos as there is quite a bit of uphill riding. Hardtails are always an option, provided your knees and back can take the punishment.
Sure! We have a number of DeVinci, Mondraker, Pivot, Trek, KTM and Fuji mountain, road, gravel and Electric bikes available for rent. For a full list of bikes, sizes and pricing contact us at info@bikegalaxy.si. Bikes can be reserved upon booking to eliminate any chance of not having a bike ready and waiting for you when you arrive.
Most bicycle spares and components are available for purchase in bike shops around Slovenia. But, to set your mind at ease, we recommend you bring the following set of spares with you:
- rear derailleur hanger
- one set of brake pads
- chain (if your bike chain is older than 6 months)
- 2 inner tubes (with the appropriate valve)
- 2 spokes (appropriate lengths for your wheelset)
- Shock pump
You can also do away with worrying about spares altogether and rent a bike for the week.
With the exception of May and October, weather in Slovenia is rather stable and not too cold. Expected temperatures in May and October are between 10 and 25 C and temperatures between June and September are between 15 and 30 C. Packing rain gear is always good as we cannot guarantee the dry weather. Some long sleeves can certainly come in handy.
Clothing and accessories:
- at least two cycling jerseys with short sleeves and one with long sleeves
- padded bike shorts
- bike helmet
- knee pads (elbow pads optional)
- sunglasses
- bike gloves
- rainproof jacket and pants
- warm “civilian” clothing (fleeces, pants …)
- swimsuit, towel
- sunscreen and insect repellent
- personal hygiene set (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo…)
Your riding backpack should carry at least:
- 2 liters of fluid/day (hydration bladder or plastic bottles)
- 1 spare inner tube (appropriate valve)
- tools
- pump
Plus any other stuff you can’t ride without (phone, camera etc.)!
Of course! If you wish to extend your stay in Slovenia, we will be happy to arrange everything you need (lodging, activities ..) to make sure your good times continue. Don’t hesitete to contact us on info@bikegalaxy.si.
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