MTB + Wine Tour Slovenia: Cellars + singletrack of the Vipava Valley
Our 4-day ‘Espresso Adventure’ MTB + Wine Tour Slovenia will immerse you in the gastronomic and trail delights of the Vipava Valley, Slovenia’s most abundant natural larder. You’ll ride along mountain plateaux with breath-taking vistas, then drop through lush forests, vineyards and orchards on ancient trading routes now perfect for mountain biking. Each day will be peppered with a feast of the best local food and organic wines. Utter bliss!
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Fitness level: 4/7
- 3 nights / 4 days
- £1,255 / $1,695 / €1,506
- Max. group size: 8
Trip highlights
This ‘Espresso Adventure’ MTB + Wine Tour of Slovenia will set your taste buds alight with delicious local produce, paired with sensational natural singletrack, all set in the most beautiful verdant landscapes. Here are the best bits:
- Enjoy multiple descents on old hunting trails at Ajdovščina
- Disconnect in charming accommodation set amongst the vineyards
- Taste many of the new wave of organic Slovenian wines
- Ride to Mount Slivnica and explore its ‘Witches’ Cave’
- Experience tremendous local cuisine in funky little bistros
Tour Dates 2023
- 7 – 10 July (TRIP FULL)
- 29 Sep – 2 Oct (4 PLACES)
- 13 – 16 October (6 PLACES)
- 27 – 30 October
Private groups
Travelling as a group of friends/family? Contact us to create your own private trip.
Is this MTB + Wine Tour Slovenia for you?
We want you to make every moment count on your MTB + Wine Tour of the Vipava Valley in Slovenia, so it’s important to be sure that this is the perfect mountain bike adventure, with the right level of challenge, for you.
You ride your mountain bike on average once per week, and would be comfortable riding a variety of trails including: rooty singletrack through forests; gravel double track climbs; steep, flowing descents; occasional rocky trails. Read more on our intermediate skill level.
MTB + Wine Tour Slovenia Itinerary
- +Day 0 - Arrival in Ljubljana
We recommend arriving in Ljubljana the day before the tour start date to ensure that you’re ready to get going on day 1 and make the most of your ‘Espresso Adventure’ in Slovenia.
- +Day 1 - Vipava Valley: first ride amongst the vineyards
Your local guide will meet you at the designated hotel in Ljubljana around 10am, and after we’ve made our introductions and loaded up the van we’ll have a 45-minute transfer west, to one of the best kept secrets of Slovenia, the Vipava Valley.Rolling hills, beautifully preserved medieval villages, and vineyards as far as the eye can see. This all interspersed with a spider’s web of old trading routes dating back to Roman times, with wooded singletracks leading to breathtaking view points.
We arrive at the foot of the mighty Nanos plateau, where we’ll set up bikes and start our warm-up ride with a chilled descent on singletrack through the forest. We snake our way through the labyrinth of dense pine forest before reaching the Vipava river. We’ll stop here for lunch before continuing to our final destination at a charming glamping village.
We’ll spend the next two nights tucked away in this centennial pine forest surrounded by vineyards overlooking the Vipava Valley.
After a bit of downtime to freshen up we’ll visit the neighbours and sample their best vintages before embarking on an epicurean adventure of local flavours. Homemade gnocchi and pasta, local meats and seasonal desserts. In addition to exceptional wines, the Vipava Valley is also the Slovenian capital when it comes to fruits such as peaches, apricots, cherries and persimmon.
Distance cycled: 10km (app. 2 hours)
Accommodation: Forest ‘glamping’ cabins, Vipava Valley
- +Day 2 - Multi-descents at Ajdovščina
Today we explore the trails and ancient roads above Ajdovščina town, which is a hotspot for local mountain bikers. The whole area boasts outstanding scenery and the old hunters’ trails offer gorgeous flowing descents peppered with some technical features to spice it up.We finish our ride with a lunch at bistro Faladur that specialises in traditional food with a modern twist.
In the late afternoon we will explore the underground world of Guerilla Wine estate. We learn how the centuries-old tradition of winemaking influences this modern vineyard, and taste some of their organic wines accompanied by spectacular views over the Vipava valley.
Our dinner tonight will be in one of the best agritourismos in Slovenia. Hidden among orchards and vineyards, their historic property dates back to 1700. They grow their own herbs, vegetables and fruits and make beautiful local and seasonal dishes.
