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Classic Slovenia

  • 6 Night Route

    Price: from £1005
  • 5 Night Route

    Price: from £905
  • 4 Night Route

    Price: from £805

The Karst - culture and landscape

Back to Routes
The Ferrari Gardens, Stanjel

The Ferrari Gardens, Stanjel

Ljubljanica River, Ljubljana

Ljubljanica River, Ljubljana

Ljubljana's Triple Bridge

Ljubljana's Triple Bridge

First walk towards Predjama

First walk towards Predjama

Walking to Sezana

Walking to Sezana

Walking towards Nanos

Walking towards Nanos

Climbing from Goce

Climbing from Goce

Skocjan caves

Skocjan caves

Green meadows and distant hills

Green meadows and distant hills

Lipizzaner horses

Lipizzaner horses

Trieste

Trieste

Trieste waterfront

Trieste waterfront

Vipava

Vipava

Trieste by night

Trieste by night

Vineyard (Margaret Soraya Photography)

Vineyard (Margaret Soraya Photography)

  • 6 Night Route

    Price: from £1005
  • 5 Night Route

    Price: from £905
  • 4 Night Route

    Price: from £805
Price: from £1005
Nights: 6
Grade:
Walk: 3¾- 5 hr/day

About Tourist Farm Hudicevec: "The family who owns the accommodation is very friendly and interesting. We chatted with several family members. Also, the food that mostly comes from their farm was delicious."

Mr & Mrs Lumelsky, Washington, USA - September 2023

We thought the information provided was excellent and gave us confidence that the holiday was going to be great! We wanted something special for our honeymoon, and we found it!

Julian Brown, Pickering, UK - August 2023

We had a great time. Highlights - walks were beautiful, peaceful and your ratings were spot on; Vipava meal (Gostlina Podfarovz); friendly and high quality staff and service in good/excellent accommodation.

Robert Danes, Winchester, UK - July 2023

We loved everything about the holiday-- the terrain and views were amazing. Having multiple options for the routes was nice, even though we didn't take any shortcuts other than stopping at Opicina instead of walking into Trieste. Food, hotels, and support from On Foot were all excellent.

Paul Robichaux, Alabama, USA - July 2023

We liked the variety of accommodation - moving on from day to day - and we liked the routes and opportunity to see so many wild flowers, butterflies and insects we never see anymore in UK. The views from Nanos ridge were spectacular - such a great day's walk.

Margaret Purchase, Crawley, UK - June 2023

Thanks for the planning and arrangements - everything went wonderfully and we had an absolutely brilliant time. We loved Slovenia - and the walks and the accommodation and food were all exactly as promised. The GPS was particularly useful but the personal notes were also great and we appreciated meeting Miha who was full of insights.

We now have a new appreciation of an area we didn’t know at all - and a real taste for prsut, honey and teran wine!

Anon - April 2023

All of you do such a great job. We've enjoyed all of the hikes we done with you guys and are looking forward to more! Slovenia was a revelation since we didn't know much about it before our trip.

Lynn and Tim Coulter, Utah, USA - April 2023

We wanted to go walking in Europe but without the bother of sorting it all out ourselves especially in a country we were unfamiliar with. Even though I now know that the vast majority of Slovenians have excellent English, I'm still glad we booked the whole thing through you as you made everything so easy and relaxing.

Alison Frost, Dereham, UK - September 2022

Slovenia was a complete surprise to us. We ended up just loving the whole week! A hidden gem in so many ways.

Robin and Andy Winterflood, Kangiara, Australia - June 2022

Simply brilliant! With every twist and turn of our plans for this trip, postponed for something like 2 years due to Covid, the On Foot team was unfailingly responsive, helpful and courteous.

Slovenia is lovely, the hiking was fun but not too strenuous. It is hard to imagine how we could have had a better experience.

Edward Whitney, New York, USA - May 2022

I liked knowing that every day my only task was to walk, that there were no other decisions to make, that everything had been beautifully arranged and executed. I liked the sense of accomplishment, the sense of wonder and exploration; knowing that there was something new to see, to hear, to taste and to think, around each corner.

