The Alps hold a thousand trails, but only one links their greatest hits into a single epic journey. For nine days, we’ll ride the sweet spots where Slovenia, Austria, and Italy’s most legendary ranges meet. Starting from Lake Bled’s gentle paths, we’ll progress through increasingly epic terrain, crossing the Three-Border region’s dynamic trails and traversing the Carnic Alps before dropping into Italy’s crown jewel: Cortina d’Ampezzo. We’ll split our nights between mountain huts and alpine towns while ticking off some of the most legendary trails in the game, from pristine high-alpine singletrack to the technical tracks beneath Tre Cime. This is the mountain bike trip that’ll wreck your trail standards forever.
Experience three legendary Alpine ranges on two wheels in one expertly crafted journey. Over nine days, we'll ride from Lake Bled to Cortina d'Ampezzo, progressing through Slovenia's Julian Alps, the raw Carnic range, and the iconic Dolomites with an experienced guide who knows every trail and hidden gem. We’ll stay in comfortable hotels, private accommodation, and mountain huts, with daily luggage transfers keeping our ride focused on the trails ahead. Our days will start with breakfast, and some days we’ll enjoy authentic dinners in mountain huts. With ample informative materials included and premium bike rentals available for an additional fee, you’ll have everything you need for this incredible Alpine adventure.
An introduction to this exceptional adventure starts in the Lake Bled area, considered the active capital of the Julian Alps and the gateway to Triglav National Park. We’ll get to know each other and embark on a warm-up mountain biking tour along nearby trails and gravel paths following the Sava River.
Biking distance: 18-25 km/ 11-16 miles
Elevation: +450 m / +1,476 ft, -650 m / -2,133 ft
Accommodation: Hotel in the Lake Bled area
Today we head from Lake Bled to Kranjska Gora for an incredible journey through the heart of the Julian Alps and Triglav National Park. This route seamlessly connects two of the most picturesque alpine towns, providing a memorable experience of breathtaking valleys, crystal-clear rivers, and serene lakes. Along the way, we’ll be surrounded by towering peaks, lush forests, and charming alpine villages, making it an ideal introduction to the region’s natural beauty and cultural richness.
Meals: Breakfast
Biking distance: 65 km / 40 miles
Elevation: +1,700 m / +5,577 ft, -1,700 m / -5,577 ft
Accommodation: Hotel in Kranjska Gora
Today’s route traverses the Three-border area where Slovenia, Italy, and Austria converge. From this unique junction, the route descends into the Italian valley beneath the famed Monte Lussari. Next, we climb into the Carnic Alps, with stunning vistas of green slopes, alpine pastures, and traditional mountain huts. The final descent is quite technical, leading to a mountain hut offering warm meals and lodging. We’ll get an exciting mix of terrains and destinations that showcase the diverse beauty and culture of these three alpine regions.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Biking distance: 55 km / 34 miles
Elevation: +2,100 m / +6,890 ft, -1,600 m / -5,249 ft
Accommodation: Rifugio Nordio Deffar (1,420 m / 4,659 ft)
We embark on today’s ride at a high-altitude mountain hut for a fantastic start amidst the peaks. The defining characteristic of this course is its sustained elevation, traversing the scenic slopes of the Carnic Alps. We’ll pedal through lush alpine pastures and descend along several beautiful yet technically demanding trails. A highlight is the stunning traverse on a single track linking the eastern section of the Carnic Alps with the Nassfeld region in the central part. It’s an exhilarating day filled with stunning views and great mountain biking in the high alpine environment.
Meals: Breakfast
Biking distance: 45 km / 28 miles
Elevation: +1,500 m / +4,921 ft, -1,650 m / -5,413 ft
Accommodation: Hotel in Nassfeld
Our fifth day will be an extraordinary mountain biking experience! We’ll ride on highly varied and dynamic terrain with a mix of challenging ascents and thrilling descents through the stunning alpine landscapes of the Carnic Alps. The final section of the stage leads us to a picturesque plateau, guiding us past the serene Zollnersee lake toward the Zollnersee mountain hut. This small, authentic refuge is renowned for its warm hospitality, excellent local cuisine, and an atmosphere that feels both intimate and genuine.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Biking distance: 50 km / 31 miles
Elevation: +1,900 m / +6,234 ft, -1,800 m / -5,906 ft
Accommodation: Zollnersee mountain hut
We begin the day’s ride from the mountain hut, passing by the scenic Zollnersee lake toward Passo Pecol (1,797 m / 5,896 ft). From the pass, we descend to our first Italian alpine hut, where the adventure truly kicks off! The course offers a mix of dynamic terrain, with thrilling singletracks and technical challenges.
