Alpine Heights & Coastal Delights

Day 1: Welcome to Ljubljana

Welcome to beautiful Slovenia! Start your adventure by discovering one of the cutest European capitals – the lovely city of Ljubljana. Walk the river banks, explore the medieval old town, stretch your legs in the immediate green surroundings of the castle hill or the vast Tivoli park, and enjoy a cosy evening on the lively terraces.

Overnight: 3* hotel in Ljubljana

Day 2: Radovljica – the medieval town

The day will take you through peaceful meadows and villages of the Alpine region, where the pace of life slows down. The landscape is dotted with traditional architecture, lush greenery and wildflower fields. The path meets the scenic Sava River as you continue, offering serene riverside views and opportunities to pause and take in the countryside’s natural beauty. End your day in Radovljica’s charming Old Town, known as one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Slovenia. 

People do not call this place “honestly sweet” for nothing. It is the home of a truly interesting beekeeping museum and the chocolate festival is just one of the sweet things organised yearly in the town.

Walking: 15 km / elevation +300 m, -300 m / approx. 5 hours
Overnight: 3* hotel or local guesthouse in Radovljica

Day 3: Iconic Bled

Begin your day with a pleasant hike from Radovljica toward the famous Lake Bled, a picturesque journey through rolling hills, forests, and countryside. As you approach Bled, the iconic island church and the clifftop castle will slowly come into view. Upon arrival at the lake, you have options: for the most scenic experience, take a hike up to one of the panoramic summits such as Mala Osojnica or Ojstrica, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the lake, island, and surrounding mountains; relax by the lake or enjoy a traditional Bled cream cake at a local café while soaking in the beauty of this alpine gem.

Walking: 8-16 km / elevation +300 to 500 m, -300 to 500 m / approx. 4-6 hours
Overnight: 3* hotel or local guesthouse in Bled

Day 4: Tranquil Bohinj

Hop on the train from Bled to Bohinjska Bistrica and continue on foot toward the stunning Lake Bohinj, Slovenia’s largest natural lake, nestled in the heart of the Julian Alps. The trail offers a tranquil journey through alpine meadows, forested paths, and traditional villages, with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. Once you reach the famous lake, extend your day and explore the area on foot with additional hiking options or just enjoy this alpine paradise.

Walking: 9-20 km / elevation +180 to 400 m, -180 to 400 m / approx. 3-6 hours
Overnight: 4* hotel at Lake Bohinj

Day 5: Stanjel the hilltop town

The scenery will change drastically today. There are a few different ways of transportation involved to get from the Alpine to the Karst region. 

As you finally arrive in the wine region you will hike across lovely hills, pass through typical local villages and have the opportunity to taste some excellent local wine. In the second part of the day, you will ascend to the Karst plateau – a mysterious region made of limestone and full of karstic phenomena. Visit Stanjel – one of the cutest Slovenian villages and spend a night in a charming hotel just outside of the old town centre.

Walking: 16 km / elevation +500 m, -400 m / approx. 6 hours
Overnight: 4* hotel near Stanjel

Day 6: Across the Karst plateau

After breakfast get a short transfer to the nearby village of Sepulje and start walking across the Karst plateau back to Stanjel. This is the land of the “terra rossa” (red soil), a special local wine variety Teran and all sorts of cured meats dried on the strong Bora wind. Walk your way across this rough terrain where water is scarce and the soil is very precious back to your hotel. Lots of cute local villages and many options to interact with locals and try some homemade delicacies.

Walking: 16 km / elevation +200 m, -200 m / approx. 5 hours
Overnight: 4* hotel near Stanjel

Day 7: Skocjan caves and Slovenian Istria

On your way to the coast, Skocjan caves, one of Slovenia’s biggest natural treasures are located. Embark on a 2-hour-long walking tour through this cave system where you will be amazed by the numerous dripstones and other underground limestone formations. You will be blown away by the size of the cave, the underground river canyon and the daring trails which were built by the first explorers. A short transfer to the trailhead is followed by a hike through the interesting Strunjan Nature Reserve and a well-deserved swim in the Adriatic Sea. Finish the day in the lovely coastal town of Piran and treat yourself to a great Mediterranean dinner.

