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Duration
7 days
Activities
  • self guided walk
Accommodation
  • 6 nights in 3 star hotels
Meals
  • 6 Breakfasts

Price

$2150USD

 
 

Overview

Trip Code: LBJ

Trip highlights


  • Experience breathtaking scenery of high mountain lakes and rugged limestone peaks
  • Visit the picturesque town of Bled and enjoy a swim in the lake.
  • View the well-known and beautiful Kozjak Waterfall.
  • Hike along the Soca river walking trail - Emerald River Trail

Slovenia has been endowed with incredible natural beauty that stuns and inspires, and this active trip explores the highlights. This two centred holiday begins with time in Bled, a lovely lakeside town nestled in the foothills of the Julian Alps. Here you can try the creamy local cake, visit the cliff perched Bled Castle and walk around the famous glacial lake that features a picturesque island with a church on it. Discover the magic within nearby Vintgar Gorge and follow trails to Osojnica View Point for magnificent panoramas over Bled. Encounter tranquil Lake Bohinj in the Triglav National Park and perhaps spot wild chamois or ibex native to the area. In the adrenalin town of Bovec, choose between a challenging walk to rugged Mt Rombon or an optional white water rafting experience on the Soca River. Travel the fantastic Soca trail and cross pretty footbridges over clear alpine springs. Finish this unforgettable holiday in Slovenia's charming capital Ljubljana, a small city full of homely restaurants, cobblestone streets and an enchantment with dragons.

Trip Grading

introductory to moderate

More info about grading system

Arrive Ljubljana and transfer to Bled (approx 30-40mins drive) and your accommodation. There will be a briefing with our local representative at the hotel. On arrival in Bled, the first thing you see is the famous Lake Bled. It's very picturesque, decorated with a church on Slovenia’s only island, overlooked by a 1000-year old castle on a 130m rock and embraced by two major mountain ranges - the Karawanks and the mighty Julian Alps. After an introductory briefing with our representative to discuss your day-by-day programme, you can choose to just sit by the shore and take in this spectacular view or take a walk around it. Your accommodation for three nights is a comfortable hotel in Bled.

Meals:  Nil

After breakfast you will start your hike towards Vintgar Gorge, a fantastic display of mysterious and powerful Slovenian nature. The 1.8-kilometre long gorge is carved into the vertical rocks and its green, crystal clear water is full of rapids and small pools. The gorge is accessible via a wooden walkway stretching from the entry point all the way to 16m high Šum Waterfall, the biggest river waterfall in Slovenia. It's an easy circular route through the quaint villages of Podhom and Zasip, the beautiful rural area surrounding Bled. In the afternoon you can go on an optional self guided cycle around Bled. Ascent/descent: +100m/-100m Walking overview: Easy walk on a trail through the gorge.

Meals:  B

In the morning you take a bus to Lake Bohinj (Koca pri Savici, at 653m) to hike to the Triglav Lakes Valley. Hike across the steep hillside of Komarca until you reach Black Lake (Crno jezero), the most southern and final lake in the series of lakes of the Triglav Lakes Valley. It was named for its location, in a basin between pine forests, which give the crystal clear water a very dark colour. Continuing your hike you will come to Double Lake (Dvojno jezero) and its fairy tale-like mountain hut (at 1685m). After some rest and an optional lunch at the hut, return on the same path to Koca pri Savici where a transfer will take you back to Bled. If you still have energy you can take a short 20-minute hike to the 78m Savica waterfall, one of the largest and most well-known waterfalls in Slovenia. Return by bus to Bled. Ascent/descent: +1032m/-1032m Walking overview: Steep ascent for the first 1.5 hours, easier on the second half. Return the same way.

Meals:  B

After breakfast you take a bus from Bled towards beautiful Kranjska Gora town. Just before the road turns towards Vršic mountain pass, there's a quick stop to visit the enchanting Lake Jasna (and a change of bus). In the afternoon you can either take an easy hike to Krn Lake, the largest alpine lake in Slovenia (at 1340m) or go white water rafting on the Soca river (additional cost applies, must be pre-booked and pre-paid). Your accommodation for the next three nights is in a comfortable hotel or private accommodation in Bovec. Ascent/descent: +691m/-691m Walking overview: Easy hike on a gently sloped trail. Return the same way.

