Cycling day trip from Ljubljana to Novo Mesto

Set out from Ljubljana, Slovenia’s vibrant capital, and roll southeast toward Novo Mesto, the green heart of the Lower Carniola region. This 86 km ride winds through tranquil countryside, with most of your route along quiet roads, perfect for soaking in rural views without much traffic hassle.

The journey isn’t flat—expect a fair bit of climbing (over 1,400 meters of ascent), but your efforts are rewarded with sweeping ridge panoramas and breezy descents (you’ll drop over 1,500 meters by the end). Surfaces are mostly paved, though some segments are natural or missing detailed data, so a versatile road or gravel bike is ideal.

Ljubljana is famous for its charming Dragon Bridge and café culture, while Novo Mesto, perched on a bend of the Krka River, is known for its picturesque old town and the sprawling vineyards surrounding it. Plan a celebratory drink at one of the riverside bars—after almost 90 km on the bike, you’ve earned it!