LONG DISTANCE CYCLING ROUTES
Emerald Green Trail
6 stages
332 km
DESCRIPTION
From the Julian Alps
to the Trieste / Trst Gulf by bike
Passing the old railway station from Tarvisio / Trbiž go in direction towards Laghi di Fusine / Belopeška Lakes and follow the tarmac cycling path in direction to the Slovenian border. Partially in the shelter of the trees, enjoying in panoramic views, cycle towards Kranjska Gora, a renowned ski and holiday resort at the foot of the Julian Alps. Continue your path through the places rich with history, right up to the picturesque Bled Lake, where the train takes you along a more than hundred-year-old Bohinj track, which once connected Trieste with Vienna, to the Most na Soči. Here you get down from the train and arrive on the sunny side of the Soča Valley into Kobarid. Those who are physically fitter are advised to continue their route to Bovec and meet the beauties of this place. In order to continue the already started tour you return to Most na Soči, from where you continue your cycling trip through Kanal, a picturesque small city connected with the ridge over Soča River. Follow a well-arranged section of the cycling route towards Solkan along the Soča River and railway track. After passing Solkan, cycle through Nova Gorica and across the neighbouring Italian Gorizia. From here, the route takes you to the Slovenian Karst, among monasteries, castles, churches and villages, towards Lipica. Continue along the renowned cycling route Porečanka (Parenzana), passing Koper, Izola and Portorož, all the way up to glorious Sečovlje salt marshes on one or several coastal paths to Piran in opposite direction.
GALLERY
ITINERARY
Stage1
In the shelter of Triglav (along the valley)
LENGTH
62 km
Ascent
760 m
Descent
980 m
paved
98 %
unpaved
2 %
TRAIL TYPE
LONG DISTANCE CYCLING
DIFFICULTY
medium
ACTIVITY
TRAVEL
family cycling
Stage description
From a border tripoint along the Sava Cycling Route
The cycling route passes the Tarvisio railway station in direction towards the Slovenian border by the Belopeka Lakes, which lie on one of the coolest areas in Italy. Cycle along the route of the former railway line Ljubljana-Tarvisio. This is a good example of reconstruction of the abandoned railway line in a path designed for cyclists and pedestrians. Continue your trip through a green landscape (with one word “greenway”) and enter Slovenia in Rateče. Soon you reach the centre of Kranjska Gora, a town renowned for hosting the World Alpine Ski Championships. Along the Sava River, you arrive in an interesting town Mojstrana, an old mining centre. Here three beautiful Alpine valleys Vrata, Kot and Krma split off and indents into the Julian Alps up to Triglav, the highest mountain in Slovenia (2,864 metres). Gradually descend to Jesenice, an important railway hub and then go in direction towards two Slovenian pearls, i. e. Bled Lake and Bled, which is adorned by a small island in the middle of the lake. Here, you embark onto a train, which drives you to the Soča Valley.
Alpe-Adria Cycling Route leads through the border town from north to the south, from Austria through the Italian Buja, Udine, Palmanova, Aquileia up to Grado. A 175 metre-long route goes through three border countries and connects other cycling tours into a network, too, for example Drava cycling route. From the abandoned Tarvisio railway station go towards east and leave the cycling route leading to Austria and Arnoldstein. Turn right towards Belopeka Lakes and border in Rateče, above which Peč (1,510 m) rises, which marks the tripoint between Austria, Italy and Slovenia. Continue cycling on a beautiful paved cycling route, going along the railway line of the 19th century, which used to connect Tarvisio with Ljubljana. This will take you a considerable amount of the day. You pass big meadows and cycle through thick and refreshing forests. On this way, you can turn towards Planica, where numerous world records have been achieved on the famous ski jumping hills. Our next target is Kranjska Gora, a famous holiday resort, which especially in the winter invites a number of domestic and foreign guests on its ski centre resorts. Here you may admire the Church of the Assumption of Mary and the Liznjek House of the 18th century, a wonderful example of the landscape architecture, where there is an ethnographic museum today. The Sava Dolinka, one of the upper parts of the Sava River, offers magnificent scenes of the grassy landscape, sown with typical wooden drying frames made for hay drying. It is recommended to visit the Slovenian Mountain Pasture Museum and Pocar Homestead, one of the oldest places of residence in the Triglav National Park, where there is a well-arranged exhibition space today. After a short stop, go towards Jesenice, where the cycling route ends. On the way to Bled Lake, you are brought closer to the Alpine forests again. Here you sit on the train and after an hour of a ride through numerous tunnels and galleries, which mark the Transalpine or Boginj railway line, you arrive in the Valley of Soča – Most na Soči exit station.
