julian alps slovenia hiking tour

Julian Alps, Slovenia

Slovenia is Europe’s undiscovered gem, with spectacular mountains, welcoming villages, and the sun-splashed Adriatic Coast at Piran.

Photo by Dan Heller

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Hiking in Slovenia route-map

Trip Details at-a-Glance

Cost From: $4495   see pricing
Length: 11 days
Arrive: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Depart: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Lodging: 10 nights hotels and country inns describe
Meals: All meals included except 1 lunch and 1 dinner
Activity: Hiking / Trekking, Cultural Adventures
Trip Level: 8 hiking days on moderate trails (some steep sections), 3-7 hours a day, van support
3 explain

Highlights

  • The Julian Alps, a spectacular alpine realm
  • Logarska Dolina National Park, one of Europe’s most breathtaking natural settings
  • Enchanting Ljubljana, beautiful Piran on the blue Adriatic


Beautiful country, wonderful guides, very good group, good hikes!Fred F.—Denver, CO

Choosing the Right Trip

We work hard to help you choose the right trip for you, paying attention to your individual interests, abilities, and needs. If you have questions about the level of comfort or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please contact us.
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References

We are proud to have an exceptionally high rate of repeat travelers. For more information, we would be happy to put you in touch with a client who has traveled with us.

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Departure Notes

Once you have signed up on the trip, we send a complete packing list, relevant health information, and required travel documents.

Resources

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

For a more complete description, Download Full Trip Brochure

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.

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

 

Departures & Leaders

May 30-Jun 9, 2012

Jul 11-21, 2012
Sep 8-18, 2012

Tour Costs

Prices are for 2012
$4495 (13-15 members)
$4795 (10-12 members)
$5095 (6-9 members)
Single supplement: $710
Forced single supplement: $510
more on pricing

Tour Cost Includes:

  • Expert leadership of a Wilderness Travel Trip Leader and local guides
  • Accommodations in hotels and comfortable inns
  • All meals included except 1 lunch and 1 dinner
  • Ground transportation throughout the trip
  • Sightseeing and entrance fees on group tours

Tour Cost Does Not Include:

International airfare, airport/hotel transfers, any meals not specified after each itinerary day in the Full Trip Brochure, airport departure taxes, optional tipping or gratuities to leaders or staff, additional hotel nights that may be necessary due to airline schedule changes or other factors; pre-trip expense of medical immunizations (if any), travel insurance or passports; and other expenses of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, telephone calls, etc.).

Trip Payment Schedule

At time of reservation: $500
120 days prior to departure: 20%
60 days prior to departure: Balance

Cancellation and Transfer Fee Schedule

Minimum fee: None
46-90 days prior: 25% of land cost
45 days or less: 100% of land cost

Antiq Hotel

Antiq Hotel

Day 1 (1 night), Ljubljana, Slovenia

A small and charming hotel in Ljubljana’s Old Town, the Antiq sits on beautiful, quiet Gornji Trg square, right at the base of the ...
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Hotel Mitra

Hotel Mitra

Day 2 (1 night), Ptuj, Slovenia

The only hotel in the medieval district of the tiny town of Ptuj, the Mitra is housed in a cozy historic building that offers simple but comfortable ...
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Hotel Plesnik

Hotel Plesnik

Days 3 to 4 (2 nights), Logarska Dolina, Slovenia

With delightful chalet styling, the Plesnik has a great location in a beautiful and unspoiled mountain valley below the mighty summits of the ...
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Grand Hotel Toplice

Grand Hotel Toplice

Days 5 to 6 (2 nights), Bled, Slovenia

This historic hotel, celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2011, has lots of Old World charm and is the only hotel right on the shores of Lake ...
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Hotel Hisa Franko

Hotel Hisa Franko

Days 7 to 8 (2 nights), Kobarid, Slovenia

We’ll dine on some of the best food in Slovenia at this family-run hotel near the beautiful Soca River. Valter and Anna, the husband-and-wife ...
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Hotel Tartini Piran

Hotel Tartini Piran

Days 9 to 10 (2 nights), Piran, Slovenia

Overlooking the harbor on the Adriatic Coast, this hotel has a great location for exploring the narrow lanes of the pedestrians-only district of ...
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Note: Listed above are our signature accommodations for this trip. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.

Our Trip Leaders

Here are the Trip Leaders scheduled for this journey (please note that leader assignments are subject to change).

Ingrid Cercek

Departure Dates: May 30-June 9, 2012, July 11-21, 2012, September 8-18, 2012

Ingrid Cercek was born and raised in Slovenia and currently lives in the capital, Ljubljana, with her husband and two children. Since her childhood, Ingrid has been exploring the mountains and villages of Slovenia, as well as neighboring Croatia and Italy. Fluent in four languages, English, ...
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Stanislav Simicic

Departure Dates: May 30-June 9, 2012, July 11-21, 2012, September 8-18, 2012

Stanislav Simicic, of Croatia, is a graduate of a culinary academy in Osijek. A fine chef, he was awarded a second-place ranking among all young Croatian chefs in a competition in 1997. Stanislav later worked as a chef at a restaurant in Poreé for three years, then began to manage ...
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Client Comments

Beautiful country, wonderful guides, very good group, good hikes! Fred F., Denver, CO Slovenia is beautiful and I highly recommend this trip. Mary M., Stillwater, MN One of the best trips I”ve taken in years—my 10th WT trip. From beginning to end, lots of variety. Jim and Jenna B., Arlington, VA This was a beautifully designed, well executed trip supported brilliantly by the two Trip Leaders and the van driver. Barry G., New York, NY
The landscapes, cityscapes, hiking, food, and guides were all wonderful. Jack and Priscilla H., Tyler, TX A first class operation! Jane K., Wilmington, DE Thank you for a wonderful adventure! I had an overwhelmingly positive experience with all elements of this trip, and will certainly consider Wilderness Travel for future trips. Jean L., Gettysburg, PA