Self-Launched: Julian Alps to the Adriatic Cycling – Slovenia & Italy

Arrive in Bled independently — the easiest option is to fly into Ljubljana (1 hr away) and take the direct bus from Ljubljana Bus Station to Bled (~£5, ~1.5 hrs). Check into a lakeside guesthouse or hostel. Take an evening stroll along the lake promenade and grab dinner at one of the local restaurants on the waterfront. A swim in the lake is free and well worth it.

🚌Bus from Ljubljana Airport to Bled via Ljubljana Bus Station (~£5–8)

🛏Bled Hostel or Traveller's Haven Bled (budget guesthouse/hostel ~£20–30pp)

• →Arrive via Ljubljana — take the FlixBus or Arriva bus from Ljubljana to Bled (~£5)
• →Evening stroll along the shores of Lake Bled
• →Dinner at a local restaurant in Bled town

Hire a bike in Bled (several shops near the lake offer daily hire from ~£15–20) and follow the circular 41 km warm-up route along the lakeshore, through Slovenian hamlets to 12th-century Kamen Castle. Explore the Gothic and Renaissance keeps and climb the Roman tower for panoramic views. Picnic at Završnica Reservoir, then return across the Sava Dolinka River. Don't miss the short climb to Bled Castle — the oldest in Slovenia — for sweeping views over the lake. Navigate using Komoot (free app, route downloadable in advance).

🚌Bicycle (hired locally ~£15–20/day)

🛏Bled Hostel or Traveller's Haven Bled (~£20–30pp)

• →Rent a bicycle in Bled (~£15–20/day from local hire shops near the lake)
• →Circular 41 km ride along the lakeshore and through surrounding hamlets
• →Visit Kamen Castle — free to explore exterior, small entry fee for interior (~£4)
• →Picnic at Završnica Reservoir
• →Detour to Bled Castle (entry ~£8) for panoramic lake views
• →Download Alpe Adria Trail GPX route on Komoot (free)

Take the morning bus or shared taxi (~25 mins) to Mojstrana, the gateway to Triglav National Park, where you'll begin today's 36 km ride west through the valley. Cycle past the dramatic limestone Julian Alps and through charming alpine ski village Kranjska Gora — a great lunch stop with plenty of cafes. A pine-scented trail then leads you across the Italian border and down to Tarvisio. The Alpe Adria Radweg cycle path is well signposted throughout. Book accommodation in Tarvisio in advance — budget guesthouses and B&Bs available from ~£30–40pp.

🚌Bus/shared taxi Bled to Mojstrana (~£5); bicycle for 36 km cycling stage

🛏B&B or guesthouse in Tarvisio, e.g. Haus Kuenz or similar (~£30–40pp)

• →Bus or shared taxi from Bled to Mojstrana (~£4–6)
• →36 km cycle through Triglav National Park valley and alpine scenery
• →Lunch in Kranjska Gora — try a traditional Slovenian gostilna
• →Cross the Italian border on the Alpe Adria cycle path
• →Explore Tarvisio village centre on foot in the evening

A rest day in and around Tarvisio. The twin glacial Fusine Lakes (Laghi di Fusine) are the standout excursion — entry to the nature reserve is around €3 (~£2.50) and the turquoise lakes surrounded by mountains are simply stunning. Alternatively, cycle or take a train to Villach in Austria (~30 mins by train, ~£8 return) for a change of scenery. Head back to Tarvisio for dinner — the town has good local trattorias serving Friulian and Austrian-influenced cuisine.

🚌Local taxi or bike to Fusine Lakes (~£5–10); optional train to Villach (~£8 return)

🛏B&B or guesthouse in Tarvisio (~£30–40pp)

• →Day trip to the Fusine Lakes (Laghi di Fusine) — entry ~£2.50, taxi or bike ~20 mins from Tarvisio
• →Optional: train to Villach, Austria and back (~£8 return)
• →Evening dinner in Tarvisio — try local Friulian cuisine and wines

Today's longest ride at 65 km, but the Alpe Adria cycle path makes it entirely manageable — mostly flat or downhill after an initial 400m descent into the Fella Valley. Traffic-free trails wind through cheerful mountain communities, criss-crossing the river through gorgeous scenery. Your destination is Venzone, a jaw-droppingly beautiful medieval walled town famous for its lavender and immaculately restored after a 1976 earthquake. Stay at an agriturismo or guesthouse just outside the walls for an authentic experience.

🚌Bicycle for 65 km cycling stage

🛏Agriturismo or guesthouse near Venzone, e.g. Agriturismo La Stalla (~£30–40pp)

• →65 km cycle on the Alpe Adria Radweg through the Fella Valley
• →Enjoy the 400m descent into the wooded valley — great fun on a road bike
• →Stop at riverside mountain villages along the route for coffee and snacks
• →Explore Venzone's medieval walled town on foot — free to walk around
• →Visit Venzone Cathedral (free entry)

A gorgeous 50 km ride through the rolling Friuli hills, passing fruit orchards, vineyards and remote Romanesque churches. Traditional villages like Tavagnacco and Osoppo offer excellent lunch spots. The route is mostly on quiet country lanes and cycle paths. Arrive in Udine, Friuli's elegant regional capital, by mid-afternoon. Check into a budget hotel or B&B in the historic centre — there are good options from ~£35–50pp. Spend the evening exploring the city's famous portico-lined squares.

