Slovenia is a paradise for hiking enthusiasts: unspoiled nature, spectacular mountain landscapes, and picturesque lakes make this country perfect for a hiking trip. On this 8-day hiking route, we’ll take you along the most beautiful trails, from the Julian Alps to the Adriatic coast. You’ll discover both well-known highlights and hidden gems of the country, and enjoy delicious Slovenian cuisine along the way.
Would you like to take an organized tour? You can, with our local specialist. You’ll hike in a small group, and accommodations (3-4-star hotels), a guide, and transfers are all included. Read more about organized hiking in Slovenia along the highlights.
Hiking Highlights in Slovenia
Triglav National Park —Slovenia’s only national park
Julian Alps —glacial lakes, valleys, and crystal-clear rivers
Skocjan Caves —an Underground Wonder and UNESCO World Heritage Site
Adriatic Coast & Piran – Mediterranean vibes and Venetian charm
Velika Planina— Europe’s largest and oldest shepherds’ settlement
More of Bled & More of Bohinj —Slovenia’s Most Beautiful Lakes
Soca Valley —the enchanting emerald-green river
Bovec —the hub for adventure activities
Ljubljana —a charming capital city with lively outdoor cafes
You can arrange the trip on your own with a (rental) car or opt for a fully organized and guided hiking tour with an experienced local guide. The trip starts in Ljubljana. Read all the details below.
Hiking Route in Slovenia: A Tour of the Highlights
Day 1: Arrival in Ljubljana
Your trip begins in Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana. On this organized tour, you’ll meet your guide and the rest of the group here.
Tips for your free time:
Visit Ljubljana Castle for a panoramic view of the city. Highly recommended: the virtual tour in the church tower about the castle’s colorful and long history.
Take a walk along the Ljubljana River and sample local specialties at one of the many restaurants.
Overnight stay: Ljubljana
Day 2: Hiking on Velika Planina
Today, your hiking adventure begins in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, just north of Ljubljana. You’ll visit Velika Planina, one of the largest and oldest active shepherds’ settlements in Europe.
Highlights:
Take a walk through the vast alpine meadows and discover the traditional shepherds’ huts.
Enjoy a local lunch and learn about the culture of the herders.
Hike: 10 km, elevation gain +300 m / -300 m, approx. 3 hours Travel time: 2 hours
Overnachting: Ljubljana
Day 3: Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj
Today you’ll visit the two most beautiful lakes in Slovenia: Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj.
More from Bohinj
Located in Triglav National Park, surrounded by unspoiled nature.
A walk along the lake, through picturesque villages and gorges.
Tip: Take a dip in the lake for a refreshing break!
More of Bled
Take a walk to Ojstrica, the most beautiful viewpoint, for a panoramic view.
Optional: Take a boat trip to Bled Island.
Tip: Looking for some peace and quiet? Visit the northwestern shore, where it’s less touristy.
Hike: 14 km, elevation gain +400 m / elevation loss -400 m, approx. 4 hours Travel time: 1.5 hours
Overnight stay: Bled or Bohinj
Day 4: Triglav National Park – Mountain Peaks & Glacial Valleys
Today you’ll hike to a peak nearly 2,000 meters high in Triglav National Park.
Highlights:
The dense spruce forests of the Pokljuka Plateau.
Spectacular views of Mount Triglav and the glacial valleys.
Lunch at a typical mountain hut.
Hike: 12 km, elevation gain +700 m / loss -700 m, approx. 5 hours Travel time: 1 hour
Overnight stay: Bled or Bohinj
Day 5: Vrsic Pass and the Pericnic Waterfall
Today you’ll explore the rugged mountain landscape of the Julian Alps and hike across the historic Vrsic Pass (1,611 m).
Highlights:
Admire the impressive Pericnik Waterfall and walk behind it.
Hike to beautiful viewpoints overlooking the mountains.
Enjoy lunch at a mountain hut.
End the day with a dip in the Soca River.
Hike: 10 km, elevation gain +400 m / loss -400 m, approx. 4 hours Travel time: 2 hours
Overnight stay: Bovec
Day 6: Hiking through the Soca Valley
Today is all about the Soca River, known for its turquoise waters.
Activities:
A walk along the river and a visit to some hidden gems.
Historical insights into World War I.
Optional: Rafting, canyoning, paragliding, or ziplining!
Hike: 12 km, elevation gain +250 m / loss -250 m, approx. 4 hours Travel time: 1 hour
Overnight stay: Bovec
Day 7: Skocjan Caves & Piran
Today you’ll explore the karst landscape and the Slovenian coast.
