Stage 1 (main cycling trail): Brnik –Kranj

Starting point: Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport

Address: Zgornji Brnik 130a, 4210 Brnik - Aerodrom

Distance: 30 km

Driving time: 3 h 5 min

Ascent: 506 m

Descent: 513 m

Difficulty: 3/5: A moderately difficult stage with more climbing than descending.

Maps, GPX: stage, Full route

Additional information: The route starts at the airport and passes through Vašca, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Štefanja Gora, Možjance, and then descends to Tupaliče. From Tupaliče, we cycle to Turn Castle, where we visit the Sparkling Card dedicated to Josipina Turnograjska. We then return to Preddvor. The route continues towards Srednja Bela and Spodnja Bela, followed by a ride to Kokrica. There, we turn towards Rupa and continue to the centre of Kranj.

Sparkling cards: Edvard Rusjan, Joker (Brnik); Ignacij Borštnik, Jack of Spades (Cerklje na Gorenjskem); Josipina Urbančič – Turnograjska, Queen of Hearts (Preddvor).

Accommodation: Hotel Creina, Koroška cesta 5, 4000 Kranj; https://hotelcreina.si/

Stage 2 (main cycling trail): Kranj–Podbrezje

Starting point: Old Town of Kranj

Address: Prešernova ulica 17, 4000 Kranj

Distance: 26,6 km

Driving time: 2 h 20 min

Ascent: 357 m

Descent: 278 m

Difficulty: 2/5: A fairly easy stage with moderate climbing between Golnik, Senično, and Križe. The rest of the route is mostly flat.

Maps, GPX: stage, Full route

Additional information: Kranj has the largest concentration of Sparkling Cards in a single location (Tavčar, Smrekar, and Puhar), followed by the Slovenian Alpine Museum in Mojstrana (Aljaž, Jesih, and Piskernik).

The route starts in Kranj and continues towards Ilovka and the Brdo Estate. At the Brdo Estate, it turns towards Bobovek and passes through the following villages: Tatinec, Hraše, Čadovlje, Trstenik, Goriče, Golnik, Senično, and Križe. Near the Tržiška Bistrica River, the route continues towards Zvirče, Breg ob Bistrici, Žiganja Vas, and Zgornje Duplje. From Zgornje Duplje, it heads towards the Trnovc Farm and then to Podbrezje. In Podbrezje, at Blekov grunt (next to the Church of St. James), we have installed the Sparkling Card dedicated to Ivana Kobilca.

Sparkling cards: Ivan Tavčar, Joker (Kranj); Hinko Smrekar, Joker (Kranj); Janez Puhar, Jack of Clubs (Kranj); Janez Bleiweis, Jack of Hearts (Trstenik); Karla Bulovec Mrak, Joker (Golnik).

Accommodation: Matijovc Tourist Farm, Podbrezje 192, 4202 Naklo; https://www.matijovc.si/

Stage 3 (main cycling trail): Podbrezje–Bled

Starting point: Podbrezje

Address: Podbrezje 192, 4000 Kranj

Distance: 25,5 km

Driving time: 2 h 35 min

Ascent: 431 m

Descent: 428 m

Difficulty: 2/5: An easy stage that is predominantly flat.

Maps, GPX: stage, Full route

Additional information: The route begins in Podbrezje at the Church of St. James. It continues through Gobovce, Podnart, Zaloše, Otoče, Mišače, Zgornja Dobrava, Kamna Gorica, Spodnja Lipnica, Zgornja Lipnica, and Lancovo until it reaches the historic town centre of Radovljica. At the Beekeeping Museum in Radovljica, we have installed the Sparkling Card dedicated to Anton Janša.

The final part of the route follows. We return to the bridge over the Sava River at Lancovo and continue along a well-maintained gravel road to Bodešče, where we cross the Sava River via the bridge. The route then follows the edge of the village of Ribno and passes through the hamlet of Selo pri Bledu before reaching Mlino, a part of Bled on the southern shore of Lake Bled.

Sparkling cards: Ivana Kobilca, Queen of Diamonds (Podbrezje); Anton Janša, King of Diamonds (Radovljica).

Accommodation: Čarman House, Cesta Svobode 37, 4260 Bled; https://www.charming-bled.com/

Stage 4 (main cycling trail): Bled–Jesenice

Starting point: Bled

Address: Cesta Svobode 37, 4260 Bled

Distance: 24 km

Driving time: 2 h

Ascent: 288 m

Descent: 188 m

Difficulty: 2/5: An easy, mostly flat stage with short forest climbs to the village of Breg and towards Blejska Dobrava.

Maps, GPX: stage, Full route

Additional information: The route begins in Ribno, near Bled, and heads towards the road to Pokljuka. At the Higher Vocational College for Hospitality and Tourism Bled stands the statue of Josip Plemelj, which is marked with a Sparkling Card. The route then continues towards the village of Zasip, but before reaching the village it turns right towards Breg. After crossing the bridge over the Sava River, the route climbs to the village.

From Breg, the route continues through Žirovnica to Vrba, where the birthplace of France Prešeren, marked with a Sparkling Card, is located. It then continues towards Moste, Blejska Dobrava, and Lipce, bringing you close to Jesenice. The final section leads to Jesenice Railway Station, where the Sparkling Card dedicated to Alma Karlin is located.

