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Thematic hiking along most beautiful rivers and lakes of Slovenia
As the title suggests, 9 waters in all its different forms is the leading theme of this walk. Our specially designed trails will take you along thundering alpine rivers and under cascading waterfalls to hidden springs. Go for a swim in an alpine lake or watch rainbow trout swirl in the crystal clear water of the glacial Soca River. All this set in the majestic alpine landscape of two of Slovenia’s most popular holiday destinations: Lake Bled and alpine Bovec.
Suitable for hikers of very average fitness and recommended for photography enthusiasts.
Walk highlights:
• lake Bled's island church and hilltop castle
• interesting medieval architecture in Radovljica
• stroll along the rapids of Vintgar Gorge
• visit WW1 fortifications at the Isonzo front
• dip your feet in the coolness of the river Soca
As a pre-trip, you may consider our Via Alpina tour!
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL AT LAKE BLED. (4* hotel).Bled is one of Slovenia's most popular attractions, and deservedly so. It sits on the shore of a beautiful glacial lake with a wonderful combination of natural wonders and unique culture and history. Take a stroll around the lake and visit the medieval castle perched high upon a towering precipice, and take a boat out to the magical island church. End your day with a nice warm thermal spa.
Day 2: LAKE BLED – RADOVLJICA – TALEZ HILL – LAKE BLED
12.2 km; 4 hrs walking, ascent 410 m descent 390 m. Alpine walk (4* hotel).
After breakfast a short car transfer brings you to the small historic town of Radovljica. Before the walk you can spend some time exploring its lovely restored medieval town center and large palace with two interesting museums, before rounding it all up with some light refreshments in the town square. Starting here, you make a short hike from the confluence of the two Sava Rivers up to the Jelovica high plateau, and stroll amid the sweeping vistas of the opposing Karavanke mountain range. The return to Bled leads you along the quiet, shady riverside of the Sava Bohinjka.
Day 3: LAKE BLED – VINTGAR GORGE – BLED 14 km.
18.2 km; 5 hrs walking, ascent 300 m descent 380 m. Valley & gorge walk (4* hotel).
Starting in the lush green Radovna Valley, you then walk along the Radovna River as it flows between majestic alpine peaks and carves its way through the stunning 1.6-km long Vintgar Gorge. A wooden walkway takes you along and over a series of rapids and mini waterfalls thundering through the gorge and culminating at the Sum Waterfall. The trail continues back to Bled Lake via Katarina Church. From here you get a different view of Bled Castle.
Day 4: LAKE BLED – KUPLJENIK VIEWPOINT - STRAZA BEACON HILL – LAKE BLED
15.3 km; 5 hrs walking, ascent 530 m descent 530 m. Hillside walk (4* hotel).
Today you get to explore the beautiful glacial Lake Bled and its surroundings. Bled is a fairytale wonderland with its distinctive island church backed by a mountain vista and clifftop castle. Head to the western side for the best photos and views of the lake, castle and Karavanke range, and take the trail up to Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica for the classic postcard vista. You can also take a short panoramic walk to the sunny alpine villages of Kupljenik and Bela for more great views.
Day 5: BLED – BOVEC.
9.3 km; 3 hrs walking, ascent 100 m descent 230 m. Canyon and hillside walk. (3* hotel).
Today one of our staff will drive you to the west, where you'll start the next leg (no pun intended) of your hike. You'll follow the cool running water of the Možnica river as it snakes its way through the Možnica gorge, intricately carved between the two great mountains of Mt. Rombon and Mt. Jerebica. This beautiful, peaceful landscape was once the scene of several bitter WW1 battles fought here between the Austrian Empire and the Italians. This historic trail passes the remains of many once-mighty fortifications.
Day 6: BOVEC – VIRJE WATERFALL – BOVEC.
10.8 km; 3 hrs walking, ascent 210 m descent 210 m. Mountain meadows & forest walks. (3* hotel).
A relaxing stroll brings you to the adventure capital of western Slovenia, the town of Bovec. The little stream, Gljun, is fed by long subterranean tunnels deep inside the Kanin limestone mountains, whose water then tumbles down a 30-foot waterfall before entering the Soca River. The return to Bovec takes you through flowery meadows dominated by the “Slovene Matterhorn” Mt. Svinjak.
Day 7: BOVEC – ZMUKLICA RIVER CANYON – KLUZE FORTRESS – ST. LENART CHURCH – BOVEC
13 km; 4 hrs walking, ascent 300 m descent 300 m. Riverside/valley walk (3* hotel).
The final hiking day tour takes you to the "Queen of the Alpine Waters" – the emerald-coloured River Soca. Its breathtaking colours have wowed many walkers and water sportsmen for centuries. Continue on towards Kluze Fortress. Built more than a century ago to block access to Southern Austria, it has survived all subsequent wars and is now an impressive anti-war museum.
Day 8: DEPARTURE from Bovec after breakfast.
Price
Price: 650 EUR per person based on two people sharing(Currency converter)
Price includes:
• accommodation in above-listed hotels in a two-bed room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis
• car transfer on days two, three and five
• luggage transport between hotels (one piece per person, max 20 kgs / 45 lb). Every additional piece 10 EUR, payable on the spot
• information pack including detailed route description (in the form of a picture book) with corresponding maps (one per booking)
• GPS data
• local tourist and other taxes
• welcome meeting upon arrival
• backup service (hotline) during the walk
Optional extras:
• transfers: from Ljubljana airport to Bled: please ask us for a favorable quote!
Supplements:
• single room 160 EUR.
Additional nights:
• in a 3* Hotel in Bled 65 EUR per person per night, double room, BB. Single room 120 EUR
• in a 4* Hotel in Bled 85 EUR per person per night, double room, BB. Single room 140 EUR
• in a 4* Hotel in Bovec 75 EUR per person per night, double room, BB. Single room 85 EUR
Discounts:
• children up to 12 years when sharing room with parents -30% on basic price
• third adult in the room -10% on basic price
Travel options
Starting point of this trip is Lake Bled in NW SloveniaGetting there...
By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it (please check connections here). From the airport you can travel to Bled by bus (change once, takes about 2 hours) or book our transfer (faster - 20 mins) please ask us for a favorable quote!
By train: for Bled you need to get off at the station called "Lesce-Bled" on the Villach-Ljubljana mainline, 4 km away from the town center; you will need to take a bus
By bus: Flixbus stops at Lake Bled
By car: take exit Lesce / Bled from A1 motorway Ljubljana - Jesenice, Karavanke. Long term parking is available in Bled but please consult us for the best option
... and away
By plane: need to get to the airport? Our transfer to the airport from Bovec: please ask us for a favorable quote
By train: nearest railway station is Most na Soci / near Tolmin. It is on the Jesenice - Nova Gorica sideline, only a few trains a day, a good connection to Trieste airport
By car: if your car is in Radovljica, you can get there by train via Most na Soci / Jesenice or we can transfer you - please ask us for a favorable quote
