Route description

We start the tour at the footbridge over the river Soča, 7 km from Bovec in the direction of Trenta. First, we cross the footbridge, turn left and follow the carriageway, which takes us along the left bank of the Soča River to the confluence with the Lepenjica stream. We cycle quickly after the confluence to the bridge over the Lepenjico stream. We cross the bridge, turn left onto the asphalt road and go straight past the Klin camp on the asphalt to the bridge over the Soča river. Before the bridge, turn right into the slope and continue along the macadam road straight along the left bank of the Soča River until the intersection with the asphalt road. At the crossroads, turn right towards the hamlet of Vrsnik. We climb up to the village of Na skali along the asphalt road, which turns into macadam after 3 km. We continue through the village uphill to the forester’s hut (1320 m). We return by the same route.

Attractions along the way

The last part of the route offers a beautiful view of Vrsnik, and the tour can be enriched with a hike to the scenic Čisti vrh (1875 m) above Trento.

Difficulty: medium/very demanding

Suitable for: mountain bikes

Total length: 32.4 km

Altitude difference: 1020 m

Route description

The cycling climb to the 1611m high Vršič Pass is one of the classic cycling routes in the Bov region. We start the tour in Bovec, where at the intersection for Predel and Trenta we turn right and pass the villages of Kal Koritnica and Soča and cycle along the winding road along the right bank of the Soča river to the village of Trenta, 20 km away. From here on, the winding road begins to climb steeply and, passing numerous serpentines, finally leads us to the 1611m high Vršič Pass, which is the well-deserved destination of our tour.

Attractions along the way

In addition to seeing the natural beauties of the valley, such as the Soča river with its source, we can also stop at the monument to dr. Julius Kugy, in the botanical garden Alpinum Juliana or in the Information Center of the Triglav National Park in the village of Trenta.

Difficulty: very demanding

Suitable for: mountain and road bikes

Total length: 62.4 km

Altitude difference: 1230 m

Technical descent on mountain paths, few wooden structures and many stone sections. You will definitely enjoy the Kanin Bike Park!

The starting point

You can cycle from anywhere in Bovec.

Description

Passing the main Bov square and up the main road next to the church towards the village of Plužna. After about a kilometer from Bovec, turn right at the Y-shaped intersection and stay on this road. The macadam road gradually climbs and every now and then there are views of Bovec and the surrounding area.

At the middle (B) station of the Kanin cable car, the road turns left and after about ten minutes we are at the crossroads. We go left and after about 250 meters we find a path that goes left into the forest. The descent begins there. The bike park is not very well marked, so you will have to follow the tracks of those who have cycled before you or the map on your phone.

But orientation here is actually not difficult. When you reach the dirt road, go left and leave it after 100 meters. The second part of the descent is not difficult to find and at the end of it we come back to the gravel road. Turn left and find a path that turns right after 100 to 150 meters.

The third, last part has the most difficult rocky sections. When we finish it, we turn left on macadam and left again on asphalt. After some pedaling, turn right at the intersection, from where it is not far to Bovec.

ATTENTION! The wooden parts are far from perfect and it is highly recommended that you check them before you bring your bike. Some sections of this descent are difficult and require good skills!

Duration: 2:30h

Descent difficulty: difficult

Distance / height: 15 km / 650 m

Route description

The starting point (1100m) is the turnoff for Mangart not far from the Predel border crossing. The asphalted road rises steadily past the Mangartska planina (1307 m), through three tunnels to the turnoff for the mountain hut on the Mangartska sedlo (1908 m). We continue straight to the end of the asphalt. The route concludes with a circular macadam road that takes us to the highest point (2040 m) on the Mangart saddle, from where we can enjoy a beautiful view of the western Julian Alps. We return by the same route.

Attractions along the way

The end of the trail is the starting point for climbing to the top of Mangart (2678 m) or descending with a paraglider into the Koritnica valley.

Flow

Section (branch for Mangart) – Mangart saddle and back

Difficulty: very demanding

Suitable for: mountain and road bikes

Total length: 23 km

Altitude difference: 940 m

Riding along the Stol ridge is one of the most beautiful cycling experiences in the valley, and there are many different options for ascent and descent.

Route description

The starting point is the bridge over the river Soča near the village of Log Čezsoški. We head towards Žaga, where we turn right to the Učja border crossing. Before the border crossing, turn left onto the gravel road that leads to the Božca mountain. We continue over the pass to the Breginj side, where we turn left onto the carriageway. From here, the scenic route follows the Stola ridge past the Hlek bivouac and the hunting lodge to a small valley. At the bend at the fork in the bottom of the valley, we leave the carriageway, turn sharply left and find an indistinct path among the bushes, which begins to descend towards Hlevišča. After a 200-meter descent, the path turns into a wider path that leads us to the mountain. This is followed by a descent on a macadam road to the main road Bovec – Kobarid. Turn left on the main road to the village of Trnovo, where you follow the right turn to the camp. We cross the bridge over the Soča River, turn left and follow the path that takes us past Prevejko and the village of Log Čezsoški back to the starting point.

Difficulty: very demanding

Suitable for: mountain bikes

Total length: 38 km

Altitude difference: 1040 m

The demanding but unforgettable connection between Kobarid and Čedad (Cividale del Friuli) via the peak of Matajur, the symbol of Venetian Slovenia, has been attracting even the most demanding mountain bikers for some time.

Already the first part of the climb to Livek on the pass between Kolovrat and Matajur shows its teeth due to the steepness. That’s why the second part along the forest road from Avsa is more enjoyable, as it goes along the ridge of Matajur. The road that leads past the turnoff for the Matajura mountains, after crossing the border, slowly turns into a mulatjera, which ends at a grassy peak.

The views of the endless Friuli Plain and the Gulf of Trieste are breathtaking. At the same time, we cycle in the footsteps of General Erwin Rommel during the First World War when attacking Italian positions. You can cycle to the higher-lying hut below Matajur, and it is worth pushing the bike all the way to the chapel, which also offers views of the other, alpine side.

The descent down the trails to Špetal (San Pietro al Natisone) is long and demanding, but certainly one of the most beautiful around. At the top of Matajur, look for route 725, which leads in the direction of Štupica, then keep left towards Marsina Planina, where you turn towards Gorenje Marsin (Mersina Allto). We join the asphalt road and after a short climb we reach the saddle Hlevišče (Glevizza), where we turn onto route 749 in the direction of Špeter. At the crossroads, simply follow route 749. The route occasionally goes up and down, and sometimes you have to get off your bike. We drive past St. George (San Giorgio), later passing by St. San Canziano.

In the lower part, you can connect to the road in several ways. It is worth persevering all the way to the macadam path that leads us to the church in the center of Špetr. A well-deserved refreshment in the beautiful old part of Čedad is practically only separated by a short section along the valley bicycle link.

Difficulty: very demanding

Suitable for: mountain bikes

Duration: 5.5 h
Total length: 46 km
Altitude difference: 1530 m