Thematic hiking along most beautiful rivers and lakes of Slovenia
As the title suggests, nine waters - rivers, streams and lakes in all its different forms is the leading theme of this walk. Our specially designed trails will take you 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.
As a pre-trip, you may consider our Slovene Alpine Pearls tour!
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL AT LAKE BLED
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 (intermediate, 4 hrs, ↔ 12.2 km, ↑ 410 m, ↓ 390 m)
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 (intermediate, 5 hrs, ↔ 18.2 km, ↑ 300 m, ↓ 380 m)
Starting in the lush green Radovna Valley, you then walk along the Radovna 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 falls 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 (intermediate, 5 hrs, ↔ 15.3 km, ↑↓ 530 m)
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 – MOZNICA CANYON – KLUŽE FORTRESS - BOVEC (intermediate, 3 hrs, ↔ 9.3 km, ↑ 100 m, ↓ 200 m)
Today one of our staff will drive you (90 minutes) 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 (easy, 3 hrs, ↔ 10.9 km, ↑↓ 210 m)
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 (intermediate, 4 hrs, ↔ 13 km, ↑↓ 300 m)
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
After breakfast or extension of your stay.
Price
Price per person based on two people sharing:
Low season: April 8 to May 6 and September 16 to October 14, 2023: 775 EUR
High season: May 7 to September 15, 2023: 795 EUR
(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)
• information pack including including route description and corresponding maps in electronic form
• GPS data
• local tourist and other taxes
• welcome meeting upon arrival
• backup service (hotline) during the walk
Supplements:
• single traveler 220 EUR
• single room 155 EUR
• printed information package in English including route notes and corresponding maps delivered upon arrival 30 EUR
Additional nights:
• 4* Hotel in Bled 105 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 170 EUR
• 4* Hotel in Bovec 80 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 95 EUR
Discounts:
• children up to 5 years: free of charge when sharing bed and room with parents
• children from 5 to 12 years: 40% discount on basic price when sleeping on auxiliary bed. sharing room with parents
• children from 5 to 12 years: 20% discount on basic price when sleeping on regular bed. sharing room with parents
• third adult in the room on auxiliary bed 10% (applies only to the third person)
Not included: entrance fees, lunches, drinks with meals, saunas and massages in hotels
Transfers:
Ljubljana Airport to Bled
1–3 persons: 75 EUR
4–8 persons: 105 EUR
Ljubljana City to Bled
1–3 persons: 100 EUR
4–8 persons: 140 EUR
Villach to Bled
1–3 persons: 140 EUR
4–8 persons: 160 EUR
Klagenfurt Airport to Bled
1–3 persons: 190 EUR
4–8 persons: 230 EUR
Bovec to Bled
1–3 persons: 140 EUR
4–8 persons: 170 EUR
Bovec to Ljubljana Airport
1–3 persons: 160 EUR
4–8 persons: 185 EUR
Bovec to Ljubljana City
1–3 persons: 170 EUR
4–8 persons: 210 EUR
Other transfer routes prices on request
Accommodation
Helia supports responsible travel. On our trips we therefore use small, authentic hotels and guesthouses with character operated by locals or their families. Here you can find the list of standard accommodation we primarily use on the trip. The actual hotels may differ from this list, depending on time of booking and rooms availability.
Day 1-4 4* Hotel Triglav / Hotel Rikli Balance in Bled
Day 5-7 4* Hotel Mangart / Hotel Sanje ob Soči in Bovec
Travel options
Starting point of this trip is Lake Bled in NW Slovenia
Getting 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