Shannon Finney, Kansas City, USA - May 2022

What we liked the most: the beautiful countryside (never seen so many wild flowers and different butterflies). Also everyone very friendly. And the white wine of Vipava should get a special mention.

Jane Irons, Lewis, UK - May 2022

This was our first long distance walking holiday so we wanted something interesting but not too challenging - the level was perfect.

Helen Starkey, Sheffield, UK - April 2022

The late summer flowers were amazing, with carpets of cyclamen and autumn crocus and wild Japanese lanterns. Loved the variety of the countryside with woods and meadows and vineyards together with villages and historic buildings.

Lindsay Driscoll, Bradford-on-Avon, UK - September 2019

We enjoyed the chance to see this area of Slovenia and to walk in such unspoilt splendour, as well as admire the spring flowers. We also liked having the opportunity of stopping at Predjama castle, the impressive Skocjan caves and the historic village of Goce.

We have been wanting to see the spring flowers in Slovenia for some time, and rather than head for the touristy Lake Bled, opted for a less busier and commercial part of Slovenia, and really glad we did.

Neil and Ros Somerville, Reading, UK - May 2019

More independent feedback
A self-guided walking holiday in the Slovenian Karst with On Foot Holidays

At a glance

6 nights (5 days walking) - the standard route. Add extra nights in Ljubljana or Trieste, and in Tomaj for extra walking, Lipizzaner horses and cave visit. See 'Prices' tab for what's included.
Suggested route pairing: Slovenian Highlands, Southern Tuscany, Lake Maggiore

How much walking?

Full days: 11-16 km per day, 3¾- 5hrs walking
Using shortening options: 7-16 km per day, 2½-5 hrs (using lifts)

Max. Grade:

Prsut, Teran wine and disappearing rivers

The “Kras”, or Karst, in the west of this tiny country, is an area of woodlands, meadows and unspoilt villages with an ever-present backdrop of mountains. Its extraordinary geological phenomena include vast cave systems and rivers that vanish into cliffs. The rock is mother also to some fine vineyards producing the unique Teran wine, a ferocious red to be drunk as accompaniment to the local prosciutto (“Prsut”). After a first night in the pretty Slovenian capital Ljubljana, you stay in farms that produce their own wine, hams and honey, and grow all manner of fruit. You end your holiday in the lively Italian seaport of Trieste and, with extra nights, can visit the original Lipizzaner stud or part of the extraordinary Skocjan cave system, both on foot or by mountain bike (this way you can see both!).

Walked by On Foot staff: Simon, Debbie, Fi and Harriet

Consider pairing this route with Slovenian Highlands (max 5 hrs by train),  Southern Tuscany (6½ hrs by train, recommended overnight stop at Venice or Florence) or Lake Maggiore (7 hrs by train, recommended overnight stop at Venice, Verona or Milan) – for more details click here.

REVIEWS: For independent walker reviews submitted to the Association of Independent Tour Operators visit Aito.com.

ARTICLES: Read an article about On Foot’s holiday in Slovenia from Your Time Magazine here.

TRAVEL ADVICE: To find the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for UK citizens travelling to Slovenia, click here. Citizens of other nations will also find it useful, but should always check their appropriate local agency.

Route Highlights

  • Green Europe at its most beguiling
  • Stay on working farms and eat delicious produce
  • Prsut (prosciutto) and Teran wine
  • The hilltop settlement of Stanjel
  • Predjama Castle
  • The disappearing lake and rivers
  • Optional visits to the Skocjan Caves or the Lipizzaner horses
  • Trieste and Ljubljana and the Hapsburg legacy

This route features the following characteristics and interests: Villages and farms, Drive to route, Food, Wine

Things you should know

  • Excellent, locally sourced/produced food is a highlight of this route, although vegetarians may tire of herb omelettes and vegans will struggle.
  • There are almost no cafes and shops en-route on this essentially rural walk. Picnics are included most days, but stock up on snacks when you get the chance!

