Experience one of the most beautiful Alpine cycling loops in Slovenia and Italy. This 74 km circular route starts in Jesenice, follows quiet roads through Kranjska Gora and Planica, continues across the Italian border to the breathtaking Laghi di Fusine (Fusine Lakes), and returns to Jesenice. The route combines smooth asphalt roads, spectacular mountain scenery, crystal-clear Alpine lakes, and peaceful forest sections, making it an unforgettable ride for road cyclists, endurance riders, and indoor cycling enthusiasts.
With 750 metres of elevation gain, this is a challenging but rewarding route that offers continuous views of the Julian Alps while remaining rideable for cyclists with moderate fitness. Download the GPX track, follow the interactive map, explore the photo gallery, and enjoy the complete 4K cycling video before planning your own adventure.
Jesenice – Planica – Laghi di Fusine – Jesenice: One of the Most Scenic Alpine Cycling Loops in Slovenia and Italy
The Jesenice – Planica – Laghi di Fusine – Jesenice cycling loop is one of the finest day rides in the Julian Alps, combining spectacular mountain scenery, excellent cycling infrastructure, and an unforgettable cross-border experience between Slovenia and Italy. Covering 74.0 kilometres with 750 metres of elevation gain, this circular route is ideal for cyclists looking for a rewarding Alpine adventure while remaining on smooth asphalt roads and dedicated cycling paths throughout the journey.
The route starts at the Podmežakla Sports Hall in Jesenice, where cyclists can take advantage of a large free public parking area. This makes the route convenient not only for local riders but also for visitors arriving by car from other parts of Slovenia, Austria, or Italy. From the very beginning, the excellent cycling infrastructure provides a safe and comfortable ride towards the heart of the Julian Alps.
From Jesenice to Kranjska Gora
Leaving Jesenice, the route follows the well-maintained cycling path through the Upper Sava Valley. This section is perfect for warming up while enjoying magnificent views of the surrounding mountains, forests, and the Sava Dolinka River. The dedicated cycling infrastructure keeps riders away from busy traffic, allowing them to fully appreciate the peaceful Alpine landscape.
As the route approaches Kranjska Gora, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic. Slovenia’s best-known Alpine resort offers impressive mountain views in every direction and serves as the gateway to many of the country’s most beautiful cycling destinations.
Towards the Famous Planica Nordic Centre
From Kranjska Gora, the route continues towards the world-famous Planica Nordic Centre. Internationally recognised for its ski flying hills and major winter sporting events, Planica has become one of Slovenia’s most iconic outdoor destinations. During the cycling season, riders enjoy quiet roads, fresh mountain air, and spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding Julian Alps.
After passing Planica, the route continues towards the Italian border before beginning the scenic climb to Laghi di Fusine. The ascent is steady rather than steep, allowing cyclists to maintain a comfortable rhythm while gradually gaining elevation through beautiful Alpine forests.
Discover the Stunning Laghi di Fusine
One of the highlights of the entire ride is reaching Laghi di Fusine, internationally known as the Fusine Lakes. These crystal-clear glacial lakes lie beneath the impressive Mangart mountain range and are considered among the most beautiful natural attractions in northeastern Italy.
The route visits both the Lower and Upper Fusine Lakes, giving cyclists plenty of opportunities to stop for photographs, enjoy the peaceful surroundings, or simply admire the extraordinary colours of the water reflecting the surrounding limestone peaks. The lakes are one of the most photographed locations in the Julian Alps and are a must-visit destination for anyone exploring this region by bicycle.
The Return Journey to Jesenice
After leaving the lakes, the route descends through the Italian Alps before joining the regional road towards the Slovenian border near Rateče. This flowing descent is one of the most enjoyable sections of the ride, combining smooth asphalt with magnificent mountain scenery.
Crossing back into Slovenia, cyclists once again join the dedicated cycling path towards Kranjska Gora before continuing through the Upper Sava Valley to Jesenice. The final kilometres provide a relaxed finish while offering continuous views of forests, rivers, and the surrounding Alpine landscape.
Excellent Road Surface Throughout the Route
The entire route follows smooth asphalt roads and dedicated cycling paths, making it suitable for road bikes, gravel bikes, trekking bicycles, touring bikes, hybrid bicycles, and e-bikes. Thanks to the excellent road surface and clearly marked cycling infrastructure, navigation is straightforward and riding conditions remain enjoyable throughout the entire journey.
Although the route includes 750 metres of climbing and is classified as Hard, the gradients remain moderate for most of the ride. Cyclists with reasonable fitness will find the route challenging yet highly rewarding, especially because every climb is followed by spectacular scenery and enjoyable descents.
Perfect for Bikepacking and Cycling Holidays
This circular route is also an excellent choice for bikepacking adventures and cycling holidays in the Julian Alps. It combines some of the region’s best-known destinations into one unforgettable day ride while showcasing the outstanding cycling infrastructure available in both Slovenia and Italy. Many riders use this loop as part of longer tours connecting Kranjska Gora, Bled, Tarvisio, Villach, and other Alpine destinations.
Ideal for Indoor Cycling Training
The complete Cycling Horizon recording allows riders to experience this beautiful Alpine loop from anywhere in the world. Recorded in real-world conditions, the video captures natural lighting, realistic road surfaces, authentic elevation changes, and continuous mountain scenery. It is perfectly suited for smart trainers, endurance sessions, Zone 2 workouts, long aerobic rides, recovery training, or simply exploring one of Europe’s most beautiful cycling destinations from home.
Download the GPX Route and Explore the Interactive Map
Download the free GPX route directly from this page for Garmin, Wahoo, Hammerhead, Komoot, Ride with GPS, Strava, and other compatible GPS devices. Below you will also find the interactive route map, detailed ride statistics, the complete 4K cycling video, and a gallery showcasing some of the most beautiful locations along the route.
Experience One of the Best Cycling Loops in the Julian Alps
The Jesenice – Planica – Laghi di Fusine – Jesenice loop combines everything cyclists expect from a world-class Alpine ride: spectacular mountain scenery, crystal-clear glacial lakes, smooth asphalt, excellent cycling infrastructure, moderate but rewarding climbs, and the unforgettable experience of cycling between Slovenia and Italy. Whether you are planning your next outdoor adventure, preparing for a cycling holiday, or searching for realistic indoor cycling videos, this route is one of the highlights of the Cycling Horizon collection and an experience every cycling enthusiast should enjoy at least once.
Ride This Route in Individual Stages
The complete Jesenice – Planica – Laghi di Fusine – Jesenice loop is also available as individual cycling routes. Choose a specific section, download the GPX route, and explore each stage in more detail.
- Jesenice → Mojstrana
- Mojstrana → Kranjska Gora
- Kranjska Gora → Planica
- Planica → Laghi di Fusine (Fusine Lakes)
- Laghi di Fusine → Italian Border
- Italian Border → Kranjska Gora
- Kranjska Gora → Mojstrana
- Mojstrana → Jesenice
Complete Route Variations
- Jesenice → Laghi di Fusine (Fusine Lakes)
- Laghi di Fusine (Fusine Lakes) → Jesenice
- Jesenice → Planica → Laghi di Fusine → Jesenice (Complete Alpine Loop)
