Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
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Dolomites to Trieste
Your journey of discovery to the Julian Alps begins in the northeast Dolomites, following the River Drau through the Drau Valley before biking through the gorgeous Gail Valley on Austria's comfortable cycle paths. A little detour takes you to the charming Italian border town of Tarvis before continuing onwards into Slovenia.
Behold: stunning Lake Bled at the foot of the Julian Alps - the ideal resting stop before a transfer to the south side of the Alps to the famous wine area of Collio in the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Enjoy a visit to Cividale, former capital of the Lombard region, before your spectacular final stage sees you riding the Adriatic coastline to Trieste, the former harbor city of the grand Habsburg Empire.
Highlights
- The mountains of the South Tyrolean and East Tyrolean Dolomites
- Lienz, Capital of East Tyrol
- Lake Pressegg
- Border town of Tarvis
- Bled and Lake Bled
- The 0ff-the-beaten-path countryside of Slovenia
- Collio Goriziano hills, a famous wine growing area in Friuli
- Cividale del Friuli
- Trieste, former Habsburg port
- Castel Miramare at Trieste
- The Adriatic coast
- Castle Duino
Learn More
Learn more about self-guided tours.
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CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Lake Bled in Slovenia. CC:© Arne Müseler' data-type='image'>CC0 - Oberdrauburg, Carinthia, Austria. CC:Neithan90' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-4.0 - Madonna della Porta in Gradisca d'Isonzo, Italy. CC:Vid Pogacnik' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Trieste, Italy. CC:Nick Savchenko' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-4.0 - Cividale del Friuli, Italy. CC:Ewgohl' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Schnitzel is a favorite in Austria! CC:Ben Reis' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-4.0 - Lake Bled in Slovenia. CC:Gilad Topaz' data-type='image'>CC-BY-2.0 - Trieste, Italy. CC:fdecomite' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Feistritz an der Gail in Carinthia, Austria. CC:Johann Jaritz' data-type='image'>CC0 - Slovenian wine! Marko Dvornik@Flickr' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Cruise ship in Trieste, Italy. CC:Albert Schäferle' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-4.0 - Lake Bled in Slovenia. CC:Kemalcan' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Slovenian wine country. Matt B@Flickr' data-type='image'>CC0 - Slovenian treats! CC:Klemen Brumec' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Hochpustertal, East Tyrol, Austria. CC:Strasserwirt' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-4.0 - The great Bled Castle in Slovenia. CC:Gilad Topaz' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-3.0 - The annual Kermesse in Feistritz an der Gail in Carinthia, Austria. CC:Michael Gäbler' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Lake Bled in Slovenia. CC:Canandianhockey91' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Lake Bled in Slovenia. CC:© Arne Müseler' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Laško beer - a Slovenian original. Binary Koala@Flickr' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-4.0 - Lake Bled in Slovenia. CC:Luka Peternel' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-2.0 - Trieste, Italy. CC:Luca Sartoni' data-type='image'>CC-BY-SA-3.0 - Kötschach Mauthen, Austria. CC:Johann Jaritz' data-type='image'>
Traveler photos
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Daily program
Day 1: Arrival in Hochpustertal (Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco)/ Sillian
Arrive at the hotel in the Hochpustertal and settle in for your cozy first night.Overnight in Hochpustertal (Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco) or Sillian
Day 2: Hochpustertal/Sillian – Oberdrauburg/Kötschach-Mauthen (43-47 miles/70-75 km from Hochpustertal or 37-40 miles/60-65 km from Sillian)
Starting at the watershed of the Drau and Rienz rivers on the Toblacher Sattel, you'll ride alongside the dreamy Drau through South Tyrol, cycling onwards to East Tyrol and its capital, Lienz. The impressive Dolomites line the route, looming majestically over you as you ride.Overnight in Oberdrauburg.
Day 3: Oberdrauburg/Kötschach Mauthen – Feistritz an der Gail/Tarvis (transfer to the Gailberg Pass + 40 miles/65 km)
After a short transfer to the Gailberg Pass (350 m difference in altitude / 7 km) you'll descend to Kötschach-Mauthen. Taking the gorgeous Gailtal bicycle path at the foot of the Carnic Ridge, you'll cycle in comfort and style past Hermagor. Lake Pressegg awaits, its pristine beauty tempting you to take a rejuvenating break by its tranquil waters before you ride onwards to Feistritz an der Gail.Overnight in Feistritz/Tarvis (Tarvisio).
