IMAGE: ALAMY


SLOVENIA GREEN ROUTES


Slovenia Green Solčava Panoramic Route BEST FOR MULTI -ACTIVITY BREAKS Slovenia is perfectly primed for those on two wheels; the country’s cyclists have dominated professional competitions in recent years, taking top podium spots at the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España. But at times, it pays to hop off the saddle. It’s in these moments that this route, covering over 80 miles on both bike and foot, comes into its own. Tucked into the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, on


the border with Austria, the Solčava region is Slovenia at its prettiest. Trails crisscross valleys and farms, rolling from tidy, church- anchored villages to dramatic waterfalls framed by peaks. Between rides, cyclists refuel with local cheese, freshly baked bread and homemade schnapps. The first stages of this six-day itinerary


Above: Alpine wildflowers and rocky peaks in the Logar Valley


will see you cycle on asphalt and farm roads from the village of Solčava through mountain landscapes to the Grohot hut. From here, the most active adventurers can set off to hike Raduha, a 2,062-metre peak. As the stages roll on, you’ll venture past waterfalls and caves and through forests as you travel to the Logar Valley. Stop along the way to sip mountain tea with Slovenes who’ve mastered the art of slow, in-the-moment living.


Slovenia Green Capitals Escape Route BEST FOR SOFT ADVENTURE This three-stage, 110-mile option takes in Slovenia’s urban, nature and heritage capitals rolling through foothills, with the Alps to the north and the Dinaric Alps spilling south east into the Balkans. It begins in Ljubljana, packed with


museums and shops, and bistros and cafes lining the Ljubljanica river. If here on a Friday, don’t miss the weekly Odprta Kuhna (‘Open Kitchen’), where restaurateurs set up kiosks next to the city’s main outdoor market. Next, the route pushes out south to the town


of Kočevje, the country’s green heart, set next to the densely forested Kočevsko region. Ride out to discover primeval woodland or hire a guide to try and spot brown bears, wolves and lynx. Once back in town, browse the works of local sculptor Stane Jarm, which are scattered throughout its streets. The final stage sees you pedal into the Bela


Krajina region, the country’s cultural centre, to explore ancient customs and heritage. The city sits on the banks of the Kolpa River, where groups from southeastern Europe have settled over the centuries. Visit the Škof-Šrajf Homestead to try local baked goods or pop into one of the region’s breweries or vineyards.


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