Discover the Slovenian Alps on an 8-day hiking trip

Meet local people and enjoy delicious Slovenian cuisine alongside your experienced hiking guide. That’s what you’ll experience when you choose the hiking tour through the Slovenian Alps described below. You’ll also discover the nation’s heritage of honor, pride, and courage.

We have chosen to describe this hike as an organized tour only, due to the complexity of the route, the transfers involved, and the added value of a local guide. You can also request a private tour. In that case, you’ll set out with a guide and your own group.

You can use the form below to submit your request for the walking tour to us. You’ll then book direct with the experienced, local organization with which we have strong ties.

8-Day Hiking Trip in the Slovenian Alps

Discover the Slovenian Alps on a spectacular 8-day hiking adventure. We explored this trip with an experienced Slovenian tour operator. You’ll hike along exceptionally beautiful trails in the Slovenian Julian Alps. The itinerary below is an organized hiking tour for small groups (max. 8 people) along some of Europe’s most beautiful hiking trails.

Combination of a hut-to-hut hike in the Slovenian Alps and day hikes

This trip combines a technically easy 3-day hut-to-hut hike with day hikes and walks in the foothills of the Slovenian Alps.

You’ll hike through the lush Triglav National Park and the stunning Soca Valley. You’ll stroll through Ljubljana, one of Europe’s smallest and greenest capitals. You’ll visit the charming lakes of Bled and Bohinj and sample the delicious cuisine and wine in one of Slovenia’s best wine regions. Plus, adventure enthusiasts can have a blast in Bovec, Slovenia’s adventure capital.

Several sections feature Slovenia’s best trails, such as the Via Alpina Trail, the Slovenian Mountain Trail, the Alpe-Adria Trail, the Soca Trail, and the Juliana Trail.

Highlights of the Slovenian Alps hiking trail:

• Ljubljana
• Triglav National Park
• More of Bled
• More from Bohinj
• Soca Valley
• Goriska Brda

Day 1: Welcome to Ljubljana

In the evening, you’ll meet your tour guide at your hotel in Ljubljana.

While enjoying a welcome drink, you’ll first get to know your fellow hikers. Your guide will explain the details of the trip and answer any questions you may have. Afterward, you can explore the city on your own and enjoy the lively old town with its green parks and outdoor cafes along the banks of the Ljubljanica River.

Accommodation: 3-star hotel in downtown Ljubljana

Day 2: Hiking in Triglav National Park

Your three-day hut-to-hut hike begins in the morning. It’s the best summer hike in the Julian Alps. The trail takes you off the beaten path, along forest trails and rocky mountain paths just below Slovenia’s highest peak: Triglav.

First, you’ll pass through beautiful alpine meadows in the hills near Lake Bohinj, where you can taste and buy fresh cheese and sour milk at the small farms you pass along the way.

Then you’ll start climbing mountain passes on the rugged slopes of the surrounding mountains. Even if you’ve already visited the best of the Alps and other world-famous destinations, the views are still breathtaking.

The trail runs along the mountains before eventually heading downhill. You’ll walk through mountain meadows dotted with wildflowers and lazy cows. Almost no one walks in this part of Triglav National Park.

When the mountain hut appears on the hill, you’ll see Slovenia’s highest mountain: Triglav (2,864 meters). To get a closer look at the mountain, you can climb the neighboring peak (an extra hour) and enjoy the evening light over the jagged peaks of the Julian Alps.

Today’s itinerary includes a picnic lunch for the hike.

Hiking: 9 km – elevation gain +900 m, elevation loss -250 m – approx. 6 hours

• Accommodation: mountain hut with shared rooms (4–12 beds) and a shared bathroom
• Meals included: breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
• Total driving time: 1 hour

Day 3: Hike in the heart of the Julian Alps

Today, the most challenging day of the trip takes you through the heart of the Julian Alps.

First, you’ll warm up on a hill trail through a dwarf pine forest. From here, a gravel path leads you across rocky terrain through a stunning mountain landscape to a high mountain pass. It’s the perfect spot to relax for a moment and enjoy the best view of Mount Triglav. Here, you’ll have the chance to climb a fantastic peak (an extra hour and a 250-meter elevation gain). At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the highest peaks of the Slovenian, Italian, and Austrian Alps.

As the gravel path winds downhill, you’ll reach the Via Alpina trail and the Slovenian mountain trail through the valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes (not suitable for swimming). This is a more leisurely hike through an easy and very popular valley. The valley is of geological and biological significance; you’ll see some karst formations, fossils, and local flowers.