Distance cycled: 20km (app. 5 hours)
Accommodation: Forest ‘glamping’ cabins, Vipava Valley
Meals included: Breakfast
- +Day 3 - Notranjska Nature Park + Mount Slivnica
We have a 30-minute transfer this morning to Notranjska Nature Park and Lake Cerknica, which is one of the largest intermittent lakes in Europe. It’s hydrology and karst features (sinkholes, caves) were first documented in the 15th century.Our goal for today is to reach Mount Slivnica that rises above this pristine, protected landscape. When Lake Cerknica was first discovered people could not explain why it disappeared and reappeared, so they assumed it must be witchcraft. This is why the karst cave at Mount Slivnica is called the “Witches’ Cave”.
We have a double track climb to warm up our legs, which will take us to the Witches’ Cave. We’ll check if the witches are home – normally they hang around the fireplace in a small mountain hut, where a lovely host will have some warm beverages, hearty stews or sausage for us.
After a quick break and stunning view we’ll drop into a fantastic descent on beautiful wooded singletrack all the way down to the lake.
We head back to Ljubljana for our last night’s accommodation and final celebratory dinner in our favourite restaurant.
Distance cycled: 40km (app. 8 hours)
Accommodation: Small hotel, Ljubljana
Meals included: Breakfast
- +Day 4 - Departure
Sadly, it’s time to say farewell. It’s been a short, but very sweet adventure, packed full of incredible trails, landscapes, laughs and fabulous food to give you a taste of what’s on offer in Slovenia.Until next time!
Meals included: Breakfast
Please note: Your MTB + Wine Tour Slovenia is a living thing, being influenced by multiple factors such as changing weather conditions, group riding abilities, trail damage, to name a few. Your local guides are experts in guiding mountain bikers in the lush valleys and mountain of Slovenia and will be continually assessing these factors and making tweaks to the itinerary where necessary to ensure that every member of the group makes the most of every moment of their ‘Espresso Adventure’ MTB + Wine Tour Slovenia.
MTB + Wine Tour Slovenia Price
£1,255 GBP/ $1,695 USD/ €1,506 EUR per person (based on two sharing a room)
Price includes:
- Services of fully-qualified, English-speaking expert mountain bike guide(s) for the duration of the trip
- 3 nights’ accommodation
- 3 breakfasts
- 1 private wine tasting
- All transport required by the itinerary
- All group safety equipment
- Global Rescue medical and evacuation services
Price excludes:
- Transport to/ from Ljubljana
- Lunches and evening meals
- Bike rental: £180/ $243/ €216 for the duration of the trip
- Single supplement:* £310/ $419/ €372
- Travel and activity insurance
- Personal safety and cycling equipment
- Any other items not mentioned as included
* Single supplement is only applicable if you are travelling solo and do not wish to share a room with another rider of the same sex. If you’re happy to do that, you need not add the supplement.
H+I Adventures is bonded by the Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT), so you can be sure that when you book with us your money will be safe.
Please note: Your MTB + Wine Tour Slovenia is a living thing, being influenced by multiple factors such as changing weather conditions, group riding abilities, trail damage, to name a few. Your local guides are experts in guiding mountain bikers in the lush valleys and mountain of Slovenia and will be continually assessing these factors and making tweaks to the itinerary where necessary to ensure that every member of the group makes the most of every moment of their ‘Espresso Adventure’ MTB + Wine Tour Slovenia.
- +Skill + fitness levels required
Does this sound like you? Your vacation time is precious and we want to be absolutely sure that you’re making the most of it, by finding the perfect mountain bike tour for you. Be honest with yourself, if this adventure isn’t right for you, we have other mountain bike tours that may well be a better fit for your mountain biking experience and ability.Please note: The skill level required reflects an overall rating for the trails on the trip but you should expect to find sections and obstacles that push your ability levels.
SKILL LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE
- You have been mountain biking regularly for at least two years
- You can brake, use gears and corner with confidence
- You have good bike handling skills, and are confident riding rough double track and non-technical singletrack
- You are competent at riding undulating trails with moderate climbs and descents on both double and singletrack, but tend to get off and walk technical singletrack sections
- You mountain bike approximately once a week throughout your biking season
Fitness level: 4
- You have a reasonable level of mountain bike fitness, exercising at least twice a week for one hour or more, throughout the whole year
- You can ride a mountain bike for up to five hours per day at a moderate pace, with snack and photo stops, for three consecutive days
- You are capable of tackling one or two moderate mountain bike climbs per day, of up to 400 metres each
Typical trails you’ll be riding
- Double track: undulating forest tracks made up of hard-packed dirt and gravel
- Singletrack: rooty singletrack through pine forests; open, flowing singletrack across plateaux; singletrack climbs and descents
- The trails in the Vipava Valley are largely old hunting paths, with some purpose-built mountain bike trails. The trails are mostly forested, and can be dry or wet, depending on time of year
- +Arrival + departure details
Your ‘Espresso Adventure’ MTB + Wine Tour Slovenia will start and end in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.We advise you arrive the day prior to your tour start date and spend one night in Ljubljana, allowing an early start the following morning. We have created this handy guide to spending 24 hours in Ljubljana before the start of your Vipava Valley Slovenia adventure.
