Slovenia and Friuli
Lakes and Mountains, Waterfalls and Wine
Tour Dates
10 – 18 June 2025
Tour Cost
€3,675 per person
Single supplement: €350
Slovenia, often referred to as “The Sunny Side of the Alps”, is a tiny, beautiful, green country on Italy’s north eastern border. After meeting in its capital city we travel to tranquil Lake Bohinj and hike in the stunning Julian Alps. We visit Kobarid on the dazzling turquoise Soca river, a town of great significance during World War 1 and immortalised by Ernest Hemingway in his novel “A Farewell to Arms.” Here we stay in a delightful family-run hotel with an award-winning restaurant. We make the border crossing between Slovenia and Italy on foot to arrive in the Italian region of Friuli, where we explore the excellent vineyards of the Collio hills and the Unesco World Heritage sites of Cividale and Aquileia.
This tour starts in Ljubljana and finishes in Venice. Our meeting point on the first day is the central train station in Ljubljana and at the end we return guests to Venice airport. Why not consider extending your walking holiday in Slovenia and Italy by spending more time there or travelling to Milan, Turin, Trieste or Florence? For more ideas on where to go visit our City Guide page.
What’s Included?
- 8 nights accommodation in three hotels (3 and 4 star)
- 2 experienced and knowledgeable guides to look after your every need and bring this stunning area to life
- All meals including excellent local wines
- Gourmet picnics each day with snacks en route
- Dinner in a variety of superb restaurants
- Support vehicle, so you can walk as much or as little of the trail as you please
- Transport in air conditioned minibus
- Comprehensive pre-trip information
- Museum visits and tastings as per the itinerary
Our tours are genuinely all-inclusive – learn more about what we offer.
Tour Highlights
- Crystal clear lakes and turquoise rivers
- Climb Mount Matajur to cross Italian-Slovene border on foot
- Taste the celebrated wines of the Collio region
Walking/Terrain
Terrain: Farm tracks and mountain trails. Ascend/descend 300-400m on most days, with an 800m ascent on Day 6. The mountain trails are rocky in places with short sections of exposed terrain on Day 3
Shortest/Longest Day: 4.6km/2.8miles: 10.5km/6.6miles
We have graded this hike a Level 4. Some of our tours are more challenging than others, so see how we grade our hikes to make sure you choose the right one for you. If you are interested in this tour, then you might also like to take a look at The Italian Lakes, Southern Italy or The Wilds of Abruzzo
Accommodation
Hotel Jezero: Comfortable lakeside hotel with wonderful views of Lake Bohinj
Hotel Hvala: Family run hotel with outstanding restaurant in Kobarid (Caporetto)
Castello di Spessa: An historic castle hotel set in the vineyards of the Collio wine region
Itinerary
LEAVE BLANK
Day 1
11:00 am: Meet at Ljubljana Central Train Station. Drive to the medieval village of Skopja Loka for a visit and lunch. Continue to Lake Bohinj, passing by the beautiful Lake Bled with its fairytale castle. Check into Hotel Jezero, a 4-star hotel with an indoor pool overlooking Lake Bohinj. Later in the day, enjoy a scenic walk along a gorge dotted with waterfalls to a viewpoint, where we can enjoy an aperitif overlooking the lake. Dinner in a local Gostilna (Inn).
(6.5 km/4.1 miles)
Day 2
Hike from the hotel into lush alpine pastures typical of the region. The walk takes us up to Rudnica (946m) before descending through beech woods and across fields to a small farming village for a picnic, including local cheese tasting. Enjoy some free time to stroll by the lake or take a dip in the pool before dinner in the hotel.
(10.5 km/6.6 miles)
Day 3
Take a cable car above Lake Bohinj to 1534m to start our hike. The trail climbs past mountain dairies and through flower-filled pastures. A short scramble leads us to a spectacular ridge at 1800m, where we picnic with magnificent views. Descend via a different route and return to the valley by cable car. Visit the Alpine Dairy Museum on our way to dinner in a local restaurant. (8 km/5 miles) – no van access today. Both guides will accompany the group and carry the picnic.
Day 4
Depart Lake Bohinj after breakfast and drive through to central Primorska. After a coffee break in Cerkno, start our walk climbing through woodland to the 12th-century church of St. Ivan. Meet a local guide for a visit to a prehistoric cave, believed to have been inhabited over 35,000 years ago, where the oldest musical instrument was found. In the afternoon, drive following the turquoise Soca River to Kobarid (Caporetto), where we stay for two nights. Dinner and wine tasting at Topli Val restaurant.
(4.6 km/2.8 miles)
Day 5
Explore the hills behind Kobarid, passing ancient fort remains and World War I trenches of the Isonzo front. Cross the Soča River on a suspension bridge and visit a stunning waterfall before continuing through woods and farmland to a small village overlooking the valley. Visit the fascinating museum in the afternoon. Enjoy a Degustation Menu with matching wines in the hotel’s fabulous restaurant tonight.
(9.5 km/6 miles)
Day 6
Depart Kobarid and start our walk at a small village at 860m. Hike steadily through beautiful woods and pastures, crossing the border between Slovenia and Italy at Mount Matajur (1648m). Take in views of Slovenia, Austria, and the coast near Trieste, Italy. Descend through Alpine pastures, enjoy lunch, and end our walk at a mountain refuge. Visit the Unesco World Heritage city of Cividale di Friuli before a short drive to the Collio wine region for a 3-night stay. Dinner in a local restaurant close to the hotel.
(9.3 km/5.8 miles)
Day 7
Non-walking day. Drive to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Aquileia, known as a cradle of Italian and European civilization. Visit the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, which houses one of the most impressive mosaics in the world. After lunch at the coast, return to Castello di Spessa to relax before dinner in the hotel restaurant.
Day 8
Walk between Slovenia and Italy in the Collio (Italy) and Brda (Slovenia) hills surrounding Gorizia. Explore vineyards known for their white wines, past small villages and castles, and experience the hospitality of local wine makers. Return to the hotel by van. Our final evening is at the renowned La Subida restaurant in Cormons.
(10.5 km/6.6 miles)
Day 9
Return to Venice Marco Polo Airport for 11:00 am.
