Trip Overview
Join the Dementi crew for an unforgettable 6-day cycling adventure through the diverse landscapes of Slovenia. Starting from the Austrian city of Graz, we'll journey through Slovenia's wine regions, Alpine mountains, pristine lakes, and charming cities before returning to our starting point. Along the way, we'll experience the country's rich cultural heritage, sample local cuisine, and enjoy the camaraderie of riding together through this beautiful corner of Europe.
Day 1 (Friday, May 23) - Austrian Border to Slovenian Wine Country
Our adventure begins as we arrive by train in Graz, Austria. After assembling our bikes, we'll head south toward the Slovenian border. The route takes us through beautiful rolling hills and vineyard landscapes of southern Austria before crossing into Slovenia. We'll gradually descend toward the Drava River valley, passing through Velenje before reaching our destination in Žalec, a town known for its hops cultivation and brewing traditions. This warm-up day introduces us to the stunning landscapes we'll explore throughout our Slovenian adventure.
Train Arrival: Prague 4:39 → Graz 11:33
Day 2 (Saturday, May 24) - Through the Heart of Slovenia
Today we'll ride through the heart of Slovenia, following an east-to-west trajectory. The route takes us through Celje, then alongside the Sava River toward Ljubljana, Slovenia's charming capital. After a likely lunch stop in this beautiful city with its mix of Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture, we'll continue west through the Karst region, known for its limestone landscape features. Our destination is Nova Gorica on the Italian border, where we might catch a glimpse of the Giro d'Italia finish, as the day coincides with the race's arrival in the city.
Special Interest: This day coincides with Stage 14 of the 2025 Giro d'Italia (Treviso to Nova Gorica/Gorizia, 186 km)
Day 3 (Sunday, May 25) - Alpine Challenge
Today presents our biggest climbing challenge as we head into the Julian Alps. From Nova Gorica, we'll begin a gradual ascent through the Soča Valley, known for its emerald-green river and stunning gorges. The route takes us through Kanal and into the alpine region, with impressive mountain views throughout the day. After climbing to a maximum elevation of 1,282 m, we'll descend to Lake Bohinj, a pristine alpine lake nestled in Triglav National Park. This glacial lake is less touristy than nearby Lake Bled and offers spectacular mountain scenery in all directions.
Day 4 (Monday, May 26) - Alpine Lakes and Eastern Slovenia
We'll start our day with a short ride to Lake Bled, one of Slovenia's most iconic locations with its island church and clifftop castle. From there, we head east through the Karavanke mountain range and back into the valleys of eastern Slovenia. The route takes us through varied terrain with a mix of forests, farmland, and small villages before reaching Slovenj Gradec, a charming small town in the Carinthia region near the Austrian border.
Day 5 (Tuesday, May 27) - Pohorje Mountains
Today we tackle the beautiful Pohorje mountain range, with its dense forests and panoramic ridges. This challenging day includes significant climbing but rewards with stunning views across northeastern Slovenia. The route eventually brings us to Maribor, Slovenia's second-largest city, known for its wine production and the world's oldest producing grapevine (over 400 years old). The city sits on the Drava River and offers a blend of Austrian and Slovenian cultural influences.
Note: One team member (Jan) departs after this day
Day 6 (Wednesday, May 28) - Return to Austria
Our final day is a shorter ride allowing time to pack bikes for the journey home. From Maribor, we'll head north back into Austria, through pleasant rolling countryside and wine regions. The route follows the Mur River valley for parts of the journey, bringing us back to our starting point in Graz by early afternoon. This gives us time to enjoy a celebratory meal, pack our bikes, and catch the evening train back to Prague, reflecting on nearly 800 kilometers of beautiful Slovenian roads and scenery.
Train Departure: Graz 16:26 → Prague 23:19