On the last day of the tour, your guide will ensure you are dropped off at Ljublana airport/ train station in time for your return journey.
If you require further information on travelling to Slovenia, or car parking options in Ljubljana, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
- +Packing for your adventure
Please read the full kit list before you start packing for your MTB + Wine Tour Slovenia, so that you have everything you need!The ideal bike for the Vipava Valley trails is a good quality full-suspension bike with around 140mm of front travel.
If you would prefer not to travel with your own bike, we can offer you rental of a good quality full suspension mountain bike for your trip. Ask our tour specialist for all the details.
- +Your mountain bike guides in Slovenia
Our mountain bike guides in Slovenia are local, professional mountain bike guides of the highest level.They are qualified in first-aid and they have the knowledge and experience to lead a group safely in these wild and beautiful parts of Slovenia.
Our guides have years of experience in the saddle on the trails of the Vipava Valley and will be able to enhance your trip with facts and fables on local history, flora and fauna. They’re also genuinely nice people and will do their best to make sure that everyone in the group has a great time.
- +Accommodation + food
We aim to use the best, locally-run accommodation in each country, and that which is traditional to that specific area, whether it be city or mountain.This ‘Espresso Adventure’ MTB + Wine Tour in Slovenia is no exception. You’ll spend two nights in charming ‘glamping’ cabins set amongst forest and vineyards, then the final night at a small hotel in Ljubljana.
Food and drink are a huge part of this tour, and nowhere is better placed for a foodie adventure than the Vipava Valley. You’ll sample traditional and modern dishes made from the freshest, locally-sourced ingredients, and you’ll taste the finest organic wines courtesy of the producer in their wineries.
- +Travel insurance
You are required as a condition of booking to be insured against medical and personal accident risks. In this policy you must include cover for mountain biking and we recommend that you take out a policy which covers tour cancellation and baggage loss/damage.We work closely with WorldNomads who are adventure travel specialists and who provide cover for travellers residing in most countries around the world.
For UK and EU travellers, True Traveller also cover adventure sports such as mountain biking and their policies are designed by experienced travellers.
Please note: Your MTB + Wine Tour Slovenia is a living thing, being influenced by multiple factors such as changing weather conditions, group riding abilities, trail damage, to name a few. Your local guides are experts in guiding mountain bikers in the lush valleys and mountain of Slovenia and will be continually assessing these factors and making tweaks to the itinerary where necessary to ensure that every member of the group makes the most of every moment of their ‘Espresso Adventure’ MTB + Wine Tour Slovenia.
Submit your review | |
The trip went amazingly smooth and our guide was amazingly accommodating. It was awesome having someone with us that knew the area and was more than willing to share information about their country.
The trails were fun and the food and wine was amazing. The accommodations were top notch as well and everyone was so helpful. The wife and I are already talking about taking another trip with H+I.
Thank you to the whole team!!
Arriving in Slovenia, we had no idea what to expect. But Blaz was a perfect guide - picking us up on time, talking and telling us about Slovenia and the trails all the way to the first trail.
He was very proficient at setting up the bikes and when the riding started, the real fun started.
The wine, food and accommodation rounded it all off.
Treat yourself - something worthwhile doing for yourself.
Mountain biking in the Vipava Valley is beautiful with fun single track downhills! The food and wine were fantastic and the forest huts were charming and had just what we needed after our days mountain biking - comfy beds and a hot tub (there’s also a sauna but we didn’t get the chance to use it).
The guides Dani and Blaz were amazing bikers, super fun, and very accommodating. We learned a lot about Slovenia from them as well. This trip made us want to do more H+I adventures as it was well planned and extremely fun!
Mountain biking through Slovenia was the perfect energy shot for shaking off the COVID stupor. Dani is an awesome and knowledgeable guide that took my wife and I on some of the best trails in Vipava, ensured we had a great time and taught us to be even better riders. The accommodations are super cool and food and wine were amazing. I highly recommend this trip!