With the completion of a new trail circumnavigating the Julian Alps and a recent article in the NY Times promoting it, Slovenia is poised to become a popular destination for hikers. Quite simply, the scenery is stunning, villages charming and welcoming and hotels superb. We have been offering trips here for the past decade and are thrilled to now offer this hiking trip in a region we know well. This itinerary starts from Begunje with overnights in villages ideally located so that you can walk from inn to inn through nature that will have you in awe.
“Walking an Adventure Playground. A new hiking path through Slovenia’s Julian Alps offers the pleasures of lakes and valleys rather than high peaks. It’s a worthwhile trade-off.”
-NY Times, October 13, 2021
Begunje, Slovenia
Day 1+2
Bled, Slovenia
Day 2
Stara Fužina, Slovenia
Day 3
Bohinjska Bistrica, Slovenia
Day 3
Grahovo ob Bači, Slovenia
Day 4
Most na Soči, Slovenia
Day 4
Kobarid, Slovenia
Day 5
Bovec, Slovenia
Day 5+6
Tarvisio, Province of Udine, Italy
Day 6+7
| Any start date between May 15 and October 15 |
|---|
Total Days
Arrive/Depart
Activity LevelModerate+ with the opportunity to challenge yourself. See daily distances & elevation gains in itinerary.
Hiking average daily: 14 km (8.6 miles)
TerrainSlovenia is moderately hilly and there is the opportunity to challenge yourself on longer routes.
CostLand Cost:
US $3,050
Single Supplement:
US $770
| Destination | Slovenia |
|---|---|
| Level | Moderate |
Getting There
Arrive to Begunje, a village below the Karavanke mountains. Trains from Ljubljana take 40 min to the nearest train station (6km; 10 min).
Begunje
With a local guide to give you an introduction to the region and village (suggested meeting time is 4pm), walk a short warm-up trail (1.6km) to discover the charms of this village – along the way you will learn about the history of Begunje, the Avsenik Brothers Ensemble (most renowned Slovenian composers of national folk music), the Katzenstein Mansion and the work of Slovenia’s most prominent architect, Jože Plečnik. Today Begunje is also known for the world-renowned Elan ski and yacht factory.
Hiking distance: 1.6 km.
Begunje – Bled
Depart Begunje towards the Karavanke mountain range to Dvorska vas, Gorica and Vrbnje to Radovljica which boasts one of the most beautiful town centres in Slovenia and rich in cultural heritage; beekeeping, iron forging and national folk music are popular here as well as chocolate making – the annual chocolate festival is a festive time to visit. The route continues upstream along the Sava River to Bled, one of the main renowned tourist sites in Slovenia. Admire the the Instagram-friendly Church of the Assumption sitting on its teardrop island or the mighty castle perched above the lake.
Hiking distance: 15.1 km; 160 m.
Stara Fužina – Bohinjska Bistrica
After a short transfer from Bled (15 min), walk from Stara Fuzina, following the Lake Bohinj shoreline. The pastures of Bohinj are still used for animal grazing and cheese production; the Bohinj cow (cika) is the symbol of Bohinj and many local products are made under this label. You can take a car cable 1000 metres high to the Vogel Ski Centre, which is a winter/summer resort. The trail weaves through villages under the Bohinj and Tolmin mountains, across the diverse meadows of Dobrava, which offer a wonderful view of the Triglav mountains.
Hiking distance: 8.6 km; 165 m.
Grahovo ob Baci – Most na Soci
After a transfer to Grahovo (1 h), walk through the lower part of Baška grapa across the panoramic Senica to the Soča Valley, passing the villages of Temljine and Kneza and over the Lujubini pass. In Senica, enjoy panoramic views of picturesque Most na Soči, at the confluence of the Soča and Idrijca Rivers. This place was one of the key European archaeological sites from the Iron Age.
Hiking distance: 16.7 km; 775 m.
Kobarid – Bovec
After a short transfer (20 min), walk from Kobarid along the most picturesque and wild part of the Soča River to Trnovo. You’ll see lots of rafts and kayaks on the river between Trnovo and the Boka Waterfall. Above Boka, the valley extends to a wide basin and you will enjoy views of the mighty peaks: Kanin, Rombon, Loške stene, Svinjak and Triglav at the end of the valley. Arrive to Bovec, a charming village with lots to see and do.
Hiking distance: 14.1 km; 345 m* or 21 km; 500 m.
Bovec – Log pod Mangartom
Walk another picturesque section along a historic route past Ravelnik where you can visit an outdoor museum and Kluže Fortress, built above the 60-metre deep gorge of the Koritnica River. Further along, admire another gorge and waterfalls arriving to Log pod Mangartom, another beautiful village nestled below the peaks of Jerebica, Mangart, Jalovec and Loške stene. After visiting the town, you will take a shuttle (30km; 30 min) to a luxurious lodge in the alpine village of Tarvisio, Italy.
Hiking distance: 11.2 km; 380 m.
Departure Day
Depart by bus back to Ljubljana 3h10 or by taxi in 1h10.
*Please note that our shorter distance option requires a transfer.
This property encompasses a boutique hotel built in 2009 with modernly furnished rooms, a cosy, intimate restaurant, a café, a wellness & spa centre with a swimming pool and a whirlpool, sauna etc. There is also a completely renovated Renaissance château with 9 luxurious rooms and suites overlooking the beautiful castle gardens and the Alps.
This hotel, with its contemporary design and upscale furnishings, is in a class of its own. The wellness centre is superb with a jacuzzi, sauna and massage services available. Air-con, Wi-Fi.
This 4-star luxury hotel has contemporary guest room décor, warm bar/restaurant with a fireplace. Other amenities include a bowling alley and a bar, as well as a sauna, a steam room, and an indoor pool with mountain views.
This casual hotel was a former mansion and is ideally located just 3km from Tolmin Gorges and steps from the Tolminski Muzej, a local history museum.
This pension is centrally located and with friendly owners. The rooms are spacious and the restaurant is the most popular in town.
Surrounded by forest and verdant hills, this 4-star hotel have rooms with balconies and town or mountain views. Other amenities include a cozy, rustic restaurant, as well as a second dining room with mountain views and a terrace, plus a bar. There's also a spa, a hot tub, a sauna, and steam room, as well as an indoor pool.
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