Day 4: Feistritz an der Gail/Tarvis (Tarvisio) – Bled (35-40 miles/55-65 km)
Bike to the Italian border and take the cycle path that leads you into serene Slovenia, gliding past the famous ski area of Kranjska Gora. The bicycle path passes through wonderful, mostly untouched, Slovenian countryside - a treat for the eyes and soul. It's possible to avoid the uphill ride by taking the train from Jesenice to Bled (ticket not included in the package price). You'll spend the night at the romantic Lake Bled.Overnight in Bled.
Day 5: Bled – Cividale del Friuli (train ride + 31 miles/50 km) **variation below
After the transfer over the pass, you'll cycle into the sublime Soca Valley, well-known to canoeists and adventure sports enthusiasts. In Kobarid, delve into a historic review of WWI battlegrounds before you make your way to the historical town of Cividale del Friuli. In the evening, indulge in the excellent cuisine and wonderful wines of a region shaped by the diverse rule of Goths, Lombards, and Franks.Overnight in Cividale del Friuli.
Day 6: Cividale del Friuli – (Udine) – Gradisca d'Isonzo (22 or 40 miles/35 or 65 km, depending on the route you choose)
On the way through the Collio Goriziano, center of the Friuli wine-growing region, there are many wine cellars to stop at for sumptuous wine samplings. After tackling a few hills, you'll descend to Gradisca d'Isonzo, where you'll spend the evening. Today, you could choose a longer variation of the route, which passes through Udine, considered to be the most important town in the Friuli region, which is well worth a visit.Overnight in Gradisca.
Day 7: Gradisca – Trieste (24 miles/40 km)
The Karst accompanies you on your way to the awe-inspiring Adriatic coast. Make sure to soak up the scenery on your approach, including stopping by Castle Duino and Miramare. Finally, enjoy an atmospheric evening in the former Habsburg port of Trieste, brimming with history.Overnight in Trieste.
Day 8: Departure
Individual departure or extension of your stay.**Possible variation (2 nights in Bled)
Day 5: Bled
Enjoy a day off the bicycle at the beautiful Lake Bled, situated in a picturesque environment, surrounded by atmospheric mountains and forests.Day 6: Bled – Gorizia – Gradisca d'Isonzo (train ride + 25 miles/40 km)
Start the day with a train transfer over the pass into the Soca Valley, which is well known to canoeists and adventure sports enthusiasts. Begin the cycling route in Kanal ob Soci, where the river accompanies you on the journey to the divided city of Gorizia. Cycling through the vineyards of the Collio, you'll reach gorgeous Gradisca d'Isonzo, where you'll spend the night.Surface and terrain
The tour takes you along bike paths or very quiet side roads on a varied route, through small villages and picturesque landscapes. The last two stages of the tour are a little hilly.
The route is on a cycle path about 65% of the time and side roads with little traffic 33% of the time. The remaining 2% is on busier roads as you enter or leave the city centers. 90% of the route is on asphalted surfaces.
The tour is suitable for children over the age of 14.
Route profiles of note:
Day 2: Alta Pusteria – Oberdrauburg (43 miles/69 km)
Please note this route is only downhill.Day 4: Feistritz – Bled (35-40 miles/55-65)
Today's route has one hill that is short, but can be difficult. You may need to push your bike for about 10 minutes if you find it challenging.Day 7: Gradisca – Trieste (24 miles/40 km)
Today's route has one short uphill (about 328 ft/100m difference in altitude).Hotels
These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.
Hotel Sonne, Toblach
www.dobbiaco.orgGasthof Pontiller,Oberdrauburg
www.pontiller.atHotel Alte Post, Feistritz
www.altepost.bizHotel Park Bled, Bled
www.sava-hotels-resorts.comHotel Roma, Cividale del Friuli
www.hotelroma-cividale.itPlease note: Visitor's taxes are not included in the tour cost. Plan to pay €2-5 per person at each hotel's reception upon check out.
Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.
How to get there
Tour start
Nearest airport: Treviso, Venice, or Innsbruck
Nearest train station: Niederdorf or ToblachTake the train from Innsbruck over the Brenner/Brennero to Franzensfeste/Fortezza. Change train to the Valley Pustertal/Valle Pusteria - Lienz and disembark at either Niederdorf/Villabassa or Toblach/Dobbiaco depending on the location of your hotel.