Sparkling cards: Josip Plemelj, Jack of Diamonds (Bled); Alma Karlin, Joker (Jesenice).

Accommodation: Veronika Križaj, private accommodation provider, Cesta Toneta Tomšiča 1, Tel. +386 591 12 662.

Stage 5 (main cycling trail): Jesenice–Kranjska Gora

Starting point: Železniška postaja Jesenice

Address: Cesta maršala Tita 19, 4270 Jesenice

Distance: 24,3 km

Driving time: 2 h 10 min

Ascent: 264 m

Descent: 39 m

Difficulty: 2/5: An easy stage with a very gentle climb towards Kranjska Gora.

Zemljevidi, GPX: stage, Full route

Additional information: The route leads from Jesenice to Mojstrana and then continues towards Kranjska Gora. It follows the Jesenice–Kranjska Gora cycling path.

The following Sparkling Cards have been virtually assigned to the Slovenian Alpine Museum in Mojstrana (Triglavska cesta 49, 4281 Mojstrana).

Sparkling cards: Pavla Jesih, Queen of Clubs (Mojstrana); Angela Piskernik, Queen of Spades (Mojstrana); Jakob Aljaž, King of Diamonds (Mojstrana).

Accommodation: Hotel Alpina, Vintraška 12, 4280 Kranjska Gora; https://www.hotelalpinaslovenia.com/

Stage 1 (additonal cycling trail): Kranjska Gora –Trenta

Starting point: Kranjska Gora

Address: Vintraška 12, 4280 Kranjska Gora

Distance: 24,8 km

Driving time: 3 h 45 min

Ascent: 820 m

Descent: 991 m

Difficulty: 5/5: A difficult stage that involves climbing to Vršič Pass and descending to the hamlet of Trenta.

Zemljevidi, GPX: stage, Full route

Additional information: From Kranjska Gora (806 m), the route follows Regional Road 206, known as the Vršič Road, to Vršič Pass (1,611 m), which is in the Upper Carniola region. The same road is then used for the descent to the hamlet of Trenta (624 m), on the Primorska side of the pass.

Sparkling cards: There are no Sparkling Cards.

Accommodation: Koča pri izviru Soče, Trenta 92, 5232 Soča; https://pzs.si/koce/19/; Počitniška hiša za Vršičem, Trenta 57, 5232 Soča, https://www.soca-valley.com/sl/nastanitve/2024020509314326/pocitniska-hisa-za-vrsicem/

Stage 2 (additonal cycling trail): Trenta– Bovec

Starting point: Koča pri izviru Soče

Address: Trenta 92, 5232 Soča

Distance: 20,6 km

Driving time: 1 h 55 min

Ascent: 169 m

Descent: 332 m

Difficulty: 2/5: An easy stage descending along the Soča River to Bovec.

Maps, GPX: stage, Full route

Additional information: From Trenta, we cycle downhill to Bovec.

Sparkling cards: There are no Sparkling Cards.

Accommodation: Hotel Dobra Vila Bovec, Mala vas 112, 5230 Bovec; https://dobra-vila-bovec.si/

Stage 3 (additonal cycling trail): Bovec–Kobarid

Starting point: Bovec

Address: Mala vas 112, 5230 Bovec

Distance: 29,4 km

Driving time: 2 h 55 min

Ascent: 370 m

Descent: 625 m

Difficulty: 3/5: A moderately difficult stage with climbs and descents along the Soča River.

Maps, GPX: stage, Full route

Additional information: From Bovec, the route passes through Čezsoča, Žaga, Srpenica, and Trnovo ob Soči. At Trnovo Camp, we cross the Soča River via the bridge and continue along a gravel road towards Drežnica (560 m). From Drežnica, we descend on a paved road to Kobarid (234 m).

Sparkling cards: There are no Sparkling Cards.

Accommodation: Hotel Hvala, Trg svobode 1, 5222 Kobarid; https://www.hotelhvala.si/

Stage 4 (additonal cycling trail): Kobarid–Most na Soči

Starting point: Kobarid

Address: Trg svobode 1, 5222 Kobarid

Distance: 34,7 km

Driving time: 4 h 30 min

Ascent: 592 m

Descent: 571 m

Difficulty: 4/5: A difficult stage that involves climbing to Vrsno and descending to the Soča River at Selišče.

Maps, GPX: stage, Full route

Additional information: From Kobarid, the route follows a paved road to Vrsno (592 m). In Vrsno, you can visit the birthplace of Simon Gregorčič, which is marked with a Sparkling Card. From Vrsno, the route descends on the same paved road towards the Soča River, passing through the hamlets of Kamno and Selišče. It then continues to Tolmin via the villages of Volarje, Gabrje, and Dolje. The final section follows Regional Road 102 to Modrej, from where Most na Soči is only a short distance away. Once in Most na Soči, you can continue to the railway station, where trains run towards Nova Gorica and Jesenice.

Sparkling cards: Simon Gregorčič, Joker (Vrsno).

Accommodation: Penzion Šterk, Most na Soči 55, 5216 Most na Soči, https://www.penzion-sterk.si/