By bike along beauties of the lower Vipava Valley
August 27, 2023
HIKING
LOCAL CUISINE
CYCLING
UNSPOILED NATURE
TRADITION
IN-DEPTH EXPERIENCES
Unpretentious cycling took us along the beauty of the lower Vipava valley and through mini-museums, which in a humorous and interesting way show glimpses of the hardships and peculiarities of life on the border after the end of the Second World War. The first part of the cycling trip will be dedicated to nature, and the second to history – one and the other. At the beginning of the route, we will cross the natural monument Panovec forest, which impresses with its variety of flora and fauna, and continue via Stara Gora to the Biljenski hills, where vine plantations reign. In Miren, we will be greeted by the first memorial site for the events after World War II, followed by the next one from the same period, which also boasts the title “The smallest museum in the world”. Following we will relive the memories of the not so long ago history of “smuggling” and complete the circle of history at the railway station with trains (and a little more wider)!.
Of course, we will take advantage of all the opportunities to get to know indigenous, local, seasonal, and above all extremely delicious Vipava valley cuisine, too.
A green approach to travel also requires the use of green, sustainable means of transport to the starting point of the route. This is a reason why our trip starts and, of course, ends at the railway station in Sežana. Though everyone who lives near the railway line between Ljubljana and Nova Gorica will be able to get there by nature-friendly public transport, which for many is even free.
| Duration: | 1 day |
| Total distance: | 26,6 km |
| Avg. distance: | – |
| Total height: | 480 m |
| Bicycle type: | trekking or gravel |
| Countries: | Slovenia |
| Begin/End: | Nova Gorica railway station |
| Price (guided / self-guided): | 35 € |
Highlights:
- natural monument Panovec forest
- monument to soldiers of the 20th rifle regiment
- Biljensko-Vtrojbenski hills
- cemetery of victims from the First World War
- Miren Museum Collection
- Museum in Military Watch Tower
- Museum Collection “Smuggling in Goriška after the Second World War” on Pristava
- “Kolodvor” – Railway Station Museum Collection
Price includes:
- entrance fees to attractions according to the program
- organization and management of the trip
- traditional snack at the end of the trip
Overall Tour Level:: 
The trips are planned very carefully, but we cannot predict unforeseen events or road works, so minor deviations or adjustments of routes are also possible.
Tour description:
From our starting point at the Nova Gorica railway station, we will first cycle along the pleasant cart track along the Koren canal to the Panovec forest, one of the forests with the longest history, since dignitaries have competed for it since the creation of Gorica as a city. Today, the entire forest has been given the status of a natural monument and a very strict regime of use applies in it.
We will continue through the area of Stara Gora with numerous “weekends” and brick houses with orchards and small vineyards and ended the “circle of nature” on the Biljensko-Vrtojbenski hills. There, we will first visit the hill, which the locals know as Saint Ot, pass through numerous viewpoints among the vineyards, and before descending, visit the cemetery of fallen Hungarian soldiers from the First World War.
From here on, the terrain flattens out into a vast plain with fields of crops. Orehovlje is famous for its cultivated asparagus, and on the vast Vrtojbensko polje, the range of crops is almost unmanageable.
In Miren, we will reach the state border, which made a fatal cut right here with its division, so fatal that even a small museum was created from it. Continuing the path, we will come across a military guard tower from World War II, which today houses the smallest museum in the world. From here, the cycle path will turn towards Šempeter, where we will encounter motorized traffic for a short time, but soon turn back onto a safe and pleasant cycle path, which will take us to Pristava, where the museum of smuggling (here called “šverc”) has taken up residence in the premises of the former border guardhouse.
Close to the railway line, we will continue our journey through the abandoned railway tunnel back to the Nova Gorica railway station, where we will see the last museum collection in the station building and wait for our train back to Gorenjska and Ljubljana.
