Hiking in Slovenia: From the Julian Alps to the Adriatic Sea

The Trip

Google images of Slovenia and you will wonder how it’s been kept a secret from much of the world. It won’t be for long as more people discover the beauty of this small country. This trip will take you to the most scenic areas of the western half of the country, and briefly to Italy. We'll hike most days; share cultural experiences visiting castles, farms, and quaint villages; enjoy two boat rides; and of course partake in local cuisine.

Slovenia is a country that is full of charm and grace, richly blessed with natural wonders, and a place where green prevails. Only about the size of New Jersey, and squeezed between Austria, Italy, Hungary, and Croatia, this small Slavic country is an undiscovered gem in the middle of Europe. It enjoys an enviable mosaic of landscapes, which we will experience, including turquoise rivers, deep gorges, crystal clear lakes, karst caves, scenic green lowlands, the soaring Julian Alps, fairy-tale castles, and a touch of the sun-kissed Adriatic.

Slovenia's cultural splendors are as diverse as its geography. In the ancient period the region was conquered by the Romans and it later became an important part of the sprawling Venetian Republic. During the Austro-Hungarian Empire, today's Slovenia was the playground of the Hapsburgs. Italian influence on the coastline, however, was a constant force until the entire region fell to Tito of Yugoslavia. Today, after more than 25 years of independence, Slovenia remains proudly Slavic, but no modern Slovenian denies the importance and prevalence of other influences.  

The leaders will make every reasonable effort to meet the goals outlined in the itinerary but the order of the itinerary is subject to change based on hotel availability. Please keep in mind that weather or other conditions beyond our control may cause us to modify the itinerary in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the group.

Day 1 — Ljubljana

Sophisticated Ljubljana was the obvious choice for capital city when Slovenia achieved independence in 1991. The city has always been a bridge between the German, Latin, and Slav cultures due to its geographic location. This cultural diversity is visible in the complex architecture along the river canals of the city center. We will also discover why Ljubljana was named the European Green Capital of 2016. After a short welcome meeting at 2:30 p.m. in our hotel, we will take a walking tour around the city before enjoying our first dinner together. Sleep in Ljubljana.

Day 2 — Bled

Today we leave the capital and head to Lake Bled, an amazing jewel of nature nestled at the foot of the Julian Alps. Slovenia’s only island, Bled Islet is located in the middle of an alpine lake with mountains as a backdrop. This spectacular location inspired Slavic populations to venerate Ziva, the goddess of love and fertility. Later, Christians built a church here that is still visited by pilgrims today. We cross the lake by traditional pletna boat to Bled Islet, visit Bled's castle, and enjoy a walk offering breathtaking views of the lake. Sleep near Bled.

Day 3 — Vintgar Gorge and Radovljica

This morning we will walk along Vintgar Gorge, carved by the pristine Radovna River, within Triglav National Park. Triglav is Slovenia’s only national park and one of the earliest national parks in Europe. After a lunch of fresh trout, we will discover the quaint village of Radovljica and visit the lovely museum of apiculture. We then head to Katzenstein mansion in Begunje — used by the Gestapo as a prison during WWII — where we see a small museum dedicated to the memory of its former prisoners. It is an extremely meaningful experience to visit this place — an important but sad reminder of a part of world history we can't forget. Sleep near Bled.

Day 4 — Hike near Bohinj Lake

Today we enjoy a day hiking the very scenic trails around Lake Bohinj, which boast breathtaking views of Triglav and the beautiful Julian Alps. We will climb to Slap (Falls) Savica and end the day with a great dinner of local specialties. Sleep near Bled.

Day 5 — Mostnica Gorge

A very pleasant and scenic hike along the Mostnica Gorge takes us up the Voje valley, where we will enjoy a lunch of local specialties. We’ll also explore the small villages that dot the area around the lake. These villages are a world away from our daily lives and the culinary heritage alone is worth the trip. Sleep near Bled.

Day 6 — Discovering Vršič Pass and the Soča River

We drive over Vršič pass, Slovenia’s highest road pass, en route to our next destination. The road, built by Russian war prisoners during the First World War, runs through the heart of the Julian Alps, and the views from the road simply call out for a stopover. A short walk at the summit of Vršič pass provides an opportunity to stretch our legs, have a coffee in one of the mountain huts on the way, and enjoy an exceptionally good view of other summits on both sides of the pass. Next we reach the area around the Soča River. The Italian name of the river is Isonzo and it was coveted by Napoleon, the Austrians, and the Italians. Several of the most important battles of WWI were fought here between Italian and Austrian troops. It is a dramatic irony that trails once used for war are now such peaceful tributes to tranquility and nature. Sleep in Boveč.

