Classic
550 km · 7,000 m
From Udine across the Tagliamento, up the old railway to Lake Predil, over the Vršič and home through the Collio.
2026 sold out · 2027 opens 1 November 12 June 2027
The Grand Escape · Event 01
Italy/Slovenia
550km through Friuli, the Julian Alps and Slovenia. No race. Your pace.
Get the Route GuideWhen
12 Jun 2027
Registration opens 1 November
Where
Udine
Format
Loop · same start & finish
Across 3 countries
Distance
550 km
Express 300 km
Route
Italy/Slovenia 2027 Starting pointUdine
550km total
7,000m climb
From Udine you follow the Tagliamento — Europe's last wild river — then cross into Slovenia past Austro-Hungarian fortifications. Emerald rivers, alpine passes, enchanted forests, and roads so quiet you'll forget traffic exists. 550 km, 100% on tarmac, mostly on dedicated cycle paths: your bike is perfect for this.
- 100% tarmac
- 60%+ on cycle paths
- The rest on quiet secondary roads
Express
300 km · 3,000 m
The Express shares the start in Udine and the whole first part of the route, up to the climb to Lake Predil. After the lake it runs down toward Kobarid and the Soča valley, crosses the vineyards of the Collio and comes back through Cividale to Udine. It skips the Vršič. Short on days? You can pick it at the start, on the morning itself, once you know how your legs feel.
«As we were not well trained, we chose to do the Express route. We know now that we can take on more kilometres a day so that's something we will change for the next trip.»
Free · The Route Guide
The Route Guide
Leave your email and we'll let you know before registration opens. Meanwhile we send you the guide, fourteen chapters to find out if it's for you.
- The eight doubts riders keep to themselves, from “Can I actually do this?” to “I'd be going alone”.
- The lands you'll ride through, from the Tagliamento over the Vršič and home through the Collio, without giving away the route.
- Where riders really sleep, and which beds go first, starting with Cividale del Friuli and Ljubljana.
- A typical day, from the alarm you set to dinner, with a climb and the long hours alone.
- What to pack, with a list to print and three months of training.
Places you'll cross
A ride through 10 landscapes
The loop is curated so every day brings a different world.
Udine, start & finish
Your adventure starts in the heart of Friuli. Wander through Via Mercato Vecchio, climb to the castle for views over the city, then fuel up with Frico and local wine. A taste of what's to come.
Tagliamento River
Europe's last wild river. Its bed and winding meanders have remained untouched for millennia. As you cross its bridges, you'll feel the ancient energy of water that refuses to be tamed.
Crossing the border
Past Lago del Predil, you'll reach the historic fortifications marking the Italy-Slovenia border. Built during Austro-Hungarian times, these walls witnessed centuries of European history. Now you ride through them, borders erased, pedaling into a new country.
Vršič Pass
Slovenia's highest paved Alpine pass. Fifty hairpin bends. Each one offers a new view of the Julian Alps. Originally built for military purposes during World War I, this road winds through forests and rocky terrain until the summit offers a panoramic view that makes the climb worth every turn.
Triglav National Park
Slovenia's only national park, named after Mount Triglav (2,864m) — the country's highest peak and national symbol. Clear alpine springs, pristine forests, and the kind of silence that reminds you why you started cycling in the first place.
Soča Valley
The river is so turquoise it looks photoshopped. It's not. You'll ride alongside it for kilometers, watching it meander through deep gorges and green pastures. The quiet roads here feel like an invitation to lose yourself — and find something else entirely.
Lake Bled
You've seen the photos. Now ride there. The island church, the clifftop castle reflected in clear water. Stop for kremšnita, the famous cream cake. Watch the light change. This is the Slovenia of postcards — and it's even better on a bike.
Ljubljana
Europe's greenest capital. The Ljubljanica River flows under picturesque bridges, including the famous Dragon Bridge. Baroque architecture meets modern design. Ljubljana Castle offers panoramic views of the city below. Coffee here tastes better after 400km.
Southern Slovenia
Thick forests, mysterious karst lakes, and the untouched nature of Notranjski Regijski Park. In between: hills and fields on the open horizon. Then Nova Gorica, a city symbolically united with its Italian twin Gorizia through a shared square.
Cividale del Friuli
Nestled in the Friulian hills, this medieval town deserves its UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Cross the Ponte del Diavolo, watch the Natisone River flow beneath you, then walk the ancient streets of a town that has been here for centuries. The perfect final chapter before returning to Udine. (Try the Gubana!)
● Soča valley, morning A day on the road
River, coffee, pass, repeat
Morning espresso by the Soča. You spin alongside turquoise water for an hour before the road tilts up. Lunch is trout and polenta in a village of forty people. Afternoon: one pass, one descent, one arrival at a guesthouse where the owner pours you a schnapps whether you asked or not.