Stage 2
In the shelter of Triglav (mountain trail)
LENGTH
45 km
Ascent
1020 m
Descent
1370 m
paved
96 %
unpaved
4 %
TRAIL TYPE
LONG DISTANCE CYCLING
DIFFICULTY
difficult
ACTIVITY
TRAVEL
Stage description
From the Sava Valley to the Soča Valley
The main valley Adrabike Route, connecting Kranjska Gora and Ravenna, takes you by train from Jesenice to Most na Soči passing Bled to the southern side of the Alps. The more demanding mountain route with the same name, described in more details hereinafter, guides you to the Soča Valley on a hairpin bend road across the highest Slovenian pass Vršič. Cycle from the source of the Soča River in Trenta along the emerald river flow, squeezed between high Julian mountains, up to Bovec, a sport centre of the valley.
Stage 3
Upper Soča Valley
LENGTH
41 km
Ascent
450 m
Descent
740 m
paved
84 %
unpaved
16 %
TRAIL TYPE
LONG DISTANCE CYCLING
DIFFICULTY
medium
ACTIVITY
TRAVEL
family cycling
GRAVEL
Stage description
By the emerald river
Most na Soči, known for the reservoir lake, mouth of the Idrijca River into Soča River, and particularly for unique archaeological findings, is a place that will not leave you indifferent. In Tolmin, famous also for the peasant revolt (Tolmin peasant revolt) in the 18th century, you can also visit the Tolmin Museum, remains of the Medieval castle on Kozlov Rob (Goat’s Edge) and Hudičev most (Devil’s Bridge) in Tolmin Gorges. Continue cycling along the sunny bank of the Soča River until crossing a big single-arch stone Napoleon Bridge, boasting before entering Kobarid. The place is known for a famous battle that took place in November 1917. The fitter ones may continue cycling towards Bovec and perhaps up to the source of the Soča River and visit the Boka Waterfall. Return to Kobarid follows. Anyhow, the Soča Valley is in full symbiosis with other natural gifts and a real heaven for the athletes (kayak and raft athletes, mountain bikers, paragliders, runners …), fishers, hikers, mountain climbers, cavers, historical and festival tourists (Soča Festivalley) etc.
After arriving by train from Jesenice or Bled to the station (this is two kilometres away from Most na Soči), you find yourself on the territory, known for archaeological findings linked to the period of the Late Iron Age (Saint Lucia culture) and the period of ancient Romans. The curious ones may walk along the cultural and historical trail Čez most po modrost “To stroll across Most na Soči to get wisdom”. After visiting this small town with extremely rich history, sit on a bike and cycle in direction of the Soča River flow (the cycling route continues along the valley to the south) or in direction against the water flow. The Soča Valley offers you its unforgettable nature. Below the mountains there are lakes, waterfalls, rapids and endless interesting corners, which will not leave you indifferent for sure. At the main junction in Tolmin, you turn right towards Zatolmin and Tolmin Gorges, lying on the extreme lower edge of the Triglav National Park. Here, in addition to the limpid greyish blue Tolminka River, you can find a big rock in the shape of a bear’s head entrapped between the walls of the troughs of the Zavladaščica River, the Hudičev most (Devil’s Bridge), expanding 60 metres above the river, and the Dante’s Cave in an immediate vicinity. It is alleged that it is here that the poet Dante Alighieri got inspired for Inferno (Hell), described in the first part of the Devine Comedy – remember this when you will visit the Dante’s tomb in Ravenna. Ride on a bike along the sunny bank of the Soča River through the villages to Kobarid. Before going into the town, you cross the Napoleon’s Bridge. Since it is here where the bloody history of the World War I was made, a permanent exhibition of the Kobarid Museum is dedicated to this topic. A beautiful view of Kobarid and its surrounding is offered to you from the Italian Ossuary, positioned on a hill, rising over the town. It is recommended that those who are physically more prepared continue their path on the right bank of the Soča River through Žaga and Log Čezsoški towards Bovec. On the way, they can visit the Boka Waterfall, ranking among one of the most magnificent waterfalls in Europe with its 144 metres in height and 18 metres in width. Those who want to visit the Soča birthplace have to cycle to the Valley of Trenta, lying in the Triglav National Park. When returning to Kobarid, another trip – this time a culinary one – awaits you in the restaurants there, joined in the Kobarid gastronomic circle.