Day 7 — Kobarid and the Walk of Peace hike

Kobarid is a peaceful village with a distinctive Italian character, but it also holds a secret: it is the site of the greatest defeat of the Italian army during WWI. This moment in history was well pre-served in Hemingway's masterpiece “A Farewell to Arms." Hemingway lived here for awhile and really loved this area. Today we will hike in the name of peace for all time. We hike to a waterfall at the end of a beautiful canyon and end the afternoon with a visit to the Kobarid Museum of the First World War before heading back to Boveč for dinner (on our own, at participants’ expense). Sleep in Boveč.

Day 8 — From the mountains to the coast

After many days of mountains it is now the moment to reach the beautiful Adriatic coastline. We will make our way to the outskirts of Trieste (Italy), visiting the Italian/Slovenian border, and then take a walk overlooking the Adriatic Sea and Gulf of Trieste. We will have a very special lunch prepared at an agriturismo, where we will enjoy an unending sampling of specialties prepared on the farm/winery. We continue to Portorož, our home on the Adriatic coast for the next two nights. There may be time on our own to take a dip in the Adriatic before we meet for dinner. Sleep in Portorož.

Day 9 — Natural Reserve Sečovlje and Hrastovlje

Our morning begins with a guided visit to the Natural Reserve of Secovlje, one of the most important wetlands of Europe. The Sečovlje salts flats are the northernmost salt flats in the Mediterranean and part of a complex ecosystem. The salt is produced in the traditional way based on a 700-year-old method that harmonizes man and nature. 

A short drive from the coast takes us to the small fortified church of the Holy Trinity in Hrastovlje. This church from the 1400s hosts a very special cycle of frescoes representing the “Dance of Death," where a large number of local characters are led into the afterlife by dancing skeletons. The characters may be rich or poor, handsome or ugly, but no matter what they do, they will all die; therefore, they should behave well today in order to escape damnation in the afterlife. These paintings are arguably the most important and best preserved in Slovenia and they give us a vivid idea about the way people thought about life and death 700 years ago.

In the afternoon we will go by boat from Portorož to Piran, a lovely coastal village that is enchanted with a Venetian vibe. Most likely founded by Celts, it was part of the Venetian Republic from the 1200s until the end of the 1700s. After a short Austrian dominion, it was Italian again up to 1954. At that time the area became part of Yugoslavia and most of its population went to Italy. With Slovenia’s independence, great efforts were made not to lose this area’s Venetian and Italian culture. Dinner in Piran on our own (at participants’ expense). Sleep in Portorož.

Day 10 — Škocjan Caves and Predjama Castle

Today we will learn more about the Karst area of Postojna with a visit to the impressive Škocjan Caves, the most significant underground phenomena in the Karst region of Slovenia and a UNESCO World Heritage site. From time immemorial, people have been attracted to the gorge where the Reka River disappears mysteriously under a rocky wall. Archaeological research has shown that people lived in the caves and the surrounding area in prehistoric times (from the Mesolithic, the Neolithic, the Bronze and Iron Ages through Antiquity and the Middle Ages to the present — that makes more than 5,000 years!). In the afternoon we will visit Predjama Castle. Perched high on a cliff, it officially dates back to the 16th century, but there are traces that go back much further to when it is said to be the living quarters of the robber knight “Erazem.” Dinner on our own, included in trip price. Sleep in Postojna.

Day 11 — The Krpan Trail on the Bloke Plateau

Today we will enjoy a very pleasant hike on the Bloke plateau, on a long but flat path that will take us past villages, rivers, and a lake. Lunch will be at our friend's home, where we will enjoy a variety of incredible dishes prepared just for us. A farewell meal will make our last day memorable! Sleep in Postojna.

Day 12 — Transfer to Ljubljana airport to go back to U.S.

This morning, we will return to Ljubljana where our tour will end around noon. We can drop you at the airport en route to Ljubljana city center, where the trip will end. You should be able to catch flights or a train to other parts of Europe that afternoon to begin an extra adventure of your own or stay over for an early departure back to the U.S.

Getting There

This 12-day trip will start and end in the hip and sophisticated capital city of Ljubljana, with a ring itinerary that will take you to the western part of Slovenia and briefly into Italy. The trip begins at 2:30 p.m. on day one at our hotel in historic Ljubljana. We will have a brief welcome meeting, then enjoy a walking city tour before having our first dinner together. The trip ends on day 12 in Ljubljana around noon. You can catch a flight in the late afternoon or the following morning. Or you can begin an extra adventure, with some popular extensions being Croatia, Hungary, and Italy.

Ljubljana is served by Jože Pučnik Airport (international airport code LJU), which is situated some 12 miles north of the city. You will need to connect through one of several European cities to reach Ljubljana. Information on airport transfer options (not included in trip price) will be sent to participants; they include hotel shuttle service (the 2016 price was 9 Euros per person) and taxi.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

We will be staying in comfortable, well located hotels. Lodging is double occupancy with bathrooms in each room. Solo travelers will be assigned a roommate. If you prefer a single room, there will be a single supplement charge; please let the leader know when you register for the trip (although be aware it is possible a single cannot be guaranteed until just before the trip). 

