Savinja Valley Weekend Road Cycling Tour - 3 Days

Ljubno. Photography: Matthias Rotter, Tour Magazine
Lower Savinja Valley. Photography: Roadbike Holidays - Tobias Köhler
Lower Savinja Valley. Photography: Peter Podobnik, www.slovenia.info
Lower Savinja Valley. Photography: Nea Culpa, www.slovenia.info
Golte Ascent
Lower Savinja Valley. Photography: Miran Orožim, www.slovenia.info
Road cycling in the Savinja Valley. Photography: Matthias Rotter, Tour Magazine
Lower Savinja Valley. Photography: Matic Gobec
Road cycling in the Savinja Valley. Photography: Matthias Rotter, Tour Magazine
Sava Hills. Photography: Matic Gobec
Road cycling in the Savinja Valley. Photography: Matthias Rotter, Tour Magazine
Sava Hills. Photography: Matic Gobec
Sava Hills. Photography: Matic Gobec
Lower Savinja Valley. Photography: Roadbike Holidays - Tobias Köhler
Lower Savinja Valley. Photography: Roadbike Holidays - Tobias Köhler
Road

Day 1: Arrival and Ponikovski kras
Day 2: Royal Climb to Golte
Day 3: Scenic Lower and Upper Savinja Valley and Departure

SAVINJA VALLEY WEEKEND ROAD CYCLING TOUR - 3 DAYS 

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: 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 the Dreta River we continue cycling towards Lačja vas where we turn left and continue through a forest path that 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 by a 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 returning, some leisure time and rest. Overnight stay.

Tour data:

Length: 75 km

Elevation gain: 1750 m 

Time: 5 h

Surface type: Asphalt

Day 3: SCENIC LOWER AND UPPER SAVINJA VALLEY

Breakfast at the Hotel. Today we are cycling through the 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 across the Savinja River to Polzela. We turn left and continue cycling upstream along the Savinja River towards Šmartno ob Paki. As we arrive to Skorno we continue right along the Paka River to Florjan where we turn left towards Bele vode and Lepa Njiva. We start our first long 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 the 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.

Refreshment and shower possibility at the Hotel (late check out confirmed upon availability or free hotel locker room use instead). Organized transfers to the airport or individual departures.

Tour data:

Length: 68 km 

Elevation gain: 1020 m 

Time: 3 h

Surface type: Asphalt

PRICE 2024: 

GUESTHOUSE GROF 3*

MARCH and NOVEMBER: 89 € per person in double room

APRIL and OCTOBER: 94 € per person in double room

MAJ, JUNE and SEPTEMBER: 104 € per person in double room

JULY and AUGUST: 118 € per person in double room

 

HOTEL GROF 4*

MARCH and NOVEMBER: 114 € per person in double room

APRIL and OCTOBER: 124 € per person in double room

MAJ, JUNE and SEPTEMBER: 140 € per person in double room

JULY and AUGUST: 154 € per person in double room

The price includes:

  • 2 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

Weekend 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: 40 € per room for the package (Hotel 4* only)
  • Single room: from 59 € per room per package (different rates for different dates and room types apply)
  • GPS Rental: 10 € for the package
  • Bike Rental: 40 € per day (gravel bike), 40 € per day (e-bike)
  • Private guide for 3 cycling tours: 600 € per group (for up to 8 pax per group)
  • Local siteseeing tours and transfers in Slovenia (guided tours): by prior arrangement

All organized guided tours can be rearranged to your wishes and cycling skills. Contact us for personalization of the programs.

Criteria of the difficulty level of cycling routes

 Criteria for family cycling

Easy

You are a family with small children who can already cycle on their own. You cycle mostly on a plain with short gentle inclines.

Normal

You are a family with young children, who cycle on diverse terrain with small climbs and descents.

 Criteria for road cycling

Easy

You are in a poor shape and cycle up to twice a week. You cycle on slightly diverse terrain with smaller climbs and descents.

Normal

You are in a moderate shape and exercise more than 3x weekly. You cycle on hilly terrain with medium length climbs and descents.

Hard

You are in a good shape and exercise regularly. You cycle on a hilly terrain and can spend multiple hours on a bicycle.

Expert

You are in an excellent shape and spend a lot of time exercising. You cycle on a hilly terrain with steep inclines and descents.

 Criteria for mountain cycling

Easy

You are in a poor shape and cycle up to twice a week. You cycle on slightly diverse terrain with smaller climbs and descents.

Normal

You are in a moderate shape and exercise more than 3x weekly. You cycle on hilly terrain with medium length climbs and descents.

Hard

You are in a good shape and exercise regularly. You cycle on a hilly terrain and can spend multiple hours on a bicycle.

Expert

You are in an excellent shape and spend a lot of time exercising. You cycle on a hilly terrain with steep inclines and descents.

*By clicking »confirm« your reservation will not yet be final. We will confirm your reservation once the availability of the bikes is checked.