Dolomites To Trieste Via Lake Bled At The Foot Of The Julian Alps Bike Tour Reviews page 2
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★★★★★ naamaza
well planned trip
we were a group of 6, the planning was great. a guide came to our hotel on the first night with maps,and attractions to see on the road (though except restaurants, there are not that many attractions to see).
the roads were very convenient and well signed.
the weather was perfect and the whole experience left us with a taste of more :-)
I advise to review the hotels that are booked as default since they are very basic. you may want to upgrade.highly recommended route and company.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 29
- How many tours have you completed?
- none
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Wilhelm Dannheimer
Well planned, supported and scenic trip
Gave the perfect balance between small towns, beautiful landscapes and technical terrain. A very well planned and supported tour. Thank you!
-
★★★★★ John
Nice route, good bikes, great hotels, flakey FunActive app
Very nice route. The instructions at times were too terse so that we did not know that we had a private ride at one point and thought it to be public transport. The exit from Bled went very smoothly but again we did not know quite what was planned beforehand. Initial pickup of the bikes and documents also was not clear and we had to go to the FunActive office to arrange that.
The final leg to Trieste could be improved, we took both the recommended and our improved route so know this to be so (I can supply the GPX if wanted).
The FunActive App is comprehensive but often stops functioning and uses a lot of battery. It would be better if it had less functionality but always worked.
Bikes were great. The front-box supplied did not fit the guidebook supplied!
Hotels and their meals were all great.- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2026
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Rebecca
Gorgeous scenery
My friends and I had a great time on this tour. The scenery was wonderful and the route was interesting. We especially enjoyed our time in Slovenia. The weather in mid-September was very good. Overall the tour logistics went smoothly, with just a few small issues (one area where navigation was confusing, one delayed bus/train transfer, and one delayed luggage transfer). The hotels were generally good, with very good breakfasts. We arrived a day early to hike Tre Cime di Lavaredo, which I would recommend. We also hiked the Vintgar Gorge near Bled. The "long route" via Udine was worth the extra miles. On the last day we took the coastal route, which did have some traffic but I found that it was worth it for the views and the stop at Miramare Castle.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2026
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Maggie Stapleton
Fabulous trip full of variety!
We chose this trip partially due to the high star rating (and quantity) of the reviews, and I'm happy to report it lived up to the hype.
We began in the picturesque, mountainous town of Dobbiaco in the Dolomites and booked an extra night at the beginning of the trip in order to take a bus to do the Tre Cime Hike before starting the bike tour. Once the biking began, we rode our way through beautiful valleys (2 almost entirely flat days in Austria!) with stunning views all around. Getting into Slovenia was hillier, but rewarding. us with some of the most beautiful water in Slovenia. We did the 1-night Bled stay, and maximized our activities by booking a 3:20pm entry into the Vintgar Gorge, which was easy to get to directly from our bike route. After we left Slovenia, we were in Italy for the remainder of the trip and enjoyed more great variety of scenery (farmlands) with moderate elevation gain and took the coastal route into Trieste, enjoying the views of the Adriatic as we concluded the trip.
Main positive notes:
1) Overall, the FunActive App worked very well for navigation and the FunActive support phone number came in very handy when 2 people in my group got flat tires. I called and they immediately sent Google Map pins to the closest bike shops on our route, and offered reimbursement up to 35 euros for the repairs.
2) The hotels varied in quality and character, but were all very comfortable/hospitable with kind staff and provided excellent breakfasts.
3) Most people in my group requested (in advance) to rent gravel bikes and we found it to be well worth the extra charge, as the route does have some gravel sections. The bikes handled very well on the road and off. This tour is well-suited for intermediate cyclists to do on non-e-bikes, and seemed great for less-experienced cyclists to do on e-bikes.
4) The scenery was rarely less than stunning, even when the weather was cloudy!
