SAVINJA VALLEY GRAVEL TOUR - 7 DAYS

Day 1: ARRIVAL TO SLOVENIA AND ACCOMMODATION AT BIKE HOTEL GROF

Arrival to Slovenia (possible transport from Ljubljana or other airports) to the Hotel GROF, your cycling holiday stay. Accommodation in modern and comfortable rooms. Overnight stay.

Day 2: MT. GORA OLJKA AND CELJE

Breakfast at the Hotel. Time to prepare yourself for the first ride. Asphalt road first takes us over smaller hills towards Lake Žovnek which is home to many bird species. We follow the road all the way to Spodnje Gorče, to the first section of gravel road which leads us along green hop fields. When we arrive to Parižlje we cross Savinja River for the first time and continue straight towards Polzela, where we turn left and start slowly ascending towards Mt. Gora Oljka. Asphalt road turns into gravel just before the top. At the top which is located at an altitude of 734 m above sea level, near the Church of the Holy Cross, beautiful views of Posavje Hills in the south, Kamnik-Savinja Alps and Savinja Valley in the west, Pohorje and Paški Kozjak in the north and Celje Basin in the east open up in front of us. Mountain hut is located just below the top where you can get some rest or have a snack. When we reach the top we start descending towards Polzela and continue cycling among the hop fields. In Spodnje Grušovlje we cross the highway and follow the road towards Žalec. We continue cycling on local roads and among the hop fields all the way to Celje, where we turn back and continue towards Hotel Grof. We cycle upstream on the left side of Savinja River. Once we reach the suspension bridge we cross Savinja once again and continue cycling on the right side of the river, past Vrbje Pond all the way to Latkova vas where we cross Savinja River for the last time. We cycle past Grajska vas, Ojstriška vas and Pondor settlement all the way to Hotel Grof. Leisure time to relax and overnight stay.

Tour data:

Length: 75 km

Elevation gain: 770 m 

Time: 5 h

Surface type: Asphalt, gravel road

Day 3: LAKE BRASLOVČE, ČRETA AND DOBROVLJE

Breakfast at the Hotel. Our route starts at Hotel Grof where we turn left and ride in the direction of Vransko. At St. Michael's Church, we turn right and slowly begin ascending towards Čreta. Asphalt and partially gravel road lead us to St. Catherine's Church on Čreta, where we slowly start descending towards Dobrovlje and Dom na Dobrovljah Hut. Followed by a winding road we descend all the way to Podvrh settlement, where we turn right. We continue towards Zgornje Gorče, where we turn right again and continue cycling to Lake Braslovče. Our route continues past Braslovče Hayrack and Church of the Assumption of Mary all the way to the town centre of Braslovče, where we turn right towards Rakovlje. Once we arrive at Spodnje Gorče we can see Žovnek Manor Avenue on our right side. The route leads us to Podvrh settlement, where we turn right at the chapel and continue cycling through the forest towards the Church of St. Martin. A short climb brings us to the highway underpass. We continue to the village of Prekopa and all the way back to Hotel Grof. After return, some leisure time and rest. Overnight stay.

Tour data:

Length: 35 km

Elevation gain: 850 m 

Time: 3 h

Surface type: Asphalt, gravel road

Day 4: SOLČAVA PANORAMIC ROAD AND LOGAR VALLEY

Breakfast at the Hotel. Our most scenic tour will take you to the heart of Upper Savinja Valley - Logar Valley, and Solčava Panoramic Road – the route with the most beautiful views of Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Our comfortable van will take you all the way to Solčava - starting and end point of our tour. Solčava Panoramic Road is unique in its beauty, taking you along the pearls of the natural and cultural heritage of the Solčava Region, with breathtaking views of the peaks and valleys and past subsistence highland farms, producing everything nature offers and man creates with love. The route can be selected based on your means of transport and the available time. The route consists of twenty unforgettable stops across a large portion of the region, which also includes the Logar Valley, Robanov kot Valley, Matkov kot Valley, and Podolševa. At the end of the tour, our shuttle will take you back to the Hotel. Leisure time to relax. Overnight stay.

