Walking the garden of Eden
Hiking in Slovenia, western part. A collection of different grade walks, from medium to hard, it features walks along mountain ridges, meadows and valley floors, slowly descending from north to south. This is a very picturesque alpine trail with stunning views at every turn, and is suitable for experienced walkers with appropriate equipment.
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL IN in KRANJSKA GORA
This renowned alpine town, also celebrated as a famous ski resort, serves as the tour's starting point. Your initial night will be spent here, embraced by the breathtaking beauty of the western Julian Alps. In the evening, explore the abundance of excellent restaurants and be sure to indulge in the renowned local specialty, Kranjska Klobasa (sausage).
Day 2: KRANJSKA GORA - TRENTA‚ VRSIC PASS (hard, 7 hrs, ↔ 19 km, ↑ 890 m, ↓ 1.080 m)
Embarking on the Alpe Adria Trail, you'll commence with a magnificent hike over Vršič, Slovenia's highest mountain pass. Along the way, you'll be treated to panoramic views of the heart of the Julian Alps, showcasing its most majestic peaks, while the roaring River Soča accompanies your journey. As the day concludes, a car transfer will take you to the charming town of Bovec. It's a day filled with awe-inspiring natural beauty and invigorating mountain air.
Day 3: TRENTA - BOVEC (intermediate, 6 hrs, ↔ 21 km, ↑ 280 m, ↓ 440 m)
A brief car ride transports you from Bovec to the enchanting Trenta Valley. Here, the Soča Trail guides you along the glimmering emerald waters of the Soča River, tracing its sinuous path through the valley. Regarded as one of the world's most exquisite rivers, you'll traverse wooden bridges and venture through the awe-inspiring Great Soča Gorge, also known as Velika Korita. This particular stretch is so enchanting that it served as a filming location for parts of the Chronicles of Narnia. It's a truly magical experience in this natural wonderland.
Day 4: BOVEC - DREZNICA (hard, 7 hrs, ↔ 23 km, ↑ 480 m, ↓ 390 m)
A day dedicated to waterfalls awaits you. To start, you'll encounter the stunning Virje Waterfall. Here, pure alpine water flows from the nearby Kanin mountains through the Gljun River, forming a multi-tiered, 20-meter-wide cascade that pours into a captivating pool displaying varying shades of green. Continuing, you'll hike to the Boka Waterfall, the largest in Slovenia. Your night's rest will be in the quaint village of Dreznica, perched high above the Isonzo valley. During World War I, this area saw intense combat, so be sure to explore the small military museum housing a collection of war memorabilia.
Day 5: DREZNICA - TOLMIN (hard, 8 hrs, ↔ 21 km, ↑ 740 m, ↓ 1.090 m)
Today you'll join the Path of Peace, a trail that marries the heritage of the Isonzo Front with the stunning scenery of the Western Slovenian Alps. This is a memorial trail dedicated to the casualties of WW1, which runs through six outdoor museums and numerous chapels, including the lovely Kapela na Planici.
Day 6: TOLMIN - TRIBILJ SUPERIORE (hard, 6 hrs, ↔ 20 km, ↑ 1.260 m, ↓ 820 m)
The pinnacle of this hike lies in the ascent via the Kolovrat Ridge. Here, you'll be treated to awe-inspiring views of distant alpine peaks on one side, while the serene landscape stretches as far as the Adriatic on the other. The path leads you into Italy, along the renowned Walk of Peace (Sentiero della Pace / Pot Miru). During World War I, Kolovrat Mountain bore witness to intense battles, leaving behind an array of impressive monuments, including an open-air museum. Equally remarkable are the various emplacements and bunkers scattered along the trail towards Tribilj Superiore. It's a journey infused with both natural beauty and historical significance.