A few cautionary points:
1) The amount of information (documents, info in the app, personal itinerary) sent to us prior to the tour was a little overwhelming and had some conflicting information (e.g. # of bags allowed per person for the daily luggage transfer, day/time for transfer points). Be sure to read everything carefully and ask questions to your BikeTours.com representative to clarify any discrepancies.
2) The FunActive staff was satisfactory when we picked up the bikes to help us get set up, but they did not go above and beyond with additional requests (e.g. to install SPD pedals that we brought; swap out saddles more comfortable ones).
3) This was my first time doing a tour which included transfers over mountain passes (Oberdrauberg Pass on Day 1, and from Bled to Most na Soci on Day 4). These were much appreciated to save energy and prevent some potentially dangerous riding, but it did require extra attention to our timing and schedule to make sure we were not late for the shuttles. SHOW MORE
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2026
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ David Haukur Unnsteinsson
Excellent trip bathed in beautiful nature in all directions
What a perfect way to travel through the beautiful countryside of Italy, Austria and Slovenia's followed with the alps on the side.
Every part of the journey was without any troubles at all. The navigation app was flawless and very easy to use.
We are very satisfied with BikeTours and Fun active Tours, simply because everything was after the plan.
We would 100% recommend them and are already begin to plan the next tour.- What was the date of your tour?
- August september 2026
- How many tours have you completed?
- None
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Maria B.
Beautiful scenery, excellent cycling, great diversity in terrain
Absolutely loved this trip. A true From-the-mountains-to-the-sea adventure with a wonderful mix of scenery and cycling terrain. First two days were mostly along riverside cycle routes through lovely Austrian countryside with mountains as a constant companion. Next two days were a mix of roads and paths from Austria to Slovenia and back to Italy. These were the two more physically challenging days but the landscape was just enchanting. Last two days through Italy had some gravel riding through vineyards and a breathtaking road along the Adriatic into Trieste. I'm glad we just did the one night in Lake Bled. The lake itself is beautiful but the town is very touristy. I much preferred having time in Cividale del Friuli, which was very charming!
I'm middle aged and in decent shape. I normally ride an e-bike back home for commuting but opted for a non e-bike for this trip. I was worried that the inclines and distances would be too difficult but I managed to do all the riding (except for one or two steep sections) without a problem, just the right amount of challenging.
The hotels were comfortable, some more than others, but all were in a good location and had excellent breakfasts. One day our luggage arrived quite late, around 6:30pm, but usually the luggage was there when we arrived.
The app did use battery quickly as others said. Bring a power bank and/or plan to share navigating duties. Besides that, the app worked decently well. Sometimes the map was off but it was easy enough to figure out what was supposed to happen.
This trip has two transfers, one by van over a challenging mountain pass after Day 1, and another by train in Slovenia. For both transfers, the timing was actually different than what the app stated. We were informed of the change with a slip of paper, which would've been easy to misplace or not catch.
I got a flat on the last day. After "patching" the tube with the tire foam they provided, they directed us to a bike shop to have the tube properly replaced, and then I was reimbursed for that expense. The bike shop was a bit out of the way and I probably would've preferred just replacing the tube myself. Perhaps bring a spare tube with you in case this happens.
Looking forward to my next bike tour!
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2026
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Neil Bowles and Adele Hogg
Stunning beauty- enjoyed the best way...on electric bikes!
The whole trip was absolutely wonderful! The tranquil, majestic scenery, lovely bike roads, freedom to cycle at our own pace, and meticulous organization of the whole trip were all perfect!
- How many tours have you completed?
- 8
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens, Families with young kids
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Garth Lewis
Beautiful biking across 3 countries!
A gorgeous trek through the Dolomites and the Julian Alps. Charming hotels, a well-designed route, and beautiful scenery, combined to make this a terrific trip. We improvised several times (e.g. choosing to ride instead of taking the transfer) and the tour company accommodated us without a problem. We had a couple of issues along the way (luggage handle broke off, e-bike fender needed adjustment at a bike shop) but otherwise the trip went off without a hitch. We took an extra day at Lake Bled which was well worth it. Overall, quite pleased with the bikes, the route, and the Hotels.
