Compare Hiking Slovenia: Europe's Hidden Treasure by Adventure Women vs Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia by Exodus Travels

Day 1: Trieste Hiking and Transfer to Kobarid, Slovenia

Meals: Dinner

Accomodation: Hisa Franko Hotel

Today we rendezvous at the airport in Trieste at 1 p.m. for our group pick up.

Once the main port of the Austro-Hungarian Empire before it became part of Italy after WWI, Trieste is a melting pot of East and West. It was home to such diverse luminaries as Sir Richard Burton, Rainer Maria Rilke, and James Joyce, who wrote two of his masterpieces here.

We begin our European hiking adventure with a short walk along the cliff tops to the tiny fishing village of Duino, Italy. One of Italy's most panoramic walks, known as Rilke’s Walk, the poet was said to have strolled here while composing some of his more important works. At just over a mile, the hiking trail starts in the town of Sisiana and ends at the Duino castle, with breath-taking views. The spectacular scenery on our Italian hike includes the gulf of Trieste and a coastal environment characterized by the cliffs and a beautiful mix of flora. Walking along the path, there are a number of look-outs and gun emplacements overlooking the sea.

This afternoon we drive to Kobarid in Slovenia and stay at the gorgeous Hisa Franco Hotel, our base for the next two nights. (2 hour hike)

Day 2: Hiking in Slovenia Along the Soca River

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hisa Franko Hotel

The town of Kobarid was immortalized by Hemingway in his novel, Farewell to Arms. This strategic Slovenian outpost was the site of some of the bloodiest battles during WWI, and over 600,000 men were killed in the space of two months. It was here, in 1917, that the Austrian forces decidedly beat the Italian forces. However, with the final defeat of the Austrian/German alliance, Kobarid came under Italian jurisdiction between the two world wars and only became part of Yugoslavia at the end of WWII. Today, it is a peaceful town in Slovenia continuing to capitalize on its magnificent mountain setting.

Our Slovenia hiking trail follows the Soca River, reputedly the cleanest river in Europe. It is glacier-fed and as a result is a startling turquoise color that is almost unreal in its intensity. People travel from all over Europe to kayak and raft its emerald rapids. From here there are panoramic views of the valley and the green pools of the Soca River. Then we'll follow the Kozjak stream to the dramatic Kozjak Waterfall, before continuing on to our picnic lunch.

On our return to Kobarid, we'll visit the award-winning museum which commemorates the battles of WWI. (5-hour hike) 

Day 3: Magnificent Lake Bohinj

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Vila Park Inn.

This morning we leave Kobarid and head further south into Slovenia. We transfer by van to Most na Soci to pick up the train for a panoramic journey through the mountains to our next destination, Lake Bohinj. This beautiful glacial lake is called the pearl of the Julian Alps and is the largest permanent lake in Slovenia. It is 3 miles long and 135 feet deep. Thanks to sound environmental practices the lake shore has not been developed and the entire lakefront is wonderfully pristine.

Our railway journey culminates in a 4 mile long tunnel, where we emerge to Bohinj Bistrica. From our drop off point we hike the trail to the magnificent alpine Voje Valley. Crossing the Devils bridge, we hike into the picturesque Mostnica Gorge and visit the beautiful Mostnice Waterfall. This 180 foot high waterfall feeds Slovenia’s longest river of the same name. We stop along the way at a mountain refuge for lunch before our return journey to the lake shore. (4-5 hour hike)

Day 4: Exploring Triglav National Park at Lake Bohinj

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Vila Park Inn, Lake Bohinj

Lake Bohinj lies within the Triglav National Park, home to Slovenia’s highest peak, Triglav (8,592 feet). This peak has a special place in Slovenia’s history. It was believed to be home to a three-headed god who governed the sky, the earth and the underworld. The name Triglav means three-headed and its peak was not climbed until the end of the 18th century. During the 19th century the idea for climbing Triglav became part of the Slovenian identity. This tradition still exists today and a true Slovenian must climb this mountain at least once in a lifetime.

We won’t climb Triglav, but weather permitting we will take a cable car to the plateau and take a hike among the peaks for magnificent views of the Julian Alps. Easier options are also available.

(5 hour hike)                          

Day 5: Lake Bohinj and Mount Rudnica

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Vila Park Inn, Lake Bohinj

Today we'll explore the beautiful area surrounding Lake Bohinj. We hike from the hotel into the lush alpine pastures typical of this region in Slovenia. Our hike takes us along the lake shore and then up to a lower elevation mountain, Rudnica, at 2,838 feet, before descending through beech woods into the fields for our lunch at a Gostlina, a typical Slovenian inn.

This afternoon we'll visit the Alpine Dairy Museum before returning to the hotel. (4-5 hour hike)                                                                         

Day 6: Spectacular Lake Bled

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Lovec

This morning we travel to Lake Bled. One of the most beautiful lakes in the world, this body of water has attracted artists, poets and lovers over the centuries. Its limpid green waters, picturesque island, and medieval castle complete the picture. It is no secret that it is one of the most visited places in all of Slovenia.