We will enjoy local cuisine, including fresh trout from alpine rivers, local dumplings, Bled cream cake, and other local specialties that are influenced by the diversity of Slovenian landscape, climate, history, and neighboring cultures. All meals are included, except two dinners, which will be on our own (at participants’ expense). Meals are either buffet or ordered by our guide for efficiency and to sample a variety of Slovenian specialties. The two dinners not included provide participants the opportunity to order off the menu at a restaurant of their choosing. Some lunches will be picnic style or packed lunches; others will be at local restaurants. Hotels in Slovenia provide large buffet breakfasts for tourists, generally including cheeses, sliced meats, yogurt, cereals, fruit, and a few hot choices. Slovenia is a meat-eating country; however non-meat eaters and vegetarians can be accommodated (though choices can be somewhat limited). If you have special dietary requirements, please contact the leader.

Trip Difficulty

This is an active trip with moderate hikes or walks on a variety of surfaces (mostly well-maintained trails; some gravel, some with plenty of steps, and some rocky and steep in places). We will be averaging from 2 to 3 hours of hiking daily, with a couple days of 4 or 5 hours. Daily total elevation change ranges from 300 to 1,500 feet. 

We strongly encourage everyone to be in good physical condition. You should be able to hike at a minimal pace of 2-3 miles per hour, hike uphill for several hours, and negotiate steps (both uphill and downhill) with ease and balance. If you have any concerns on this point, please discuss them in advance with the leader. Families with self-sufficient teens with outdoor experience are welcome, as are fit seniors who hike regularly. We'll be active virtually every day so the better condition you are in, the more you will enjoy the trip.

Equipment and Clothing

A detailed equipment (packing) list will be sent to each participant. This trip requires no special equipment, but plan to bring well-broken-in hiking boots, summer/fall synthetic or wool clothing for hiking, a day pack with water bottle, first-aid kit, sun protection, rain gear, and hiking poles if desired.

References

• Hemingway, Ernest, A Farewell to Arms.
• Blake, Jason, Slovenia--Culture Smart! The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture. 2011.

Conservation

For a relatively small area, Slovenia offers a unique mosaic of biological, geographical, and cultural diversity, with dozens of major natural assets and items of significant European cultural heritage. 

This small country is among the most biologically diverse in the world. More than 1% of all species of living creatures and more than 2% of land and freshwater animals live in its territory, which covers less than 0.004% of the earth's surface. It is home to more than 15,000 animal species and 3,200 plant species. This great number of species in such a small area means that Slovenia's flora and fauna are among the richest in Europe and even in the world. Thus it can be rightly depicted as a European biotic park. 

In 2016, Yale's Environmental Performance Index (EPI) ranked Slovenia fifth in their rating of top-performing countries for the environment, based on how well they've fared at protecting human health and vulnerable ecosystems. Slovenia also took the eighth spot for biodiversity and habitat, and 15th for forests. Slovenia is also the global leader for habitat protection — it received perfect scores for terrestrial protected areas and species protection. 

Slovenia is the only European Union Member State to have protected its native bee, the Carniolan bee (Apis mellifera carnica). This breed of bee is regarded as the second most widespread bee breed in the world. For this reason special attention is devoted to preserving and cultivating the pure Carniolan bee, which is also regarded as part of the natural and cultural heritage of Slovenia.

Around 12.6% of Slovenia’s territory is covered by protected natural areas, 36% of the territory is protected under Natura 2000, and almost 15,000 aspects of the country’s nature have been awarded the status “valuable natural feature." It is the third most forested country in Europe with forests covering nearly 2/3 of its territory. Within its 12,400 square miles, it has more than 17,000 miles of watercourses, more than 1,300 lakes, and around 6,200 miles of hiking trails. 

We will visit and hike in some of the protected areas of Slovenia; the largest area is Slovenia’s only national park — Triglav National Park — which has a surface area of 526 square miles. The Škocjan Caves were entered on the world heritage list at UNESCO in 1986, and the Secovlje saltpans and Cerknica Lake are included on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. 

Evacuation and Travel Insurance

The Sierra Club provides evacuation insurance to all participants on international trips. Since this coverage does not include any trip cancellation or interruption insurance, we suggest you purchase another policy separately to provide coverage for your trip and other travel costs. This policy also does not cover pre-trip and post-trip travel. Please note the evacuation insurance provided does not cover claims resulting from any pre-existing condition that occurs within 60 days of the trip departure. If you have specific questions about this exclusion, please review the insurance brochure. For information on purchasing a separate policy, please see our travel insurance page.