- What was the date of your tour?
- May 2026
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Katy Mason
Love those Dolomites!
We had a wonderful experience on this trip. The guide was easy to work with and very helpful. There was one route that was closed and not easy to navigate. I would say that is our only criticism - the GPS should have been updated. It made for a long day. Overall, it was just an incredible route.
-
★★★★★ Marissa
Really great first trip
Highlights:
- Handy navigation app that usually seemed to work well.
- Really neat variety of hotels with absolutely ridiculous breakfast spreads. Dinners at the hotels were also incredible.
- Staff were very helpful when they could be - this includes rental shop, phone contact, and transfer assistant staff.
- I'd estimate about 60-70% of the route was on dedicated bike trails that were wonderful to bike on, especially compared to terrible US bike infrastructure.
Lowlights:
- We did not use navigation features on the app, just used it as a reference map. As a compulsive mapper, an easy way to export GPX/route info from the provided app would have been appreciated. I was able to download GPXs several weeks in advance, but the routes on a couple of days ended up extremely incorrect and misleading.
- It would have been helpful to have general guidance or resources on alternatives in the event of bad weather. We got fairly lucky on the timing of some heavy rain, but it definitely caused some anxiety.
- Nova Gorica and Trieste were kind of awful and hectic to navigate, but I don't know how you'd avoid them.The route was gorgeous and mostly easy. I'd recommend taking the long and hilly routes to Bled and Trieste if you're physically up for it. As an enthusiastic cyclist, it was hard to adjust to the heavy and clunky rental bikes (obvious solution: bring your own bike) and I can't say we'd have tackled any mountain passes, but they were comfortable and well maintained. I felt like we definitely got value for what we paid and I'd recommend this trip to anyone who wanted an intro to easy touring!
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 0
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Eugenia Farre
Dolomites to Trieste as a couple
We loved this tour. We visited wonderful places. The hotels were excellent and the price/quality ratio was very good. The bicycles are in perfect condition. We always had a quick response when any questions. Highly recommended!
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens, Families with young kids
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ HM
Trip worth taking
My wife and I recently embarked on the Dolomites to Trieste bike tour, and it was an unforgettable adventure filled with both challenges and breathtaking moments. The journey took us through some of the most stunning landscapes, starting from the majestic Dolomites and winding our way to the Adriatic coast.
The routes were indeed challenging, but the sense of accomplishment we felt at the end of each day was worth every pedal stroke. We made several stops at various nature points, each offering a unique and serene beauty. One of the highlights was swimming in a water park, which provided a refreshing break from the rigorous cycling.
The bike company did an excellent job of supporting us throughout the journey. They provided detailed maps and exploration tips along the route, which were incredibly helpful. Additionally, they offered an app with even more information, making it easy to navigate and learn about the areas we were passing through.
The culinary experiences were another highlight of our trip. We savored a variety of foods unique to each country we visited. Slovenia, in particular, stood out with its delicious and diverse cuisine. From hearty stews to delicate pastries, every meal was a delightful discovery.
The views of the Dolomite mountain range were simply breathtaking. The towering peaks and lush valleys provided a stunning backdrop to our journey, making every moment on the bike a visual feast.
Overall, this bike tour was a wonderful blend of physical challenge, natural beauty, and cultural exploration. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for an adventurous and rewarding experience. I would highly recommend to someone looking for adventure and different experiences.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Harpa Sigmarsdóttir
Amazing landscape
For the first three days you cycle in the beautiful Dolomites and Julian alps. The views are stunning. We only stayed one night at lake Bled, we started early in the morning so we were there at around noon so we had the whole day to explore. The next morning we took the train to Most na Soci and the trail that day was so beautiful and a lot different from the previous days. The last part of the trip, last cycling day, was very stressful because of traffic. I would prefer that the trip would end outside of Trieste, like in the village the day before cause you are riding on main road in high traffic so I didn’t enjoy the surroundings. Accommodations were all nice, very different but all nice. Loved hotel Franz in Gradisca- superb and the staff are amazing! Overall I’m very pleased with this trip and love exploring this way. Would recommend.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Hedda Othilie Hagen
Over all expectations
We had self guided trip and we had so fun experiancing the different countries. It was the perfect way for us to travel. Its the best way to see italy, slovenia and austria
- How many tours have you completed?