Timetable available on:
www.deutschebahn.de
www.oebb.at
www.trenitalia.comTour end
Nearest airport: Ronchi dei Legionari, Treviso, Venice, or Innsbruck
Nearest train station: TriesteReturn transfer every Wednesday and Saturday from Trieste to Toblach/Dobbiaco or Niederdorf/Villabassa or Sillian for €96 per person. Additionally, every Wednesday from May 24, 2023, to July 05, 2023. Additional €39 for your personal bike, reservation, and payment (upon booking).
Tips on getting to and from your tour.
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Dates
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturdays: May 11 - Aug 9, 2024, Aug 21 - Sep 28, 2024 (additional dates available for groups of 5 or more)
Season 1: May 11, 2024 and Sep 28, 2024
Season 2: May 12, 2024 - May 24, 2024, Sep 15, 2024- Sep 27, 2024
Season 3: May 25, 2024 - Sep 14, 2024
Prices
Tour package
Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Per person, double occupancy €769 €814 €899 Single use room* (1 person/1 room) €968 €1013 €1098 *Single use rooms are intended for individual travelers, they are smaller than double rooms and contain only one twin/single bed.
Bike Rentals
Trekking bike, 21-gear unisex frame €99 Trekking bike, 21-gear men's frame €99 TOP Standard Bike, 21-gear €169 Electrically assisted bike €249 Extra Nights, Trieste
Per person, double occupancy €89 Single use room (1 person/1 room) €128 Extra Nights, Villabassa/Dobbiaco, prices starting at
Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Per person, double occupancy €89 €89 €95 Single use room (1 person/1 room) €118 €118 €124 Transfer
Per person, From Trieste back to tour start Toblack/Niederdorf* €96 Transfer of personal bike (in addition to per person pricing listed above) €39
* Transfer available on Wednesday and Saturdays(upon request, intended for those traveling back to the tour start location at the end of the tour).Included services
- 7 nights accommodation in 3- and 4-star hotels and inns
- Breakfast
- Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
- Personal tour information; detailed documents (maps, route description, places to visit, important telephone numbers)
- Telephone service hotline for the entire tour
- Personal tour information
- Transfer by minibus from Oberdrauburg to the Gailberg Pass
- Transfer by train from Bled to Most na Soci/Kanal ob Soci (variant 2 nights in Bled)
- Navigation app
- Video tour briefing
Note: Local hotel taxes are not included and are to be paid directly to each hotel (approximately €1-5 per person/night).
Bike rentals
Bikes available to be rented (reserved in advance at time of booking) include:
- Women's 21-speed trekking bicycles: Shimano Alivio/Deore, Royal saddle, step-through frame
- Men's 21-speed trekking bicycles: Aluminum, water bottle holder, Shimano Alivio/Deore, Royal saddle
- TOP Standard Bike: Aluminum, Shimano Deore XT 21-speed, freewheel
- Electrically-assisted bike (unisex bike)*
*More about electrically-assisted bikes >
All bikes are equipped with:
- Waterproof rear saddle bag
- Waterproof handlebar bag with map compartment
- Bicycle computer (tracks average speed, distance, time) per room
- Repair kit, inner tube, pump, and bicycle lock (per room)
The bikes will be at your disposal in the arrival hotel. At the end of your bike tour you simply leave the rental bike at the last hotel.
Bike Protection:
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.Pedals:
The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.Helmets:
Helmets are available to rent for €15. For safety and hygiene purposes, we recommend that you bring your own helmet or plan to purchase one upon arrival.
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Route Map
Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.
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Reviews
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★★★★★ Nathan Hale 4 weeks ago
Beautiful!
This is a gorgeous route that really lets you see the changing terrain and cultures as you bike from the Dolomites down to the sea. It's gorgeous throughout, but the highlight is definitely Bled and we were glad to take the extra day there to explore some of what it has to offer.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Gregory Lebo 3 months ago
Awesome scenery!