On our hike today we explore the rural villages around Lake Bled. Although only a short distance from the tourist bustle at the lake shore, this hike shows us a very different aspect of Slovenian everyday life. The trail takes us through a pastoral landscape of fields, hayracks and traditional barns, to the small villages of Bohinska Bela and Kupljenik, where traditional farming methods are still in evidence. Look out for the brightly colored chest-of-drawers beehives along the way, a feature of rural life in this part of Slovenia. (4 hour hike

Day 7: Vintgar Gorge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Hotel Lovec

Today's trail again takes us through a pastoral landscape of fields, hayracks and traditional barns to the magnificent Vintgar Gorge. Through the dramatic and narrow ravine, we hike on boardwalks above the rushing Radovna River. This ravine is a great example of the effect of water erosion on limestone bed rock. The river's channel is several hundred meters deep in places, and has been sculpted over many centuries by the relentless action of the river. The path through Vintgar Gorge takes us along the wooden bridges and galleries for almost a mile, before ending with 75 foot waterfall, Šum.

Our return trail takes us through the woods to St. Catherine's Church, where we have marvelous views of Lake Bled, the Karavanke Mountains, and Mount Triglav. (4 hour hike)

Tonight we celebrate the wonders and beauty of Slovenia, with our Farewell Dinner and overnight at Hotel Lovec.

Day 8: Ljubljana

Transfer to Ljubljana, Slovenia for flights home, or for a flight to Paris to join our French Barge trip!

Day 1 Start Radovljica

Join the group in the early evening at the pension in Radovljica, just 20 minutes' northeast of the capital Ljubljana. This is our base for the week.

Day 2 A day exploring the local area direct from the pension

After breakfast, we leave the front door of the pension to explore our surroundings. The medieval town of Radovljica dates back as far as 1296, sitting on the confluence of the Sava Bohinjka and the Sava Dolinka. The old town is full of traditional inns, galleries, churches and surrounded by the largest medieval moats in the country. The local area is extremely pretty, dotted with small churches, quaint villages, lush forests and a beautiful river. Our leader will decide the exact route depending on the weather, but walking to Lake Bled is our most likely route, a perfect warm up through gentle rolling farmland and pretty villages.

Day 3 Hike into the Martuljek Gorge, visiting two waterfalls en route

Starting at the small village of Gozd Martuljek, we are rewarded with a panorama of the Špik mountain range. One of the most beautiful mountains in the Julian Alps, Mount Špik (8,110/2,472m) is known at the Slovenian Matterhorn and its pyramid summit dominates the Martuljek range. Leaving the valley, our forest trail takes us into Martuljek Gorge, where we slowly start our ascent following the stream, arriving at the Lower Fall, which cascades into the valley. The trail snakes through the forest arriving at our rest stop where we can enjoy the view. Lipovceva Hut has a lovely setting with an open natural kitchen serving mountain soups and juices made in-house from pine, elderflower and berries. From here we head up to the Higher Falls, passing a monument dedicated to Slovenian climbers. This is a lovely walk into the gorge, suitable in all weathers and offering fine views of two beautiful waterfalls.

Day 4 A picturesque walk in the Karavanke mountains to the peak of Golica

The Karavanke mountains are the natural and official border between central and western Europe and the meeting point of Slovenia, Austria and Italy. The range has a great effect on the climate of Slovenia, hence the soft southern Slovene side in comparison to the harsh northern side in Austria. Here we find an abundance of alpine fauna and flora, with more than 1,200 plant species, plus wonderful views into two naturally contrasting countries. We aim for Golica (6,023ft/1,836m), part of the longest ridge in Slovenia (75mi/120km) and one of the least travelled trails in the area.

Day 5 Free day for optional activities including riding horses, rafting, visiting Bled or the capital Ljubljana

Radovljica itself has plenty of possibilities for the rest day. Alternatively, it's a short bus ride to Lake Bled, where we can hire rowing boats and canoes to explore. Alternatively, take the public bus into the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana. Another popular alternative is Postojna Cave Park, home to one of the largest cave systems in Europe.

Day 6 A gentle and scenic hike around the shores of Lake Bohinj

Today’s walk is flat but incredibly pretty. This circular route takes in the whole of Lake Bohinj and the pretty village of Ribcav Laz, home to the well-known church of St John the Baptist. There are open views all the way to Mount Triglav, the highest peak in Slovenia. Lake Bohinj is also surrounded by a ring of mountains so even though you are in the valley there is plenty to see. An alternative route today takes us through the Mostnica Gorge; this route is more likely if the weather is poor as it is less exposed.

Day 7 A day walking on the Pokljuka Plateau

The beautiful, forested area of Pokljuka, visible from Lake Bled, is stunning. Virtually uninhabited, it is home to alpine cows, rolling pastures, shepherd huts, forest trails and lovely open views of the surrounding peaks. Time stands still on Pokljuka, enabling wildflowers to flourish; the flora and fauna of the high plateau is unique to this area and bird life is abundant. There is a wide variety of trails with many possibilities for the day’s hike. Our guide will determine the route based on the weather and the group's ability during the week.

Day 8 End Radovljica

Our tour ends after breakfast. We bid a fond farewell to our pension, which may well feel like a second home by now, and begin our return journey home.