Stage 4
Lower Soča Valley
LENGTH
38 km
Ascent
520 m
Descent
610 m
paved
90 %
unpaved
10 %
TRAIL TYPE
LONG DISTANCE CYCLING
DIFFICULTY
medium
ACTIVITY
TRAVEL
family cycling
GRAVEL
Stage description
Where the mountain breezes mix with Mediterranean scents
On the third day, you are still in the Valley of Soča – in its middle flow. Leave Tolmin cycling along the panoramic trail past the numerous natural, cultural and historical points of interest, which make cycling even more attractive. Return to Most na Soči on the same way you arrived there – i.e. on the left bank of the Soča River. Take the paved road and a part of macadam road and arrive in Kanal, crossing the bridge of the 16th century, a symbol of this place. This bridge, several times destroyed and reconstructed in the past, is renowned for the World Championship in the jumps in the river. Otherwise, you may visit Kontrada Square with a Gothic House and a Parish Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (of 1431). They you cycle to Plave, where numerous battles took place during the World War I. The river slows down a little bit here and lazily meanders. While cycling along the paved cycling route, enjoy in a peaceful shelter of Soča. Vegetation changes all the time. The mountain scents disappear to the Mediterranean fragrances. At the end of the cycling route by the Soča River, you see a magnificent Solkan Bridge, boasting of the longest stone arch in the world – a real construction masterpiece dating back to the 20th century. From Solkan you suddenly arrive in Nova Gorica, connected with the neighbouring Italian Gorizia / Gorica with the so-called Europe Square (piazza della Transalpina), a symbol of brotherhood of these two border cities.
Set off from Kobarid, Tolmin or Most na Soči. Near Most na Soči it is worth visiting cultural and historical sights (Italian Ossuary, Tonovec Castle) and unique natural points of interest (Kozjak Waterfall). After crossing the Napoleon’ Bridge, turn right and follow the left bank of the Soča River towards Tolmin, from where you continue towards Most na Soči and then to Kanal, a beautiful small town with a baroque touch, whose symbol is the stone bridge over the Soča River. This was destroyed and restructured several times, also mentioned in Hemingway’s novel A Farewell to Arms. It is still a centre of social life in this town, even up to the point that at the height of 17 metres, it has become a springboard for the renowned international and World Championships in Water Jumping. Cycle along the right bank of the Soča River, which becomes increasingly winding and offers you unique scenes. Go through Plave and Prilesje with the church of the Saint Acacius. A well-designed cycling route by the river takes you through a gorge under the second important bridge, this time a railway bridge. This extraordinary product made with human hands stands at the entrance in Solkan and boasts of the world record – with its 4,533 cuboid stones made of limestone from Aurisina quarry area and 85 metres in length, it is the longest single-arch railway bridge made of cut stone in the world. When you cross it, you go in direction to the new Solkan bridge, which leads towards Nova Gorica. The city grew up after the Wolrd War II on the Slovenian side (opposite the Italian town of Gorizia / Gorica). Here it is worth visiting the railway station of historical importance, in front of which the Europe Square expands, which has become a new symbol of the two neighbouring cities. Only a few metres from the national border, there is an old city centre of this Friulian town. On a hill, at the outskirts of Nova Gorica, there is a Franciscan Monastery Kostanjevica with a small Church of the Assumption of Mary, a library and a tomb of Bourbons, where the last descendants of Bourbons family are buried.
Stage 5
It’s marvellous across the Karst
LENGTH
78 km
Ascent
1110 m
Descent
800 m
paved
76 %
unpaved
24 %
TRAIL TYPE
LONG DISTANCE CYCLING
DIFFICULTY
difficult
ACTIVITY
TRAVEL
gravel
Stage description
Passing adornment which adorns Karst
On this cycling stage, you get to know the Slovenian Karst, an area with a wide range of historical, natural, cultural, gastronomical and oenological particularities. The route winds with frequent, but not very fatiguing ascents on a magnificent limestone plateau, which rises above the Gulf of Trieste. Cycle prevailingly on the narrow roads, designed for different kinds of traffic, which is quite rare. The roads are surrounded with stone fences, which give a feeling that they get lost in the distance. Here nature is the master, formed by the bora wind and adorned by numerous Karst phenomena and unique colours – colourful autumn scenes are unforgettable. Then, an old small village, remains of the Medieval fortress, a bell tower show that you are back to civilization. After turning, a view of the Gulf of Trieste reveals to you, which expands underneath. When you leave Nova Gorica, the path follows the border with Italy, which you can notice from bilingual names of border settlements. Our target is famous Lipica and its hundred-year-old stud farms.
