Day 1: ARRIVAL TO SLOVENIA, ACCOMMODATION AT BIKE HOTEL GROF AND PONIKOVSKI KRAS
Arrival to Slovenia (possible transport from Ljubljana or other airports) to the Hotel GROF, your cycling holiday stay. Accommodation in modern and comfortable rooms.
Followed by a short cycling tour into the Karst region, named after specific underground formations such as caves and sinkholes. We begin our trip on less busy local roads in Savinja Valley and continue to a true karstic land. The route leads us past Lake Žovnek, through Braslovče and Parižlje all the way to Polzela. We cycle past Andraž pri Polzeli where we begin to ascend to a hilly karst terrain. We continue to Ponikva pri Žalcu - Ponikovski kras Landscape Park area. After we ascend to Kale, a nice view of the valley opens up in front of us. On the way back, we can stop at the Pekel Cave, a karst cave with a long history. To return back to Grof we follow a road through Šempeter in Savinja Valley and cycle along the south part of the valley through Prebold, Grajska vas, and Tabor. Return to the hotel. Overnight stay.
Tour data:
Length: 51 km
Elevation gain: 540 m
Time: 2,5 h
Surface type: Asphalt
Day 2: VELIKI DOLOMITI
Breakfast at the Hotel. This scenic route takes us towards Zasavje Region. We start cycling at Hotel Grof and continue towards Vransko. At Trojane - Tuhinj Valley crossroad we turn right and continue cycling towards Motnik. Once we reach Motnik we start ascending towards Trojane where we can take a short break and taste delicious Trojane Doughnuts. We continue ascending towards Dobrljevo, followed by first longer descend towards Zagorje and Trbovlje - the heart of Zasavje Region. At Swimming pool Trbovlje we turn right and start ascending towards Podmeja. Just before the top of Podmeja pass, in Knezdol, we turn left onto the side road towards Dom pod Reško planino Hut. Once we reach the hut we start descending towards Prebold, where we turn left and continue cycling through Kaplja vas, Grajska vas and Tabor all the way to Hotel Grof. After return, some leisure time and rest. Overnight stay.
Tour data:
Length: 73 km
Elevation gain: 1560 m
Time: 5 h
Surface type: Asphalt
Day 3: SCENIC LOWER AND UPPER SAVINJA VALLEY
Breakfast at the Hotel. Today we are cycling through beautiful Lower and Upper Savinja Valley. As usual we start our day at Hotel Grof and cycle along scenic, hilly local roads past Lake Žovnek towards Braslovče. When we arrive to Braslovče we continue towards Parižlje and accross Savinja River to Polzela. We turn left and continue cycling upstream along Savinja River towards Šmartno ob Paki. As we arrive to Skorno we continue right along Paka River to Florjan where we turn left towards Bele vode and Lepa Njiva. We start our first longer descent towards Mozirje and Mozirski gaj Gardeners’ Park. In Mozirje we follow the signs towards Golte, but we turn left towards Rečica ob Savinji just before the Golte cable car. As we arrive to Spodnja Rečica we cross Savinja River once again and continue cycling towards Trnovo and Šmartno ob Dreto followed by the longest climb of the day towards Lipa pass. Once we reach the pass we start descending towards Vransko and Hotel Grof. Leisure time to relax. Overnight stay.
Tour data:
Length: 68 km
Elevation gain: 1020 m
Time: 3 h
Surface type: Asphalt
Day 4: FRESHNESS OF FORESTS AND MEADOWS - ROYAL CLIMB TO GOLTE
Breakfast at the Hotel. To warm up we climb a less busy road over the Lipa pass and then descend towards Zadreška Valley. Following Dreta River we continue cycling towards Lačja vas where we turn left and continue through a forest path which leads us to the Savinja Valley. We cross a wooden bridge towards Rečica ob Savinji. After a short climb we descend towards Radegunda to the starting point of a 13-kilometer royal climb with 975 meters of elevation gain. If we still have some energy left in the tank we can challenge ourselves with one of the most beautiful climbs in Slovenia with the view over Savinja Valley. At the beginning of the ascent, on the steepest part, it is suggested to save some energy for the final climb to the Alpine Garden Golte followed after more pleasant middle section. Our descent follows the same road as the climb. We pass Mozirje, Letuš and Braslovče on the way back to the starting point. After return, some leisure time and rest. Overnight stay.
Tour data:
Length: 75 km
Elevation gain: 1750 m
Time: 5 h
Surface type: Asphalt
Day 5: 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 2024:
GUESTHOUSE GROF 3*
MARCH and NOVEMBER: 174 € per person in double room
APRIL and OCTOBER: 184 € per person in double room
MAJ, JUNE and SEPTEMBER: 204 € per person in double room
JULY and AUGUST: 232 € per person in double room
HOTEL GROF 4*
MARCH and NOVEMBER: 224 € per person in double room
APRIL and OCTOBER: 244 € per person in double room
MAJ, JUNE and SEPTEMBER: 278 € per person in double room
JULY and AUGUST: 304 € per person in double room
The price includes:
- 4 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
Road 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. Private guide surcharge is 200 € per day (for up to 8 pax).
Possible surcharges:
- Room with balcony: 80 € per room for the package (Hotel 4* only)
- Single room: from 106 € per room per package (different rates for different dates and room types apply)
- GPS Rental: 20 € for the package
- Bike Rental: 40 € per day (gravel bike), 40 € per day (e-bike)
- Private guide for 5 cycling tours: 1.000 € per group (for up to 8 pax per group)
- Local siteseeing tours and transfers in Slovenia (guided tours): by prior arrangement
