16-17-18 JANUARY 2026
16-17-18 Cycling holidays are more popular than ever — both as family outings for relaxation and as group trips with friends aiming for active performance and challenges. This year, Slovenia takes center stage at Velofollies with a special pavilion bringing together more than 20 regions, hotels, and cycling tourism services. The country is rapidly growing as a top destination for MTB, gravel, and road cycling and is home to world-class riders like Tadej Pogačar, Primož Roglič, and Matej Mohorič. Visitors can gather inspiration for recreational rides, adventurous trips, or competitive challenges at the Slovenia Outdoor Pavilion, where routes, accommodations, and local cycling activities give a complete picture of Slovenia as a versatile and cyclist-friendly destination.
Did you know that the world’s oldest wheel was discovered here in Slovenia? It is no wonder that this land, where cycling’s story began, has become one of Europe’s most exciting destinations for cyclists. Not because of prehistoric findings, of course, but because here, cyclists find such a diversity of landscapes, roads, and trails within an hour’s drive that you won’t find anywhere else.
Just a short flight or a day’s drive from Brussels, Slovenia offers a world of variety packed into a small and scenic space. In less than an hour, you can ride from alpine peaks to vineyard-dotted hills, glide past emerald rivers, or chase the sea breeze along the Adriatic coast. Whether you’re seeking challenging mountain climbs, family-friendly trails, or relaxing rides through nature, Slovenia invites you to turn the wheel of adventure your way.
In eastern and southern Slovenia, the land opens into gentle plains and rolling hills, where vineyards and forests stretch as far as the eye can see. Around Moravske Toplice, the terrain gradually rises northwest toward the Pohorje Hills of Maribor, Koroška with Kope and Rogla, revealing an endless network of gravel forest roads waiting to be explored.
As you travel northwest, the landscape begins to rise, gently transforming into Alpine foothills and then into the stunning Alps — a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and cyclists alike.
Central Slovenia is home to the lively capital, Ljubljana, and the country’s main airport. This region stretches from the foothills of the Kamnik–Savinja Alps all the way south to the vast forests of Kočevsko and the warm, welcoming hills of Bela Krajina.
The Karst and Mediterranean Slovenia in the southwest offers a warm, sunlit landscape shaped by gentle Mediterranean winds — creating ideal conditions for cycling almost year-round, as long as you pack a light wind jacket.
Riding through the Vipava Valley, the scenery gradually shifts from high mountains to the distinctive limestone terrain of the Karst and then further south to the sparkling Adriatic coast. Turning back east toward Ljubljana, the green hills slowly reclaim the landscape, leading into the lush region known as the Green Karst.
If you plan to explore Slovenia by bike, you’ll be pleased to know that the country’s regions are easily connected through scenic valleys with only gentle ascents — so you don’t have to climb mountain passes unless you want to. The network of long-distance cycling trails makes it easy to navigate and discover some of the country’s most beautiful spots along the way.
The cycling season in Slovenia typically begins in early April, sometimes even in March, and lasts until November. In the south, where the Mediterranean climate prevails, you can enjoy cycling all year round.
Central Slovenia is home to the lively capital, Ljubljana, and the country’s main airport. This region stretches from the foothills of the Kamnik–Savinja Alps all the way south to the vast forests of Kočevsko and the warm, welcoming hills of Bela Krajina.
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If you plan to explore Slovenia by bike, you’ll be pleased to know that the country’s regions are easily connected through scenic valleys with only gentle ascents — so you don’t have to climb mountain passes unless you want to. The network of long-distance cycling trails makes it easy to navigate and discover some of the country’s most beautiful spots along the way.
The cycling season in Slovenia typically begins in early April, sometimes even in March, and lasts until November. In the south, where the Mediterranean climate prevails, you can enjoy cycling all year round.
Some of the world’s best cyclists have trained and competed on Slovenia’s roads and trails, leaving behind their “blood, sweat and tears” on the very routes you can now ride at your own pace. Once you experience them yourself, you’ll understand why Slovenia continues to inspire champions and cycling enthusiasts alike.