Slovenia & Italy – Lakes & Valleys Hiking & Biking Tour

Today is your arrival day to Slovenia, and you will want to take some time to explore this extraordinary city and adjust to the time change. Arrival to your hotel is on your own.

Note: We highly recommend arriving a day earlier, so that you have time to explore this magical city and allow for any airline mishaps/flight delays!

Overnight: Ljubljana

Your adventure continues with a morning transfer to Bled Lake – the most visited lake in all of Slovenia! After the bike-fitting and trip briefing, the route will take you first to the medieval town of Radovljica, known locally as the chocolate capital of Slovenia. In the old town you can learn about the beauties and importance of beekeeping at the town’s apiculture museum and visit the local chocolatier and store. After lunch, cycle back to Bled Lake, where you can tour Bled on your own – by bike or on foot. Visit the lake’s picturesque island and the castle, or go for a relaxed walk around the lake.

Meals: breakfast, chocolate class
Distance: 25 km / 16 mi; +/-393m
Overnight: Bled

Wake up at the beautiful Bled Lake. If you missed out on visiting the island or the castle yesterday, you can do it this morning. Alternatively, you can ride straight to Bohinj, following a scenic cycling trail through the valley of the once majestic Bohinj glacier. On your way, stop by a cheese maker for a tasting of local cheeses, and to learn about the tradition of Bohinj cheese. Once at the lake, you can extend your ride to a beautiful waterfall, or enjoy one of many lakeside activities – swimming, paddleboarding, canoeing etc. Go for dinner at one of several great restaurants just walking distance from your hotel and have a taste of locally-made Karakter gin at the lakeside bar.

Meals: breakfast & cheese tasting
Distance: 30 km / 19 mi, +/-393m
Overnight: Bohinj

Today you wake up at the heart of the Triglav National Park. Put on your hiking boots to explore the pristine nature of the area. Bohinj is a beautiful environmentally protected area, and it is often ranked as one of the top outdoor destinations within Europe! We will provide specific suggestions based on your preferences and strengths. In the afternoon, if time allows, you can do some more lakeside activities on your own, as you like!

Meals: breakfast
Hiking Distances: options range from shorter/easier to longer/more difficult; 5-12 mi.
Overnight: Bohinj

Continue your adventure with a short transfer to the train station in Bohinjska Bistrica. From there, you will enjoy a 40 min scenic train ride to Soca River valley, Most na Soci, followed by a short transfer to the start of your hike through the Tolmin gorge, known as the lowest entry point to the Triglav National Park, and the most magnificent natural attraction in Tolmin. After lunch, hike through the countryside scenery to your accommodation in Kobarid, following a stretch of an award-winning long-distance hiking trail named the Juliana Trail. OR, catch a bus from Tolmin to Kobarid. The town of Kobarid is famous for its WW1 history and its spectacular landscape, making it the perfect place to spend the next two nights!

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 18 km / 11 mi, +/-256m; (shorter if taking the bus)
Overnight: Kobarid

A day in Kobarid is filled with options for different adventures! A leisurely 2.5-3 mile walk will take you through green forests to Kozjak, a hidden waterfall. If you’re interested in history, visit the Kobarid Museum to learn about World War I and the Soska fronta – Isonzo Front, described by Hemingway in his book Farewell to Arms. You can also hike next stage of Juliana Trail ( stage 13) from Kobarid to Bovec. If you like water activities, start your day with an adrenaline rush on a rafting expedition on the Soca river (different sections exist seasonally, from Class I-IV.) For those with more interest in animals and nature, you may wish to go horseback riding with a local ranch. End your day with a delicious dinner at our favourite restaurant. Activities are subject to an additional fee, depending on what you choose. Rafting must be booked on your own; hiking is free.

Meals: breakfast
Overnight: Kobarid

Today, you will don a different bike – an e-bike is the perfect way to explore the wine country! A morning shuttle takes you to the top of Kolovrat mountain ridge, where you can explore the trenches, tunnels, and pathways of the outdoor WW1 Museum before the start of your e-bike ride to Goriska Brda wine country. The route takes you along a panoramic road with stunning vistas to both Slovenian and Italian sides of the border, eventually bringing you to an area of seemingly endless vineyards and orchards. The area is lush and fertile, producing not only wine and olive oil, but also fruits such as figs, cherries, apricots, and peaches. Finish at the charming medieval town of Smartno, nested within the vineyards and olive groves. Before dinner, stop by a local connoisseur for a winel tasting, and learn first-hand about the agricultural heritage of the area.

Meals: breakfast, wine or tasting
Distance: 35 km / 21 mi, +/-1233m
Overnight: Brda

Awake in the beautiful surroundings of lush vineyards and groves, often described as the “Tuscany of Slovenia.” After a late breakfast,our private transfer takes you through the hilly region along the Slovenian-Italian border. Pass by old settlements and perfectly preserved hilltop villages to Gorizia, a historic city of on the Italian side of the border. From there, you will catch a scenic train ride to Trieste, a picturesque city at the northernmost point of the Mediterranean Sea. Trieste boasts a unique blend of blend of Italian, Slovenian, and Austrian influences. Check-into your accommodation and explore the city on your own to discover its intriguing history, famous coffee culture, and eclectic Continental-Mediterranean cuisine.

Meals: breakfast

Your tour ends today, after breakfast, and departure arrangements are on your own. You may wish to continue on and visit Piran or Venice, accessible by train. We hope you enjoyed your time in Slovenia!

Meals: breakfast