SPTCN26017- Adriatic highlands ride extreme
Perfect conditions for the start: dry roads, blue skies, and a pleasant 15–20°C as we leave Ljubljana. The first stop is already impressive — coffee by a quiet lake with the Kamnik-Savinja Alps in the background. From there, we head straight into the mountains, the road pulling us up towards the Seebergsattel. A short detour into Austria, and just a few curves later we’re already back in Slovenia via the Paulitschsattel. The rhythm feels right from the start, and the route is perfect for a first day. In the Savinja Valley, the landscape opens up — gentle hills, wide views, and crystal-clear, deep blue rivers. The pace naturally slows here, not by necessity, but to truly take it all in. In the afternoon, smaller, quiet roads lead us further south. We reach Otočec at just the right moment, relaxed and satisfied after a well-rounded day of riding. Before dinner, there’s still time for a wine tasting in the elegant setting of the water castle.
From Otočec we start early and after a short ride we already reach the Croatian border – country number three on the tour. Right after the border, the route takes us into the Žumberak National Park. Dense forests alternate with wide views over endless rolling hills – narrow roads, almost no traffic – at times the landscape feels almost untouched. “This park is amazing!”, as Vico puts it. Rain follows us throughout the day, but it actually fits the scenery well. The atmosphere is calm, almost slightly mystical, even though the narrow wet roads demand full concentration. At the end of the park we stop for a break. The locals welcome us very warmly despite the language barrier, with a friendliness that stands out immediately – the perfect moment to warm up with a coffee. Afterwards, the landscape opens up. We continue through the Croatian hinterland, the roads become wider, and on the long sweeping curves we pick up a bit more speed. For lunch we stop for Janjetina na ražnju (roast lamb on a spit), grilled Cevapcici, salad and potatoes. Simple, honest food and exactly what you need after a few hours on the bike. Alan would have happily stayed there for dinner as well. In the afternoon we continue through a quiet rural region with forests and small villages. Some houses look noticeably aged – an impression that fits the history of the area. At the last fuel stop we decide to head straight to the hotel and end the riding day early to enjoy a relaxed evening. The destination is close to the Plitvice Lakes National Park (more on that tomorrow). For dinner we're enjoying grilled trout, chicken, truffle pasta, delicious apple strudle and good local wines. Good food, calm evening – fantastic day.
Quite a lot of impressions for what was supposed to be a rest day: In the morning we head to the Plitvice Lakes National Park – for some, a checkmark on the bucket list. And rightfully so. The combination of turquoise lakes and massive waterfalls is truly impressive. Around midday we return to the hotel. A bit of rest, slowing down, putting the feet up – exactly what you need after walking through the park. In the afternoon we go for a short motorcycle ride. The plan is to head towards the Bosnian border, but once we get there it’s clear: border control is taking its time today. So we change plans on the spot. We stay on the Croatian side and take advantage of a few faster sections. To finish the day, we head to the Željava Air Base. An impressive lost place with huge underground facilities and what feels like an endless runway. And how often do you get the chance to have a runway all to yourself? “Boys will be boys.”
We leave the Plitvice Lakes National Park behind and head out on fast country roads, gaining a bit of elevation. It’s still cool in the morning, but the roads offer good grip. We make a short coffee stop at a café popular with locals, then continue towards the Velebit mountains. From the top, the view opens up dramatically – the Adriatic Sea, the Croatian islands, and the famous Jadranska Magistrala stretching along the coastline. That’s exactly where we’re headed next. With luckily little traffic, one curve follows the next, each revealing another great view of the coast. Lunch is, of course, right by the sea. Afterwards, we take a short detour into the hinterland, riding through small Croatian villages with narrow streets. Another coffee, then we take the motorway past Rijeka to make sure we arrive on time in Motovun, a beautiful hilltop town.
From Motovun we head towards the coast and take the ferry to Cres. After the crossing, we follow the panoramic road down to the town of Cres, where we stop for a coffee at the harbor promenade and take some time to enjoy the place. From there we continue to Merag and catch the ferry over to Krk. In the town of Krk we come across a classic car show with plenty of beautiful vintage cars – a perfect surprise. Lunch is right by the water. Back on the mainland via the Krk Bridge, we split the group for the second part: those who want to get back to the hotel quicker take the well-known motorway route, the rest enjoy a few extra kilometers with very few straight sections. In the evening, we’re treated to a wide variety of great food, along with easygoing conversation with the staff and some new connections with fellow travelers. Great weather, amazing roads, stunning views, good food, and great people – what more could you ask for on a motorcycle trip?
We leave the beautiful town of Motovun and shortly after cross the border into Slovenia, which instantly brings back memories of the first riding day. Narrow country roads, wide views and forested rolling hills stay with us throughout the day. Around midday we stop at Predjama Castle. Built into a 120-meter-high cliff, it once provided shelter to the knight Erasmus. We take the opportunity to have lunch here as well, with the castle as an impressive backdrop. In the afternoon we take in the final kilometers through Slovenia, still impressed by the country. It’s no surprise that for some riders, Slovenia turns out to be one of the highlights of the entire tour. At the last shared dinner, we celebrate a successful trip, David’s 5th Edelweiss anniversary tour, and look back on a lot of memorable moments. Thanks to our riders from Canada – and see you next time.