- 0
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens, Families with young kids
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Karen C
A wonderful introduction to the Dolomites region
Before this trip, I didn’t realize you could cross national borders of Italy, Austria, Slovenia with no hassle by bike. It was pretty awesome to be in and out of 3 countries in one day of this tour. To whoever rated the scenery of this trip as 3 out of 5, they need to get their goggles checked because it was stunning when we went mid September. The weather was a bit chilly and foggy in the morning when we started our trip in the mountains, but by the time we ended up closer to Trieste, it was closer to summery.
If you fly into VCE, make sure you arrive before 2pm to be able to make the one Cortina express bus that will go to Dobbiaco each day! I made the mistake of a cheaper flight that arrived later at 7pm and got stuck paying extra money to stay in Venice overnight and paid for the extra night in Dobbiaco for nothing and couldn’t get a refund because it was a double occupancy and my roommate would be using the room.
My only complaint was with the “upgraded” gravel bike and pannier provided by the local tour company Fun Active Tours. I was not present upon pickup day to contest this with the company, so my group member got my bike on my behalf. The seatpost literally had to be cut to accommodate my 5’2” stature, so it was lucky that her bike seatpost was also too tall for her and she caught the issue on my bike by proxy.
Once I was present to see my “upgraded” gravel bike, there were a couple issues off the bat:
1. the two bottle cages were setup in the wrong bolt holes so that if you had a bottle in one cage, it would negate the other cage. Total rookie bike shop mistake that should have been spotted right away.
2. the rear rack pannier bag clips were setup in a very specific position that was not correct for the rack on my bike. Another bike shop mistake that should have been corrected for pickup.
3. The air pressure on the bike was way below the recommended amount listed on the sidewall of the tires 50 PSI and was discovered after a cursory hand squeeze - this is literally bike ABC’s and also should have been topped off for pickup. Thank god Fun Active had a place in Dobbiaco to go for air because after that there was no bike pump at any of the hotels to check on the air pressure until day 6 in Gradisca d’Isonzo / Hotel Franz which was a legit bike hotel with a repair tool stand and tool setup.
4. There was a klick fix front bag mounted to the handle bars that completely crimped the front cabling underneath
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2026
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Hedda Othilie Hagen
Over all expectations
We had self guided trip and we had so fun experiancing the different countries. It was the perfect way for us to travel. Its the best way to see italy, slovenia and austria
- How many tours have you completed?
- 0
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens, Families with young kids
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Mark Lantz
Beauty and culture all around
Amazing and beautiful trip. What a way to see the Dolomites. Loved our time in Bled. It was my 2nd trip and was every bit as good as the first.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June, 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Wendy Harris
Stunning Scenery!
Almost the entire trip was on beautiful, well maintained bike trails. The scenery was spectacular during the entire ride and we loved riding from the Dolomite Mountains to the sea. The hotels were all very nice and the bikes were very comfortable. Everything was well organized and went smoothly. Great value too!
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 6, 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Scott Reuben
Amazing scenery biking through 3 countries
I have always wanted to see the Dolomites and this was the perfect tour to do so. We actually took a day before the tour started to stay in Cortina and hike. This will not disappoint you as the scenery is spectacular. Then we took a 30 minute bus to Toblach where we picked up our bikes and started the tour. Travelled through Italy, Austria and Slovenia. The food and accommodations were fabulous. The last day was a little disappointing traveling to Trieste as the route led us through some rather busy streets and on top of that it was raining. I would have preferred to take the train option. Otherwise the bike paths were fabulous.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- Perfect
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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