You can’t miss the “tufts of fur” in the landscape along the trail: marmots relaxing on the sunny side of the rocks. If you don’t see them, you’ll at least hear their whistles.

Late in the afternoon, you’ll reach the mountain hut by the Triglav Lakes, where you can relax a bit.

Lunch is available at a mountain hut along the way, or you can pick up a picnic lunch at the hut during breakfast.

Hiking: 12 km – elevation gain +700 m, elevation loss -750 m – approx. 7 hours

• Accommodation: mountain hut with shared rooms (4–12 beds) and a shared washroom
• Meals included: breakfast, dinner
• Total driving time: none

Day 4: Hiking in the Slovenian Alpine meadows

In the morning, you’ll hike across a scree slope to a small mountain saddle between two peaks: the gateway to the land of the alpine meadows. If you’re fit enough, you can hike all the way to the summit. Your efforts will be more than rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view of the valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes and the Julian Alps.

After returning from the summit, you’ll leave Slovenia’s highest mountain range behind for the time being. From here, you’ll hike along a limestone trail, surrounded by sinkholes and dwarf pines. Eventually, you’ll reach lush green forests and alpine meadows. The perfect spot to try some fresh, homemade food.

Shortly after that, you’ll come to a dirt path; get your camera ready, because you’ll see the perfect scene of mountain huts on a green meadow, with a rock face reflected in the clear lake water. Then you’ll reach the Bohinj Valley.

A delicious traditional lunch and a dip in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Bohinj. This is where the three-day hut-to-hut hike ends.

After that, you’ll drive to the spectacular Lake Bled, where you can explore on your own and have dinner.

Hiking: 8 km – elevation gain +200 m, elevation loss -800 m – approx. 4 hours

• Overnight stay: 3-star hotel in Bohinj or Bled
• Meals included: breakfast, lunch
• Total driving time: 15 min

Day 5: Hiking along Lake Bled and the Vrsic Mountain Pass

Lake Bled is even more beautiful in person than in photos. You can walk to a popular viewpoint for the perfect shot of the lake, the church on the island, the castle on the cliff, and the Karavanke Alps in the background.

The next leg of the journey is a scenic drive along a winding road between limestone walls to the Vrsic mountain pass. The road was built by Russian prisoners during World War I and is a perfect starting point for the day hike. The trail leads to a solitary mountain ridge with a solitary peak, situated in the middle of a mountainous landscape featuring fascinating limestone walls.

If you thought you’d already seen the best of Slovenia, just wait until you descend to the other side of the pass: the Soca Valley. It’s the most biodiverse place in the country, with emerald-green waters, dense forests, and the widest variety of outdoor adventures in Slovenia. The charming little town of Bovec is the hub—and the country’s adventure capital. This is where you’ll be staying for the next two nights.

Today’s lunch will be at a cozy mountain hut.

Hiking: 10 km – elevation gain +650 m, elevation loss -650 m – approx. 5 hours spread over 3 different hikes

• Overnight stay: 3-star hotel in Bovec, Soca Valley
• Meals included: breakfast, lunch
• Total driving time: 2 hours

Day 6: Hiking in the Soca Valley

Today you have many different options: given the elevation gain, you can opt for a relatively short hike to Mt. Mangart, Slovenia’s third-highest peak and the highest in the Soca Valley. If you’re looking for more excitement and a challenge, opt for adventures like kayaking, rafting, ziplining, and even canyoning.

Hikers start the day early, winding their way up the twisting Mangart Road toward the Mangart Saddle and stopping at the highest mountain road in Slovenia. After a short warm-up hike, a steep rocky trail with handrails quickly takes you from the base of the mountain to a world of rocks and boulders. The rope aids come in handy when climbing the high steps.

From the summit, you have a 360-degree mountain panorama of the western Julian Alps, stretching from Slovenia to Italy and Austria.

If you think climbing Mangart is too much for you, the guide will show you an easy hike with equally breathtaking views from the top of the Mangart Saddle. After the descent, the group will gather for a delicious local lunch.

In the afternoon, you’ll have plenty of time for some outdoor adventures, a massage, or exploring the town of Bovec on your own. Here you’ll find plenty of restaurants, inns, and bars.

Hiking: 8 km – elevation gain +650 m, elevation loss -650 m – approx. 5 hours

• Overnight stay: 3-star hotel in Bovec
• Meals included: breakfast, lunch
• Total driving time: 1 hour

Day 7: Explore the Vipava Valley wine region

This morning, you’ll continue south from the Alpine region, and by late afternoon you’ll arrive in the rolling hills of one of Slovenia’s best wine regions.

