The ultimate guide to hiking in Slovenia

Europe has long been a popular holiday destination, whether it's a steamy summer holiday or a Christmas market train trip. For hiking enthusiasts, Europe offers seemingly endless trekking trips, from the calm Levada Walk in Madeira to the long-distance Camino de Santiago hiking pilgrimage. However, while Scotland, Portugal and Spain often attract a lot of attention, Slovenia is gradually rising as a premier hiking destination.

Located between Italy, Austria and Croatia, it hits the Adriatic Sea, and Slovenia offers the same world-class wine, gastronomy and sky-high alpine peaks, but the area is still low in price and less crowds. Masu. Whether you're looking for a fierce trek to tackle on your own or a gentle hiking itinerary for the whole family, here's where you'll be hiking in Slovenia.

(Related: See Madeira's dramatic scenery)

Best hiking for beginners

If you've seen photos of Slovenia, it could be that it contains a quiet, crystalline lake with towering snowy mountains in the background. This is Lakebread, Slovenia's most iconic destination. And while most visitors tend not to be far from the hotel's balcony or walkable waterfront paths, they are actually a great hiking destination.

According to Zuzana Sochorova, a travel leader in Wilderness Travel Slovenia, Lake Bled is especially suitable for beginners. Because “it's an ideal place to incorporate some short hikes into a wider itinerary.” Sochorova says the lake area is short with minimal elevation gains that still reward visitors with stunning views. It explains that it is surrounded by easy walks and hiking.

The picturesque lake and red roofed island church (of course visited by a Venetian-style gondola) tends to be on the must-see list of most travelers, so Bread hikes and also It's a practical place to do all the other bits.

Challenging, multi-day trekking

Covering much of the Julian Alps, Trigraf National Park is Slovenia's only national park and is the perfect place to head down challenging routes. The park is named after Triglav, the highest peak in Slovenia, 9,396 feet tall and proud. Its Mountain Ridge trekking is a great place to find Chamois and Ibex (big alpine goat-like animals) and Golden Eagles. Sochorova explains, “It's a very technical hike and requires the use of Via Ferrata, which makes it a challenge for very experienced hikers as well.”

Sochorova warns against this, although it is technically possible to summit Triglav in one day. Instead, she proposes to work on the trek in two days and work on overnight at Triglavski dom Na Kredarici, Slovenia's tallest mountain lodge.

For a long-distance hike, embark on a hiking adventure from the shed to the Hat, or head to the Alpea Doria Trail, a 460-mile trail that crosses the borders of Slovenia, Austria and Italy. In the Slovenian section, you will take you from the fairy tale forests of the Socha Valley to the wine region of the country's western part of the country.

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Cave hiking in Slovenia

With 13,000 caves (and counts), Slovenia is a cave country. Earthly landscapes like Swiss cheese run across the country and offer hiking in all different abilities. Skocjanske Jame (Skocjan Caves), a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's largest cave systems, is a rewarding option for hikers with minimal interest in caves. Underpasses, boardwalks and steep staircases lead visitors through a massive 3.8-mile cave system and up the Rushing Reka River. At some point in the route, this route may not be ideal for those who are afraid of height as they cross an underground bridge above the river.

Another option is within the Postojna Cave, Predjama Castle, medieval castles and cliffs, near the world's largest cave castle. A children's train will take you to the cave, while more adventurous trekkers can take a tour exploring the deeper parts of the cave.

Best hiking for history lovers

Peter Renalsic of the Slovenian Outdoor Association said that “Slovenia has vast ruins of underground fortress from the Rupnik Line and the Socha frontline (two world wars), so underground explorations are also a history enthusiast. It says it could be a great option for you. Lenarcic adds that some people can visit themselves with a good torchlight, many are also nearby other hiking trails.

For history lovers who like to stay on earth, Renalcich explores the path of peace, including old wine transport routes and fire ditches, bunkers and other war debris that lie along the 67-mile stretch. We recommend the Trappist trails on the miles. Mountains, rivers and small towns between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea. (Some of the Peace Of Peace Trail has been repaired. Please see here for current conditions.)

The short options are the history of Covalid, a roughly four-mile trail, a mixture of forests, waterfalls, World War I bunker remnants, and small town history museums, like the World War I centered Covalid Museum It's a trail like this.

Family friendly hiking

Children can hike the trails around Slovenian caves and the lake below, but more fun, think of the trails that the chairlift will reach. “If you're hiking with your family, we recommend a hiking area that is accessible by cable car, especially if you have younger people or are traveling with people with limited mobility.” .

He recommends Verika Planna, a mountainous region near the town of Kamnik, Europe's largest herdsmen's settlement that comes in summer to graze cattle on Alpine pastures. Not only is there a great family-friendly hike here, but there is also a culturally immersive experience as some kids open their sheds to provide visitors with traditional lunches.