Walking the Slovenian Alps

Walking the Slovenian Alps

946 Views
8 Days From

$2700

Walking the Slovenian Alps

8 Days Starting and ending in Radovljica

Visiting: Slovenia

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

TVL

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 16

Physical rating:

Moderate

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English
From: $2700

NB: Prices correct on 10-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

For a hiking adventure in Europe without the tourist masses, look no further than the jagged limestone peaks of the Julian Alps. The most easterly extension of the great Alpine range contains some of the best scenery and hiking in Europe, with Mount Triglav (the highest peak in Slovenia) at the centre and the glacial lakes of Bohinj and Bled far below. During the week, we enjoy five varied walks, both inside the national park and on the more distant peaks of the Karavanke range, taking in wild meadows, lake shores, thick forest and wild open mountain ridges.

Highlights

  • Discover Triglav National Park and the Karavanke mountains

  • Embark on varied walks over mountains and through forests

  • Enjoy a free day to explore Lake Bled or historic Ljubljana

  • Stay at a traditional 19th-century Alpine pension

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Start Radovljica

Join the group in the early evening at the pension in Radovljica, just 20 minutes' northeast of the capital Ljubljana. This is our base for the week.

Day 2 : A Day Exploring The Local Area Direct From The Pension

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we leave the front door of the pension to explore our surroundings. The medieval town of Radovljica dates back as far as 1296, sitting on the confluence of the Sava Bohinjka and the Sava Dolinka. The old town is full of traditional inns, galleries, churches and surrounded by the largest medieval moats in the country.



The local area is extremely pretty, dotted with small churches, quaint villages, lush forests and a beautiful river. Our leader will decide the exact route depending on the weather, but walking to Lake Bled is our most likely route, a perfect warm up through gentle rolling farmland and pretty villages.

Day 3 : Hike Into The Martuljek Gorge, Visiting Two Waterfalls En Route

Meals Included: Breakfast

Starting at the small village of Gozd Martuljek, we are rewarded with a panorama of the Špik mountain range. One of the most beautiful mountains in the Julian Alps, Mount Špik (8,110/2,472m) is known at the Slovenian Matterhorn and its pyramid summit dominates the Martuljek range.



Leaving the valley, our forest trail takes us into Martuljek Gorge, where we slowly start our ascent following the stream, arriving at the Lower Fall, which cascades into the valley. The trail snakes through the forest arriving at our rest stop where we can enjoy the view. Lipovceva Hut has a lovely setting with an open natural kitchen serving mountain soups and juices made in-house from pine, elderflower and berries.



From here we head up to the Higher Falls, passing a monument dedicated to Slovenian climbers. This is a lovely walk into the gorge, suitable in all weathers and offering fine views of two beautiful waterfalls.

Day 4 : A Picturesque Walk In The Karavanke Mountains To The Peak Of Golica

The Karavanke mountains are the natural and official border between central and western Europe and the meeting point of Slovenia, Austria and Italy. The range has a great effect on the climate of Slovenia, hence the soft southern Slovene side in comparison to the harsh northern side in Austria. Here we find an abundance of alpine fauna and flora, with more than 1,200 plant species, plus wonderful views into two naturally contrasting countries. We aim for Golica (6,023ft/1,836m), part of the longest ridge in Slovenia (75mi/120km) and one of the least travelled trails in the area.



Day 5 : Free Day For Optional Activities Including Riding Horses, Rafting, Visiting Bled Or The Capital Ljubljana

Meals Included: Breakfast

Radovljica itself has plenty of possibilities for the rest day. Alternatively, it's a short bus ride to Lake Bled, where we can hire rowing boats and canoes to explore. Alternatively, take the public bus into the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana. Another popular alternative is Postojna Cave Park, home to one of the largest cave systems in Europe.

Day 6 : A Gentle And Scenic Hike Around The Shores Of Lake Bohinj

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today’s walk is flat but incredibly pretty. This circular route takes in the whole of Lake Bohinj and the pretty village of Ribcav Laz, home to the well-known church of St John the Baptist. There are open views all the way to Mount Triglav, the highest peak in Slovenia. Lake Bohinj is also surrounded by a ring of mountains so even though you are in the valley there is plenty to see.



An alternative route today takes us through the Mostnica Gorge; this route is more likely if the weather is poor as it is less exposed.

Day 7 : A Day Walking On The Pokljuka Plateau

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

The beautiful, forested area of Pokljuka, visible from Lake Bled, is stunning. Virtually uninhabited, it is home to alpine cows, rolling pastures, shepherd huts, forest trails and lovely open views of the surrounding peaks. Time stands still on Pokljuka, enabling wildflowers to flourish; the flora and fauna of the high plateau is unique to this area and bird life is abundant. There is a wide variety of trails with many possibilities for the day’s hike. Our guide will determine the route based on the weather and the group's ability during the week.

Day 8 : End Radovljica

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our tour ends after breakfast. We bid a fond farewell to our pension, which may well feel like a second home by now, and begin our return journey home.