Overall Tour Level::
 | Mostly flat terrain, only shorter lower hills are possible. |
 | Slightly hilly terrain, ascents and descents are shorter and technically and undemanding for those who are not fit enough. |
 | Hilly terrain, ascents and descents can also be longer and steeper- |
 | Hilly terrain, ascents and descents can be very long and technically demanding. |
 | Mountainous terrain, very demanding ascents and descents on single tracks, tows or otherwise demanding trails that require a high level of fitness and technical skills. |
| EASY: Relaxed cycling, suitable for beginners and families who want cycling experiences. There is a lot of time and opportunities on the way to stop and relax, and the terrain is undemanding in terms of altitude – mostly flat or with gentle slopes. The road surfaces are also undemanding – asphalt or well-paved and smooth gravel. As a rule, the lengths of daily sections do not exceed 35 kilometers. |   |
| MEDIUM EASY: Suitable for cyclists with an active lifestyle who cycle regularly. The cycling sections are longer and more demanding in terms of fitness. Medium-demanding terrain can also contain longer and steeper ascents and descents. The lengths of daily sections of mostly road-cycling tours are on average between 45 and 75 kilometers, and touring-cycling tours more than 30 kilometers. |   |
| MEDIUM DEMANDING: Suitable for occasional cyclists – mostly undemanding cycling, but some days can also contain longer easy ascents or descents or shorter ascents that are more demanding or descents. The lengths of the daily sections are on average between 25 and 55 kilometers per day. |   |
| DEMANDING: Suitable for very active and well-prepared cyclists who want cycling challenges that are more demanding. Medium to very demanding terrains can also contain longer and steeper ascents and descents. The lengths of daily road and cycling sections are on average between 65 and 85 kilometers, while touring cycling sections are correspondingly shorter, but at least more than 40 km. |   |
| VERY DEMANDING: The most demanding cycling challenges. Suitable for excellent cyclists with high fitness level for longer cycling tours. These can be either typical road-cycling tours with daily sections longer than 85 kilometers or cycling tours on demanding terrains where the daily sections are shorter, but in any case longer than 50 kilometers and demanding in both height gain and surfaces. |  |
DATE
Sunday, August 27, 2023
PRICE
(at least 4 people)
Deadline for applicationsa::
Friday, August 25, 2023 or until vacancies are filled (the number of participants is limited)
Are you a larger closed group or a group of friends?
Call or email us for an individual quote for a custom travel option.
Mobile: + 386 (0)40 26 44 33
E-mail: info@gogreenway.eu
The western Karst by bike: stunning views and seductive cuisine of the first spring flavors
On demand
CYCLING
UNSPOILED NATURE
LOCAL CUISINE
In the extreme west of the Karst, the high Karst plateau covers the Friuli lowlands, while in the south it descends all the way to the Adriatic Sea. Both are perfect planes. That is why the views from the Karst, otherwise not very high hills, reach astonishingly far.
On a one-day circular cycling trip, you will get to know some of the most beautiful vantage points, walk through the history of the area from the Bronze Age to World War I and beyond and enjoy exceptional local Mediterranean cuisine, enriched with the flavors of the first spring wild plants.
In one day you will climb to the highest peak of the Karst, cross the charming, stone-built villages of Temnica, Lokvica, Opatje selo, Nova vas, Sela na Krasu and Vojščica, get to know their attractions, and above all enjoy excellent food and stunning beauty of the spring landscape, dressed in lush green headgear.
| Duration: | 1 day |
| Total distance: | 33 Km |
| Avg. distance: | 33 Km |
| Total height: | 740 m |
| Bicycle type: | trekking, gravel or MTB, e-support recommended |
| Countries: | Slovenia |
| Begin/End: | Temnica or on demand |
| Price (guided / self-guided): | 45 € |
The trips are planned very carefully, but we cannot predict unforeseen events or road works, so minor deviations or adjustments of routes are also possible.
Highlights:
- the old religious sanctuary of Gulaka, the hillfort of Sv. Ambrož, peak of Trstelj, Monument to the Defenders of the Slovene Land in Cerje, Vrh Drage well and pond (lokev) in Lokvica, Museum of the First World War and House of the Tradition of Opatje Selo, Kremenjak, hillfort Tabor in Vojščica, the Rogelja herbal farm
Price of guided tour includes:
- morning snack
- lunch
- entrance fees to attractions according to the program
- travel management and guidance
Overall Tour Level:: 
| Mostly flat terrain, only shorter lower hills are possible. |
| Slightly hilly terrain, ascents and descents are shorter and technically and undemanding for those who are not fit enough. |
| Hilly terrain, ascents and descents can also be longer and steeper- |
| Hilly terrain, ascents and descents can be very long and technically demanding. |
| Mountainous terrain, very demanding ascents and descents on single tracks, tows or otherwise demanding trails that require a high level of fitness and technical skills. |
| EASY: Relaxed cycling, suitable for beginners and families who want cycling experiences. There is a lot of time and opportunities on the way to stop and relax, and the terrain is undemanding in terms of altitude – mostly flat or with gentle slopes. The road surfaces are also undemanding – asphalt or well-paved and smooth gravel. As a rule, the lengths of daily sections do not exceed 35 kilometers. | |
| MEDIUM EASY: Suitable for cyclists with an active lifestyle who cycle regularly. The cycling sections are longer and more demanding in terms of fitness. Medium-demanding terrain can also contain longer and steeper ascents and descents. The lengths of daily sections of mostly road-cycling tours are on average between 45 and 75 kilometers, and touring-cycling tours more than 30 kilometers. | |
| MEDIUM DEMANDING: Suitable for occasional cyclists – mostly undemanding cycling, but some days can also contain longer easy ascents or descents or shorter ascents that are more demanding or descents. The lengths of the daily sections are on average between 25 and 55 kilometers per day. | |
| DEMANDING: Suitable for very active and well-prepared cyclists who want cycling challenges that are more demanding. Medium to very demanding terrains can also contain longer and steeper ascents and descents. The lengths of daily road and cycling sections are on average between 65 and 85 kilometers, while touring cycling sections are correspondingly shorter, but at least more than 40 km. | |
| VERY DEMANDING: The most demanding cycling challenges. Suitable for excellent cyclists with high fitness level for longer cycling tours. These can be either typical road-cycling tours with daily sections longer than 85 kilometers or cycling tours on demanding terrains where the daily sections are shorter, but in any case longer than 50 kilometers and demanding in both height gain and surfaces. | |
DATE
On demand
PRICE
(at least 6 people)
More info:
Mobile: + 386 (0)40 26 44 33
E-mail: info@gogreenway.eu
The western Karst by bike: stunning views and seductive cuisine of the first spring flavors
On demand
CYCLING
UNSPOILED NATURE
LOCAL CUISINE
In the extreme west of the Karst, the high Karst plateau covers the Friuli lowlands, while in the south it descends all the way to the Adriatic Sea. Both are perfect planes. That is why the views from the Karst, otherwise not very high hills, reach astonishingly far.