We Recommend

Extra nights in Tomaj (required from June to September) for walk to the Skocjan caves or Lippizaner stud, or hire mountain bikes or e-bikes (supplement payable) to see either or both, or just to have a relaxing day exploring other parts of the region (include lunch at pretty Pliskovica).  Good bikes, helmets and maps provided, and Sasha, our local bike provider, would be happy to accompany you on a guided ride too (supplement) to take in some good places to eat ...!

VENICE: This route can be efficiently combined with a trip to Venice at the start (see "Travel Information"). Local contact Miha also offers a full day tour from Ljubljana to Venice and back with an experienced guide - ask us for details.

LAKE BLED: ... with island and castle, is only a short hop from Ljubljana - it can be reached by direct shared shuttle taxi service from the airport (from 15€ one way) and by bus from the city. Local contact Miha can also offer a tour to Bled - supplement payable, contact On Foot.

Eating and Drinking

As you progress into the Karst proper, the Mediterranean influences become more pronounced with herbs, olive oil and Prsut important elements of the cuisine in contrast to the heartier stews and mushroom soups further east in the route.  Wines in the east are Malvasia (white) and Cabernet Sauvignon (red) based, while nearing Trieste you can not escape the unique Teran. At Tomaj, our hosts will probably serve non-veggies “Karst roast beef in Teran wine and pršut with different kind of vegetables, depending on the season.  Everything is home grown.  And of course a bottle of Teran – it’s the best! – oh and our rabbit stew, but only if Izidor has been successful.  Did you try our own honey ice cream when you were here last…?”

How much Walking?

Full days: 11-16 km per day, 3¾- 5hrs walking
Using shortening options: 7-16 km per day, 2½-5 hrs (using lifts)

Well-marked paths, no steep sections. Highest point on route: 750m.

Medium: Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs) 390m (225m-670m) per day.

Easy-medium: 330m (100m-670m) using shortening options.

Acrophobia/vertigo warnings: None.

GPX file available for handheld GPS or smartphone App for complete route.

Important note: Times given for each day are  walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops.  “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb.  See “Walk Grading” for more information.

When to go?

The best months to walk: April, May, June, September, October

Other possible months: July, August

Late spring, with its profusion of wild flowers and butterflies, is an ideal time to walk through this gentle Slovenian countryside. July and August can be quite warm, but as September arrives, so the countryside is bathed in autumnal light and whilst the days become shorter, walkers can enjoy the fruits (and drink) of the Slovenian harvest in the evenings.

Our preferred accommodation in Tomaj only accepts two night stays – there are walking options on the second day (to see the Lippizaner horses or the Skocjan Caves – see the ‘itinerary’ tab).   If you are time limited, we can try our alternative in another nearby village, or we can vary your itinerary so that you finish with two nights in Tomaj and depart from there.

Start Dates

Recommended
Possible
Unavailable

Weather Chart

 

Temperature and rainfall chart for Slovenia

Itinerary

About the Route

Day 1 - Arrive in Ljubljana

Arrive in Ljubljana and, having checked in to your hotel, promenade along the river of this pretty Slovene capital.

Day 2 - Landol to Hudicevec

After a lift from Ljubljana, you will walk through lovely meadows and sleepy villages via the restored castle of Predjama (drawbridge, secret tunnels, disappearing river and all). (Medium: 5 hrs walking (allow 6¾ hrs), 15 km (9½ miles), CUSs 400m). Alternative – start at Predjama Castle then walk to Hudicevec (easy-medium: 3½ hrs walking (allow 4¾ hrs), 12 km (7½ miles), CUS 370m)

Day 3 - Hudicevec to Vipava

Either walk along the wooded flanks of Mount Nanos to the village of Podnanos or take a short transfer there, then woodland and vineyard walking above the Vipava valley, to the lively town of Vipava.  (Medium: 5 hrs walking (allow 6¾ hrs), 16 km (10 miles), CUSs 450m – shorter alternatives available)

