Boasting an exceptionally diverse landscape of snowy peaks, emerald rivers and scenic coastline, Slovenia is a paradise for outdoor lovers. From the dramatic Julian Alps to the famous waters of Lake Bled, our Slovenia walking holidays guide you among many natural gems. And the most amazing part is that much of Slovenia remains largely unexplored so you can avoid the crowds that usually head to the honey pots. Bordering Austria and Italy in the north, Slovenia adopts the Alpine culture of its neighbours while also holding its own unique identity.
Join one of our Slovenia walking trips and you could begin your adventure in the fairytale town of Bled, where you’ll wind your way up through the verdant pastures of the Karavanke range, and even take on the more challenging heights of the Julian Alps and Mount Triglav.
If it’s history and culture that excites you, you’ll find plenty of that too as you explore rustic towns and villages awash with Gothic architecture, traditional Hungarian farmhouses, and castles that are full of drama and intrigue. And you mustn’t forget the Slovenian cuisine that fuses flavours from Austria, Italy and Hungary. Tuck into authentic dishes such as pasta dumplings or gibanica, nicely washed down with a crisp Slovenian wine.
Home to the soaring Mt Triglav, Triglav National Park lies between Italy and Austria and is home to the country’s finest natural sights. Walk through the valley of the seven lakes, flanked by towering pines and mountains, watch huge waterfalls tumbling down steep gorges and follow alpine trails to the most phenomenal viewpoints.
Pokljuka Plateau: This alpine plateau stands in the Triglav National Park and stretches for almost 20 kilometres squared. Its diverse karst surface is home to pretty valleys, grassland and pine forests, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers to go walking in Slovenia. As well as colourful wildflowers carpeting the ground, you’ll find shepherd’s huts, alpine cows grazing in the pastures, and an array of birdlife hovering overhead. If it’s wildlife and tranquillity that you crave, the Pokljuka Plateau is the place to explore.
Lake Bohinj: Reflecting the rugged mountain peaks on its shimmering, emerald surface, Lake Bohinj is ridiculously pretty and is less crowded than Lake Bled during the summer months. It has a real authenticity about it and the views from here are jaw-dropping. The path around the lake lets you get back to nature as you walk below the circle of mountains that fringes its shores. In the warmer months, you can take a dip in the gin-clear water or simply relax and breathe in the fresh mountain air. At the western end of the lake, you’ll also find the cable car which takes you up to Vogel for some of the most extraordinary views over the Julian Alps.
Karavanke Mountain Range: This chain of limestone mountains stands on the border of Slovenia, Austria and Italy and is home to more than 1,200 species of flora. Walking in Slovenia is unparalleled and the Karavanke Mountains offer some of the best trails in the country. Winding along alpine peaks, along valleys and waterfalls and below giant gorges, you’ll discover indigenous animals and learn about the region’s cultural heritage along the way. There’s a wide choice of trails suitable for both easy hikes and more demanding climbs. On our Lakes and Mountains tour of Slovenia, we head up to Golica mountain, known for its fields filled with wild white daffodils.
Martuljek Gorge: This beautiful gorge can be found at the end of a forest trail inside Triglav National Park where a series of waterfalls tumble down the steep sides. There are two walking routes that lead you to the waterfalls, each following quiet forest tracks where you’ll meet some of the local wildlife. En route, there are several viewpoints where you can rest and take in the scenery, including the Lipovceva Hut which sells homemade soup and fruit juices from the open kitchen.
Lake Bled: The most famous of all Slovenia’s lakes is Lake Bled, spanning approximately 6km in length within Triglav National Park. The views surrounding its shoreline are to die for and you can complete the circular walking route in around 1.5 hours, allowing for plenty of time to stop and take photographs. At the glacial lake, you’ll see its small island and castle, and there are many beautiful hiking trails that start from here. Alternatively, you might just want to sit by the banks and absorb the scenery or go for a dip at one of the several swimming spots.
Nepal is such an awe-inspiring country, and seeing the Himalayas up close really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Reaching Annapurna Base Camp was an unforgettable moment, and the sense of achievement that my group and I felt when we finally made it was incredible.
Expect plenty of steps along the way, but the fantastic team on the ground made sure our enjoyment and safety were always the priority. The pacing of the trek was spot on, and each evening we looked forward to relaxing in the local teahouses and hearing our leader’s stories and jokes.
An amazing experience from start to finish, and one I’d highly recommend to anyone looking for a truly memorable adventure in Nepal!
As an Exodus staff member, I know how much people love this trip – but experiencing it for myself took my appreciation to a whole new level!
The local team are simply brilliant. It’s fair to say I would have got nowhere near the top without the positivity and knowledge of our leader, Happyness, and assistant guides Lucy, Joyce and Florian, plus all the support crew. On top of that, the group I joined as a solo traveller was so welcoming and funny – every day was a blast.
Additionally, the Lemosho Route itself felt like a great choice. Just having that little bit longer to acclimatise may have been the difference between me getting to the top and not.
Great trek. Excellent guide. Amazing trek crew. Far fewer trekkers than Nepal. Lots of monasteries. Disappointing hotels given price of trip. Much colder than I expected at night.