Walking: 9 km / elevation +100 m, -100 m / approx. 3 hours
Overnight: 4* hotel in Piran

Day 8: Piran and departure

Have a relaxing breakfast, explore the streets and squares of this beautiful town and have your final swim in the Adriatic Sea.
This self-guided tour finishes in Piran. Let us know what your plans are and we’ll be happy to organize your outbound transfer.

Inclusions:

• 7 nights with breakfast in conveniently located 3-4* hotels. Double or twin room with ensuite bathroom.
  
• All transfers according to the itinerary from Ljubljana until Piran.
• All luggage transfers.
• Skocjan caves entrance fee.
• Personalized smartphone app with uploaded GPS tracks for easy independent navigation.
• Detailed hiking descriptions, maps etc.
• Information pack about other local sights, restaurants, and activities.
• Organisation, 24-hour holiday service & support.
• Tourist tax

Exclusions: 

• Train tickets
• Arrival to Ljubljana and departure from Piran.
• Meals and drinks not mentioned in the Inclusions.
• Travel insurance.
• Personal expenses.
• Other services not specified in the Inclusions.

Optional

• Single traveller supplement: 980 €
• Single room supplement: 460 € – if booking in a group

MODERATE walking

Expect to walk about 4-6 hours per day within a distance of 10-20 km (6-13 miles). Almost all stages have shorter and/or longer options. Expect several daily ascents and descents, none of them extremely long, as well as sections with loose rocks and gravel and low-traffic local asphalt roads. The trails are in most cases well-maintained, mostly well marked and fairly easy to walk on. 

A reasonable fitness level is necessary to fully enjoy this trip. If the hike turns out to be more difficult than you expected, you almost always have an escape option and can get a transfer to the next accommodation. 

This trip runs from early spring to late autumn, making it an excellent off-season option as it avoids higher altitudes where snow might be a concern.

You’ll wander along trails that weave through beautiful, cooler alpine regions and stretch into the warm, sunny south.
If you’re travelling in the summer (July and August), be ready for some heat—especially in the south, where temperatures can climb above 30°C (90°F). Fortunately, on most days, you’ll get a chance to cool off in a lake, river, pool or even the sea.

Essential read: our Best time to hike in Slovenia blog post.

You’ll stay in conveniently located 3 and 4* accommodations, in double or single rooms (surcharge) with en-suite bathroom.

Domen Strle
Slotrips trip designer & guide

As a kid, I was introduced to the beauty of mountaineering through mountain summer camps with my local alpine club, where I established my love and respect for nature. I have since become an active member of the club, an alpinist, a recreational mountain biker, a ski mountaineering enthusiast, and a certified hiking guide. This has enabled me to share my fondness for the mountains with others. These days, I spend an equal amount of time exploring not only rugged mountains but also local history & culture, and good food. Ultimately, I have blended my passion, knowledge, and skills into a profession that I love and enjoy.

Meet the team

“I experienced an incredible Slovenian adventure with Slotrips.

Miha is a fabulous, knowledgeable guide; taking us on unique, well-planned adventures each day. Enjoyed it all from the breathtaking alpine scenery, waterfalls, unique caves, river rafting, stunning limestone peaks, delightful vintners, gorgeous gorges, and charming Ljubljana. The highlights were the treks in this hiker’s paradise. A perfect trip, can’t wait to take another adventure with the Slotrips group.”

Laurie Baxter
from USA

More reviews

How do your self-guided tours work?

You will be surprised! We have done (and are still doing) a ton of work to make sure your independent active holidays in Slovenia (and across the borders) are flawless, fun, and hassle-free. With the implementation of modern technology and our extensive local knowledge, we believe we are on the right way of delivering exceptional hiking & biking experiences that you are able to enjoy at your own pace. Read more about our “self-guided added value”.

Good to know

On this trip, you’ll be exploring the stunning western part of the country, travelling all the way from the north to the south. To make the most of your journey and cover a wide range of incredible destinations, please be prepared for some shuttling along the way.

Different modes of transportation will be part of the experience, helping us get you to the many amazing spots planned for this adventure. We want you to be aware so you can plan accordingly and enjoy everything this trip has to offer.