Day 4 - Vipava to Kodreti

Over the ridge to the Karst via the lovely meadow and woodland walking to little Kodreti and our beautifully situated B&B, with its excellent kitchen.  (Easy-medium: 4 hrs walking (allow 5¼ hrs), 14½ km (9 miles), CUSs 600m, shortenable by riding with luggage at start (pre-arrange; supplement to driver))

Day 5 - Kodreti to Tomaj

Onto the wooded Karst proper, via the hill village of Stanjel with its castle museum and iconic church tower, to the pretty hill village of Tomaj and a farmhouse supper with (almost) everything home produced. Make sure you visit Izidor’s wine and pršut cellars and sample his wines, bread and honey. (Easy-medium 4½ hrs walking (allow 5¾ hrs), 15 km (9½ miles, CUSs 390m)

Alternative: Lift with the luggage (pre-arrange; supplement possible) to below Stanjel (save 1 hr / 5 kms)

Option

Have an extra night here in Tomaj (required from June to September), and ...

EITHER taxi to Lipica and a walk on to the famed Skocjan Caves (Easy: 3½ hrs walking (allow 4¾ hrs plus time for tour), 12 km (7½ miles), CUSs 50m); taxi back;

OR for a small supplement visit, on the right day (Sundays only in April, Fridays and Sundays May to October), the Lipizzaner horses: a gentle walk via Sezana with its botanical gardens to the stud farm at Lipica. Start early to arrive on time for a presentation of the Classical Riding School at 3pm (book direct on the Lipica website), or just visit the stud farm (supplement payable locally) if your days don't coincide with a Presentation. Taxi back to Tomaj afterwards (Easy: 4 hrs walking (allow 5¼ hrs plus time for tour/presentation), 15 km (9½ miles), CUSs 160m). All taxis payable locally.

Hire mountain bikes to do both in one day! c.£20 pp, plus pick-up from Lipica or Skocjan at end if required (small charge). We provide maps, and offer five potential itineraries including two shorter circuits around Tomaj if you want an easier day.

OR do nothing - take a day off in Tomaj, wander round the village or swim in the Tourist Farm's outdoor pool.

Day 6 - Tomaj to Trieste

From the terrace at Tourist Farm Skerlj you will have been able to see a tower tantalisingly on the hill to the west. This is Repentabor, your high point today – and your final experience of the karst before you descend gradually towards the coast and Trieste from Opicina. (Easy: 5½ hrs walking (allow 7¼ hrs), 21 km (13 miles), CUSs 430m)

Alternative: Walk to Opicina and catch a bus to the centre of Trieste (3¾ hrs walking (allow 5 hrs), 15 km (9¼ miles), CUSs 430m)

Departure day

Depart hotel (or choose to stay further nights)

Travel Information

ARRIVING BY TRAIN

Nearest railway station:
Start: Ljubljana.  If coming from Italy, get as far as Trieste, then bus to Ljubljana.
Finish: Trieste (5-10 mins walk) or Ljubljana (7 mins walk if staying in standard hotel)

Sample journey by rail:
Via Frankfurt: Frankfurt to Munich, Munich to Ljubljana ~10 hrs
Trieste to Frankfurt: Trieste to Verona, then Verona to Munich, Munich to Frankfurt ~13 hrs

We suggest thetrainline.com for times, ticket booking and other information.

ARRIVING BY CAR

Park in the village of Tomaj or Sepulje. Taxi back (supplement) to your first night; taxi back from Trieste (supplement) to Tomaj/Sepulje at the end.

ARRIVING BY AIR

The best ‘local’ airports are Ljubljana (inbound), and Trieste (return). Intercontinental flights may use Venice – also Frankfurt, Vienna and Paris – then change onto another flight to Ljubljana.

Land by (Ljubljana): any time (as your first night is in Ljubljana and the transfer into the city an easy one).

Land by (Trieste): 16:00 for bus transfer to Ljubljana.

Return flight earliest (Trieste): No time limit.

Return flight earliest (Ljubljana): 13:30 (bus Trieste/Ljubljana, then shuttle service from the station to Ljubljana airport).

Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.

For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.

 

Getting to the start of the walk

The first hotel is in Ljubljana and the last in Trieste. Transfer times and methods are suggested for the outward journey from Ljubljana airport and the return journey to Trieste airport, the best combination. If flying into Trieste or out from Ljubljana, you will need to transfer between the two by public transport.

LJUBLJANA AIRPORT:

Shuttle bus (or taxi off the airport rank) direct to your Ljubljana hotel (or bus/train station).  For larger groups, tuamv.com offers a good service to the town (and returning from Trieste).

TRIESTE AIRPORT:

Airport bus or local taxi between airport and bus/train station

VENICE:  This route can be efficiently combined with a trip to Venice at the start.  From Venice, train to Trieste, then bus to Ljubljana.  Returning, train from Trieste to Venice Mestre then shuttle to airport.

Train/bus station transfers:

Ljubljana station is a 7-minute walk from our standard hotel, or a 20-minute walk/5 minute taxi ride from our alternative.

Trieste train and bus stations are a short walk from your final hotel.

Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack.  Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.

Where You'll Stay

Sandwiched between stays in carefully chosen city hotels, you’ll experience simple accommodation sometimes at working farms on this route, with delicious home-cooked food and home-produced food and wine (which the owners will be proud to talk about!).

Ljubljana – Pension Slamic (B&B)

Night 1

Ljubljana – Pension Slamic (B&B)

Charming, family-run pension with lively cafe-bar and weekly jazz.

Ljubljana – Lesar Hotel Angel (B&B)

Night 1 (Upgrade)

Ljubljana – Lesar Hotel Angel (B&B)

Stylish small hotel in old town.

Hudicevec – Emilijan and Katya Simcic (dinner, B&B)

Night 2

Hudicevec – Emilijan and Katya Simcic (dinner, B&B)

Katya and Emilijan welcome you to their excellent Slovene cooking and Alpine-style farmhouse (near busy main road).

Vipava – Apartments Koren (B&B)

Night 3

Vipava – Apartments Koren (B&B)

Basic apartments in interesting small town. Evening meal booked nearby (pay locally).

Kodreti – Hisa posebne Sorte (dinner, B&B)

Night 4

Kodreti – Hisa posebne Sorte (dinner, B&B)

Charming accommodation with excellent kitchen, on edge of small village at junction of the karst region and the Vipava valley.

Tomaj – Izidor Skerlj (dinner, B&B)

Night 5

Tomaj – Izidor Skerlj (dinner, B&B)

Farmhouse-with-accommodation and excellent home-made food and wine. Outdoor pool. Two-night stays only, so alternative accommodation used for shorter options.

Trieste – Hotel Coppe (B&B)

Night 6

Trieste – Hotel Coppe (B&B)

Modern-style interior to old family-run hotel, conveniently situated.

Prices

Price: from £1005 for 6 nights

Total 6 nights in double/twin room, all breakfasts, 4 picnics, 3 evening meals, transfer from Ljubljana to start of first walk, luggage transfers between all hotels on walking route; full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support.

Locally levied tourist taxes are not included.

All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.

Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £215
Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From £210
Large Party Saving (LPS): Groups of more than 2 people (on an identical itinerary, on the same booking and booked at the same time) –  discount of at least £35 per person
Maximum party size: 10

 

Add Ons

For further nights in any hotel: Contact On Foot Holidays (see below for Tomaj)
Bike hire from Tomaj: From £25 per mountain bike/£45 per e-bike per day plus delivery and pickups (pre-book)
Extra half board night in Tomaj/Sepulje to enable visit to Lipica or the caves, mountain bike hire, or just a day of relaxation: Adds from around £65 per person; £15 single supplement
Sending Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK:  £20-£60 (per pack, location dependent)

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Miha Kramberger

Our local team

Miha Kramberger

Miha is a native of Ljubljana, and is happy to have found his "dream job" in tourism. He is proud that he gets to share the beautiful countryside of Slovenia with visitors, and is an enthusiastic traveller himself, as well as a keen sportsman.

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