Hiking in Slovenia
From the Julian Alps to the Adriatic Sea
Trip Details at-a-Glance
| Cost From: | $4295 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), 3-5 hours a day, van support
|
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
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Nestled between Austria and Italy, Slovenia is a superb hiking destination, from the ridgetop trails that cross the snow-capped Julian Alps to stunning Logarska Dolina, a 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 tranquil 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 1-2
Ljubljana, Slovenia / Ptuj
After a walking tour of Ljubljana, one of Europe’s smallest and most charming capitals, we head to the red-roofed city of Ptuj, Slovenia’s oldest town, known for its hilltop castle and Roman past. We enjoy lunch in a wine cellar and a walk in the pedestrian-friendly medieval center.
Days 3-4
Logarska Dolina National Park
The remarkable glacial valley of Logarska Dolina, one of Europe’s most dramatic natural settings, is dotted with tiny churches and farmsteads dating back hundreds of years. We hike through emerald meadows and forests to the 300-foot-high Rinka Waterfall and feast our eyes on the towering limestone peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps.
Days 5-6
Radovljica / Lake Bled / Lake Bohinj
We explore the lovely town of Radovljica, with its Renaissance-era architecture, then hike through the steep Vintgar Gorge, where the blue-green waters of the Radovna River flow in cascades. A gondola ride brings us across the fairytale setting of Lake Bled to reach its 17th century island-church. From serene Lake Bohinj on Day 6, 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 Vrata 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-style 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 Detailed Itinerary
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 3, Moderate. It is a hiking journey with day hikes of three to five 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.
Departures & Leaders
Jun 26-Jul 6, 2013 Ingrid Cercek
Sep 9-19, 2013
Jul 29-Aug 8, 2014
Sep 8-18, 2014
Trip Cost
Prices are for 2013
$4295 (11-15 members)
$4695 (6-10 members)
Single supplement: $625
Forced single supplement: $425
more on pricing
Trip 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
Trip 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.).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
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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Logarska Dolina Hotel
Days 3 to 4 (2 nights), Logarska Dolina, Slovenia
In Logarska Dolina we stay at one of the following properties:
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
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
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 was born and raised in Slovenia. After 28 years living in the lovely capital, Ljubljana, she moved with her husband to a small wooden chalet to the countryside. Since her childhood, Ingrid has been exploring the mountains and villages of Slovenia as well as Croatia, Bosnia, ...
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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 several ...
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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
This trip was exactly why we look to Wilderness Travel first when we are planning our trips. Super guides, an active and diverse itinerary, and an overall excellent experience.Terry R., Milwaukee, WI
LOVED IT! This trip exceeded my expectations in every regard—beautiful country, amazing hikes, history, culture, fresh and healthy food, wine, friendship, and laughter. A fabulous trip in itself, very much enhanced by our trip leaders' knowledge and passion and a fun group and diverse group of fellow travelers. I laughed so hard on this trip that my stomach hurt!Mary Jo B., Aurora, CO