This route is super scenic and the routing is easy enough to follow, especially in Northern Italy, Austria and Slovenia. The biking is easy although you may want an e-bike if you like to break away from the planned route to visit some castles along the way which are generally located at high points. The accomodations were all very nice and my luggage was reliably transported every day. It’s nice to let someone else plan the details while you concentrate on riding, taking photos, and enjoying the experience.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Aug 4-11 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 5
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Cati 3 months ago
Stunning, best way to travel
This was my first bike tour and, wow, it did not disappoint. Scenery from the get go was absolutely stunning. You traverse incredible border towns between Italy, Austria, and Slovenia on this entire tour, staying at lovely Inns and eating incredible food along the way. My only gripe was that the written directions were confusing at times (have given feedback) but I wouldn’t let this deter you.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2023
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Karey Schoenfeld 3 months ago
Great bike paths and scenery
The trip was great - it was a beautiful area. It was the first time we had used e-bikes, and the bikes we had were top notch. There were a few more hills than we expected, but we didn't mind with the e-bikes! The app we had for our tour was also excellent. We took the high road into Trieste to avoid the traffic, and was glad we did.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 18, 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 15
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Zinta Harrington 3 months ago
Magnificent and varied
This was our first biketour and I chose it carefully for our family of 2 adults and 2 teenagers. The route comfortable with bike paths for a good part of the way. It was exciting with 3 countries, long declines, forests, fields, Roman ruins, historic towns, fairytale Bled, majestic Trieste. The accomodation was charming and the food enticing. The support was excellent as our luggage arrived each day and the transfers were well organised.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2023
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Kim L. 4 months ago
Adventure of a lifetime!
My husband and I did the self-guided tour with the extra day in Lake Bled. The logistics went smoothly. The e-bikes worked great. The accommodations were good and the scenery was stunning! We downloaded the app and were glad we brought a handlebar mount for a phone. We wish the trip was longer!
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★★★★★ Beatriz Battistella Nadas 4 months ago
Great views, wonderful little cities
It was an excellent tour, the landscapes are stunning. The hotels are very good, with comfort and well-prepared breakfast.
The bicycles corresponded to the description, the transfers took place according to schedule.
Some stretches are a little long, on the second day's stretch for several kilometers there wasn't even a cafe or snack bar for a rest.
The day of departure from Bled has a very tight schedule, little time. The hotel has breakfast scheduled at 7:30 and we must be at the train station at 7:45, an impossible schedule to keep and, as breakfast is essential for the day's cycling, it was very bad.- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- this is the 5th
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Charles Anderson 4 months ago
Great Trip!
Everything went off without a hitch. The e-bikes were the way to go and made the hills and mountain pass easy to handle. The directions and hotels were excellent. Definitely recommend the extra day in Bled, Slovenia as there was a lot to see and do. Thanks BikeTours for putting together a fun trip!
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★★★★★ Timothy Mulligan 5 months ago
Amazingly good trip
This trip covers a lot of ground and a variety of spectacular scenery! My 4th bike trip and easily my favorite. We spent the extra day in Bled, which turned out to be a good decision and was a nice break after 3 days on the bikes.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Diane Witters 6 months ago
Great first trip with BikeTours.com
Overall, we really enjoyed the experience and were impressed with the scenery, lodging, quality of the bikes (one of us had an e-bike and the other a “top bike “), and the multiple layers of navigation provided by Fun Active Tours, the local outfitter. We also appreciated the detailed instructions for the luggage and train transfers. We especially enjoyed the first 3 legs of the journey through the Dolomites of northern Italy, into Austria, and then the entry into Slovenia with views of the Julian Alps and into Lake Bled. Trieste may have its merits but the city was quite chaotic and difficult to navigate and find our hotel by bike.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- this was our first tour
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Emily Magnavita 6 months ago
Great trip
Trip was great, however, there was lack of communication with the company as far as planning logistics. Directions were unclear and sometimes incorrect, got lost on the route multiple times due to lack of information and description in the directions.
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★★★★★ Rhonda Barton 6 months ago
Beautiful views!
The trip was beautiful! The views through the Dolomites and Julian Alps are constantly awe provoking. The hotels were also wonderful, our favorite being Alta Post in Feistritz an der Gail!
Bikes: We paid for the upgrade but it didnt feel as though we were upgraded. The bikes we received were not well maintained. We had a bike brake on the first day of our tour and the replacement bike had a loose peddle the rest of our tour. A few of our bikes were not tuned well and gears were either difficult to shift or couldn't be geared all the way up or down. In general, we would have appreciated better maintained bikes for a 230 mile tour, it would make the days much more enjoyable. We also had to swing by the rental place for a bike pump that had the correct valve for pumping up tires. The bikes were equipped with presta valves, but the pumps were schrader valves. We also recommend placing an allen key in the repair kit. We had several items that we had to adjust, angles of the header, tightness of the bells, etc. Having an allen key would have made these adjustments easier to make.
