3-day cycling adventure
Explore one of the most unknown destinations in Slovenia by bike. This three-day programme will take you through the largest unpopulated area in Central Europe. Green forests, covering the area as large as Berlin, Rome or Madrid, are home to the three largest wild beasts: the brown bear, the wolf and the lynx.
These forests hide many fascinating points of interest and amazing views. The bike trail will take you through the high karst past the Dinaric Mountains, to romantic castles and mysterious underground caves.
Highlights:
- Cycling the highest non-alpine mountain in Slovenia (Mt. Snežnik)
- Visit the largest disappearing lake (Lake Cerknica)
- Experience 20 emerald underground lakes at Križna Cave
- Romantic Snežnik Castle with its original interior
- Panoramic views on the high karst landscape
Itinerary:
DAY 1: ARRIVAL
Arrival to the town of Postojna in the afternoon. Check-in at the Youth Hostel Proteus and free time for a stroll around Postojna or optional visit of Postojna Cave. Postojna Cave is a world-famous attraction, which has been opened for visitors for 200 years. Do not miss the exhibits at the Karst Museum – a must stop for everyone who would like to learn more about typical karst landscape and cultural heritage of the Green Karst area.
Dinner with cycling guide at a local restaurant
Overnight in Postojna
DAY 2: Cycling Postojna – Javorniki – Mašun – Sviščaki - Kozarišče - Podcerkev (60 km)
After breakfast (8:00-9:00) at the Youth Hostel, we head with our bicycles to the Javorniki Hills. Our first stop will be at the Mašun Guesthouse, where we´ll have time for lunch. This guesthouse in the middle of the forest offers typical local cuisine made from fresh forest ingredients. From the Mašun Guesthouse, we´ll continue cycling all the way to the foothills of the Snežnik Mountain, which is the central point of this southern part of Slovenia. We will descend to the village of Kozarišče following nice gravel roads and stopping for panoramic views. In Kozarišče, we´ll have some free time to relax and for an optional visit of Snežnik Castle, which is one of the most romantic places in Slovenia and it features the complete original interior in its chambers. It is, therefore, the perfect place to see the life of the upper classes from the 18th and 19th century.
After finishing our visit (optional) at the Snežnik Castle, we´ll continue our tour to the village of Podcerkev for dinner and overnight at the Youth Hostel Ars Viva. This is a new accommodation in the peaceful rural environment and it is the first structure completely dedicated to accessible tourism (option of renting bicycles for the disabled). Some free time to refresh and relax before dinner and overnight.
DAY 3: Cycling Podcerkev - Križna Cave - Lake Cerknica - Rakov Škocjan – Postojna (47 km)
After breakfast in the youth hostel (8:00-9:00), we start cycling in the direction of Križna Cave (optional visit of Križna Cave). This is a true gem of the karst, as the cave has more than 20 emerald underground lakes. The basic tour takes one hour and it includes the visit to the dry part of the cave, seeing cave bear remains and taking a boat across the first underground lake.
From Križna Cave we head to Lake Cerknica where we´ll have a stop for lunch at a local farm stay. Lake Cerknica is the largest disappearing lake and it is home to numerous species of wild animals. More than 400 different types of birds, frogs and plants live in this protected park.
After lunch, we´ll continue cycling through the woods into the Rakov Škocjan Nature Park – a fairytale valley full of amazing sights. We will visit the education trail and see the two main highlights – the Little and Big Natural Bridges, created by the Rak River.
From Rakov Škocjan we head back to Postojna, where our cycling tour ends.
ABOVE RATES AND PROGRAMME INCLUDE:
- 2 x BB at youth hostels (double bedroom)
- 1 x Welcome dinner with your cycling guide (DAY 1)
- 1 x Lunch at Mašun Guesthouse (DAY 2)
- 1 x Dinner in a local restaurant (DAY 2)
- 1 x Lunch at a farm stay at Lake Cerknica (DAY 3)
- ESG – English speaking guide for the cycling tour
- Map of cycling routes MTB Park Notranjska
- Transfer of luggage on DAY 2 (from Postojna to Podcerkev) and 3 (from Podcerkev to Postojna)
- Insurance, VAT.
OPTIONAL VISITS:
- Entrance to Postojna Cave ON DAY 1: 25.80 €/pp
- Entrance to Snežnik Castle ON DAY 2: 5.00 €/pp
- Entrance to Križna Cave ON DAY 3: 9.00 €/pp
Info
DMO Zeleni kras
Prečna ulica 1
6257 Pivka Slovenija
T: 00386 5 7212 249
E:
www.zelenikras.si
