The Highlights of Western Slovenia on Foot

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Day 1: Welcome to Ljubljana

In the afternoon, upon arrival in Ljubljana, you’ll meet your trip guide over a welcome drink to discuss all trip details and get to know all other travellers joining the 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. We suggest coming a day earlier so you can explore at leisure the picturesque old city centre, it’s historic landmarks and impressive architecture.

• Accommodation: 3* hotel in Ljubljana (City hotel Ljubljana or similar)
• Included meals: none

Day 2: Velika Planina Plateu | 10km

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, also known as Europe’s largest and oldest active shepherds’ settlement.

While walking through vast alpine pastures, you’ll be amazed by the shepherds’ villages’ unique alpine architecture 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.

• Accommodation: 3* hotel in Ljubljana (City hotel Ljubljana or similar) or similar
• Walking for the day: 10km, ↑300m ↓305m, approx. 3h
• Included meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 3: Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj | 14km

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.

After a nice lunch, you’ll go to Lake Bled and walk to it’s most spectacular viewpoint, where you’ll enjoy views over this lovely lake with its iconic island and the 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 freshwater.

• Accommodation: Hotel Astoria Bled or Hotel Jezero Bohinj or similar
• Walking for the day: 14km, ↑400m ↓400m, approx. 4-5h
• Included meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 4: Triglav National Park | 12km

Today you’ll experience the most challenging part of this walking holiday. 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 an alpine area and a peak (almost 2,000m high), where you will have the chance to taste dairy products made by the local shepherds. 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 that 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.

• Accommodation: Hotel Astoria Bled or Hotel Jezero Bohinj or similar
• Walking for the day: 12km, ↑700m ↓700m, approx. 5h
• Included meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 5: Vrsic Pass and Julian Alps | 10km

It’s a day to enjoy a series of shorter walks and admire a rich diversity of landscapes, rivers, lakes, forests, trees, colourful 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, built during World War I by Russian POWs. It winds upwards to the highest mountain pass in Slovenia and the eastern Julian Alps, Vrsic pass (1,611m), where you’ll enjoy a short walk, 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.

• Accommodation: Hotel Mangart Bovec or similar
• Walking for the day: 10km, ↑400m ↓400m, approx. 4-5h
• Included meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 6: Soca Trail and Emerald Soca River | 12km

On this day, you’ll discover Slovenia’s true natural beauty 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 I history and its influence on north-western Slovenia.

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

Optional extra: Go rafting or kayaking on the beautiful Soca River.

• Accommodation: Hotel Mangart Bovec or similar
• Walking for the day: 12km, ↑250m ↓250m, approx. 5h
• Included meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 7: Skocjan Caves and Gulf of Piran | 7km

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 of 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.

• Accommodation: Hotel Piran or similar
• Walking for the day: 7km, ↑150m ↓150m, approx. 3h
• Included meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 8: Departure

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.

• Included meals: breakfast

Click to view default hotels 

• City hotel Ljubljana
• Hotel Astoria Bled
• Hotel Jezero Bohinj
• Hotel Mangart Bovec
• Hotel Piran  

Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide to you the exact accommodation details upon booking confirmation.

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Transfers to/from Airports

Getting from Ljubljana airport to the city centre is easy, as there is a regular bus line and many taxi options on the spot. The return from Piran is also possible through public transport (bus or train), and a private transfer is also available upon request. You can also directly enquire about airport transfers here.