Bike Accessories: we think you should provide or tell the riders to bring a cell phone mount for the trip. The app was nice to have but we had to constantly get the phone out of our pockets to follow along. This can get quite dangerous on certain parts of the tour.
App: the phone app was a great perk to the trip although our main complaint is that every tour participant should have access to the app. It is challenging to have only one person with the app and it doesnt seem to make much sense to limit access. Give everyone who paid for the tour access please.- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Melissa Barney 7 months ago
Biking in Italy in June
I will not be recommending this trip or your company to anyone. The App was awful: only intermittently in English (otherwise in German) and when I gave 'feedback' I got no response; the App intermittently stopped working and I had to turn my phone off and on to re-boot; the App ATE UP my phone battery (a relativley new iPhone 13 with an otherwise long battery life); any highlights mentioned in the App along a particular day's travel was only a link to something that required internet or phone service (this is ridiculous; this link should have taken me to text within the App just as every other self-guided tour does within their App). The written paper description was poorly done - for some cities the description was how to 'get' into a city and other times the city/town mentioned was only a landmark of progress but this was very confusing. The pedometer on the bike did not work after the first three hours of the 7 day trip. The bikes were way too heavy; surely there is a way to make a durable bike that is at least 2 to 3 kilos lighter. Getting the bike and getting a safety helmet were in different cities!! I would ask for some of my money back if I thought this was possible as I was very disappointed in the trip.
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★★★★★ Susanne Graham 7 months ago
Wonderful experience!
I can’t think of a better way to experience a trip through Italy, Austria, and Slovenia. The weather was perfect for our trip and the scenery was epic. We loved traveling by e-bike and seeing and feeling the small towns and beautiful and unspoiled territory. We met some wonderful fellow bikers along the way. We do not want to travel any other way.
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★★★★★ Susanne Graham 7 months ago
Wonderful experience!
I can’t think of a better way to experience a trip through Italy, Austria, and Slovenia. The weather was perfect for our trip and the scenery was epic. We loved traveling by e-bike and seeing and feeling the small towns and beautiful and unspoiled territory. We met some wonderful fellow bikers along the way. We do not want to travel any other way.
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★★★★★ Dayna Stern November 9, 2022
My favorite bike tour
I love this trip! Gentle cycling, stunning scenery and nice accommodations. We requested half board which exposed us to south Tyrolean food. Highly recommended! Remember to dress warmly because you’ll be in a wooded valley part of the first few days.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2022
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Dayna Stern November 8, 2022
My favorite bike tour
I love this trip! Gentle cycling, stunning scenery and nice accommodations. We requested half board which exposed us to south Tyrolean food. Highly recommended! Remember to dress warmly because you’ll be in a wooded valley part of the first few days.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2022
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Aaron Schwartzbaum November 7, 2022
What a fun trip!
My partner and I had a ton of fun on this trip, which was our honeymoon. The stops were nice, especially with the ability to upgrade accommodations. I'd highly recommend doing the extra day in Bled if you're looking to get some relaxation in, too. Some parts of the route, especially if you're not taking the train into Bled, are would be extremely strenuous without an electric bike, I'd highly recommend one in general. There are a couple of points where there's a bit of car traffic, but I felt safe enough in a high viz. But what a fun way to travel, we saw a lot of things we wouldn't have ordinarily and the route is SCENIC as can be!
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Nancy Nestler September 28, 2022
Even better than I imagined!!!
We did the self-guided tour. The routes were well described. They were beautiful and varied, from bike paths in remote areas to bike lanes in busy cities. I always felt safe. The scenery was amazing from river valleys to mountain views. There were options to explore along the way. The length of each day's ride was a good amount, and it often offered a shorter or longer version so you could decide along the way what you wanted to do. The hotels were also a nice variety. I thoroughly enjoyed each day. I would highly recommend this tour. I went with a friend, but hope to do it again and take my husband.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Jean Olson September 27, 2022
Beautiful Scenery
The Dolomites were amazing. The bike paths were good and traveled through some beautiful areas. The hotels were all great. The drections from the maps and app were good, we only got a little off track a couple of times. We rode regular bikes and although the hills were tough, they were doable. I definitely want to go back to the area between Toblack and Bled and explore more.