Tour data:

Length: 38 km

Elevation gain: 1000 m 

Time: 4 h

Surface type: Asphalt, gravel road

Day 5: ČEMŠENIK AND VRHE

Breakfast at the Hotel. We start cycling south of Hotel Grof, along Bolska River, on the Žalec 01 local side road. We turn right near the Islander Ranch and continue cycling on gravel road towards Tabor. At St. George's Church in Tabor we turn right towards Loke. At the chapel in Loke settlement we keep right and continue our journey towards Črni vrh. We slowly start ascending. At Črni vrh intersection we continue straight towards Krvavica. Gravel road leads us to Presedlje pass and National Liberation War (NOB) Monument under Čemšeniška planina. We continue cycling under northern slopes of Čemšeniška planina towards Zaplanina and Prvine Ski Resort. At Limovce and Brezje intersection we turn left and continue cycling towards Brezje and Dobrljevo. In Dobrljevo we continue straight towards Čemšenik, Zaloka and Jesenovo. We cycle through Križe and Drenovec and ascend all the way to Vrhe Mountain Hut. Once we reach Vrhe we slowly start descending back towards Hotel Grof in direction of Klinčkov vrh. On gravel road we descend to Loke settlement where we turn right towards Tabor and follow the same route all the way back to Hotel Grof. Overnight stay.

Tour data:

Length: 43 km

Elevation gain: 1000 m 

Time: 3,5 h

Surface type: Asphalt, gravel road

Day 6: MENINA PLANINA

Breakfast at the Hotel. To warm up we cycle through Vransko and on asphalt road ascend over the Lipa pass. Just before the end of the descent towards Šmartno ob Dreti, near a larger farm, we turn left onto a gravel road that winds along the slope of the Menina planina plateau. After a few kilometers, we follow the road that leads from Bočna to the Menina planina plateau. A scenic gravel road leads us across a long plateau of Menina planina all the way to Menina planina Hut. We follow the same route back to the Hotel Grof. Finish. Beer? Oh yes. Some leisure time or a massage. Overnight stay.

Tour data:

Length: 64 km

Elevation gain: 2000 m 

Time: 5 h

Surface type: Asphalt, gravel road

Day 7: FAREWELL FROM THE VALLEY OF GREEN GOLD AND SLOVENIA

Breakfast at the Hotel Grof. Time to say goodbye to our great hosts. Organized transfers to the airport or individual departures.

PRICE:

 

From €285 per person in a double room 3* Guesthouse Grof

From €345 per person in a double room 4* Hotel Grof

The price includes:

• 6 x Bed and buffet breakfast in selected double room
• GPX tracks of all suggested tours for your navigation
• Free use of hotel cycling services: cycling corner, cycling maps, bike storage, bike washing, drying rack, basic bike service, etc.
• Back up vehicle - transport to the hotel in case of bike defect,
• Free washing of cycling clothes during your stay
• 1 x 10 % discount at GROF restaurant during your stay
• Free gym use
• Parking space
• Wi-Fi and VAT

 

Tourist tax (1,50 € per adult per day) is not included in the price.

Gravel cycling holiday program consists of our recommended tours. All tours can be rearranged to your wishes and cycling skills. Private guide is not included in the price. GPX track for each chosen tour is available. 

Possible surcharges:

• Room with balcony: 120 € per room for the package (Hotel 4* only)
• Single room: from 133 € per room per package in 3* and from 193 € per room per package in 4* (different rates for different dates and room types apply)
• GPS Rental: 35 € for the package
• Bike Rental: 39 € per day - gravel bike or e-mountain bike, 45 € per day - full suspension e-bike, 20 € per day - mountain bike
• Private guide for 7 cycling tours: 1.400 € per group (for up to 8 pax per group)
• Local siteseeing tours and transfers in Slovenia (guided tours): by prior arrangement