We’ve been intrigued for some time to head east from the Carnic Alps of Northern Italy to see what other fun passes await us in Slovenia. This tour will start near Trieste where we’ll leave the sea views behind us as we wind our way through the vine bearing foothills of Friuli and Slovenia, following rivers up to the mountain peaks.
WHERE WE STAY
We will stay the first and last night of the tour in Monfalcone, a seaside town near the city of Trieste. Our first ride will take us to the village of Cividale del Friuli where we’ll pass three days of riding in the forested foothills and vineyards.
From here we will continue to climb for three days through Slovenia’s Julian Alps with a home base in the northern Italian town of Tarvisio.
Our last ride will take us back down to the sea meandering once more between Italy and Slovenia until we reach the town of Monfalcone.
GEARED FOR
This is a 4-pig tour due to the steep mountainous terrain, consistent rolling hills, and longer routes. This tour is best suited for seasoned mountain cyclists with good summer fitness to successfully tackle the challenging terrain and still have energy to hang out in the afternoons.
We’re always looking for new and challenging places to ride outside of Italian Dolomites and Alps and our instincts point us east to where the northern Italian Alps join the Julian Alps of Slovenia.
These mountains have less traffic than the Dolomites and Alps and their stunning views and challenging climbs will not leave us wanting. We will warm up with hilly rides in the wine country with climbs under 1,000 meters before turning our sights to the more mountainous terrain the following four days.
Plan on an average of 40-60 miles per day with several longer days of up to 80 miles. Our longest planned day is our return ride of 150km (93 miles) from the mountains back towards Trieste. Bring very kind climbing gears and lights for the tunnels.
The trip is not particularly well suited for non-cycling guests as we do not offer a specific itinerary outside of cycling, however, an independent and motivated non-cycling spouse/partner could keep themselves well entertained between exploring Cividale del Fruili and hiking in the Alps.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
This is a fascinating corner of Italy—the province of Friuli Venezia Giulia leads to the confines of Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia. Many a battle has taken place in this area and we will witness the mix of these cultures throughout our time here.
Trieste is beautiful city situated on the Adriatic Sea. Known to us as having a vibrant cafe and aperitivo culture, and superb seafood restaurants, the city also, and more importantly, offers a rich cultural history from earliest human occupation to its strong presence in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and more recent transition to Italy. If you have extra time to explore Trieste, either before or after the tour, we highly recommend it.
Cividale del Fruili sits among the foothills of the Collio wine area and across from nearby Slovenian wine region of Goriška Brda, known for both red and white wines. Officially founded in modern times by Julius Caesar, Cividale del Firuli is an Unesco World Heritage site, with an abundance of history to absorb. We’ll be staying in the heart of this village and have afternoons to explore its sights, museums, and shops.
The last portion of the tour will have a home base in Tarvisio, situated in the northeastern corner of Italy and at the confines of Austria and Slovenia, where our riding will be shared between the eastern Italian Alps and the Julian Alps leading into Slovenia. Following the Soča river and from the val Canale, we’ll meet the following climbs—Passo Predil, Vrešič Pass, the Mangart Saddle, and the Passo di Sella Nevea. The Mangart Saddle and Vrešič are steep climbs built for strategic needs during the first world war. Additional out-and-back climbs will be offered as we do our loops. One nearby climb, which we can not discourage enough, is the Monte Lussari time trial course where Primoz Roglič won the 2023 Giro d’Italia using mountain bike gears (so steep, gravel decent!, you’ve officially been warned).
TRAVEL DETAILS
This tour will begin and end in the town of Monfalcone near Trieste at the Europalace hotel.
Flights should be booked in/out of Trieste International Airport (TRS). There is both public transportation and taxi service to arrive at the hotel in Monfalcone. The nearby train station is one-mile away from the hotel and services both the airport and Trieste.
Arrival: Monfalcone, Europalace hotel —4:00pm on Sunday, August 30, 2025
Departure: Flights should be booked for Monday, Sept. 7th— we will return to Monfalcone on Sunday, Sept 6th in the late afternoon and sleep this night at the Europalace hotel.
INCLUDED IN TOUR
Accommodation for 8 days, 8 nights
8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 7 dinners
Fully supported riding, mechanic support & follow vehicle on most days
Food and drinks on rides
Transportation and admission to scheduled tastings, sightseeing & special events
TOUR DETAILS
7 riding days, 8 days 8 nights accommodation, travel home on the 9th day
Single room supplement of $800, please indicate on booking form
Deposit of $1,000 is requested upon booking
A second payment of $1,000 is due on Feb 27, 2026
Final Balance $2,500/$3,300 (single supplement) due by May 28, 2026
bike rentals available
Weather: Daytime temps range between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but there is always the possibility of harsh weather, especially at the summits, and cool temperatures in the evening