What's Included

  • All breakfasts and three dinners

  • All accommodation

  • Free group arrival and departure transfers available

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Visas and vaccinations

  • Single supplement

Food

All breakfasts and three dinners are included.



The location where the group will have their third dinner will be decided on tour according to the group’s preferences.



Breakfast: Continental with tea, coffee, cereal, bread and a selection of meats and cheeses, jams and yoghurt.

Lunch: Will usually be in a mountain hut. Options can be limited, but all meals are cooked from scratch using fresh local ingredients and will include hearty soups and juice made from wild berries and elderflower.

Evening meal: This will consist of three courses. The main dishes can be risotto, cheese dishes, fish, spaghetti and grilled meat. The guesthouse uses delicious salads and vegetables from the gardens plus other locally sourced produce. Three dinners at the pension are included, for the other nights you’re free to enjoy the restaurants in Radovljica.



Vegetarians are well catered for, but please let us know in advance if you have any dietary requirements.

Accommodation

We stay in Pension Kunstelj, which dates to 1873 and is run by the fourth generation of the Štiherle family. The 10-room accommodation sits in the most protected historic town in Slovenia, Radovljica, where there are plenty of restaurants and bars for the nights when dinner is not included.



It has a large terrace with views across the valley to the surrounding peaks, including Triglav in the far distance, and to the rear of the property is a large vegetable plot, where you might see staff picking fruit and salads for dinner in the evening. The family also keep bees, whose honey is sold locally.

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Check out our Q&As

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    International flights are not included with this tour.

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes, our local guides are English speaking.

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.

  • Who is Exodus Travels?

    At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

The hidden gem of hiking in Europe!

Brilliant trip, Slovenia is the hidden gem of hiking in Europe. Far away from the crowds of the Amalfi Coast, Dolomites and Mont Blanc you have uninterrupted days to yourself on the mountains peaks!

A clean, green, mountainous country.

Loved the airy, uncrowded mountain walks with profuse meadow flowers and views of rocky pinnacles. The two lakes were also incredibly picturesque and not spoilt. We enjoyed the family-run accommodation, food and wine as well. The day in Ljubljana was enjoyable (despite pouring rain) but I personally enjoyed the small town with its church, old houses, bee-keeping museum, wine merchant and ice cream parlour just as much.

A country of mountains, lakes and rivers

good walking. great company. we had lovely weather although it does rain a lot.

Hiking in Beautiful Slovenia-don't miss it.

Slovenia is friendly place with unspoilt scenery in the lakes and mountains of the Julian Alps. The group of 15 members of wide age range from UK,USA and Canada gelled really quickly Five days of varied walks including low level at lake Bled and two different mountain ascents to 1800m and 2000m. All at a steady pace and achieved by all the group members. We had hearty soups and delicious strudels at rustic mountain refuges. The base in Radovljica was central family run hotel conveniently located in the old town.

LAKES & MOUNTAINS OF SLOVENIA

I had a complete blast on this trip, everything about it was fantastic! oh except Slovenia has the largest wasp population in the world! I had been expecting a wet soggy week but the weather was fanstastic, the group was one of the best I've travelled with, the pension was lovely, the guides top notch. I have travelled to over 65 countries and never go anywhere twice - I would go to Slovenia again in a heart beat and that for me says it all.

Another excellent Exodus holiday

Slovenia is a lovely country with lovely people - helpful and friendly. I can but pass on the advice given to me which was “go before it gets too popular”. An important factor in making the holiday is the Leaders and the Group. In both instances they were excellent. Walks are well planned and whilst some previous posts have commented re lunching in restaurants rather than a packed lunch, I preferred the former, which, with one exception, are not restaurants but mountain lodges. All helps the local economy. Weather can be changeable but aside from our Lake Bled day, we enjoyed good weather. When it rains, it rains.

Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia

Brilliant walking holiday (my first with Exodus) with some challenging walks and a group of 15 that got on so well with each other.

an enjoyable walking week in a quiet and green place

Various enjoyable hikes in green and beautiful scenery – lakes, gorges, woods, mountain peaks. The base was at Kunstelj Pension, a well-run two-star pension situated in the quiet and picturesque Radovljica.

Lakes and Mountains of Slovenia

An excellent week's Walking and a real History Lesson

Lakes & Mountains of Slovenia

Slovenia is a picturesque country, whose people are warm and friendly. The mountains are not as severe as those of the Western Alps with the lower levels covered with trees so there are less traditional Alpine meadows than I expected. In my opinion this added to the scenery but it did mean having to walk up through woodland trails before getting your reward of the stunning views. Lake Bled must be a highlight of anyones trip to Slovenia but Lake Bohinj is also memorable The Pension we stopped at in Radlovijca has views of the Julian Alps including mount Triglav Slovenia's highest peak. It is within 5 minutes walk of the old part of the town with many pretty buildings and a number of restaurants.

Read all 17 reviews

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Prices last published on 10-Nov-2024

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