Leave Nova Gorica and cycle to Šempeter, where there is the church of St Peter of the 15th century, a manor of the Counts Coronini and a manor Mafejšče. From here, a nicely arranged cycling route takes you to Miren, above which the church of Our Lady the Sorrows stands on Miren Castle. After some not very demanding hills and macadam sections of the road, you arrive in Lokvice. Sela na Krasu follows, from where you may enjoy in the view of the Trieste Gulf. In Šrkbina you visit the house of the painter Lojze Spacal and cross the small village Sveto with a small church dedicated to St Aigis – it is one of the most important examples of the sacral architecture in Slovenia. From here, you cycle in the heartland of the Karst, go through settlements Pliskovica and Dutovlje, an important vineyard centre specialized in Teran wine production. You can arrive in Dutovlje also through Štanjel, representing the greatest tourist sight of the Karst with its castle and walls. Tomaj is the next settlement, where you can visit the birth house of Srečko Kosovel, one of the most important Slovenian poets. Magical paths take you to Sežana, economic centre of Karst, with a more than a hundred-year-old botanical garden. You finish your cycling stage in Lipica, home of the world-renowned Habsburg stud farm since the 16th century, from where the white Lipizzaner horses originate. Here, it’s all about equestrianism: manège (horse training), courses, exhibitions, trips on a horse’ saddle, rides with a carriage, visits of historical stables, etc.
Stage 6
Towards the seaside
LENGTH
68 km
Ascent
640 m
Descent
1040 m
paved
92 %
unpaved
8 %
TRAIL TYPE
LONG DISTANCE CYCLING
DIFFICULTY
medium
ACTIVITY
TRAVEL
gravel
Stage description
From Karst to Istria
Before you “soak” in the blueness of the Adriatic Sea, karstic characteristics, such as caves, caverns, sinkholes, underground rivers, stony commons and almost no vegetation still accompany you on the route. By the path, which gently descends, you meet one of the three Slovenian sights entered in the List of Unesco World Heritage Sites – Škocjan Caves. This is a complex of caves and passages, covered with stalactites and stalagmites, created by the disappearing Reka River, which for more than 40 kilometres runs underground and flows out in the Trieste Gulf at San Giovanni di Duino as the Timavo River. Set off towards Kozina, lying on the extreme edge of the Karst. From here, you cycle towards Črni Kal with a typical inclined bell tower (a portal of Bevk’s house, the oldest farmhouse in Slovenia). A decisive descent follows along the valley of Rižana River, where you reach the route of the formed railway line Porečanka (Parezana). At the beginning of the 20th century, the latter one connected Trieste with Poreč, whereas today there is a much visited and excellently equipped cycling route, passing a nature reserve of the Škocjan Inlet up to Koper, Izola, till Portorož. You can continue cycling along the coast up to Piran.
The path takes you from the centre of Lipica along a macadam road to Lokev, where a magnificent defence tower stands. It was erected as a defence against Turkish invasions and today there is a rich collection of weapons, uniforms and other military weapons in it. Then you cycle up to the entrance in the Škocjan Caves Regional Park in the municipality of Divača. You simply cannot miss the visit of caves, which represent one of the greatest tourist attractions in Slovenia. After vising them, continue cycling up to the edge of the plateau (to the town Kozina), through which another cycling route goes. This is a section of the cycling route between Trieste and Hrpelje (you will cycle over a part of it on the second day of the next week), going along the former railway line between Trieste and Ljubljana. A bit lower, there is a town Črni Kal, soaked in a greenery, where the whiteness of the St Valentine Church stands out. Here the road descends into wide curves and reaches the valley of the Rižana River and then the route of the former railway line Porečanka – Parenzana, which from 1902 to 1935 connected Trieste with Poreč with a narrow monorail in the length of 123 kilometres. A few years ago, on this line, a cycling route was set-up with the label D8, called a Path of Health and Friendship Porečanka – Parenzana. Cycle on a beautiful cycling route to the natural reserve Škocjan Inlet, the largest salty wetland in Slovenia, and then to Koper and its wonderful old centre with the noticeable Venetian influence. To reach Izola, cycle along the cycling route designed also for other users, by the seaside. Pass through a tunnel to Strunjan, where once used to be salt marshes. After passing through the second tunnel, you reach Portorož (in the municipality of Piran), a famous tourist place in the Slovenian Istria with a hundred-year-old spa tradition. Mud used in spas comes from Sečovlje salt marshes, a landscape park, ten kilometres from Portorož (in direction of the border with Croatia).