Best of Slovenia Hiking

From Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, a transfer to Kranjska Gora is organized. The drive to the northwestern point of Slovenia takes about an hour. If you have enough time, you can take a leisurely walk around the idyllic ski center, perhaps visit the Zelenci nature reserve, the source of Sava River, or the FIS ski jumping valley in Planica. But don’t waste too much energy – the first serious hiking stage starts tomorrow.

This unforgettable hiking tour in Slovenia starts with walking over the highest road pass in the Julian Alps – Vršič pass. The path that leads from the ski center of Kranjska Gora past the iconic Jasna Lake (don’t forget to take a photo with the mythological goldhorn with the perfect background) avoids the busy road. You will walk through the Krnica Valley and climb into the embrace of mountains such as Škrlatica, Prisojnik, and Mojstrovka, epitomizing the best hiking trails in Europe. 

Only those who are well prepared are advised to extend a walk to Slemenova Špica, an easily accessible and popular hiking spot (additional 6,7 km / 370 m one way) Otherwise, we recommend a lunch, a local dish ‘jota’ with sausage and ‘žganci’, for example, in one of the two mountain huts near the Vršič pass, before you descend on the shepherd’s path into the new valley and even a new Slovenian province. Welcome to Trenta, the birthplace of the Soča River.

Today, your companion will be the emerald Soča River, a gem in the heart of the Triglav National Park. If it gets too hot, you know what to do… On the way, you will see some old homesteads, pastures with sheep, and steep mountains on both sides of the valley, from where wild chamois and ibex may be watching you from afar.

You can visit the information center of the Triglav National Park, and near the village of Soča, there is a monument to a cruel battle from the First World War, adding a historical dimension to your hiking tour. Only towards Bovec, where Koritnica, another clear mountain river flows into the Soča, the narrow valley widens into a basin. Bovec with its small airport is a popular place for all adrenaline enthusiasts, you can enjoy rafting, paragliding, or ziplining.

Today’s journey, a blend of waterfalls and historical sights, is a perfect example of the diverse experiences offered by hiking trails in Slovenia. Huge amounts of water after some heavier rains come out of the massive Kanin Mountains and fall into the valley in spectacular falls – Virje being one of the most charming, while Boka is the biggest in Slovenia. In the next kilometers, you will follow the paths parallel to the river and watch the rafters and kayakers enjoying their water adventures just a few meters away from you. Make a stop on some of the old wooden bridges and let your sight sink into the emerald color of the Soča. 

Just before reaching Kobarid, there is another unforgettable waterfall hidden in its narrow gorge – the Kozjak waterfall. History lovers, well, everyone actually, we recommend a visit to the Kobarid World War I museum, preferably in the company of a local guide. 

After two days of leisurely descent through the valley, this day offers two options to continue this hiking tour. First one: you can continue an easy walk through the quiet villages between the Soča River and the beginnings of the steep mountains. In the last part of the route, the Soča River, already wider and calmer in this part, will be within reach of your hand, and if you are hiking on a hot summer day, you know what to do. You can end the day with a tour of the Tolmin Gorges or by relaxing at Sotočje, the beautiful confluence of two rivers, the Tolminka and the Soča.

Option 2: only for well-prepared hikers

distance 28,3 km / elevation 1.500 m

For those who feel ‘olympic’ enough, there is the option of leaving the valley, hiking past the iconic village of Drežnica to Planina Kuhinja mountain pasture at 1,002 meters above sea level and just below Mount Krn, one of the most striking mountains on this side of the Julian Alps. Enjoy magical views of the Soča Valley, blooming meadows, and hearty local food, including the local cheese of Tolminc – try it as you will need some extra energy.

Later in the day, you can visit Mrzli Vrh Peak with great panoramas and a rather sad history. The mountain, nowadays an open-air museum, was the site of WWI battles as evidenced by trenches, taverns, and other remains. Just before arriving at today’s destination, the regional center of Tolmin, you can take a walk in the beautiful Tolmin Gorges.