As we head west, we’ll ride diverse trails that weave through the stunning alpine scenery and gradually get closer to the valley. This stage is not for the faint-hearted—it demands skill, endurance, and a passion for exploring rugged mountain landscapes.
Meals: Breakfast
Biking distance: 52 km / 32 miles
Elevation: +2,200 m / 7,218 ft, -2,700 m / -8,858 ft
Accommodation: Boutique apartment in Rigolato
Our seventh day in this stunning area gives us a mix of urban and natural landscapes, a welcome change after several days spent mostly in the mountains. We’ll navigate flowing trails, explore expansive alpine pastures, and descend through scenic valleys. Our route will give us a great variety of cycling experiences, blending well-maintained trails with stunning views of the towering Dolomite peaks. With dynamic terrain and a balanced mix of challenge and relaxation, this day is perfect for enjoying both nature and culture.
Meals: Breakfast
Biking distance: 62 km / 39 miles
Elevation: +2,200 m / 7,218 ft, -1,950 m / -6,398 ft
Accommodation: Small hotel/apartment in Auronzo di Cadore
Our last day of biking is the crown jewel of the journey. We’ll ride amidst the towering spires of the Dolomites, including the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo. The trails provide a perfect blend of technical challenge and stunning scenery, and the ride culminates in a thrilling descent into Cortina d’Ampezzo, known as the “Queen of the Dolomites.”
Meals: Breakfast
Biking distance: 48 km / 30 miles
Elevation: +1,950 m / 6,398 ft, -1,780 m / -5,840 ft
Accommodation: Hotel in Cortina d’Ampezzo
After a final breakfast at our hotel, we’ll say our goodbyes. We hope we’ll meet again on the trails!
Meals: Breakfast
Working with LIFE bike for some time now. Great team, professional service and top experiences. Recommended
Friendly people that know what they are doing. Great way to explore the surroundings and to discover the beauty of Slovenia by bike. It’s obvious these people have a lot of experience and they know the region very well. A very positive experience.
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This Bled to Cortina e-bike holiday requires great fitness levels and technical riding experience. You’ll cover daily distances ranging from 18 km to 65 km (11-40 miles), with most days involving around 45-55 km (28-34 miles) of riding and elevation changes between 1,500m to 2,200m (4,921-7,218 ft). The terrain is varied and challenging, including technical singletrack trails, high-altitude alpine paths, rocky mountain terrain, gravel roads, demanding descents, and forest trails through the Julian Alps, Carnic Alps, and Dolomites.
To truly enjoy this adventure, you should be comfortable with technical riding and able to maintain consistent effort over eight consecutive days of riding. Electric mountain bikes are highly recommended to help manage the demanding elevation gains and long daily distances. If you don’t have your own, you can rent a high-quality e-bike from your guide at checkout.
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Yes, you can! Your guide offers a range of high-quality rental bikes, with each rental including essential gear like a helmet, lock, pump, spare tube, chain lube, and repair kit. The options include standard hardtail mountain bikes (Trek Marlin 7 or Canyon Grand Canyon), full-suspension bikes (Specialized Stumpjumper FSR), and e-MTB options (two Trek Powerfly models and the Specialized Turbo Levo). You can also rent a bikepacking seat bag or backpack for carrying your daily essentials.
Given the challenging terrain and significant daily elevation gains of this tour, we highly recommend considering one of the electric mountain bike options. Riding an e-MTB will help you better enjoy the spectacular alpine scenery while managing the demanding climbs and long daily distances.
Here’s a suggested list of the equipment you need to bring:
You will receive a detailed packing list from the guide before your departure.
Group sizes and pricing
A Bled to Cortina e-bike holiday can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has bikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Bled to Cortina e-bike holiday is Bled, Slovenia. To get there, most people fly into Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Bled.
Once you’re there, you will meet your guide in the Lake Bled area in the afternoon of Day 1. More details will be provided before your departure.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits
You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
We had a great time with Juri. He was a knowledgeable guide of the area and the scenery of the ride was phenomenal.