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 Kamniske-Savinja Alps. As we make our way from the mountains to the sea, we head out on airy alpine paths above treeline, follow riverside trails through dramatic canyons, hike along 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 enchanting Ljubljana, 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 out to Logarska Dolina, one of the most stunning natural settings in Europe and now a national park. Our hikes bring us up to the high meadows of Velika Planina, with its ancient wooden chalets, and to the alpine refuge of Klemenca Jama.

Days 5-6
Radovljica / Lake Bled / Lake Bohinj / Triglav National Park

From Jezersko, near the Austrian border, a beautiful hike brings us to a mountain farm for a traditional lunch. After we visit Radovljica, a Renaissance town built on an outcrop above the Sava River, 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, our hikes bring us through the narrow canyon of the Mostnica Gorge, with its jade-green river, then up into a dramatic world of snow-capped peaks as we hike ridge trails with spectacular views of triple-summited Mt. Triglav.

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 traces a route below the rocky ramparts of Mt. Krn (7,300'), with a descent to the small, tranquil village of Dreznica, with its towering Romanesque church. Overnights are in the historic and charming town of Kobarid, where Hemingway set his masterpiece, A Farewell to Arms.

Days 9-11
Piran

From the tiny village of Livek, our trail leads across meadows brimming with wildflowers to Mt. Matajur, with views all the way to the Gulf of Trieste. The next day we hike along the coast at Secovlje amid marshlands and wading birds. Overnights are in the coastal town of Piran, a delightful place that has retained its medieval Old Town of Venetian-inspired architecture. Depart on Day 11 via Ljubljana.

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

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