Compare Hiking Slovenia: Europe's Hidden Treasure by Adventure Women vs Best of Slovenia - 8 Days by Travel for All

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: Arrival

Pick up from Ljubljana airport and transfer to Ljubljana. In late afternoon or evening we do a 2-hours guided tour of Ljubljana, a city which in 2015 got a Bronze Access City Award. We walk around the city centre that was highly denoted by a Slovenian architect Jože Plečnik and take the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle.

Picture of Ljubljana Castle in Slovenia

 Budget/comfort/quality 3*

Day 02: Day trip to Stajerska (Styria) region

Meals: Lunch

In the morning, we drive across Črnivec Pass to Upper Savinja Valley. The region sits already in the middle of the mountains but still have some influences from Štajerska which can be seen in the warm and welcoming locals. We visit Mozirski gaj flower park, the largest of this kind in Slovenia. From here we take a short ride to Logarska Valley, one of the most beautiful glacier valleys in Slovenia. After lunch with some local specialties in Logarska Valley we take the opportunity to walk along the trail of which one part is accessible for wheelchair users. On the way back we drive through Austria to Jezersko and back to Ljubljana.

Day 03: Best of the Alps

Meals: Lunch

After the breakfast we will check out from the hotel and we drive to Bohinj and start enjoying beauties of our biggest natural lake Bohinj which is already a part of Triglav National Park. The lake is situated between some of the highest mountains of Slovenia. As view is always a good idea, we take the cable car up to a winter ski resort Vogel, 1625 meters above the sea level. From here we get the best possible view of Triglav, our highest mountain, and a picturesque lake far below us.

From here we drive to Bled with its famous island with church and medieval castle on the rock above the lake; so with just a little of imagination we feel like in a fairy tale. We settle in a hotel in Bled and relax a bit. After that a short walk around the lake will bring us to the best sweetshop in the area, where a typical Bled cream cake “kremšnita” has been produced in the same way for decades. Yummy! Dinner in hotel and free time in the evening.

Day 04: Boka Waterfall

Meals: Lunch

On this day we change the climate from Alpine to Mediterranean. From Bled we take the windy road up to 1611 meter above sea level. The road was constructed during the First World War by Russian prisoners and connects Sava Valley in the north to Soča Valley in the south. After a short stop for beautiful views at the top of Vršič Pass we decline to the river Soča. River is popular for rafting and other activities and it is believed that this is one of the most stunning rivers in Europe. The great green color of its waters will accompany us most of the day. On the way we see Boka waterfall, one of the highest waterfalls in Slovenia.

We make a stop in Kobarid where we will have a lunch and visit the museum of cheese production, as the region is very famous for it. From here we continue to Goriška Brda, the area that is famous for producing delicious wines. After some tasting (what else?) of rebula, tokaj, zelen, pinela or vitovska grganja (all these sorts of grapes can be found only in Slovenia and small part of Northern Italy) we spend a night between the vineyards of Brda.

Picture of Kobarid seen in the distance against the rising mountains

Day 05: Kras(Karst)

Kras (Karst) to Slovenians mean something like Provence to French – small hills rising up from flat land that is covered with fields and vineyards. One of the best things about this region is food and wine. Traditional dried pork meat pršut (prosciutto) is produced here, which is prepared only with salt, some local bora wind and a lot of love. When it’s washed down with strong red wine Teran, you’ll get an idea of what heaven looks like… We try all these delicacies at one of many farms that offer their homemade food to hungry trespassers.

Next stop is Lipica, where white Lipizzaner horses are born and raised since the 15th century. When we arrive to the short but interesting Slovenian seaside, we base ourselves in a hotel in Portorož, Strunjan or Izola, just steps away from warm Adriatic Sea.

Picture of Lipizzaner horses pulling a carraige through a beautiful green park

Day 06: Piran

In the morning we do a guided tour of Piran. The city is one of the best preserved medieval towns on Adriatic coast with beautiful setting on a peninsula, narrow cobbled lanes and a church and fortress high above the town.

Afternoon off for swimming and enjoying the warm Mediterranean climate.

Picture of the City of Piran Slovenia

Day 07: Skocjan Caves

Meals: Lunch

On the way back to our capital we make a stop in Škocjan caves, the only natural beauty in Slovenia that is listed on UNESCO world heritage list. As the cave is protected, it’s unfortunately not possible to visit it on a wheelchair. Instead of that we take part in a virtual 3-D tour of the cave, which is not far away from the real walk (believe us, we got scared of the high walls and deep falls a couple of times…).

After the lunch, transfer back to Ljubljana and free time for shopping or sightseeing.

Stunning architecture under deep blue skies in the city of Ljubljana Slovenia

Day 08 : Departure

Transfer to Ljubljana airport and departure.