First, you’ll hike part of the loop around the Julian Alps, known as the “Juliana Trail.” It’s one of the most spectacular sections of the Soca route. You’ll follow one of the most beautiful mountain rivers in the world: the Soca River. You’ll cross wooden suspension bridges and, if you dare, you can swim in the turquoise river pools of the Soca.

The area is known for its rich historical heritage, with many remnants from World War I. Before you sit down to a local lunch, follow the trails to a lookout point above the Bovec Basin.

From Bovec, you’ll drive on to the rolling hills of the Vipava Valley, a small wine region with a temperate climate, a long tradition, and hardworking farmers. The region is exceptionally charming in every season. One of the local producers will welcome the group to his wine cellar for a delicious farewell dinner, featuring the best local (wine) specialties.

After dinner, the guide will take you back to Ljubljana for your final night.

Hiking: 9 km – elevation gain +300 m, elevation loss -300 m – approx. 2.5 hours

• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in downtown Ljubljana
• Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
• Total driving time: 2.5 hours

Day 8: End of the hiking trip through the Slovenian Alps

After a hearty breakfast, your hiking adventure through the Slovenian Alps comes to an end here. Look back on a fantastic introduction to this unique nature reserve.

• Meals included: breakfast

Difficulty Level of the Hiking Trail in the Slovenian Alps

The route has a difficulty rating of 3 out of 4. Expect to hike about 5 to 7 hours a day. The daily distances are 10–15 km, and on the most challenging day, there’s an elevation gain of about 1,000 meters. You’ll need to be in good physical condition and have some hiking experience.

The trails are uneven, sometimes rocky, narrow, and covered with loose gravel. In addition, you’ll have to navigate several steep sections both uphill and downhill. There’s one section where you’ll also need to use your hands. One day you’ll hike partly in the shade of a forest; the next day, you’ll be above the tree line, usually without any shelter along the way.

If this trip seems a bit too challenging for you, check here for easier hikes in Slovenia.

Details of the Hiking Trip in the Slovenian Alps

• 8 days · 7 nights
• The trip can be taken from July through September
• Group size: 8 travelers. If the group is larger, there will be 2 guides and 2 minibuses. For private tours, of course, it will be just your own group.
• Accommodations: You’ll stay in 3- or 4-star hotels and spend 2 nights in traditional Slovenian mountain huts. These huts are basic but have all the necessary amenities. They are not accessible by road, only on foot or by helicopter. Meals are simple. Soft drinks are available for purchase. The rooms have 4–12 beds, and there are (shared) restrooms and showers (sometimes with hot water). You can drink the tap water everywhere.
• If the weather is too bad, the hikes will be adjusted so that you’re less dependent on the weather conditions, and, if necessary, you’ll be taken by van to the trailheads. To keep the price of the trip the same, you’ll spend two nights in mountain huts that are accessible by van.

Included:

• 5 nights’ bed and breakfast in comfortable and well-located 3- and 4-star hotels. Double rooms with a double bed or two single beds
• 2 nights of bed and breakfast and dinner at mountain huts. Shared rooms with 4–10 beds per room. Shared bathrooms
• 6 guided days with an English-speaking hiking guide (who also serves as the driver)
• All transfers listed in the itinerary. Starting and ending in Ljubljana
• A minivan with 8+1 seats is always available to the group, except during the 3-day hut-to-hut hike. If there are more than 8 guests, there will be 2 minivans and 2 guides.
• 7 breakfasts, 3 dinners, 4 lunches, 1 picnic lunch
• Welcome reception with drinks in Ljubljana
• Organization, 24-Hour Service & Support

Not included:

• International flights
• Airport Transfers
• Drinks
• Meals not listed in the itinerary
• Travel Insurance
• Personal expenses
• Guide to Tipping
• Other services not specified

The price is €1,890 per person for the group tour (the single-room supplement is €290; single rooms are not available in the mountain huts). The price for a private tour is available upon request.

Guaranteed departure dates for 2025: July 4–July 11, July 13–July 20, July 18–July 25, Aug. 8–15, Aug. 22–29, Sept. 2–9.

Optional:

• Single-room supplement: 290 € (no single rooms available in the mountain huts!)

You can submit a request using the form below. You’ll book directly with an accredited local travel agency with which we have a contract. You’ll pay the same price as you would if you booked directly with the Slovenian agency. We receive a small commission for referring you as a guest.