The Green Karst in Slovenia: an unparalleled gravel and MTB paradise
Let yourself dream away on endless rides through dense forests and along rugged lakes, where you won’t encounter anyone for hours except perhaps a lynx or a brown bear… If you want to make this dream come true, be sure to bring bear spray just in case you need it. But there is even more than you could have dreamed of, because beneath the wheels of your gravel bike lies an underground world with a maze of caves, underground rivers, and stalactite sculptures. Cycling in the Green Karst is an adventurous journey of discovery like you will rarely experience.
The geographical location
The Green Karst is located about 30 minutes from the Italian border in the direction of Ljubljana and about 50 minutes from Ljubljana Airport. It includes the municipalities of Postojna, Pivka, Ilirska Bistrica, Cerknica, Bloke, and Loška dolina (Lož Valley).
The center of the destination is Postojna, where you should definitely visit the famous Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle. However, there is much more to discover in the surrounding area. Both experienced and recreational cyclists can enjoy the hospitality of this area, which is still waiting to be fully discovered. Thanks to the presence of asphalt roads with very little traffic, interspersed with gravel roads that are always well maintained, you can make endless trips through the woods.
Along babbling rivers with the occasional lake and mysterious caves in the rocks, the landscape goes hand in hand with castles, traditional villages, and museums. In a sense, it seems as if Green Karst has found the perfect balance between human presence and nature. The EuroVelo 9 route also runs through the region, connecting the Baltic countries with the Adriatic Sea.
Choose your own way to discover the Green Karst
You can, of course, set off on your own adventure and map out your own routes through the rolling landscape. But it is also possible to take guided tours, with cycling or hiking guides, who will lead you to places that are otherwise difficult to find.
Well-trained bikers are particularly attracted to the high peaks, such as Snežnik (Monte Nevoso, 1796 m), Nanos (1313 m), and Slivnica (1114 m). These peaks offer beautiful panoramic views as a reward for your efforts. Snežnik is the highest Slovenian mountain outside the Alps, and the area around the summit is part of a primeval forest reserve protected by UNESCO. Numerous hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty wind their way through the magical natural environment of the Green Karst, many of which can also be used for cycling. Even the karst poljes – an area of flat ground with steep edges created by karst – with their lakes, castles, caves, and inns offer excellent cycling routes of medium difficulty.
Cycling routes of the Green Karst
With the help of a map with 23 routes and almost 880 km of cycle paths, cyclists can reach panoramic viewpoints, secret corners, and cozy spots of the Green Karst. Whether accompanied by a guide or not, you can cycle through the land of bears, reach the Brkini hills by riding over ridges and through valleys, or follow the Bloke cycling route. The map contains cycling routes that connect the entire destination area. With the map in hand, cyclists can explore the intertwined routes in the incredible karst landscape, making recreational cycling possible in these lesser-known corners of Slovenia.
Most natural cycling routes are not yet marked, but by using the GPS tracks available on the website www.zelenikras.si/en/, you can always find your route. The advantage of the Green Karst cycling map is that users can create different routes and combine them.
The Great Krpan Route
The route—known in Slovenian as “Velika Krpanova Pot” and dedicated to Martin Krpan, the legendary Slovenian national hero—crosses the entire Green Karst region. It is a ride of approximately 110 km, with an elevation gain of about 1,300 meters, mostly on gravel roads. The route starts at the train station in the town of Pivka, passes the Military History Park and the DINA Large Carnivore Center, and then crosses the Javorniki Mountains and the Loška dolina valley at Snežnik Castle. The route then climbs to the Bloke plateau, past the Križna cave and Lake Bloke. From here, the trail descends along Slivnica Mountain, where you can stop at the Cerknica Lake Visitor Center. From there, it continues to the Rakov Škocjan Nature Park with its two natural bridges. In the last section, the trail climbs to the top of Mount Kalič and then descends to the town of Postojna, after which you cycle back to the starting point in Pivka along side roads and through small villages.
Practical information:
The climate in the area is similar to that of the Pre-Alps, so the best time to cycle here is from April to October; for those who do not like cycling in the heat, we recommend avoiding the months of July and August. The Green Karst cycling map also includes the Great Krpan Route cycling route. Here you will find a detailed description with GPS track and two suggestions for extending the route. The complete cycling map can be found on the website zelenikras.si.
For more information about the region:
DMC Green Karst
Prečna ulica 1, SI-6257 Pivka,
Slovenia
T: +386 5 721 22 46
E: info@zelenikras.si
www.zelenikras.si/en/
Text: Patrick Van Gansen
Green Karst Trail – A cycling adventure in nature
The Green Karst Trail is a unique multi-day cycling adventure in unspoiled nature, in the heart of the Slovenian Karst. It is not a race, but a challenge for all true lovers of bikepacking and self-sufficient cycling. The GKT route winds along easily passable gravel roads and country roads (only where strictly necessary on paved roads). The route crosses the mysterious karst landscape and passes the famous Postojna Cave, the largest show cave in Europe, and Lake Cerknica. About 70% of the route runs through lush forests. Along the way, you can admire secluded castles and manor houses, including Predjama Castle, which has stood in a 123-meter-high rock face for over 800 years, and the romantic Snežnik Castle, surrounded by avenues of centuries-old trees.
For the 2026 edition, the GKT offers two routes:
• Green route, 300 km with 5,000 meters of elevation gain
• Red route, 430 km with 6,500 meters of elevation gain
The start of the fifth edition of the GKT is scheduled for June 18, 2026, in Postojna, just 1 km from the Postojna caves. All participants will receive a badge to attach to their bike and a welcome pack. The route is not signposted; each participant will receive the GPX tracks and a GPS tracking device. Digital checkpoints are planned along the route and it is possible to follow the cyclists in real time on the website www.bikeslovenia.si.
No organized support is provided, so participants must be completely self-sufficient. Accommodation and meals are the responsibility of the participants, but free hot soup and drinking water are available at some points along the route.
Recommended bikes are gravel or MTB bikes, but e-bikes are also welcome. Those who complete the entire route (green or red) within a maximum of 150 hours will receive a commemorative medal upon arrival and will be included in the list of “GKT 2026 Finishers.” Join the bikepacking community and experience an unforgettable adventure, created by cyclists for cyclists!
For more information and registration: https://www.bikeslovenia.si/en/
