Slovenia – a little cycling miracle in the middle of Europe

In recent years, Slovenia has been at the forefront of the Tour de France. An incredible fight for the yellow jersey between Primož Roglič and Tadej Pogačar took place in 2020. As a young rider, Pogačar won the Tour twice and twice was runner-up. They both won the Giro d'Italia, while Roglič has also won the Vuelta a España three times. With these and a number of other exceptional achievements at the Olympic Games, world championships and classic cycle races, the country in the heart of Europe, where cycling is one of the most popular leisure activities, ended up in the limelight of all the major cycling media, acclaimed by teeming masses of fans from all over the world. This year’s 111th Tour de France promises a cycling spectacle focusing on the performances of the Slovenian aces.

Get to know the Slovenian cycling champion and ambassador of Slovenian tourism

Tadej Pogačar has had a stellar rise to the world's cycling elite. He’s a two-time winner of the Tour de France and a two-time runner-up. Pogačar ranks first in the UCI World Rankings with a record number of points. He won the Giro d'Italia 2024 and a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and is considered one of this year’s favourites to win the Tour de France.

Primož Roglič has won practically everything there is to win. Except the yellow jersey. Roglič is a Slovenian record-holder when it comes to the number of victories in 3-week races. He won gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and is the first Slovenian to have stood on the winning podiums of major cycle races.

Tadej Pogačar – cycling genius and his homeland Slovenia

Get to know the Slovenian grandmaster of great cycling races, Tadej Pogačar.

Tadej Pogačar – cycling genius and his homeland Slovenia

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Primož Roglič – from ski jumping to cycling to Olympic gold

Discover the cycling routes of Slovenia, the homeland of Primož Roglič, a top cyclist who became the Olympic champion at the Tokyo Olympics.

Primož Roglič – from ski jumping to cycling to Olympic gold

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Feel Slovenia the Podcast #8: Cycling in Slovenia with Tour de France Champion Tadej Pogačar

How well do Slovenia's two cycling champions know their homeland?

Watch this entertaining video in which two Slovenian cycling champions and Slovenian tourism ambassadors – Primož Roglič and Tadej Pogačar – answer interesting questions about their homeland, Slovenia.

Slovenians in the Tour de France

The Tour de France is the largest and most prestigious three-week road cycling race in the world. It was first organised in 1903, with French Maurice Garin becoming the first winner. The first stage win for Slovenia at the Tour de France was scored in 2017 by Primož Roglič, who was still a cycling rookie at the time. A turning point for Slovenia was 2020, when the country had two of its riders in play for the overall victory. At the time, Roglič was very close to the overall victory, but was beaten to it by another wunderkind of Slovenian cycling – Tadej Pogačar. The latter set a new milestone for Slovenian cycling with his second consecutive overall victory in the race in 2021.

In 2022 and 2023, Pogačar was a Tour runner-up. The Slovenian cycling fairy-tale is further complemented by Luka Mezgec who came second in two stages in 2020, and Matej Mohorič, who won three stages in 2021 and 2023. What awaits the cyclists in this year’s race?

Number of stages
21
Total length
3,492 km
Longest stage
229 km (Plaisance > Turin)

tour de france_slovenski kolesarji

Which Slovenian will be the first to win a stage of the 2024 Tour?

The eyes of the world are focused on the Tour de France, which is all about Slovenians. Roglič and his new team have a very clear objective, while Pogačar wants to win the race for the third time after twice finishing second. Matej Mohorič, the 2023 UCI Gravel World Champion, undoubtedly wishes to bag a fourth stage win. 

A "stage" of the Tour de France in Slovenia

Le Étape Slovenia by Tour de France is an official event of the Tour de France that represents a personal sporting challenge and a tourist adventure in green Slovenia. This 2-day cycling festival is intended for amateur cyclists who want to feel at least a part of the competitive adrenaline that professionals experience during the Tour de France, with all the conditions enjoyed by professionals and top-level support from mechanics. The event itself offers the opportunity to enjoy safe and pleasant cycling without worries about traffic and is an excellent opportunity for all those who would like to actively feel green Slovenia. The third edition of the event in Slovenia will again be hosted by Kranj, a city that has produced some top-level cycling names, such as Matej Mohorič, Tadej Valjavec and Franc Hvasti. So, what do you say, will you join the event?

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Top athletes come with top fans

When Slovenian athletes achieve top results, the small green land in the heart of Europe erupts with fan euphoria. Slovenia breathes as one and to experience this fan fever is something that you are sure to remember. This is also true when bicycle pedals are being pushed by top Slovenian cyclists headlined by Tadej Pogačar and Primož Roglič. When the chips are down, everything stops for a moment. Get to know the warm hearts of Slovenian fans and surrender yourself to the supporter euphoria.

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10 reasons why Slovenia is an excellent destination for cycling

Slovenia is exceptionally diverse and an excellent venue for countless outdoor activities. It is almost Europe in your pocket. The ratio between urban areas and countryside is almost 50-50, which means that the natural environment is right on the doorstep for many people. Combined with a pleasant climate, it offers some of the most beautiful cycling trails in the world, attracting many cyclists throughout the whole year. Slovenia is certainly a perfect destination for cycling.

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What is the secret of Slovenian sporting achievements?

A love of sport is written in our DNA. The diverse and picturesque landscape inspires us to actively spend our free time outdoors. We have a relatively well-developed sports infrastructure. Although the majority of activities are not free of charge, they are frequently subsidised by local communities. Work in many local sport clubs is performed on a voluntary basis. Add Slovenians being diligent people who want to prove themselves to the mix and there is a part of the recipe for the top achievements of Slovenian athletes. Discover more about active experiences in Slovenia and its current sport heroes.

