New route! Try our Slovenian Highlands holiday

Foothills of the Julian Alps to Lake Bled

The northwest corner of Slovenia is a walkers’ paradise once the skiers have left in the spring. In its summer clothes the area is verdant, and the plentiful rivers flow with impossibly pale blue water from the mountains of the Triglav National Park.

Our new Slovenian Highlands route gives a sense of being in the mountains, but without tricky ascents and descents. From fashionable Kranjska Gora and the town of Mojstrana you’ll explore the valleys that gradually narrow from wide meadows and lakes to river rapids and waterfalls, as far as you can go without getting into mountaineering territory.

Cross the Sava valley and ascend to tiny Pod Golico, from where you’ll scale the steep, grassy slopes of the Golica ridge for views into Austria, before turning south through woodland to a hiker’s hut and onwards to the relative sophistication of Lake Bled.

The tiny island with its lovely church spire is much-photographed, but you can avoid most of the Instagrammers on a gentle lakeside hike with a viewpoint over the lake, or take a short transfer to the spectacular Vintgar Gorge and its boardwalk above tumbling waters.

We’ve found some lovely small hotels and B&Bs full of character and history, or carefully selected apartments. Enjoy hearty fayre at the mountain huts and refuges, experiencing the renowned friendliness of the people of this little country at the northern limits of the Balkans.

The eight-night holiday is available from mid-May to mid-September, graded Medium, and priced from £1185 (based on two sharing).  Visit the Slovenian Highlands webpage or give us a call for more details – Debbie and Simon have both walked the route, and can give advice based on their own experiences.

We hold a soft spot in our hearts for the Yorkshire Dales. The green meadows dotted with stone barns and the wilder uplands are a special part of the wide and welcoming landscapes of northern England.

This area has been home to our route designers (and long-time On Foot clients) Shaun and Lynda for many years. We asked Shaun what it means to them.

Why do you love the Yorkshire Dales?
Everything about the Dales is special. It’s so unspoilt and sparsely populated – despite being only 30-40 miles from a number of major cities, it could be a world away. The people, the scenery, the gorgeous villages – what more could you want?!

How long have you lived there?
We’ve lived here for 14 years, but have visited for the past 50. We’ve always enjoyed walking in the Dales – the quietness and beauty of the area is such a contrast to the West Yorkshire town we lived in before. When we took early retirement, it was at the top of our list.

What do you think it is that creates the particular character of the Dales? 
Of course, it is Yorkshire, so it has to be good! The landscapes are influenced by the geology, which creates extraordinary features such as the cliffs and limestone pavement at Malham Cove, and the knobbly Brimham Rocks. The agriculture is mainly sheep farming, which makes for excellent walking as the fields are perfectly manicured pastures and easy underfoot. 

The picture-postcard villages such as Grassington, Kettlewell, Malham and Austwick are lovely small communities. Despite the ‘Yorkshire grit’ tag which comes from our northern hardiness, Yorkshire folk are so friendly, open and helpful. They’re always ready to stop for a chat and to test you out with a bit of our famous dialect. 

What’s the walking like on our route?
It’s excellent, and very varied. There are only two steep climbs of note and a few short, sharp pulls, but also quite a lot of easy-going walking mixed in. Underfoot it is generally very good even after rain, and there are no peat bogs, thank goodness! The route is very quiet except for a few villages that can be a little busier at weekends.

What are your favourite places on our route?

That’s difficult to answer, but if pressed we would say Thieves Moss and Ingleborough for their rugged beauty, closely followed by Wharfedale and Malhamdale which are much more pastoral and gentler in nature. The contrast between the start and end of the walk is staggering for such a small area – it’s so diverse.

Yorkshire food and drink are a great feature of the holiday – what do you recommend?
You’re sure to get some hearty food, and large portions too! However, there are more refined dining opportunities as well, including by a couple of French chefs at Hebden and Austwick, plus a three-rosette kitchen at The Traddock. For a good Yorkshire ale, I’d recommend anything from Timothy Taylor’s brewery, and Theakstons provides another great range of ales.

Why should walkers choose On Foot’s Yorkshire Dales walk in 2024?
It’s perfect for anyone who enjoys wide and panoramic views over ever-changing scenery, and it packs a real punch over its six walks. And you can spot some of the locations for the recent TV series ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ along the way!

No matter where you are in the Dales, the walking is great, the views are endless, and the people friendly. 

Find more details of our walking holiday in the Yorkshire Dales here.

Occasionally we are asked “what are your favourite routes?”, a question which recently caused us to take a quick poll in the On Foot office. Interestingly, everyone came up with different answers, which hopefully is a credit to the diversity of our holidays!

This year we’re seeing lots of early interest in booking ahead for next year, and thought it timely to share just a few of our staff recommendations to help you consider where you’d like to walk in 2024.

Northern Portugal – Mary’s choice
Mary has a fondness for Portugal, having lived and worked there for a while. She says the Peneda-Geres National Park is particularly special – a place where you truly feel you are stepping back in time. Here the stone-built rural villages feel almost untouched by modern life, where oxen are still used to farm the green slopes.

The eclectic accommodation includes traditional B&Bs, a sympathetic modernisation of village houses with a remarkable restaurant, and a touch of grandeur at the final Pousada.

Slovenia – Debbie’s favourite
Our walk through the Karst landscapes and vineyards of Slovenia has been in the On Foot portfolio since its early days, and is still as good as ever.

It’s a favourite for Debbie, who has walked it and tweaked it many times, keeping it up-to-date for our clients.  She says this route makes a great introduction to self-guided walking holidays, with well-marked paths and nothing especially strenuous – perfect for those trying this type of vacation for the first time.

There are some fun farmhouse stays too, where you can’t refuse the local produce, especially the Prsut ham, honey and Teran wine.

Andros – Heather’s recommendation
If you’re looking for a Greek island where tourism still has a light touch, Heather recommends the green haven of Andros in the Cyclades. The only way to get there is by ferry, so don’t rush, and just enjoy the gentler way to arrive.

You’ll find friendly hosts in the picturesque little town of Chora, and flower-fringed mule tracks that have been painstakingly restored by local volunteers for hiking. Drop into the cool of a monastery courtyard along the way, and take advantage of the many opportunities for a swim.

This is a single-centre holiday, so you stay in the same accommodation throughout.  You have the flexibility to choose which walk to do each day, with the help of buses and our wonderful local family of taxi drivers to get you to the further reaches of the island.

Welsh Borders – Simon’s top walk
On Foot’s Director has walked more of our routes than anyone else, and covered many miles searching out the best hiking for you in all corners of Europe. Despite this, his top pick is quite near to home – he loves the hills and valleys along the Wales/England border.

Starting at the quirky little town of Bishop’s Castle with its imaginatively painted houses, the route winds southwards to bookish Hay-on-Wye. Offa’s Dyke Path forms much of the route, following the 8th century earthwork that defined the border.

The walk is quite a leg-stretcher, but never difficult, and you’re rewarded with expansive views and some hearty pub meals along the way.

But what about your favourites?

In 2023 it has been the perennially popular countries of Italy, Spain and France that have proved to be the big draw in the first year that we have been properly free of travel constraints. The Amalfi Coast has been extraordinarily busy, closely followed by Southern Tuscany and Galicia’s Lighthouse Way. The beautiful landscapes of Lake Maggiore and rural Dordogne complete the top five. So if you are considering these lovely walks for 2024, book early to secure your preferred dates. Or try our recommendations above for something a little different – as always, we’d love to talk to you and help you choose!

Would you like to hear more?

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