Best of Slovenia and the Julian Alps

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive Venice | Transfer to Bovec | Orientation and Welcome Dinner

Arrive Venice Marco Polo Airport. Meet the group at 12:00 noon and transfer to Bovec in the Soca River Valley. We’ll start with a short trip to a nearby waterfall. Orientation and dinner. Night at 4-star hotel in Bovec (Hotel Dobra Vila) (SD)

Distance: 2 miles | Ascent 200 ft | Descent 200 ft (may vary)

Day 2 – Bovec | Soca Valley | Triglav National Park

We start with a gentle, undemanding hike on the Kobarid Historic Trail but with great scenery and rich in the history and culture of the Soca Valley. We start in the historic town of Kobarid, and walk to Kostnica and on to Tonovec Castle, which was settled in the Stone Age. Along the route we discover remains and fortifications from the First and Second World Wars. The region is one of the most important ancient hilltop settlements in the Alps. (BSD)

Distance: 5 miles | Ascent 350 feet | Descent 350 feet (may vary)

Day 3 – Bovec | Multisport adventures in Soca River and Valley

Bovec (pronounced “bo-vets”) is the adventure sports center of Slovenia. You’ll choose from the most popular adventure sports options available in the area, including whitewater rafting or kayaking in the emerald waters of thee Soca River or cycling on the around this scenic valley. We provide you with the equipment and training to fulfil your adventure aspirations. Today is also a great time to do any last minute outfitting before we take off for the alpine reaches of the Julian Alps. (BSD)

Day 4 – Bovec | Trek into Triglav National Park

A short shuttle transfer from Bovec takes us into Triglav National Park and high into the Lepena Valley to begin our ascending traverse of the Julian Alps. We arrive at Planinski dom Krnskih Jezerih, our mountain hut (dormitory-style sleeping) set at an elevation of 1375 meters. For those still up for the challenge, we can make an ascent of nearby Mount Krn (2244m). (BSD)

Distance: 4 miles | Ascent 2215 ft | Descent 100 ft | (optional Krn ascent: 2850 ft- may vary)

Day 5 – Triglav National Park Traverse | Lake Bohinj

From our refuge high in the Julian Alps, we continue our ascent above timberline to Bogatinsko Saddle where you’ll be rewarded with commanding views and a satisfying lunch. From the saddle we begin our descent through glacial tarns and into deep forest before arriving at the pristine alpine setting of Lake Bohinj. The Savica waterfall is the perfect place to cool your feet following a long descent. A short shuttle transfer takes us to our 4-star hotel on Lake Bled for the evening. (BSD)

Distance: 9 miles | Ascent 1805 ft | Descent 4120 ft (may vary)

Day 6 – Lake Bled | Bled Castle and Lake Cruise

After our challening traverse through Triglav National Park in the Julian Alps, you'll enjoy a less strenuous, but very active day to explore the rich history and cultural treasures around Lake Bled. We visit cliff-hanging Bled Castle with a thousand years of history and sweeping view of the lake and surrounding region. In the afternoon we row across the lake to Blejski Otok, the island capped by a 17th-century Baroque church. A visit to a large apiary introduces us to the Slovenian traditional beekeeping. (BSD)

Distance: 4 miles | Ascent 300 ft | Descent 300 ft (may vary)

Day 7 – Lake Bled | Hiking in Lake Bled Region

A favorite but little known hike near Lake Bled takes us to the Vintgar Gorge where sheer canyon walls rise up to 300 feet overhead. This dramatic gorge remined inaccessible and unexplored until 1890. We ascend the gorge, carved at the end of the last ice age by the Radovna River. We arrive at Sum Falls (literally "noisy falls"), the largest river waterfall in Slovenia.  (BSD)

Distance: 5 miles | Ascent 890 ft | Descent 890 ft (may vary)

Day 8 – Lake Bled | Postojna Caves | Return to Venice

Departing the scenic shores of Lake Bled, we continue through rustic countryside and small hilltowns to Postojna Caves (poh-STOY-nah), with over 12 miles of explored caverns, many of which are illuminated and made easily accessible by a train that takes us to many of the most interesting and ornate formations. We have a farewell dinner in Postojna before returning to Venice and our hotel near the airport. (BSD)

Distance: 3 miles | Ascent 200 feet  Descent: 200 feet (may vary)

Day 9 – Depart

After breakfast plan your departure or onward travel (B)