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Pogačar's five favourite cycling experiences in Slovenia

Slovenia is a paradise for cyclists of all kinds. Slovenian world-class cyclist Tadej Pogačar recommends five cycling experiences in Slovenia that are well worth a try.

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Tips for top cycling holidays in Slovenia

If you are not sure about how to spend your cycling break in Slovenia, let us give you glimpse into some of the current offering suited for cyclists. Choose and book your holiday today!

From 376,00 €

Spend an active holiday in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Active free time for mountain lovers and cycling enthusiasts. The perfect combination with swimming...

Active package in Terme Snovik

From 1.004,00 €

Take a break from the everyday – let the adrenaline flow through your veins! Ideal for solo travellers, couples and families. Enjoy the natural beauty...

An active break

A paradise destination for cyclists

It is not unusual in Slovenia to find yourself in a dilemma over whether to count kilometres on a racing bike or descend down forest trails with a mountain bike. Whichever you choose, there are interesting and diverse trails that will take you through nature and picturesque locations.

Top road cycling tours

Road cycling is gaining in popularity among Slovenians on the wings of successes of Slovenian professional cyclists. We have our own "treats" for the most enthusiastic cyclists on racing bikes. Discover some of the most popular road cycling tours where top Slovenian cyclists have been making names for themselves.

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Top road cycling tours

Top road cycling tours

Road cycling is gaining in popularity among Slovenians on the wings of successes of Slovenian professional cyclists. We have our own "treats" for the most enthusiastic cyclists on racing bikes. Discover some of the most popular road cycling tours where top Slovenian cyclists have been making names for themselves.

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Take the time to tackle the long distance trails

Take the time to tackle the long distance trails

Explore the diversity of the Slovenian landscape along the long distance trails that connect various parts of the country. These take you from the mountains to the seacoast, across hills and plains, and past Slovenia’s natural and cultural attractions. Most long distance trails are part of an international network of trails that connect several European countries. The longest trail that runs across Slovenian territory, as well as the oldest European long distance trail, is the Slovenian Alpine Trail. 

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Adrenaline-fuelled mountain biking

Adrenaline-fuelled mountain biking

Do you know the feeling when you steer away from the hustle and bustle of towns to the tranquillity of nature, when each breath you take is as fresh as can be despite the effort, when you have goosebumps as you watch the world below, when adrenaline and happiness hormones are released as you overcome natural obstacles and experience the beauty of nature? Let the feeling consume you as you head out on the most beautiful mounting bike tours, trails and singletracks in Slovenia.

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With e-bikes easily around the green Slovenia

With e-bikes easily around the green Slovenia

Slovenia is a dynamic land which is worth touring by bicycle. If, until recently, steep slopes were “reserved” for fitter cyclists, these have become more accessible with e-bikes. You can thus explore the most beautiful corners of Slovenia in a more comfortable and active way, which is also one of the greener methods of mobility.

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Most beautiful cycling routes

Most beautiful cycling routes

Bikers will also get more than their fair share of enjoyment in Slovenia while riding through the picturesque countryside. You can opt for family cycling on level terrain, while more enthusiastic bikers can try to conquer slopes which will reward their efforts with beautiful views.

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Cycling in Slovenia

Cycling in Slovenia

The publication describes tours for various biking types; here, you can find information on accommodation for bikers, trail difficulty, natural and cultural attractions along the way, and suggestions for biking holidays.



Accommodation tailored to cyclists

When you get tired of covering kilometres on your bicycle, you can find a pleasant resting haven in specialised accommodation facilities for cyclists scattered all over Slovenia.

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Hotel Grof

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Kamp Park Lijak

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Youth Hostel Velenje

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Youth hostel Ajdovščina

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Turistična kmetija Šeruga

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Hotel Bela Krajina

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EcoHotel Koroš

9 Reviews More
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Kamp Danica

80 Reviews More
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Hostel Pekarna Maribor

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Hotel Ribno

271 Reviews More
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Kovačnica sreče

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Lukov dom na Kopah

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Discover Slovenia by bike

Take a ride along the green countryside that will inspire you with its diversity. The distances between individual regions are short, so you can find yourself in the Alpine world, on the sea coast or among thermal springs all within one day. You will never run out of power, as you will be able to treat yourself to Slovenian specialties along the way.

Biking

Explore Slovenia by bike. The dynamic landscapes of Slovenia, with their countless natural beauties, are ideal for a biking holiday.

Biking

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Ten reasons to go cycling in Slovenia

Discover why it is worth choosing Slovenia for your cycling holiday.

Ten reasons to go cycling in Slovenia

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Food and wine

Love is experienced through the stomach.

Food and wine

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Regions

In its small corner of the world, Slovenia is the only European country lying at the crossroads of the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Karst and the Pannonian Plain.

Regions

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Active holidays

Discover the world of active outdoor adventures in Slovenia.

Active holidays

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Unique accommodation in Slovenia

Spend your dream holiday in world-class comfort and in authentic touch with nature.

Unique accommodation in Slovenia

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Green story of Slovenia

Plan your holidays in green.

Green story of Slovenia

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Spas and health resorts

Rest, relax and enjoy the soothing power of thermal waters and wellness treatments.

Spas and health resorts

Spas and health resorts

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Stories from Slovenia

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