SLOVENIA HIKING JULIAN ALPS, SOCA VALLEY
Prepare your eyes for lush greens and sparkling emerald blues. Get ready for a back-to-nature getaway well and truly off the tourist radar. Slovenia is one of Europe’s jewels, a small country in Central Europe. A forgotten gem with underdeveloped tourism and a whole lot to offer. The snow-capped peaks and turquoise-green rivers and lakes make Slovenia a true paradise for hikers, outdoor and nature lovers. Discover Slovenia before the tourists crowds do.
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DAY 1: ARRIVAL
Suggested flight: Amsterdam (Schiphol) → Ljubljana 6.35 – 8.20
Today we arrive at the airport of Ljubljana, from where we have a transfer to our guesthouse in Kobarid, the Soča Valley (2hours). Luckily we have an early flight so in the afternoon we can visit the beautiful Kozjak waterfall. The Kozjak waterfall is perhaps the most photogenic of all waterfalls in the Soča valley and it’s only a short hike from where we are staying.
Meals: welcome dinner
DAY 2: HIKE THE SOCA VALLEY
The Soča Valley is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled valleys in Europe. It is a valley of wonderful colours, full of waterfalls, pools, ravines and canyons. Its most dominant feature is the 136km Soča River, which can widen to 500m and narrow to less than a metre but always stays a deep, almost unreal aquamarine colour.
Meals: breakfast, dinner
DAY 3: HIKE JULIAN ALPS
The Julian Alps, renowned for their rugged beauty, form an astonishing backdrop to the pretty villages scattered along vivid green valleys watered by crystal-clear streams and trout-filled rivers such as the Soča. Little known outside Slovenia, the Julian Alps are the unsung mountains of Europe. Giant limestone peaks dramatically twist their way from the lush, verdant meadows of the valleys below, creating a unique landscape that Slovenians are proud to call their own.
Meals: breakfast, dinner
DAY 4: RAFTING/ MOUNTAIN BIKE ADVENTURE
In the morning we take it easy because we need our energy in the afternoon. The Soča valley is a true “Mecca” for outdoor sports. The Soča river is one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe. Each year countless water sport lovers enjoy its beauty and its playful flow. Today we can choose how we’d like to eplore the area: on a whitewater raft or one a mountain bike.
ONE THING, IF YOU CHOOSE WHITEWATER RAFTING YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO SWIM!
Meals: breakfast, dinner
DAY 5: HIKE FROM ITALY TO SLOVENIA
Because we are so close to the Italian border, we might as well include Italy in this trip. Today we drive to Italy from where we hike back to Slovenia. A beautiful hike with amazing views.
Meals: breakfast, dinner
DAY 6: TIME TO SAY GOODBYE
After an early breakfast it’s time to bid farewell to this enchanting place and take our transfer back to Ljubljana airport.
Suggested flight: Ljubljana → Amsterdam (Schiphol) 9.05 – 11.00
Meals: breakfast (depending on the time of the flight)
ESSENTIAL INFO
THE HIKES
Our hikes will be between 15-20 km long, some a bit longer, some a bit shorter. A walking day is normally five to seven hours and daily ascents will likely be around 500m to 800m, perhaps with the odd day ascending around 900m to 1000m. Suitable hiking footwear is essential due to the rough, uneven and rocky terrain. No prior hiking experience is necessary, but good health and reasonable fitness are important. The climbs are moderately demanding with some long days of sustained walking with a backpack. The effects of altitude will also reduce your level of strength. Therefore, you will enjoy the trip all the more if you are in good physical shape.
WATER ACTIVITIES/ MOUNTAINBIKING
Because we are based in the Soca Valley the Slovenian ‘Mecca’ for water/ outdoor sports this trip will also involve some optional activities: Rafting or Mountainbiking.
!FOR THE WATER ACTIVITIES YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO SWIM!
ACCOMMODATION
You will spend each night in a guesthouse with en-suite rooms. The guesthouse just outside the centre of Kobarid, is a small family run guesthouse with 13 rooms equipped with TV, telephone and safe. The guest house also features a small fitness room and games room, internet facilities are available.
The guest house’s restaurant offers traditional Slovenian cuisine, which can be enjoyed on the front terrace with lovely views of the village and mountains beyond.
FOOD
Slovenian cooking borrows a little something from each of its neighbours – Italy, Austria, Hungary and the Balkans – synthesising and reinventing dishes that emerge both familiar and unique. Slovenians have an obsession for using only fresh and locally sourced ingredients. The result is a terrific foodie destination. Slovenian wine is an unheralded strength, and regional whites and reds pair well with local specialties.
WHAT IS INCLUDED?
INCLUDED:
5 nights accommodation in twin rooms (free WiFi)
5 breakfasts and 5 dinners in a restaurant
3 guided hikes by a certified Slovenian guide
Half a day of rafting or mountain biking
Airport pick up and drop off (the guesthouse is 2 hours from the airport)
Transportation to the hikes
NOT INCLUDED:
Flights
Drinks
Lunches (8-10 Euro a day)
Tourist tax (1,27 per person, per night to be paid in the guesthouse)
Travel insurance
