The Alpina Mediterranean Cycle Route linking Italy, Slovenia and Croatia was officially presented to the public on Friday, 20 June 2025. The 300-kilometre route, starting in Venzone in Italy and ending in Opatija in Croatia, has been developed within the framework of the cross-border project Inter Bike III, Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia Programme. It will be presented on the www.bike-alpeadria.eu website, from which it will be possible to download navigation packages and obtain various useful information from the https://bikeroute.si/ subpage.
The aim of creating a new cycling tourism product was to connect the three countries from the Alps to Kvarner, passing through the Soča Valley, Goriška, Karst and Brkini, and to offer cycling enthusiasts an authentic contact with nature, the discovery of the history of the cross-border area and to taste local gastronomic specialities. The Alpina Mediterranean Cycle Route starts in Venzone, where it intertwines with the very popular Ciclovia Alpe-Adria Radweg (Salzburg-Grado) Cycle Route, and ends in Opatija after crossing western Slovenia. It is divided into six stages suitable for cycling enthusiasts of different abilities. The new tourist product is accompanied by two new free transport services - a bus and a van with a bicycle trailer - which will operate until 14 September this year on the routes between Ajdovščina and Cividale del Friuli and between the Vipava Valley and Predmeja. The cross-border service operates four times a day on Sundays (two departures in each direction), and the Vipava Valley-Predmeja service operates twice a day on Thursdays and Sundays on two lines. Timetables are available at all tourist information centres in the Vipava Valley. There is no need to reserve seats. Visitors to the cross-border area can also rent bicycles. They are available at the Tourist Information Centre in Ilirska Bistrica and shortly at the Tourist Information Centre in S. Pietro al Natisone. Three new electric bicycle charging stations have been installed in the Brkini area - in the centre of Ilirska Bistrica, next to the Tourist Information Centre, on the main square - Mestni trg, and in the village of Trpčane. Information on the Alpina Mediterranean Cycling Route, cycling services and attractions along the route, as well as timetables of the new cycling services, will be published on the website https://www.bike-alpeadria.eu/, on which other cross-border cycling routes will also be presented, and on the Alpina Mediterranean Cycling Subpage https://bikeroute.si/.
Boštjan Primc from the Municipality of Ilirska Bistrica, the creator of the new Alpina Mediterranean cycling tourism product, emphasised that the creation of a single tourism product will help to develop the entire route, which until now has been developed separately by each country, in a coordinated manner. The Municipality of Ilirska Bistrica and its Tourist Information Centre will take care of the promotion. It is hoped that there will be an increase in visits along the route. Boštjan Primc also emphasised that the entire route has now been set up and runs mostly on less frequented roads.
Tanja Krapež of the Regional Development Agency ROD Ajdovščina, the lead partner of the cross-border project Inter Bike III, which is introducing two new multimodal pilot “Bikebus” routes this summer, emphasised that the idea was conceived as an example of sustainable mobility, as it promotes adventure and climate tourism. The bus between Ajdovščina and Cividale del Friuli stops at the Nova Gorica railway station, providing an important multimodal connection for all those travelling by train. The Vipavska dolina - Predmeja line is, according to Krapež, an excellent choice for those who wish to discover nature and enjoy the beautiful views of the Trnovo plateau even on the hottest summer days.
Janez Capuder, representative of the Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development at the Štanjel Regional Office, emphasised at the event in Nova Gorica that the Inter Bike III project is an excellent example of how the Interreg Italy-Slovenia cross-border programme can support concrete initiatives that have an impact on the quality of life of people living on both sides of the border. "This project is proof that with vision, cooperation and European funding it is possible to build routes that cross landscapes and connect people. Cycling is no longer just a sport: it is a way of travelling, a way of life and an important form of responsible tourism that respects the environment, stimulates local economies and discovers the regions' hidden treasures."
The new cycle route has already been ridden by professional cycling guides Matej Hartman and his Croatian colleague Bojan Šenkinc. After three days of cycling, they were impressed by the picturesque landscape, the forests of spring colours, and the rich cultural heritage. At the end of the route, during which they visited pre-Alpine places, enchanting river valleys, this year's European Capital of Culture, Gorizia and Nova Gorica, vineyards, karst forests, the Brkini and descended to the coast via Liburnia, they enjoyed a dip in the refreshing Adriatic Sea. Although they are both familiar with the cycling routes in the area, they discovered some new stretches during the ride and, as Hartman pointed out, enjoyed the ride.
Photo:
Venzone: Matej Hartman
Lipica: Matevž Hribar, Goodplace