● Vršič pass, early morning The quiet between climbs
The silence after the pass
Vršič at dawn. The fifty hairpins still ahead. You stop halfway because there's nobody behind you and nobody in front, and the valley looks greener than it should. Months later, this is the minute you'll remember — not the kilometres.
Riders on the road
What they remember
- would recommend it to a friend
- 9.2/10
- for the route
- 9.7/10
- rode the whole loop
- 86%
It was great not to have the pressure of a race. Everyone was in the same mood.
On every climb I wondered why we were going this way. And later it became clear why this path was chosen. The views were incredible. I love Slovenia.
Sometimes I rode with someone, then lost them, then found them again. That is the wonderful thing about the Grand Escape — you are not riding alone. The turquoise water of the Soča is incredibly beautiful. Every climb is rewarded with a wonderful view.
Many protected cycle paths… very safe for us, not stressed by traffic.
Super well organized and convenient places to stay. We created so many memories and laughed a lot.
My eyes and heart are full of amazement. Already counting down to the next edition!
After this adventure I'm considering NorthCape4000 — it suddenly feels possible.
● See it with your own eyes
Watch the past edition
Take a look inside the 2025 edition and hear the opinion of the riders
Early access · Tuscany Trail bundle
Early registration for 2027 opens in
On 1 November at 18:00 CET you can sign up for Tuscany Trail 2027 and add The Grand Escape Italy/Slovenia in the same checkout — a month before public registration opens. Places in the bundle are limited.
--Days
--Hours
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Early registration is open
Get the Route GuideRegistration
How to register
Registration runs through Bike Adventure Series, the platform behind our series. You'll need a BAS account, your card, and a couple of minutes. The full walkthrough — pricing, what's included, and the exact steps — lives on the registration page.
See how registration worksWhat's included
What your registration includes
- Route guide (paper + digital) after months of scouting
- Starter & Finisher package
- Exclusive Grand Escape cycling cap
- Personal live tracking with public map
- Private WhatsApp group for updates
- Professional photography & videography
- Full photo gallery download after the event
- Event insurance for the full duration
- Expert cyclist customer support
- Digital bikepacking guide with tips
- Event dashboard with all info in one place
- Bike Adventure Series board points
- High-quality cotton event T-shirt
- Finisher badge
- Live YouTube Q&A with organizers
- Event tote bag
FAQ
Before you sign up
How do I register when 2027 opens?
The first door is the Bike Adventure Series bundle on 1 November 2026 at 18:00 CET — Tuscany Trail 2027 plus this ride in one checkout. Public registration comes later: create an account on bikeadventureseries.com and join the Italy/Slovenia waitlist, we email the list first both times.
Do I need a medical certificate?
Yes, it is required for your insurance (not optional). You don't need to upload it during registration; you can get it later. We'll provide a template for non-Italian residents. For Italian residents, you'll need a "Certificato Medico Agonistico specifico per il ciclismo"
Are all routes on roads?
Yes, the entire route is on tarmac. We hand-pick backroads, cycle paths and quiet connections so you focus on the landscape, not on traffic — over 60% cycle paths, the rest quiet secondary roads.
What bike should I bring?
Gravel, road or endurance bike with 28–32 mm tires works perfectly. E-Bikes are welcome too.
Any time limits or checkpoints?
None. No cutoffs, no mandatory checkpoints, no leaderboard. You ride the 550 km at your own pace, over the days that suit you.
Where do I sleep and eat?
There are plenty of hotels and B&Bs along the route. We share suggestions in the digital guide, but the daily logistics stay in your hands, so you can plan your stages as you wish.
What if I register and can't participate?
As per the rules, which you must read before registering, there are no refunds, partial refunds, or transfers of registration to the following year or other editions.
Are the start and finish in the same place?
Yes, it's a loop that starts and finishes in Udine. Easier logistics!
How do I reach Udine?
Udine is easy to reach from across Europe. Closest airports are Trieste (40km, direct train in 32–40 min, bikes welcome), Venice Marco Polo (~2h via ATVO bus + train from Mestre), and Treviso (~90 min by bus + train). By train: Udine is on the Vienna–Rome line; Trenitalia regional trains accept bikes with a small supplement. By car: A23/A4 intersection with plenty of long-stay parking.
Where can I leave my bike box?
Secure bike-box storage is available near the start/finish in Udine — details and addresses are shared in the event dashboard after registration.
I have never done bikepacking — what do I need?
A bike in good working order, two small bags (handlebar + saddle or frame), basic repair tools, and the will to enjoy the road. The digital guide walks you through bike setup, packing, and pacing. You don't need experience, just a bit of curiosity.
Stop when you want. For as long as you want. Take that photo at the turquoise river. Have a second coffee at the mountain hut. Chat with the rider you just met on the climb.
Read enough?
Take the guide with you
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