Cycling to Radovna, lake Bled and the town of steel and flowers

This tour requires swimwear for a dip in either Lake Bled or Lake Kreda in Radovna Valley.

The route follows the Radovna cycling path, heading in the opposite direction from Radovna to Gorje, where information tables provide details about natural and cultural attractions. Your starting point is in front of the Slovenian Alpine Museum, established in 2010 under the leadership of Mr. Miro Eržen, then president of the Alpine Society Dovje-Mojstrana. The museum boasts a diverse collection appealing to both older and younger visitors and hosts many different events. Highlights include visual presentations, a helicopter used in mountain rescues, a virtual zip line from the top of Triglav, and the original Bivouac II, which has been transformed into an escape-room experience. Bike and via ferrata climbing equipment rentals are available.

You will cycle past the Psnak Homestead, known for its delicious meals and traditional Sunday lunches. The old pilgrimage path through the Radovna Valley historically led to Monte Lussario (1766 m) in Italy. Above the Gogala Homestead in Zgornja Radovna stands the beautiful Gogala Linden Tree, estimated to be over 800 years old. It reaches a height of nearly 24 meters with a trunk diameter of slightly over two meters. The leaves from the tree were the first touristic symbol of the independent Slovenian Republic. There is a lovely bench and an information table nearby, but please respect the private land.

Lake Kreda in Srednja Radovna is an artificial lake created during the cement industry's early years in Mojstrana. Once used for chalk extraction, it now serves as a habitat for frogs and other wildlife, as well as a popular swimming spot in summer.

Nearby is a monument commemorating those who died in their own burning homes during World War II. In 1944, German forces retaliated against the village for refusing to return horses and prisoners, resulting in the burning of homes and the deaths of 24 people on October 20, 1944. This area is known as "Požgana Radovna" (Burned Radovna). The nearby Smolej Homestead also serves as a reminder of these tragic events.

You will descend to Krnica, cross the Radovna River, and continue through Zgornje and Spodnje Gorje to Lake Bled. Lake Bled is particularly stunning in early spring and late autumn, but for swimming, summer is ideal. You will cycle along the northern shore of the lake, where you can enjoy a beautiful view and a coffee at one of the lakeside restaurants, including the popular “Blejska kremšnita” at the historic pastry shop Šmon, now called Zima.

On your return journey, you will pass through Gorje, cycle over the Kočna saddle, and enter the town of steel and flowers—Jesenice. Be cautious as this section involves cycling on the main road. Above the city, you can see daffodils, while on the other side, the ironworks town is renowned for its steel and iron, which is exported worldwide.

The final part of the trip involves a beautiful cycling path, although the segment from Topolino to the museum is not a designated cycling route.

Check step by step instructions

You begin your trip in front of the Slovenian Alpine Museum, heading towards the Vrata Valley. Before the ascent, turn left, crossing the green bridge over the Triglavska Bistrica River. Continue uphill through the Mlačca plain, passing the tennis courts, and proceed uphill to the crossroads with the main road.

Follow the main road uphill to Kosmačev Preval, the highest point of your trip. After reaching the top, descend to the left towards the Psnak Homestead. Continue to the crossroads and turn left, following the signs for Gogala Linden Tree. Continue past Gogala Linden Tree until you reach the crossroads with the main road, then turn left towards Gorje.

Continue on the main road, passing the powerhouse, and cross the wooden bridge over the Radovna River. Take the left onto the macadam road on the eastern side of Lake Kreda, where you can access the lakeshore. From here, continue straight until you reach the crossroads with the main road, where you will see the Požgana Radovna monument on your left. Turn right and head uphill towards Pokljuka or Spodnje Gorje.

Continue left at the main road through Krnica, passing the church towards Zgornje Gorje. Turn left here onto the cycling path leading to Spodnje Gorje. In Spodnje Gorje, turn right opposite the restaurant Pr' Petač, following the signs for Bled. Descend past the Elmont factory to the crossroads.

You'll see an underpass beneath the railway. Turn right and follow the railway until you reach the overpass. Cross the overpass, continue straight for approximately 50 meters, and then turn right down towards the lake. At the next crossroads, turn right and follow the main road past the train station, descending the steep hill to Lake Bled—specifically to Camp Zaka, where a swim is highly recommended.

From here, cycle along the northern shore of the lake towards the eastern side, passing Café Restaurant Prešern and continuing to the main road. Turn left, ascend to the bus station, and follow the red signs for Jesenice. Continue uphill, passing the agency, hostels, and the Zima restaurant, until you reach the main road. Proceed straight, and just before a right turn, take the cycling road. You will pass a communal company on your right. Continue to the village of Rečica, joining the main road and following it uphill to Spodnje Gorje, past Zgornje Gorje to Kočna. Throughout this stretch, be very careful.

Next, descend the steep hill, passing Blejska Dobrava and Lipce, until you reach the bridge over the Sava Dolinka River. Before the bridge, turn left towards Podmežakla. A short climb is followed by a descent; continue straight to the crossroads in front of the hockey hall. Proceed further to the freeway underpass, taking the cycling road to the crossroads with the main road. Turn left and follow the main road past St. Klemen’s Church and the ski resort, crossing the bridge. At the crossroads, turn left in the direction of Vrata Valley, and return to your starting point at the Slovenian Alpine Museum.