🚌Bicycle for 50 km cycling stage

🛏Budget hotel or B&B in Udine city centre, e.g. Hotel Allegria or similar (~£35–50pp)

• →50 km cycle from Venzone through the Friuli foothills to Udine
• →Lunch in Tavagnacco or Osoppo — try local osteria
• →Arrive in Udine and check in to central accommodation
• →Evening stroll around Piazza Libertà — 'the most beautiful Venetian piazza on the mainland'
• →Aperitivo and dinner in Udine's historic centre

A full day to explore Udine at your own pace. Wander between Piazza Libertà and Piazza Matteotti, browse the portico-lined streets and visit the Castello di Udine (entry ~£5) for city views and the civic museums. The city is the birthplace of Baroque master Giambattista Tiepolo — his frescoes can be seen in the Palazzo Arcivescovile (entry ~£5). Day-trip option: Venice is reachable by direct train from Udine in ~90 mins (~£15 each way) for a memorable day out.

🚌Walking in Udine; optional train to Venice (~£30 return)

🛏Budget hotel or B&B in Udine city centre (~£35–50pp)

• →Morning walk around Piazza Libertà and Piazza Matteotti
• →Visit Castello di Udine and civic museums (~£5 entry)
• →See Tiepolo frescoes at the Palazzo Arcivescovile (~£5)
• →Optional day trip to Venice by train (~£15 each way, ~90 mins)
• →Dinner at a traditional Friulian osteria — try frico and local Friulano wine

A pleasant 31 km ride — the shortest cycling day — through wine villages, cornfields and swaying vines. Stop in medieval Pavia di Udine for a relaxed lunch at a local trattoria. Arrive in the extraordinary 16th-century UNESCO-listed star-fort citadel of Palmanova in the early afternoon, leaving plenty of time to explore its unique nine-pointed star layout on foot. Budget accommodation is limited but available — book ahead.

🚌Bicycle for 31 km cycling stage

🛏B&B or small hotel in Palmanova, e.g. Ai Dogi B&B or similar (~£35–45pp)

• →31 km cycle through Friulian wine country from Udine to Palmanova
• →Wine tasting stop at a local cantina along the route (free or small charge)
• →Lunch in Pavia di Udine at a traditional trattoria
• →Explore UNESCO-listed Palmanova fortress town on foot (free to walk around)
• →Visit the Museo Storico Militare di Palmanova (~£4)

Today's 30 km ride passes through one of Europe's great historical sites — the UNESCO-listed ancient Roman city of Aquileia. Spend time exploring its immense archaeological site (entry ~£6), magnificent 4th-century floor mosaics in the Basilica of Aquileia, and the Roman Forum. Then continue south along the spectacular Adriatic lagoon causeway to the island town of Grado. Check into a seafront hotel or B&B overlooking the harbour — there are good mid-range options within 200m of the beach.

🚌Bicycle for 30 km cycling stage across the Adriatic lagoon

🛏Seafront hotel or B&B in Grado, e.g. Hotel Savoy or similar (~£40–55pp)

• →30 km cycle from Palmanova through Aquileia to Grado
• →Visit the Basilica di Aquileia and its extraordinary Roman floor mosaics (~£6)
• →Explore the Aquileia Archaeological Museum (~£5)
• →Dramatic lagoon crossing by cycle path to the island of Grado
• →Evening seafront stroll and dinner in Grado's historic centre

A free day on the 'Sun Island'. Grado's sandy beaches are among the finest on the northern Adriatic — spend the morning relaxing on the beach with views across to Croatia and Slovenia. Explore the old town's calli e campielli (lanes and courtyards), traditional cason fishermen's houses and the 6th-century Basilica di Sant'Eufemia (free entry). Optional afternoon: cycle along the coast through the Riserva Naturale della Foce dell'Isonzo to the River Isonzo delta — a superb bird-watching spot.

🚌Walking and cycling locally

🛏Seafront hotel or B&B in Grado (~£40–55pp)

• →Morning on Grado's sandy beaches (free public beach access)
• →Explore the historic town — lanes, courtyards and old fishermen's houses
• →Visit Basilica di Sant'Eufemia (free entry)
• →Optional afternoon cycle through the Isonzo River delta nature reserve
• →Seafood dinner in Grado — try local grilled fish and Friulano white wine

After breakfast, return your hire bike (if hired for the full trip) and make your way home. The nearest airports are Trieste (Ronchi dei Legionari, ~45 mins by bus/taxi ~£15–20) or Venice Marco Polo (~2 hrs by bus/coach ~£15–25). Regular buses connect Grado to the mainland. Alternatively, extend your trip with a few nights in Trieste or Venice.

🚌Bus or taxi to Trieste Airport (~£15–20) or Venice Marco Polo (~£20–25)

• →Final breakfast in Grado
• →Return hire bike to drop-off point (confirm with hire provider at booking)
• →Bus or taxi to Trieste Airport (~£15–20) or Venice Marco Polo (~£15–25)