Day 7: TRIBILJ SUPERIORE - CIVIDALE DEL FRIULI (hard, 7 hrs, ↔ 24 km, ↑ 440 m, ↓ 940 m)
To begin with, you'll follow an old connecting path between the plain and the mountain villages of Stregna and Drenchia municipalities, traversing chestnut woods and old pasture land, and passing WW1 fortifications. Then, from the medieval pilgrimage town of Castelmonte, the oldest shrine in the region, there is an open view of the Friulian lowlands. The well preserved sanctuary is one of the most magnificent churches of the former patriarchy of Aquileia. Cividale del Friuli was one of the most important settlements of the Lombard Kingdom in Italy.
Day 8: DEPARTURE
After breakfast or extension of your stay.
Price
Price per person in a double room sharing:
Low season: May 20 to June 2 and September 28 to October 5, 2024: 980 EUR
High season: June 3 to September 27, 2024: 1.015 EUR
(Currency converter)
Price includes:
• seven nights accommodation in hotels 2* and 3* / guest-houses 2* in a two-bed room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis
• luggage transfer between overnight addresses (one piece max 23 kgs / 50 lb per person) - every additional piece 60 EUR per trip, payable on spot
• transfers on days 2 and 3
• tour description and maps in GUIBO application electronic form
• local tourist and other taxes
• welcome meeting
• backup service (hotline) during the walk
Supplements:
• single traveler 460 EUR - applies when a person travels alone
• single room 320 EUR low season, 355 EUR high season - applies when a person travels with a group
• printed information package including route notes and corresponding maps delivered upon arrival - 30 EUR
Additional nights:
• 3* Hotel in Kranjska Gora 85 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 155 EUR
• 4* Hotel in Cividale del Friuli 75 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 105 EUR
Discounts:
• children up to 5 years: free of charge when sharing bed and room with parents
• children up from 5 to 12 years: when sharing room with parents and sleeping on an auxiliary bed -40% on basic price
• children up from 5 to 12 years: when sharing room with parents and sleeping on a regular bed -20% on basic price
• third adult in the room -10% on basic price
Not included: flights, entrance fees, meals not mentioned in itinerary, drinks with meals
Transfers:
Ljubljana Airport to Kranjska Gora
1–3 persons: 110 EUR
4–8 persons: 140 EUR
Ljubljana City to Kranjska Gora
1–3 persons: 130 EUR
4–8 persons: 180 EUR
Cividale to Ljubljana Airport
1–3 persons: 170 EUR
4–8 persons: 190 EUR
Cividale to Ljubljana City
1–3 persons: 180 EUR
4–8 persons: 210 EUR
Cividale to Kranjska Gora
1–3 persons: 160 EUR
4–8 persons: 190 EUR
Cividale to Trieste Airport
1–3 persons: 130 EUR
4–8 persons: 150 EUR
All prices per transfer, one way. No pooling permitted.
Accommodation
Helia is committed to promoting responsible travel. In our journeys, we prioritize the use of small, genuine hotels and guesthouses imbued with local character, often run by local families.
Day 1: 3* Hotel Miklič; Kranjska Gora
Day 2-3: 4* Hotel Mangart; Bovec
Day 4: 3* Guesthouse Jelkin Hram; Drežnica
Day 5: 3* Hotel Dvorec; Tolmin
Day 6: 2* Guesthouse Tribilj
Day 7: 3* Hotel Roma, Cividale del Friuli
Travel options
Starting point of this trip is Kranjska Gora in NW Slovenia, at the Slovene / Austrian / Italian border.
Getting there...
By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it (check details here). From the airport, you can travel to Kranjska Gora by bus (change once in Kranj, takes about 3 hrs) or book our transfer - please ask us for a favorable quote!
By train: nearest railway stations are Tarvisio / Italy (useful for arrivals from Trieste or Venice), Villach / Austria (for arrivals from Munich or Vienna) or Jesenice / Slovenia for arrivals from Ljubljana.
By bus: Flixbus stops at Lake Bled, 42 km away.
By car: take exit Karavanke from the A1 motorway Ljubljana - Jesenice, Karavanke and then follow signposts to Kranjska Gora. From the motorway Villach - Venice, take exit Tarvisio in Italy or exit Villach West in Austria. Unguarded parking at first hotel for the duration of your trip costs 5 EUR per night per car.
... and away
You can choose one of the options above.
