How to trek around Slovenia – Lonely Planet
Slovenia, called the “Sunny Side of the Alps”, is a haven for hiking. For some, this is a surprise, but not a revelation. This Central European bantam-sized country, smaller than New Jersey and half of Switzerland, has five mountain ranges with more than 300 peaks above 2,000 meters. Within 20,000 square miles of the country, there are 15,000 miles of trails. The trails take you to glacial lakes, emerald rivers and the Adriatic coast.
If the country’s accreditations are still in question, these classic long-distance marches will stop the matter. They combine the advantages of Slovenia: closely connected communities, simple and stellar cuisine (Slovenia was Gastronomic region of Europe for 2021) and his passion for responsible tourism. Although there is excellent year-round hiking here, June to October are the best months when the weather is more stable and you can count on open mountain huts.
Here is a handy guide for preparing for your trek along with the five best long-distance hikes in Slovenia.
Where to stay on the hike: Slovenian mountain huts
For many, planning a hiking or mountaineering expedition can be more daunting than the trip itself. In Slovenia, this task is facilitated by a well-developed system mountain huts which supplies many of the pathways included here. As with any hike, the rule is to book in advance whenever possible. Most cottages have websites, email addresses and phone numbers. It should be noted that camping is not allowed outside of certain campsites. Be aware that many lodges and cottages close from late October to May. Plan your trip from June to October. For more extreme excursions: In the Slovenian highlands, in addition to mountain huts, there is a fairly extensive network mountain bivouacs (shelters), here called bivouacs. Some mountain huts also have uncontrolled winter rooms that are open all year round.
Eating well on the go is easy
Slovenians – in the mountains – eat well and at home. Sausages, cheese, goulash, venison and home-grown vegetables are typical. Many lodgings and cottages serve residents food for dinner and breakfast. Along the way, one should feel safe if we go through the cities to secure lunch and meals while trekking.
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What you pack is important, especially as routes become more demanding
Within Slovenia, the use of helmets and equipment via ferrata is highly recommended – especially on hikes above 2000 meters above sea level. The Mountaineering Association of Slovenia shares a checklist safety tips, equipment and hiking tips. “It all depends on the time of year you walk in, but it’s best to have the equipment you may need,” says Matija Klanjšček, a Slovenian mountaineering instructor who works with Visit GoodPlace, a provider of adventure tourism from Ljubljana. “I generally wear a helmet and monitor the difficulty of the route. Easy, moderate and difficult routes are shown on the maps as solid, dashed and dotted lines. “
Juliana Trail for stunning panoramas
The best hike for beautiful views
168 miles (270 km), 16 days
Although it was only introduced in 2019, Juliana pot feeling as if it has always been part of the Slovenian classic hiking canon. The trail offers hikers uninterrupted views of the Julian Alps, which surround the Triglav National Park, which dominates the northwestern corner of the country. Step-by-step instructions makes a relatively flat, circular hike easy to plan and takes care of all skill levels and preserves the highest Slovenian peak, 9396 meters (2864 m) Mount Triglav, in its sights. Expect stunning villages, stunning panoramas and enticing mountain towns like Bovec, which is wedged between the peaks, sits on Soča river, and boasts some of the best kayaking and rafting on the continent. Hikers can choose from mountain lodging, camping and elegant hotels along the way. All these accommodations serve beautiful alpine places, such as the famous, tectonic and glacial Bohinj Lake, where it is necessary to order trout and try locally draft beer. On the edge Lake Bled, perhaps the most iconic photo-op in the country, Bled Castle hangs on a slope overlooking Church of the Assumption of Mary, built on 12th century foundations.
