In the afternoon, our cheerful trip guide will meet you in your hotel in Ljubljana. From there you’ll go for a welcome drink in Ljubljana’s lively old town. While sipping excellent wine or beer, you’ll first get to know your fellow hikers and then the guide will present the details of the trip, as well as answer any questions you might have. Afterward, you’ll be able to explore the city on your own and enjoy its vibrant old center with green parks and outdoor cafes on the curvy banks of the Ljubljanica river.

In the morning you’ll head off on a three-day hut-to-hut hike, the best summer hike in the Julian Alps. The trail will take you off the beaten track, along forest paths and rocky mountain trails just beneath Slovenia’s highest mountain – Mt. Triglav. First, you’ll cross lovely alpine pastures in the hills near Lake Bohinj, where you can taste and buy fresh cheese and sour milk at the small working farms you’ll pass. Further on, you’ll start ascending mountain passes on the rugged slopes of the surrounding mountains. Even if you have traveled the best of the Alps and other world-famous destinations, you’ll still find these views breathtaking. Onwards, your feet will feel a bit lighter as you’ll have gained your highest elevation. From here on the trail keeps to the side of the mountains before it finally turns downhill. A short descent later, you’ll find yourself crossing wildflower-strewn mountain meadows dotted with lazing cows. Hardly any people trek in this part of the Triglav National Park. As the mountain hut appears on the hillside, you’ll notice the highest mountain in Slovenia, Mt. Triglav (2864m). For a closer look at the mountain that was bought for a coin over a hundred years ago, climb the neighboring summit (extra 1 hour) and enjoy the evening light over the jagged peaks of the Julian Alps. Today we will provide a picnic lunch for the hike.

Today, the most challenging day of the trip takes you through the heart of the Julian Alps. First, you’ll warm-up by walking along a hillside path through a dwarf pine forest. From here a gravel path will take you over rocky terrain through stunning alpine scenery to a high mountain pass. It’s just the place to relax for a while and enjoy the best view of Mount Triglav on this tour. Here you’ll have the chance to climb a fantastic peak (extra 1 hour and 250 meters altitude gain), at the top of which you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views over the highest summits of the Slovenian, Italian and Austrian Alps. As the gravel path turns downhill, you’ll join the Via Alpina Trail and Slovenian Mountain Trail leading through the valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes. This is a more relaxed walk along an easy and very popular valley of geological and biological importance, where you’ll spot some karst mountain formations, fossils, and endemic flowers. Here you won’t be able to miss the lumps of fur dotting the landscape around the trail. These are marmots relaxing on the sunny side of the rocks. If you don’t see them, you surely hear their whistles. As the day turns to late afternoon, you’ll reach the mountain hut at the Triglav lakes and enjoy some relaxation time. Lunch is available at a mountain hut along the way, or you can get a picnic lunch from the hut at breakfast.

In the morning, you’ll head across the scree slope to a little mountain saddle between two peaks, a doorway to the land of alpine pastures. The fitter ones among you will have the option to hike to a lonely summit. Your effort will be more than rewarded with a grand landscape panorama over the Seven Triglav lakes valley and the Julian Alps. After returning from the peak, you’ll leave the highest and most extensive mountain range in Slovenia behind for a while. From here on you’ll trek along a limestone pavement surrounded by sinkholes and dwarf pines, leading to lush green forests and alpine pastures. It’s just the place to try some fresh, homemade food. Soon after, you’ll join a dirt path; time to get your camera ready. This is because you’ll reach a picture-perfect setting of cabins on a green meadow by a glass-like lake reflecting a rock wall. It’s the last natural feature before reaching the Bohinj valley. Because ‘an empty sack doesn’t stand tall’ we’ll take you for a delicious traditional lunch, then we’ll round up the three-day hike with an unforgettable swim in the crystal clear waters of Lake Bohinj, Slovenia’s largest permanent lake. Afterward, you’ll still have some time to explore Bohinj Lake and have dinner on your own.