Skocjan Caves (UNESCO)
One of Europe’s most spectacular cave systems, featuring an underground gorge.
Piran
A charming coastal town with Venetian architecture.
Tip: Try some fresh seafood and enjoy the sunset at the harbor.
Hike: 7 km, elevation gain +150 m / loss -150 m, approx. 3 hours Travel time: 2.5 hours
Overnight stay: Piran
Day 8: Optional visit to the Secovlje Saltworks
Your trip ends after breakfast. Would you like to extend your stay? Visit the Sečovlje Salina Nature Park, known for its traditional salt production and rich birdlife.
Hiking in Slovenia: Highlights on a Map
Hiking Tip: Slovenia This hiking trail takes you past some of Slovenia’s most beautiful spots. Are you looking for a slightly more challenging hike? Then check out the two trips below:
May, June, September, and October: pleasant temperatures and fewer tourists.
July & August: warmer (25–35°C), more popular.
Please keep in mind that for these hikes, you’ll need to be in reasonably good shape . The hikes aren’t difficult, but you’ll be walking an average of 3–6 hours a day. You can, however, often shorten the hike. Be sure to bring good hiking shoes and sun protection.
Guided Hiking in Slovenia
You can do this route on your own with a (rental) car and arrange your own accommodations. You can also join an organized tour. We have a contract with a reputable local tour operator that offers excellent, personalized service.
You’ll be traveling in a small group of up to 8 people. If the group is larger, there will be 2 guides and 2 minibuses.
Included:
7 nights in 3- and 4-star hotels with breakfast, centrally located and with private bathrooms.
6 days of guidance from a highly experienced English-speaking hiking guide (who also serves as the driver)
All transfers as listed above in the itinerary. Starting in Ljubljana and ending in Piran.
A minibus with 8+1 seats is always available for the group. If there are more than 8 guests, you’ll have 2 minibuses and 2 guides.
Welcome reception with drinks in Ljubljana.
7 breakfasts and 6 fantastic local lunches.
Wine Tasting.
Admission fee for the Skocjan Caves.
Organization, 24-hour vacation service & support.
Single-room surcharge: €390.
You can also request this trip as a private tour. In that case, you’ll have the option to stay at boutique hotels and smaller accommodations. Please indicate this on the request form.
You are responsible for arranging your own transportation to Ljubljana:
1,199 km by car from Utrecht
Fly direct with Transavia
By train, it takes about 18 hours on average from Amsterdam, with a few transfers
Request a quote: Hiking in Slovenia—The Most Beautiful Trails
When you request a quote, we’ll forward it to our local partner, who will confirm it directly with you if approved. We work with a highly reliable local travel agency that provides personalized assistance. You’ll pay the same price as if you booked directly; we receive a small commission. You’ll handle the rest of the booking and payment directly with the local provider (with whom we have a good working relationship and established agreements). We’re always available to answer any questions you may have.
With a passion for travel and photography and over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, I love to share my special nature travel tips. Travel is wonderful and important, you meet new people and cultures and it opens your view of the world.
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Last September, we had a wonderful six-day hiking vacation from Bologna to Florence (Via Degli Dei). Not only was the weather perfect, but the organization also contributed to this wonderful experience. The hotels were good, and our luggage was always delivered to the hotel before we arrived. The private transfer was on time, and communication via WhatsApp during our hiking week went smoothly as well; responses were quick and clear. We can therefore definitely recommend this hiking vacation through Nature Travel Lab!
After reading the report on the “Alpenüberquerung,” we got really excited. The combination of hiking through beautiful nature and the luxury of luggage transport and a reserved hotel perfectly meets our desire to stay active but then be able to enjoy a well-deserved drink and a delicious meal. The hikes were manageable for us and very varied; some basic fitness is required, especially since we aren’t used to the elevation gain. The trip really gives you the feeling that you’re on a hiking expedition, especially since you hike on your own but meet the same fellow hikers in the afternoons and evenings at one of the mountain huts or at the hotel. Highly recommended for hikers who love unspoiled nature combined with the luxury of a hotel!
Peloponnese Hiking Tour
A really beautiful six-day hike from Bologna to Florence. Communication with NatureTravelLab and the local agent was excellent. The information packet was waiting for us at the hotel in Bologna, and the app with the route worked great. Luggage transport was well organized every day, and our bags were waiting for us each time we arrived at our new room! We covered more than 1,400 meters of elevation gain, but unfortunately didn’t always get the views we’d hoped for due to cloud cover and some drizzle. Most days had great hiking weather. It was wonderful to walk into Florence on foot and stay there an extra day.