The first part of today’s hiking trail is serenely flat. It leads past the confluence of Tolminka and Soča, a popular venue for sports and music festivals, and then along the accumulation lake to town Most na Soči, where Idrijca, another river flows into the Soča (hint: it’s warmer and therefore more suitable for swimming). 

You will then use the train to climb the picturesque Baška Grapa valley. The Bohinj railway, the most beautiful railway in Slovenia, connected two regions, Primorska and Gorenjska, at the beginning of the 20th century, through seemingly impassable valleys and gorges. In the last part from Podbrdo, you’ll have to ‘bite in your knees’ again, as Slovenians like to say. You will climb to Soriška Planina, a wonderful skiing, hiking, and mountain biking center.

This day you will hike across the hills, where two Slovenian regions meet – Primorska and Gorenjska – each with its typical patterns and traditions, but both hospitable and full of attractions, which will enrich your walk. The green peaks of Lajnar and Možic are again full of pre-WW2 bunkers and spectacular views, probably the best in this part of Slovenia. 

The heart of Triglav National Park with Slovenia’s highest mountain is just to the north, on the other side of Bohinj. This is a natural paradise, which was “given by God himself” as its name suggests. Old villages, wide meadows, and a crystal-clear lake with its iconic church near the stone bridge over the Sava Bohinjka River will crown your day here.

It’s time for the mountains again – but a different kind of them. This stage makes for a very pleasant escape from the valleys if they get warm in the summer since it takes you through the never-ending forests of the Pokljuka plateau. As you walk under the shade of coniferous trees, with occasional stops at sunlit meadows, the experience is enhanced by the delicious offerings of local mountain huts, a staple of Slovenian hiking trails.

The first part of the stage is a climb to Uskovnica meadows, which you can enrich with the visit of the Mostnica Gorge and its Devil’s Bridge. The second half is a proper forest walk, where the Zajamniki shepherds’ village is one of the most photogenic spots in Slovenia and a real highlight.

Coming out of the forests always makes for a great change, as you find yourself on the sunny side again. But this time – leaving the Pokljuka greenery and emerging in one of the most famous places in Slovenia, will be even more special. The last section of the long shadow will be the hidden Pokljuka Gorge. Walking through the short cave and visiting the narrowest, rocky part of the gorge is a special attraction – even if the gorge is a dry one, because the river, which created it, doesn’t flow through here anymore.

The nice, well-organized villages mark your last kilometers to the world-famous Bled Lake. Fairytale lake, a little island with its church, and the millennial castle crowning everything from above are hard to describe. The beauty of Bled, with its natural and historical charm, is a fitting climax to this leg of your journey, showcasing why this region is celebrated as one of the best hiking destinations in Europe.

There is another stunning gorge on your route, just a stone’s throw away from Bled – the Vintgar Gorge. It can get very busy there in the summertime (you need to book your ticket before the visit), but the place is worth seeing. As you leave it, you enter the alpine forests again. 

This time you will take some of the loneliest trails and gravel roads to cross the Mežakla plateau – high above the Sava Dolinka Valley and the important industrial city of Jesenice. At the end of the crossing, you will enjoy some breathtaking views from Mount Jerebikovec – once again Mount Triglav and some other high peaks are just a couple of kilometers away.

After the descent, you reach the mountain village of Mojstrana – the entry point to a glacial Vrata Valley and the home of Slovenia’s main Mountaineering Museum.

The upper Sava Dolinka Valley brings you some stunning views around every corner and is a real highlight on this hiking trail. Let it be the Belca Village and its panorama of Karavanke Ridge on the border with Austria, or the simply spectacular wreath of Martuljek peaks. They don’t just stand high above the valley and provide an unmissable photo opportunity but also store snow and ice that melts into the waterfalls, which are easy to see from the path through the short narrow gorge.

On the opposite side of the valley, it’s hard to describe the beauties of Srednji Vrh village, its views, and old, traditional farmhouses. 

As you come back to charming Kranjska Gora, you have completed your great Julian Alps circle. Congratulations!

Today you can enjoy a slightly later breakfast. After that, it will be necessary to say goodbye to Triglav National Park and return to Ljubljana or the airport with your transport.