The roads into Trieste were busy but there was a good shoulder most of the time. The views were worth the busy road. Castello Duino was cool.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Scott Eckhoff September 13, 2022
Three countries with great scenery and variety.
We experienced a true feel for three countries as we biked through this amazing area. There is much variety with this trip. We experienced small quaint villages, ski towns, beautiful mountain scenery, quiet forests, beautiful lakes and rivers, great restaurants, nice accommodations, mostly safe biking on trails and quiet roads. We took the slightly longer route through the hinterland into Trieste which gave us a peaceful ride until the city of Trieste. The App which was provided gave us peace of mind that we were always on the correct route. There were no worries about getting lost. We would advise having a phone holder that fits on your handle bar. We highly recommend this trip and would recommend Ebikes. There are many up and down slopes on a few days.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Kathy D August 5, 2022
MIghty Dolomity
Truly enjoyed the trip. Great bike paths for most of the route. Beautiful scenery and great overnight stays. A few hotels didn't have air conditioning but that is not unusual in this part of the world. Unfortunately, Europe is experiencing a very hot summer in 2022. We greatly enjoyed the route and all there was to see and do along the way. The bikes were not what we had expected. Very heavy, more like a beach bike w 21 gears. If you take this trip and are used to a better bike, as we are, upgrade the bike you use. Very difficult riding these very heavy bikes up some of the hills. We took a train on Day 3 for a break - mostly because of the bikes. Saving grace - the train system is fantastic and they all have capacity for bikes at a minimal cost. The app was very good once we figured out how to use it. Would have been helpful if FunActive Tour Company had given us some instruction on how to use it prior to us departing.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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BikeTours.com staff reply from Kirsten August 5, 2022
Hi Kathy! Thank you so much for leaving such detailed feedback. We are sorry you were surprised by the type of bike. We list the bike info under the Dates & Prices tab and will always try to upgrade when possible. We are working with our local partner to get app instructions so we can share them before travel. We are so glad you enjoyed your trip and hope to help you plan your next one!
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★★★★★ Nils Martin Sellgren August 5, 2022
A wonderful trip through an amazing landscape in early summer blossom.
We had an easy descent down a long valley from Toblach into Austria. Options with bus and train for mountain climbs. Experienced beautiful towns, among beatiful town of Bled, and even exhibition at a roman town excavation in Slovenia.
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★★★★★ Thomas Albrecht August 4, 2022
Beautiful, well-organized trip; good value for the money
We enjoyed our tour very much. We opted for the unguided version, which suits our tastes well, and found the maps provided to be good enough to guide us. The bikes were good quality and comfortable. The hotels varied, but we enjoyed them all and thought they were a good value for the price. The luggage service each day was perfect -- never late or unclear where to put the luggage for pickup.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 1-8, 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Stanthepianoman October 8, 2019
It was the trip of a lifetime.
The scenery was amazing! The bike paths and back roads were awesome. With a couple of changes I would give the trip a 5 star review: First, they shouldn't give an option to ride the train to Jessenice to Bled. This town is scary and hard to navigate. The ride over the pass was minor from what we were told.
Second, the Hotel Roma in Civedale is a dump. Hard beds and rude employees. All the other hotels and inns ranged from nice to awesome.
Third, we should have stayed in Bled and extra day. Our own fault on this one.
Last, the ride in to Trieste was dangerous. It was like riding the gauntlet. I would have liked to drop off our bikes out of town and walked or Ubered in to the city. This is a big busy city and many in our group were unhappy with the danger involved.- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
BikeTours.com staff reply from Chloe October 9, 2019
Hi Stan, thanks so much for this review. We're overjoyed to hear you thought this was the trip of a lifeitme. That's what we are striving for! We appreciate you sharing your thoughts regarding the Hotel Roma and the ride to Trieste. We haven't heard it described as dangerous before and will surely pass your feedback onto the tour operator. Thanks for noting that you wish you had stayed an extra day in Bled - perhaps future clients will opt to do so.
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★★★★★ GregR October 6, 2019
Too much highway biking
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
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BikeTours.com staff reply from Chloe October 7, 2019
Hi Greg, we're sorry that you felt this tour had too much highway biking. Feel free to reach out if you'd like to provide more details.
