Hiking in Slovenia

Find Your Hiking Trail in Slovenia

Slovenia is one of Europe’s best hidden gems. While it gets more popular each year, many regions of the country remain virtually clear of mass tourism. The hot spots, like the highest peak, Triglav, and the most visited landmark, Lake Bled, see the majority of tourists, while hikes in the Karawanks, Kamniks, and certain parts of the Julian Alps  remain mostly frequented by locals. If you want to see the real Slovenia, plan a tour and get ready to be happily surprised.

When you hike in Slovenia, be it for a day hike or a thru-hike, you’ll come across one or many of their mountain huts. Some of these huts date back to the 1800s and give you a feeling for Slovenia’s long mountaineering history. You’ll get to pour over maps and cups of coffee with other hikers as you plan your next stages, try Slovenian delicacies such as blejska kremšnita, and watch the sun set over the mountains around you. The feeling of camaraderie in the mountains is alive and well here.

The country is small, but since it is home to a few mountain ranges, it can take a while to get around. It’s best to either rent a car or use the bus system, which will take you where you need to go. There are also many fantastic towns you can explore between treks, including Bohinj, Bovec, Trenta, Tolmin and Ljubljana itself.

Best Hikes in Slovenia

Some of Slovenia’s best long-distance trails include the Slovenian Mountain Trail, Soča Trail, Juliana Trail, and Triglav Summit. There are also many multi-country thru-hikes that pass through Slovenia, including the Alpe Adria Trail, the Wolf Trail, and the Via Dinarica White Trail.

For high mountain adventures and a test of endurance, the Slovenian Mountain Trail is your route. This trail summits 40 peaks in as many days and is 617 kilometers across the entire country. You’ll sleep in mountain huts every night and will come to know Slovenia’s landscapes closely.

The Juliana Trail is another beautiful long distance trail in Slovenia, without the daily peaks of the Slovenian Mountain Trail. You’ll hike 270 kilometers in a loop around Triglav National Park, still with plenty of climbs, but less strain. You can complete the trail in 16-23 days, depending on if you incorporate the route variants.

If you’re looking for a day hike, the Soča Trail is a great option. The 25-kilometer trail follows the clear blue waters of the Soča River through gorges and forests, with plenty of spots to stop and swim. The Soča Valley is one of Slovenia’s best areas with lots to see, including suspension bridges, Triglav National Park, and the towns of Bovec and Trenta. You’ll hike near the road in the valley for a lot of the time, which means you can start or stop wherever you’d like.

If you’re unsure where to begin, you can work with local tour operators like Slotrips to book a self-guided or group tour. Working with a local organization to help arrange your trip can be helpful, especially if you want to hike in less popular regions and need help with language or understanding the accessibility and difficulty levels of where you want to go.

Something to note about trekking in Slovenia: trails that are listed as easy are usually moderate, trails listed as moderate are actually difficult, and so on. The mountains are full of scree slopes, steep exposed sections, and a lot of bolts and steel cables. There are milder areas to hike in, like the Soča Valley, but no matter where you go, you should be ready to push yourself!

Accommodation and Transit

Between your hiking tours in Slovenia, you can stay in some of the country’s nicest towns. The most popular are Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj, two beautiful regions surrounded by mountain peaks and blue water.

Lake Bled can be pricey, since it is the most famous stop in the country, but Lake Bohinj is a fantastic alternative. The small town has lots of accommodation options, with everything from a hostel to self-serve apartments to luxury 4-star hotels. If you’re looking for a wellness hotel, stay at Hotel Bohinj for their alpine theme with a full spa and healthy, locally sourced dishes at their restaurant. And if you’re looking for an even more elevated experience while you’re in Slovenia, try Vila Muhr. With only four suites, all equipped with saunas or baths, the hotel’s standards are luxurious. These are both a guaranteed pleasure after spending a few days in mountain huts.

Getting around in Slovenia can be very easy with the right planning. From town to town is simple by bus or train, especially if you begin in Ljubljana. If you’re planning to hike starting at a trailhead near Bohinj, there are shuttle buses that drive multiple times a day to different trail access points. You can learn more about the shuttles in Bohinj here. Likewise, there is a bus in Bled that has stops at a few trailheads as well.

Slovenia is one of the best hiking destinations in Europe for your next tour. While it’s not experiencing as much mass-tourism as other locations throughout the Alps, some areas still book up quickly. Make sure you book your tour early in the year to secure the dates you want.