Walking the Slovenian Alps

Begin your adventure in the tranquil mountain town of Kranjska Gora, a hub for hikers and adventure seekers. Around 6pm, say živijo (hello) to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather for the first time to hear more about the days ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big Slovenian welcome by arranging a group dinner. Want more time in Kranjska Gora or Ljubljana? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Our first hike takes us into Zelenci, a wetlands reserve home to carnivorous plants, frogs and breeding birds. Hiking on the western side of the reserve, we find the emerald lake after which the nature reserve is named (zelenci means green) and continue to Planica Valley, passing one of the most famous ski-jumping hills in the world. Exploring the valley, we enjoy spectacular views of vertical slopes and white limestone mountains that sparkle in the sun. We return to Kranjska Gora on foot.

Travel to the village of Gozd Martuljek for a hike beneath the triangular spire of Špik mountain. Two waterfalls plunge dramatically here: the lower cascades through a rocky gorge, while the upper drops more than 360ft (110m) over a sheer white cliff. The route includes steps and bridges, rewarding us with views of jagged peaks and tumbling water. After returning, the afternoon is free to relax or explore Kranjska Gora.

We take the bus to Bled, a wonderfully scenic town on the shores of Lake Bled that’s wrapped by the Julian Alps. With free time here, you can climb to Bled Castle or stroll by the lakeshore. Many also make time to try the local speciality: cream cake. A 15-minute transfer then brings us to Vintgar Gorge, where we walk one of Slovenia’s most beautiful trails, crossing small wooden bridges, passing mini-waterfalls and finding crystalline water oases. The trail ends with a view of Šum waterfall. After the hike, we enjoy a scenic hike around Lake Bohinj before returning to Kranjska Gora.

Start today just over the Italian border at the glacial Fusine Lakes. Our hike begins at Lago Superiore, the upper lake, where the water is so clear it can reflect the snow-capped peak of Mount Mangart. Track the shoreline trail to Lago Inferiore, the slightly smaller and quieter of the two lakes, before hiking up a nearby trail for a panoramic view of both lakes framed by dense pine forest. Finishing, we return to the bus and cross back into Slovenia to Možnice Gorge, where the emerald tones of the Soca Valley and rugged cliffs set the stage for our next adventure. Here, a path leads between mossy boulders, wooden bridges and turquoise pools fed by mountain streams. It’s a quieter spot than some of Slovenia’s more famous valleys, giving us time to enjoy the alpine landscapes in peace.

Our bus takes us up the switchbacks of the Vršič Pass, the highest road in Slovenia. From here, we set out for Slemenova Špica, a grassy summit known for its photogenic view of Jalovec, sometimes called the Matterhorn of Slovenia. The hike isn’t long, but the rewards are immense, with alpine flowers and panoramic ridges surrounding us throughout. We return to Kranjska Gora in the afternoon.

Leaving Kranjska Gora, we drive through the Slovenian countryside to the Kamniška Bistrica valley, where we board a cable car to the pastures of Velika Planina. The ride itself is an adventure, with views of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the valley below. Alighting at the mountain plateau, we step into another world: a traditional shepherd’s village with unique wooden huts dotted across the green pastures. First, we visit the Preskar Museum, housed in a reconstructed shepherd’s hut, to learn about the traditions of the herdsmen who still graze cattle here during summer. Then, a cheese-making demonstration introduces us to trnič, a pear-shaped cheese once carved with decorative patterns by shepherds for their loved ones. After, we hike across meadows filled with seasonal wildflowers before descending by cable car. Back in Kranjska Gora, we share a farewell dinner at the hotel.