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★★★★★ Ron S September 30, 2019
FINE RIDE
A wonderful way to experience the Dolomite and end up in a superb Italian town. (Trieste) There are many different parts of Italy to see, but this trip might be the epitome of experiencing the Dolomites. I have taken many trips with Bike Tours, but this one may have been the finest. Good hotels, a superb route, and exquisite scenery made this trip four star. Renting an electric bike might be a nice option for the last parts of the trip. So would a G.P.S. as the directions can be a little hazy. Getting to the start of the trip could be a little dicey for the traveler but public transportation prevails.. Do this trip..AND TAKE THE 2 DAY OPTION IN BLED
- What was the date of your tour?
- SEPTEMBER 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- MANY
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ IanandNancy September 29, 2019
Mountains to Sea
Three countries with all the beauty of countryside , towns and cities.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 11
- How many tours have you completed?
- 10
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ San2C July 16, 2019
Wonderful Experience
The greatest surprise was that every day was a different experience. Hotels were comfortable, and the change in landscape was delightful. A few of the days would have been extremely challenging for us without E-Bikes and a GPS for guidance.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 28
- How many tours have you completed?
- this was first
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ debor July 1, 2019
Dolomite to Trieste was varied and interesting
I thought the design of the route was excellent. We spent much of the first 2 days on bike paths. I loved the small towns we stayed in. The range of hotels was quite broad-from very family run and quaint, to lavish. I quite liked the variety-that someone else chose them for me. I appreciated the list of recommended restaurants-we never went wrong using their recommendations, and frequently did when we used our own. I should have chosen to spend an extra day in Bled. We arrived in a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening, and early the next morning we had to bike to catch the train-so I don't think I really got to experience any of Bled. I loved staying in the old city in Cividale. There was quite a bit of detailed route finding on the last two days, that kept you watching the map, but we succeeded fine. The last day we chose to take the short route along the Adriatic to Trieste and the traffic was not nearly as bad as I thought it might be-the tunnels can be negotiated by walking your bike along the pedestrian way which keeps you completely out of the traffic.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 8, 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- none
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Donna T April 30, 2019
Fabulous trip!
Excellent cycling paths, gorgeous scenery, outstanding accommodations and delicious breakfasts. Our trip was in mid September and the weather was lovely. Our group of four had a few mechanical issues with the bicycles, but the local tour company was responsive and resolved the problems. Some of the maps and written directions were confusing especially in the larger towns which lacked bike path signs. Getting lost occasionally added to the adventure! Overall, we had a wonderful experience!
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Inga September 25, 2018
Fantastic trip !
We were very pleased with everything. All information from Bike tours was 100% reliable. It was great to visit three countries in 6 days on bicycle. Every day was spectacular and different from each other, but always with beautiful scenery and we felt very safe on the cycling paths. Hotels had good standard, especially the last four hotels, and every village charming and welcoming. I would definitely recommend this trip !
- What was the date of your tour?
- 7.sept-13.sept 2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ naamaza July 22, 2018
well planned trip
we were a group of 6, the planning was great. a guide came to our hotel on the first night with maps,and attractions to see on the road (though except restaurants, there are not that many attractions to see).
the roads were very convenient and well signed.
the weather was perfect and the whole experience left us with a taste of more :-)
I advise to review the hotels that are booked as default since they are very basic. you may want to upgrade.highly recommended route and company.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 29
- How many tours have you completed?
- none
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Osnat July 15, 2018
Great Views, Great Biking experience
Very Good way to explore new areas while biking conformity with many different views and scenery
- What was the date of your tour?
- 30-06-18
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Star June 20, 2018
Dolomites to Trieste
We had a great time. The accommodations were great and all staff very helpful.
We had some rainy days but hotel staff were very welcoming. Local vendors for bikes very helpful especially when we had a bike malfunction.- What was the date of your tour?