Meals:  B

Today you can have a relaxing day in and around Bovec, exploring the beautiful town and vicinity of the river Soca, enjoy a moderate hike to ascend Mt Svinjak or choose a demanding full-day hike in high alpine terrain to the mighty Mt Rombon. Mt Svinjak (1653m) is the easier ascent. Setting out from Kal-Koritnica (at 460m), the mountain is right above Bovec and has a distinct shape (it's known as "The Matterhorn of Bovec"). There are great views of the valley. Mt Rombon (2208m) has a dark history. Many tunnels and bunkers were built during WWI by the Austrian soldiers and the mountain has been the location of many brutal battles. The tunnels, bunkers, passages and ruins are a constant reminder of them, all the way to the top of the mountain. An early transfer takes you to the start of the walk at Kluze Fortress (at 532m) where you begin the ascent. The path leading to the top of this glorious mountain leads through the forest and the tunnels. It has some steep inclines and hillside passages that, after approximately 5 hours of demanding walking, bring you to the summit. The return takes you on an alternative route down to your hotel in Bovec. This walk should only be attempted in good weather as there is no hut on the mountain to seek shelter. Ascent/descent: Svinjak +1100m/-1100m, Rombon +1700m/-1700m Walking overview: mid to strenuous hiking in high alpine terrain

Meals:  B

After breakfast take a bus to the hut at the spring of river Soca (at 985m) where the Soca trail begins. There is a 15-minute walk on a well-marked path to the spring of the river, which is one of the most beautiful karst springs in the Julian Alps. The water flows from the slopes of the mountains and gushes out of an abyss, joining the riverbed in a waterfall. The trail leads entirely alongside the river Soca on a walking path and connects the tranquil parts of the Trenta Valley. A peaceful walk is livened up by loose footpath bridges crossing the river. On the way you pass by another of nature’s wonder - The Big Troughs of the Soca (Velika korita Soce). Standing on a swinging footbridge you will have a marvellous view of the 750m long, 12m deep and at some parts only 2m wide emerald troughs. Walking overview: easy hike along the Soca river, mostly downhill.

Meals:  B

Trip arrangements end after breakfast with a bus journey to Ljubljana.

Meals:  B


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.
On self guided trips, actual route information provided before departure will be more detailed.


Inclusions

  • 6 breakfasts - continental breakfasts are served and usually consist of breads, jams, coffee and tea
  • 6 nights in 3 star hotels / private accommodation with private facilities on a twinshare basis
  • Tour briefing on day 1
  • Digital information pack including route notes, maps & GPX tracks
  • Transfers as described in the itinerary
  • Transfer from Ljubljana (airport or centre) to Lake Bled (day 1) and from Bovec to Lepena (day 5)
  • Bus tickets: Lake Bled to Bohinj and return (day 3), Bled-Bovec (day 4), Bovec- Soca spring (day 6) and Bovec-Ljubljana (day7)
  • Vintgar Gorge entrance ticket (day 2)
  • Emergency contact number

  • Travel to and from Ljubljana
  • Meals not listed as included, drinks
  • Travel insurance - mandatory
  • Guide – this is a self-guided walking holiday
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room
  • Entrance fees not listed as included
  • Transfers not listed as included
  • Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage
  • Optional private transfers to replace bus travel - supplement applies
  • Optional rafting on Soca river on day 4 - must be pre-booked and pre-paid
  • Items of a personal nature

Grading

introductory to moderate  

INTRODUCTORY TO MODERATE - GRADE 2 This is an introductory to moderate grade walk along paths that are well defined and clearly marked. You should be able to walk for up to 5 - 6 hours a day over hilly to steep terrains (note: the optional hikes on day 5 are more challenging - Mt Svinjak is graded moderate and Mt Rombon is challenging with 9-11 hours of walking). Weather conditions may be harsh at times (even in summer), and you will need to be comfortable walking in such conditions. A reasonable to good level of fitness is required and prior experience is advisable. As with all of our trips it is important that you are well prepared. We suggest that you undertake regular exercise – swimming, cycling, and jogging, two to three times a week for three months prior to your departure.


Departure dates

Daily from 15 May to 15 Oct

Want to organise a private group?

Fundraising events, sporting groups, family treats; learn how you can organise a Private Group from just 6 travellers.

Priceper person from

$2150USD

Options & Supplements*
  • Optional rafting on Soca river on day 4USD$60
  • Single SupplementUSD$710
  • Solo traveller supplementUSD$760
*Prices listed are per person

Trip reviews


Why travel with us

Making Europe Affordable

We offer different levels of accommodation and comfort so that even the most budget conscious can treat themselves to active holidays on Europe's most celebrated tracks and trails. Our trips are great value for money because you only pay for what you want.  

Self-Guided Specialists

Our wide range of self-guided itineraries embody the UTracks philosophy of exploring Europe your way. We handle the logistics so all that's left for you to do is enjoy exploring Europe at your own pace. Most depart daily with a minimum of two people, meaning maximum flexibility.

Our Wide Range

With close to 400 trips in almost 50 countries, including the largest range of bike & boat holidays in Europe, we're confident that we can organise an Alps walk, Camino de Santiago or Via Francigena experience, Food Lovers' trip or a tour in a lesser-known pocket of Europe that you will love. 

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