Hiking in Slovenia

Nestled between Austria and Italy, Slovenia is a superb hiking destination, from the ridgetop trails that cross the snow-capped Julian Alps to the outrageously picturesque Logarska Dolina, a stunning glacier-carved valley flanked by the sheer peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. As we make our way from the mountains to the sea, we discover stunning alpine paths above treeline, follow riverside trails through dramatic canyons, hike beside mountain-ringed lakes, and delight in Slovenia’s traditional villages and historic towns, including Kobarid, immortalized in Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms. Our trip ends on the shimmering blue Adriatic, where the Venetian port of Piran beckons us with its Gothic-Venetian architecture, tiny squares, and waterfront cafes.

Itinerary at a Glance

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Days 1-4
Ljubljana, Slovenia / Ptuj / Logarska Dolina National Park

From Ljubljana, Slovenia’s enchanting capital, we head to the ancient red-roofed city of Ptuj, with its hilltop castle and Roman past. After lunch in a wine cellar and a walk in Ptuj’s rolling vineyards, we head to Logarska Dolina, one of the most dramatic natural settings in Europe and now a national park. Our hikes bring us up to the magnificent 300-foot-high Rinka waterfall into the alpine Robanov Kot valley for views of the towering Kamnik-Savinja Alps.

Days 5-6
Radovljica / Lake Bled / Lake Bohinj

After a walk around a beautiful lake in the high mountain village of Jezersko, we explore the Renaissance town of Radovljica, then set out for a hike in the steep Vintgar Gorge, where the blue-green waters of the Radovna River flow. We journey by gondola across the fairytale setting of Lake Bled to reach its 17th century island-church. From serene Lake Bohinj, surrounded by the highest peaks in the Julian Alps, we savor a hike through the sun-dappled canyon of the Mostnica Gorge along a meandering jade-green river.

Days 7-8
Kobarid / Mt. Krn / Dreznica

On the western side of the Julian Alps, we enter an Old World realm of tiny villages, translucent rivers, and deep forests that formed the infamous Soca Front during World War I. One of our hikes brings us into the beautiful Tamar Valley, and another traces a route below snow-capped Mt. Krn (7,300'), with a descent to the peaceful village of Dreznica. Overnights are in charming Kobarid, a small town set below the mighty ramparts of Mt. Krn and forever associated with Hemingway.

Days 9-11
Piran

We head along the deep canyon of the Soca River, passing through wine country en route to the vast underground world of the Skocjan Caves, an amazing natural wonder and World Heritage Site. Our journey finishes in delightful Piran, whose medieval Old Town of fantastic Venetian-inspired architecture is spread along a peninsula jutting into the blue Adriatic. Our Piran explorations include the nature reserve at Secovlje, with its marshes, wading birds, and ancient salt flats criss-crossed with channels. Depart on Day 11 via Ljubljana.

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What the Trip is Like

This trip is rated Level 3, Moderate. It is a hiking journey with day hikes of four to six hours on most days over moderate to steep mountain terrain. You will carry just a daypack on the hikes. The hiking itinerary is planned as we have described it in the preceding pages. However, as in any mountain trip, we will remain flexible with regard to weather and other local conditions in choosing our routes. Most of our driving is on narrow mountain roads. We have several days with early starts (ready to go by 8 a.m.!). The food in Slovenia is varied and excellent. Logarska Dolina and Bohinj have an Austrian influence, while the Soca River and Adriatic regions are Italian in style, with seafood and pasta. Wine is excellent throughout the country. In the north, there are mostly dry white wines, and as we approach the coast, more reds are produced in the Vipava Valley and the coast. Please note that in Europe, the dinner hour is considerably later than what it is in the US. We do our best to secure early reservations for our groups, but most often the evening meal will be at 7:30 PM. We stay in a variety of hotels, from a chalet-style lodge in Logarska to a family-run hotel in Kobarid.

Explanation of Trip Levels