A path of peace for a walk through history
The best hike in history
137 miles (220 km), 11 days
The Peace March begins in Log pod Mangartom – a village that nests in the Julian Alps – and ends in the Adriatic city of Trieste. But it’s not just a hike; illustrates the Slovenian philosophy of responsible tourism. 137 miles pot, which follows the front line of the First World War between Italy and Slovenia (then part of Austria-Hungary), is a historically themed trail for independent travelers to learn about culture while walking from place to place. (The main route can be extended by an additional 174 miles with alternate loops and routes available on site.)
As with many Slovenian trails, hikers along the Path of Peace stay in beautiful huts and cottages and visit distant communities. However, the goal and the offer of the route are unique. Hikers will explore preserved bunkers, memorial churches, trenches and museums from the First World War and gain a new perspective on the situation during the conflict. The Kobarid Museum, in the town of Kobarid, displays a wide range of artifacts, artillery, photographs and interactive exhibits that revive the First World War. We hope that the immense beauty of the region combined with history will encourage more tolerance towards others.
Slovenian mountain trail for adventures and adrenaline
The best long distance hike
383 miles (617 km), 28-35 days
Founded in 1953, Slovenian mountain trail is the longest route in the country. It starts in Maribor, on Pohorje on the eastern side of the country, runs along the northern border of the country with Austria and the Kamnik-Savinja and Karavanke regions, and turns south at the Julian Alps. Along the way there are plenty of mountain huts (about 50 spread over about 30 stages). Make a reservation accommodation in advance, whenever possible, and plan a wide range of adventures, adrenaline and educational activities, and for each hiking and skill level. Visit the town of Mojstrana Slovenian Mountain Museum, which is a great place to learn the skills and history of mountaineering. Be sure to pack your helmet to climb the via ferrata route and climb Triglav, the highest peak in the country. From there you cross the ethereal turquoise river Soča on your way through the Karst to the coast.
Via Alpina: Red and purple routes for a challenge and a prize
The best challenging trek
211 miles (340 km), 17-20 days
Slovenia has significant parts of the two routes from Via Alpina a network of five color-coded paths stretching across eight Alpine countries. The trails provide classic European hiking: often challenging, sometimes long and steep, and usually well marked. In Slovenia, homes, hotels and mountain huts provide trails (most of which serve food) and allow you to walk about 10 km (six miles) a day. Purple path and about 17 km per day on The Red Road. Simply put, think of purple as west to east and Red Path as south to north.
The Slovenian purple route (10 stages, about seven days) starts near the foot of Triglav and leads from the Julian Alps via the Kamnik-Savinja and Karavanke Mountains to Austria. Take your day for the top Triglav, the highest peak in Slovenia, before setting off. You’ll need a helmet and belt (ferrata equipment), but the looks aren’t just rewarding, they’re a must. As they say, you are not a true Slovene until you ascend to the highest point of the country. The red route, which represents the entire backbone of the entire Via Dinarica network, survives part or all of the 15 stages (around 10 days) in Slovenia. The route starts in Trieste, Italy, then heads to the Julian Alps and crosses rural borders near the junction between Slovenia, Austria and Italy. Along the way, you will pass two UNESCO heritage sites: Škocjan Caves and city Idrija, which has the second largest mercury mine on the planet. To ensure that accommodations are open – and generally stable weather – it is best to go on a hike from June to October.
Via Dinarica for tempo and lightness
Best for authentic mountain culture
94 miles (152 km), 7 days
The Via Dinarica The route took the Via Alpina concept (see above) and carried it south and east across the Dinaric Alps, which stretch across the Western Balkans. The starting point of the entire Via Dinarica route is the Nanos plateau in Slovenia‘s southwestern Karst. We continue to the east, the national part of the route ends when we reach the small municipality of Babno Polje on the Croatian border.
Hikers should be prepared for a slightly more hiking experience in the Balkans. Cottages, hostels and family-run hotels are still accommodations, but they often come at a slower and easier – and noticeably cheaper – pace. Highlights along the way include Predjama castle, mammoth Postojna Cave and a view of the Adriatic from the top of 5892 feet Snowman mountain.
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