Mad Alps is a new cycling festival taking place on September 4–6, 2026 at the tri-border of Slovenia, Italy and Austria, between Bovec, Kranjska Gora and Tarvisio. On the menu: an epic 90 km road loop over the Vršič and Predel passes (€25), an e-MTB ride up to the Monte Lussari sanctuary, a coffee ride into Austrian Carinthia, yoga for cyclists and a party night. The organisers' stated ambition: break into the world's top 10 recreational cycling events within 10 years, riding the golden age of Slovenian cycling — and the Tour de France Grand Départ expected in Slovenia in 2029.
Mad Alps 2026 at a glance
- Dates: Friday, September 4 to Sunday, September 6, 2026
- Location: Slovenia–Italy–Austria tri-border — Bovec, the Soča Valley, Kranjska Gora and Tarvisio, in the heart of the Julian Alps
- Signature ride: a ~90 km road loop across two countries, over the Vršič (1,611 m) and Predel (1,156 m) passes, past three mountain lakes
- Also on the programme: e-MTB to Monte Lussari (Sv. Višarje), a coffee ride into Austria, yoga sessions, a live podcast, dinner and a DJ party
- Prices: from €12 (yoga session) to €25 (group ride) — every activity is booked à la carte
- Registration: madmountain.si/mad-alps (ticketing via the Njuko platform)
- Organiser: Mad Mountain, an outdoor operator based in Kranjska Gora
Why a new cycling festival — and why now?
Slovenia is living through an unprecedented golden age of cycling: Tadej Pogačar keeps rewriting the record books and is regarded by many as the greatest rider in history, Primož Roglič has left his mark on the Giro, and the Tour de France Grand Départ is expected in Slovenia in 2029, reportedly including the Vršič pass. The organisers' bet is simple: by the time the world's cycling media descend on the Julian Alps, the event needs to be firmly established. Hence the 2026 launch, with a two-step roadmap — scaling up in 2027–2028, going global from 2029.
Few places in Europe offer a playground like this: the Alpe Adria cycle route, the Fusine lakes (Belopeška jezera), the emerald Soča river, the Vršič pass and the Monte Lussari sanctuary — all in a region that has remained remarkably crowd-free. The Giro d'Italia has raced these roads several times, most memorably the final mountain time trial of the 2023 Giro up Monte Lussari, where Roglič overturned the general classification. The Tour of Slovenia rode the Mad Alps loop again this year.
The project is cross-border by design: neighbouring Austria is presented as a key partner, and the organisers are openly calling for ideas and partners ahead of the next European Interreg 2028–2034 programming period.
The route: 90 km, two countries, two legendary passes
Saturday's group ride follows one of the most beautiful road loops in the Alps: starting on the Kranjska Gora side, up the Vršič pass and its 24 cobbled hairpins (1,611 m, Slovenia's highest road pass), a dramatic descent into the upper Soča Valley down to Bovec, back up over the Predel pass (1,156 m) into Italy, then home via Tarvisio and the Fusine lakes. Roughly 90 km and two border crossings, without ever leaving the scenery of the Julian Alps.
Good to know: if you're staying a few days, the area is packed with other rides — see our top 5 cycling routes around Kranjska Gora, from family-friendly bike paths to serious climbs, and explore the wider Soča Valley with its guided tours.
The programme, September 4–6, 2026
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, Sept 4 | morning | Live podcast (Peloton Slovenija) in Bovec, as part of the Soča Valley Hiking & Cycling Festival |
| Friday, Sept 4 | 5 pm | Pre-ride yoga for cyclists with Tinkara Oblak |
| Saturday, Sept 5 | 9 am | “Epic Loop” community ride: Vršič and Predel passes (~90 km) |
| Saturday, Sept 5 | 10 am | E-MTB tour to Monte Lussari (Sv. Višarje) |
| Saturday, Sept 5 | 5 pm | Recovery yoga |
| Saturday, Sept 5 | 7 pm | Cyclists' dinner & party with DJ Alan Bensa |
| Sunday, Sept 6 | 9:30 am | Feel-good flow yoga |
| Sunday, Sept 6 | 11 am | Coffee Ride powered by Coronini Caffè into Austrian Carinthia |
Double-check final times on the official website when you register.
Prices and registration
There is no single race bib or compulsory package: every activity is booked separately, so you can build your own weekend à la carte.
| Activity | 2026 price |
|---|---|
| Epic Loop community ride (Vršič + Predel, ~90 km) | €25 |
| E-MTB Monte Lussari | €25 |
| Coffee Ride into Austria | €15 |
| Yoga session | €12 |
| 3-session yoga pass | €25 |
| Dinner + party | €25 |
Registration is online at madmountain.si/mad-alps, through the Njuko ticketing platform.
Getting there and where to stay
The festival lives on both sides of the Vršič pass: Kranjska Gora to the north, Bovec and the Soča Valley to the south — two excellent bases with accommodation for every budget, best booked early for an early-September weekend. By car from Ljubljana, allow about 1 h 15 to Kranjska Gora (motorway — a vignette is required) and around 2 hours to Bovec. Car-free is doable too: see our guide to the Soča Valley without a car and the overview of public transport in the Julian Alps.
Mad Alps FAQ
What is Mad Alps?
Mad Alps is a cycling festival launched in 2026 at the tri-border of Slovenia, Italy and Austria, organised by Mad Mountain (Kranjska Gora). It is not a race: group road rides, e-MTB tours, yoga and parties make up a cycling-lifestyle weekend in the Julian Alps, September 4–6, 2026.
Do I need to be a strong cyclist to take part?
No. The Epic Loop (90 km over the Vršič and Predel passes) requires decent fitness, but it is ridden as a group with no timing. The other activities — assisted e-MTB to Monte Lussari, the coffee ride into Austria, yoga — suit any recreational cyclist.
How much does it cost?
Everything is à la carte: €25 for the group ride or the e-MTB tour, €15 for the coffee ride, €12 per yoga session (€25 for three) and €25 for the dinner and party. A full weekend comes to under €100 excluding accommodation.
Is the Tour de France really coming to Slovenia in 2029?
A Tour de France Grand Départ in Slovenia in 2029 is the scenario Slovenian cycling stakeholders are working towards, with the Vršič pass reportedly on the menu; as of summer 2026 it was still awaiting official confirmation. That prospect is exactly what prompted the Mad Alps organisers to launch their festival now.
Where should I stay during the festival?
Stay in Bovec or the Soča Valley for the festival atmosphere (the opening podcast is held there), or in Kranjska Gora for the comfort of a resort town at the foot of the Vršič pass. Early September is popular — book several weeks ahead.
Going further
Planning a cycling weekend in the region? Continue with the top 5 cycling routes around Kranjska Gora, our guide to guided tours in the Soča Valley and the practical guide to the Slovenian highway vignette.
Patrick Faust
French expat in Slovenia since 2004. Founder of e-Slovénie, a Slovenia travel guide. Learn more →