For the next stage, we will continue by van to starting points for day hikes. First, you’ll visit the most popular must-see place in Slovenia, Lake Bled. It’s just as beautiful in real life as it looks in photos. So to give you a chance to take the perfect photo, we’ll hike to a popular viewpoint and photo spot of the lake, island church, and clifftop castle with the Karavanke Alps in the backdrop. Since later on we’ll head more north-west, this is the only time to visit the church on Bled island. However, if relaxing on the lakeside sounds more appealing, you are also welcome to kick off your shoes and do just that. Our next quest is a scenic drive on a winding road among the limestone walls leading to the Vrsic mountain pass. The road was built by Russian prisoners during World War One and makes for a perfect starting point for our day hike. The forest path leads to a solitary mountain shoulder, with a lonely peak in the middle of a mountain arena with captivating high walls. If you thought Slovenia couldn’t get any prettier, wait until you descend to the other side of the pass, the Soca valley. This is the most biodiverse place in the country with emerald waters, dense forests, and the biggest variety of outdoor adventures in Slovenia. The perky little town of Bovec is its center, as well as the country’s outdoor adventure capital. Our place for the next two nights. Today’s lunch is in a cosy mountain hut.

Today brings many options. Given the elevation difference, you can choose a relatively short hike to Mt Mangart, the third-highest peak in Slovenia and the highest in the Soca Valley. If you’re looking for more of a thrill, opt for adventures like kayaking, rafting, zip-lining, and even canyoning. Hikers will start the day early, winding up the curvy Mangart road to Mangart saddle, stopping on Slovenia’s highest mountain road. Just after a short warm-up walk, a steep rocky trail with handlines will quickly take you from the mountain base to a world of rocks and stones. You’ll find the rope aids handy for climbing the tall steps. At the top, a 360-degree mountain panorama, encompassing the western Julian Alps stretching from Slovenia to Italy and Austria, will not fail to capture your attention. If you think climbing Mangart is too much, the guides will recommend an easy hike with jaw-dropping views at the top of Mangart saddle. After the descent, the group will get together over a delicious local lunch. In the afternoon you’ll still have enough time for some outdoor adventures, have a massage, or explore the town on your own. As there is a good variety of restaurants, inns, and bars, you’ll easily find options to pamper your taste buds.

This morning you’ll head further south from the untamed alpine terrain, and by late afternoon end up on the border of the mild Mediterranean basin. First, you’ll walk along part of the circular trail around the Julian Alps, known as the Juliana Trail. It’s one of the most spectacular sections of the Soca trail, following one of the most beautiful alpine rivers in the world, the Soca River. The hike will end in Kobarid, a town of rich historical heritage with numerous relics from the First World War and a couple of excellent restaurants; hence a perfect spot for a great lunch. From Kobarid, we will drive to the rolling hills of Goriska Brda, a tiny wine region separated by the Slovenian Italian border that was established after the Second World War. Here vineyards, orchards, and olive grove terraces cover the landscape, where a moderate climate, long tradition, and hard-working farmers make the region extremely charming in every season. In the evening, we will treat ourselves to a great final dinner.

After a hearty breakfast, your hiking adventure in western Slovenia ends. But please note that you might have helplessly fallen in love with Slovenia by this time. So join the following one-day extension to explore Skocjan Caves, the karst vineyards, and the coastal town of Piran, and only leave when you feel you must. EXTENSION: After breakfast, you’ll visit the Skocjan Caves; a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the largest cave canyon in Europe and many amazing underground karst formations. After that, we’ll visit a local winemaker and have a fabulous lunch with wine tasting at their vineyard. Finally, you’ll visit the most beautiful town in Slovenian Istria, Piran. It’s nicely situated on the edge of a narrow peninsula. We will explore the town’s narrow streets and squares, have a final gelato, and maybe go for a swim in the Adriatic Sea. The guide will finish the tour in the evening in Piran and will then return to Ljubljana. You are free to overnight in Piran or return to Ljubljana with the guide.