- May 19,2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- Never before
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ mattybee October 17, 2017
Enjoyed the whole adventure
Great way to see 3 countries on one bike ride. Weather could have been better in the beginning. We started in mid September and encountered one day too wet to ride. But nevertheless made the most of it. Great accommodations all the way throughout the trip. Scenery was superb. Bike paths were wonderfully uncrowded. Rarely had to travel with any kind of vehicle traffic on any of the roadways. All luggage transfers and shuttles were seamless. Tour staff very friendly and helpful. The cycling itself wasn't particularly difficult, but a little endurance is needed because of the length of the daily rides. Didn't have GPS so we relied on the maps which were adequate in the outskirts and country, but could have used a bit better map in the city of Gorizia for sure. Don't miss the pizza a Al Lampione in Gorizia, and the strudel at Gasthof Post, in Oberdrauburg. We opted for the layover day in Lake Bled which was one of the highlights of the trip. Stunning. The walk around the lake with first snow on the mountains was spectacular. Nice way to spend a day. Also, would recommend a day after spent in Trieste. Plenty to do and see along the waterfront. We rented bikes from the Hotel and made another wonderful day of it. Would highly recommend this trip albeit maybe not as late in the season as when
we went.- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Doyle October 16, 2017
Italian Bike Tour
Loved our bike tour. Great way to see the Italian countryside
- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept 12-19
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Boot September 21, 2017
Weather restricted tour
Unfortunately we ran into a patch of bad weather...snow, rain etc so we were not able to enjoy the gorgeous scenery so much....we know we missed a lot of countryside and we don't have many pictures to show from our trip...these are the chances you take when signing up!
- What was the date of your tour?
- September. 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
-
★★★★★ Nancy May 26, 2017
Beautiful ride through three countries
The scenery was ravishing, the directions mostly got us where we needed to go, the breakfasts and hotels were delightful. We opted to rent e-bikes which allowed us to keep up with the stronger riders on our group. One drawback was the lack of directions for getting from the train station in Trieste to our hotel. Not knowing the lay of the land, which streets were apt to be steep or major thoroughfares, it took us 3 times what it should have to get to our hotel. Also Bled is a charming little town, but had we realized it is a major tour bus destination we would not have opted to spend the extra night there.
- What was the date of your tour?
- 5/5-12/2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ dmshimizu May 24, 2017
Amazing trip!
Great way to explore the boarder region amongst Italy, Austria and Slovenia. The scenery is amazing, and it is a great opportunity to enjoy some towns and places that are not widely seen by regular tourists.
Travel documentation supplied by the local tour company is very good with complete information about the route. I'd recommend the investing on the GPS too, as it helps a lot with navigation activity.
The accommodations and the included meals were really good, perfect for those who would like to spend some days away from crowd and large cities.
In summary, it was a great experience, I'm looking forward for another bike tour like this one.- What was the date of your tour?
- May 6th, 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
Video: Cycling in Austria, near Thal
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★★★★★ Nancyhj May 15, 2017
Beautiful ride through three countries
The scenery was ravishing, the directions got us where we needed to go, the breakfasts and hotels were delightful. We opted to rent e-bikes which allowed us to keep up with the stronger riders on our group. The main drawback was the lack of directions for getting from the train station in Trieste to our hotel. Not knowing the lay of the land, which streets were apt to be steep or major thoroughfares, it took us 3 times what it should have to get to our hotel. Also Bled is a charming little town, but had we realized it is a major tour bus destination we would not have opted to spend the extra night there.
- What was the date of your tour?
- May 5-12, 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Curt October 18, 2016
Great trip
First bike trip like this for my wife and myself. The route was spectacular. Had everything from mountain scenery, beautiful river valleys, charming village, seaside rides, and ended in the wonderful city of Trieste. Got a taste of 3 countries and their cultures and food. Met lots of great people along the way who were doing the same trip as us. Everything went fairly seamlessly from the hotels to the transports to the bikes and the information provided. On a few occasions had some confusion with the directions, but nothing that wasn't able to be figured out.
All in all an excellent trip and would do another trip with this organization without question.- What was the date of your tour?
- 9/24-10/1/16
- How many tours have you completed?
- None
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Zephyr February 17, 2016
Excellent.
Beautiful scenery, mostly on cycle tracks, three countries, cultures and languages, nice weather, pleasant lodging.
- How many tours have you completed?
- six
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens, Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Richie November 24, 2015
Diverse cycling through three countries
Diversity is the theme of this tour. From the Dolomites, to the Julian Alps, to the dreamy Lake Bled, to the Friuli Italian wine country, to the Adriatic Coast, this tour has it all. Riding in three countries in one day is an awesome experience as well.
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-