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:
From 97 € per person in a double room 3* Guesthouse Grof
From 115€ per person in a double room 4* Hotel Grof
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.
Possible surcharges:
- Room with balcony: 40 € per room for the package (Hotel 4* only)
- Single room: from 47 € per room per package in 3* and from 65 € per room per package in 4* (different rates for different dates and room types apply)
- GPS Rental: 10 € for the package
- Bike Rental: 45 € per day - road bike, 65 € per day - e-road bike
- Private guide for 3 cycling tours: 660 € per group (for up to 8 pax per group)
- Local siteseeing tours and transfers in Slovenia (guided tours): by prior arrangement