On a one-day circular cycling trip, you will get to know some of the most beautiful vantage points, walk through the history of the area from the Bronze Age to World War I and beyond and enjoy exceptional local Mediterranean cuisine, enriched with the flavors of the first spring wild plants.
In one day you will climb to the highest peak of the Karst, cross the charming, stone-built villages of Temnica, Lokvica, Opatje selo, Nova vas, Sela na Krasu and Vojščica, get to know their attractions, and above all enjoy excellent food and stunning beauty of the spring landscape, dressed in lush green headgear.
| Duration: | 1 day |
| Total distance: | 33 Km |
| Avg. distance: | 33 Km |
| Total height: | 740 m |
| Bicycle type: | trekking, gravel or MTB, e-support recommended |
| Countries: | Slovenia |
| Begin/End: | Temnica or on demand |
| Price (guided / self-guided): | 45 € |
The trips are planned very carefully, but we cannot predict unforeseen events or road works, so minor deviations or adjustments of routes are also possible.
Highlights:
- the old religious sanctuary of Gulaka, the hillfort of Sv. Ambrož, peak of Trstelj, Monument to the Defenders of the Slovene Land in Cerje, Vrh Drage well and pond (lokev) in Lokvica, Museum of the First World War and House of the Tradition of Opatje Selo, Kremenjak, hillfort Tabor in Vojščica, the Rogelja herbal farm
Price of guided tour includes:
- morning snack
- lunch
- entrance fees to attractions according to the program
- travel management and guidance
Overall Tour Level::
| Mostly flat terrain, only shorter lower hills are possible. |
| Slightly hilly terrain, ascents and descents are shorter and technically and undemanding for those who are not fit enough. |
| Hilly terrain, ascents and descents can also be longer and steeper- |
| Hilly terrain, ascents and descents can be very long and technically demanding. |
| Mountainous terrain, very demanding ascents and descents on single tracks, tows or otherwise demanding trails that require a high level of fitness and technical skills. |
| EASY: Relaxed cycling, suitable for beginners and families who want cycling experiences. There is a lot of time and opportunities on the way to stop and relax, and the terrain is undemanding in terms of altitude – mostly flat or with gentle slopes. The road surfaces are also undemanding – asphalt or well-paved and smooth gravel. As a rule, the lengths of daily sections do not exceed 35 kilometers. | |
| MEDIUM EASY: Suitable for cyclists with an active lifestyle who cycle regularly. The cycling sections are longer and more demanding in terms of fitness. Medium-demanding terrain can also contain longer and steeper ascents and descents. The lengths of daily sections of mostly road-cycling tours are on average between 45 and 75 kilometers, and touring-cycling tours more than 30 kilometers. | |
| MEDIUM DEMANDING: Suitable for occasional cyclists – mostly undemanding cycling, but some days can also contain longer easy ascents or descents or shorter ascents that are more demanding or descents. The lengths of the daily sections are on average between 25 and 55 kilometers per day. | |
| DEMANDING: Suitable for very active and well-prepared cyclists who want cycling challenges that are more demanding. Medium to very demanding terrains can also contain longer and steeper ascents and descents. The lengths of daily road and cycling sections are on average between 65 and 85 kilometers, while touring cycling sections are correspondingly shorter, but at least more than 40 km. | |
| VERY DEMANDING: The most demanding cycling challenges. Suitable for excellent cyclists with high fitness level for longer cycling tours. These can be either typical road-cycling tours with daily sections longer than 85 kilometers or cycling tours on demanding terrains where the daily sections are shorter, but in any case longer than 50 kilometers and demanding in both height gain and surfaces. | |
DATE
On demand
PRICE
(at least 6 people)
More info:
Mobile: + 386 (0)40 26 44 33
E-mail: info@gogreenway.eu