We experienced the Walk of the Gods as a great adventure. Our start in Bologna didn’t go quite as planned because our app wasn’t working yet and we couldn’t find a single sign for Via degli Dei in the square. Fortunately, we were quickly able to join two young hikers from Florence who were also doing the hike. After a wonderful night’s stay at the beautiful Rio Verde agritourism farm, Day 2 went much better with the help of the hiking app. Along the way, we enjoyed stunning views, met some great fellow hikers, and sampled delicious local dishes. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t always on our side, and we had a day of heavy rain, which made the trail very slippery and required us to be careful. It’s a real treat when, on the last day, you can already see Florence in the distance and walk into this beautiful city a few hours later. Thank you so much for your quick and friendly responses to all our questions.
We enjoyed the trip. We also made some changes to our itinerary, and the email correspondence went very smoothly. We started in Mantera; the next day, our first and only hike was a really beautiful one. The taxi picked us up right on time. Unfortunately, the second day’s route was almost the same when we cycled to Ostuni. The bikes were well-maintained, including panniers and helmets (these were simply included). You could even bring your own water bottle!!! We found the route very scenic and varied. There were charming little villages where we could stop for lunch or coffee. The app worked great. All the hotels ranged from good to excellent, though we didn’t think the hotel in Leuca was worthy of 4 stars. We followed your advice for the two nights we stayed there. We found Leuca a bit underwhelming for a two-day stay. We would have preferred to stay in Gallipoli or Lecce for two days. We took this trip in April and were very lucky with the weather. It’s still a quiet time of year, but we didn’t mind that. We definitely recommend it!!!
Thanks to a great tip from Nature Travel Lab, we had a wonderful week in Italy. Fattoria di Maiano, just outside Florence, was a beautiful and peaceful place. And the suggested road trips were a great guide for exploring the region. We’ll definitely check here for tips for our next vacation, too. Highly recommended!
We spent a divine week in Italy: we walked the Path of the Gods, from Bologna to Florence—about 135 km spread over 6 days of hiking. Challenging distances and climbs, amazing views, nature, and a warm welcome every time we arrived at the agriturismo or albergo/hotel. All of this was perfectly organized by the Italian company Slow Active Tours, entirely in line with Nature Travel Lab’s itinerary proposal: upon arrival in Bologna, an information packet was waiting for us, including a hiking map, a booklet, and passports for the stamps. And the hiking app was very practical while on the trail! Our luggage was transported every day and was always waiting for us when we arrived at the next location. Communication was smooth and clear. In short, highly recommended, well worth it, and well organized.
In September, I walked the Cammino Materano. Communicating with Madelon about the booking was a pleasure. To be honest, I was quite nervous because it was my first time doing a multi-day hike—alone and in a region I wasn’t familiar with—but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The hike to Matera was beautiful, and I was able to complete it without any trouble thanks to the clear on-site signage and the routing and advice provided by the GPS app. The rest of the organization was top-notch as well. My luggage always arrived on time at the right destination, and the hotels and B&Bs were of high quality. In addition, the organizers were easy to reach via WhatsApp if I had any questions. Highly recommended!
Slovenia was absolutely amazing. A beautiful country, friendly people, lovely hiking trails, and truly top-notch hotels. The staff at the local organization were also very easy to reach and helpful. The hiking was manageable. As Dutch people, we’re not used to high altitudes, of course, so it was pretty tough at times. But it was also a lot of fun.
We had a wonderful trip. Everything was well organized. Due to an unfortunate fall, I ended up traveling with my luggage for a day, but that was handled well, too. We really liked all the accommodations. Only the Hotel Hebe in St. Piero a Sieve was a little less impressive, but it was still okay.
Looks fantastic! I'm definitely going to book a trip with this company... they're committed to sustainability and personalized advice. Definitely worth it.
Madelon and her team are true experts. Thanks to their years of experience and passion for travel, they manage to surprise us time and time again.
Beautiful hikes, the most picturesque spots—it’s a real treat.
I highly recommend them!
Nature Travel Lab provided us with very helpful and honest assistance!
If you’re looking for travel itineraries, the most beautiful hikes, and destinations, you can find it all here. You’ll find endless inspiration for your next trip. Beautiful cities are interspersed with nature. You’ll find everything you need to know about practical matters. Plus, there are plenty of tips for sustainable travel. That way, you’ll get the most out of your trip.
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