Ljubelj Pass

The day before, on a Friday, I accepted an invitation for a ride. One of my friends had sent me the map, and another was joining us too. At first, I was hesitant—I know the main road from Tržič to Ljubelj Pass, and it isn’t exactly bike-friendly. But after looking at the map again, I decided to give it a go.

Thankfully, this was a group adventure. We met for coffee first, then slowly made our way through Tržič’s city center, following the old route toward Podljubelj, which eventually continues parallel to the main road. The incline started gradually, and we crossed the road once, following the bike signs whenever we could.

At one point, we had to ride for a few kilometers on the main road. It felt a little sketchy, but once we reached Restaurant Karavla, which is by the Mauthausen memorial, we knew we were safe for another coffee stop.

After our break, we pushed on to the final climb. We reached the parking lot in front of the old Zelenica ski resort (just before entering the tunnel for Austria), climbed a fence, and hit the gravel road. That’s where the real challenge began. My tires were pumped for road, not gravel, and I didn’t adjust the pressure. Every turn felt slippery, gravel shifting underneath me, and progress slowed to a snail’s pace.

Still, I kept going. Especially then, I felt grateful that this trip was full of support and positive vibes. Having friends along made the ride so much easier and more enjoyable. We had already stopped for coffee a few times, which gave us a chance to rest, chat, and take in the scenery—those little breaks really shaped the rhythm of the day and allowed us to take it easy. After a few short pauses for videos and pictures on the gravel, we started hearing music from above, a sound that pulled us forward. The last turns reminded me of a different time—walking the same route with a baby on my back. Hard then, hard now. Only this time, it was me and the bike. And I couldn’t believe I had made it that far.

The way back was pure joy. Flying downhill, we reached a point where we had to skip the tunnel section and ride on the rocky road, a stretch that reminded me exactly why mountain biking feels so freeing—and how much I’ve missed it.

Would I recommend this trip? Definitely—but only for riders with enough experience and physical preparation. And honestly, sharing it with friends, with plenty of coffee stops and supportive company, is what made it truly unforgettable.

Photos

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