Best Walks in Slovenia, Guided Walking Trip (original) (raw)

Day 1: Welcome to Ljubljana

In the evening, upon arrival in Ljubljana, you’ll meet your trip guide over a welcome drink to discuss all trip details and answer any questions. You will also get to know all other travelers joining this walking tour.

Enjoy your free time in vibrant Ljubljana to taste delicious food and wine in some of the best bars and restaurants on the banks of the green Ljubljanica River. Rather than arriving late, we suggest coming a day earlier so you can explore the picturesque old city center, its historic landmarks, and impressive architecture.

Overnight: 3* hotel in the center of Ljubljana
Meals included: /

Day 2: Walking on Velika Planina

Today you will head towards Kamnik-Savinja Alps, just a short drive north from Ljubljana, where your walking adventure begins. First on the agenda is a visit to Velika Planina (The Big Meadow), Slovenia’s biggest and most charming alpine pasture, which is also known as Europe’s largest and oldest active shepherds’ settlement.

While walking through vast alpine pastures, you’ll be amazed by the unique alpine architecture of the shepherd’s villages and learn about their culture by visiting the oldest hut in the pastures. After the walk, we’ll encourage you to participate in making some traditional Slovenian food, then treat you to a delicious home-cooked lunch in a very special place: our best-kept secret.

You’ll return to Ljubljana in the afternoon and are free to enjoy an evening to yourself.

Walking: 10 km / elevation gain +300m, -300m / approx. 3 hours
Overnight: 3* hotel in the center of Ljubljana
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Total driving time: 2 hours

Day 3: Walking at Lake Bled & Lake Bohinj

The day will start with a transfer to the foothills of the Julian Alps, to explore Slovenia’s most popular and most authentic lakes, Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, which are about a one-hour drive from Ljubljana.

The walking trip at Lake Bohinj will take you through typical villages, beside crystal-clear streams that feed the lake, as well as along its gorgeous shores and deep gorges with spectacular mountain scenery. A swim in Lake Bohinj is an absolute must, so don’t forget your swimsuit!

After a nice lunch, you’ll go to Lake Bled and walk to its most adorable viewpoint, where you’ll enjoy views over this lovely lake with its iconic island and a medieval castle perched on the edge of a rocky cliff. The Karavanke Alps in the backdrop provide the final ingredient for the perfect photo.

If you prefer, you can skip the viewpoint walking trip and instead relax by the lake and swim in its fresh waters.

Walking: 14 km / elevation gain +400m, -400m / approx. 4 hours (split in two hikes)
Overnight: 3* hotel in Bled or Bohinj
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Total driving time: 1.5 hours

Day 4: Hiking lonely peaks in Triglav National Park

Today you’ll experience the most challenging day of this walking holiday in Slovenia. After a short drive, we will set off for a walk in the high mountains to Slovenia’s only national park, the Triglav National Park. Here, mountain trails of easy to medium level of difficulty lead to magnificent vistas over the Triglav National Park and its glacial alpine valleys.

To begin with, you’ll enjoy walking through the dense and magical spruce forest on Pokljuka Plateau. The forest path will take you to one of almost 2000-meter peaks, with spectacular views of the jagged glacial valley and Mt. Triglav himself! A short walk along the single track later, you’ll experience lunch in a typical Slovenian mountain hut.

You’ll return to your hotel late afternoon, so you can enjoy some free time too.

Alternatively, you can skip the summit ascent by cutting the hike short at the lovely mountain hut, where you can enjoy some downtime or take the rest of the day off instead.

Walking: 12 km / elevation gain +700m, -700m / approx. 5 hours
Overnight: 3* hotel in Bled or Bohinj
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Total driving time: 1 hour

Day 5: Walking Vrsic pass and the Julian Alps

It’s a day to enjoy a series of shorter walks and admire a rich diversity of landscape, passing rivers, lakes, forests, trees, colorful flowers, and unusual rocks.

First, we’ll go hiking to the spectacular Pericnik Waterfall in the Vrata Valley. In summer the cold water spray will compel you to walk behind the water curtain and freshen up, before heading towards the heart of the Julian Alps along the high mountain road. This road was built during World War 1 by Russian POWs. It winds upwards to the highest mountain pass in Slovenia and the eastern Julian Alps, Vrsic pass (1611 m), where you’ll enjoy a great hike, which highlights the beautiful Julian Alps.

You’ll be treated to a well-deserved and tasty lunch at the mountain hut on top. Later on, you’ll end the day with a transfer to the lush Soca valley. Time permitting we will stop for a refreshing swim in the inviting pools of the Soca river.

Walking: 10 km / elevation gain +400m, -400m / approx. 4 hours
Overnight: 3* hotel in Bovec
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Total driving time: 2 hours

Day 6: Walking Soca trail and emerald Soca River

On this day you’ll discover the true natural beauty of Slovenia on the western side of the Triglav National Park. While we’re out on shorter walking tours in the beautiful Soca Valley, exploring its hidden spots, you’ll learn about World War 1 history and its influence on north-western Slovenia.

Lunch will bring delicious local specialties of the Soca Valley to your plate. Afterward, the allure of the emerald Soca River will tempt you to go for a swim in its turquoise color waters, for which the river is well known all around Europe as Slovenia’s most beautiful river.

The afternoon is reserved for water & other adventure activities: Go rafting or canyoning on the beautiful Soca river and its tributaries, go paragliding, or slide down a zip-line!

If such adventures are not your cup of tea, you’ll be able to do some more walking and find a perfect spot by the river to rest your feet, and enjoy Soca Valley’s pure nature!

Walking: 12 km / elevation gain +250m, -250m / approx. 4 hours
Overnight: 3* hotel in Bovec
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Total driving time: 1 hour

Day 7: Visit Skocjan Caves and Piran

Today you’ll explore south-western Slovenia, its karst landscapes and phenomena, as well as the northernmost arm of the Mediterranean Sea, the Slovenian Adriatic Coast.

In the morning, we’ll go touring the spectacular subterranean chambers of the Skocjan Caves, a UNESCO Natural and Cultural World Heritage Site, which are known for having the longest underground canyon in Europe. Later on, you’ll discover the wine region of south-western Slovenia by tasting its strong wines and local food, as we’ll visit a local winemaker in the karst vineyards.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore the loveliest town on the Slovenian coast, Piran. You’ll love crawling this tiny peninsula, with its narrow streets and tiny squares. Sea-lovers however, will be enchanted by the luminous waves along the coast at night.

Your guide leaves the group tonight and returns to Ljubljana.

Walking: 7 km / elevation gain +150m, -150m / approx. 3 hours
Overnight: 4* hotel in Piran
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Total driving time: 2.5 hours

Day 8: Bye-bye Slovenia

After a hearty breakfast, this unforgettable walking adventure in lovely western Slovenia ends. Treat yourself to a final swim in the Adriatic Sea and wave Slovenia goodbye, until next time.

Let us know if you need any help with airport transfers.

Meals included: breakfast