Slovenia

Slovenia sits right in the middle of Europe, bordered by Austria to the north, Italy to the west, Hungary to the northeast, and Croatia to the south and southeast. Visitors are drawn to Slovenia’s pristine natural wonders, including enchanting Lake Bled, the mysterious Škocjan Caves, and Triglav National Park. The country packs a punch with diverse landscapes, from the towering Alps to the sunny Adriatic Sea coast.

Slovenia is blissfully uncrowded, often overlooked and seriously underrated. It really is one of the best-kept secrets in Europe. With its own international airport it’s easy to reach from Australia. It’s surprisingly easy for English speakers to travel through. Plus, it has been voted the safest destination in Europe for female travellers.

Also read: Why Slovenia is the perfect European getaway

Slovenia has spectacular snow-capped peaks, beautiful emerald rivers and lakes, rolling vineyards and beautiful trails along the Adriatic Sea. The Alpe-Adria Trail is a long-distance route that leads from the mountains to the sea, through the photogenic Soča Valley to the beautiful wine region that borders Italy, where walking trails meander past orchards and vineyards and hungry hikers can indulge in local specialities such as cherries, olive oil and cheese. In the Triglav National Park you’ll find sublime scenery of forests, shepherd’s villages, meadows, and dramatic limestone mountain peaks.

Also read: 10 reasons to hike in Slovenia

Slovenia has won many awards for its commitment to sustainability, and when you walk it with RAW Travel you’ll discover first-hand its strong focus on farm-fresh produce, wellness and the environment. While Slovenia’s popularity and tourist numbers are increasing, the country very deliberately has no room for mass tourism. Slovenia has been committed to sustainable tourism and liveability for Slovenians for years. If you visit, you’ll notice how peaceful, green and clean it is in the city, forest, alpine areas and countryside.

Slovenia offers beautiful hikes for all fitness levels through some of nature’s most magical landscapes. You can easily find a level of walking to match your desires and ability – from challenging high Alpine hut-to-hut trips to more sedate river valley and vineyards walks through the lowland Karst region. The Slovenian section of the long-distance Alpe-Adria Trail offers a combination of these varied landscapes.

Yes. Our local expert guides will elevate your trip to Slovenia! We use the best English-speaking licensed hiking guides who were born and raised in Slovenia. They know the landscapes, trails, history and hidden secrets. They genuinely love to share their experiences and are excited to talk to you about their country and will give you the best experience possible.

Yes. Slovenia’s iconic and dramatic Lake Bled is a pristine and surprisingly warm turquoise lake at the foot of the Julian Alps, an iconic part of Slovenia. The island and the 1000-year-old castle in the middle of the lake can be reached by traditional wooden boats known as pletnas, which date back to the 12th century. Just an hour’s drive from Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, Lake Bohinj is the country’s largest glacier lake, situated inside Triglav National Park and surrounded by the Julian Alps. Starting and finishing at the lakeside village of Ribcev Laz, a trail leads past a handful of secluded beaches and on to Slap Savica, a majestic waterfall and source of the nearby Sava river.

Yes. The Alpe-Adria Trail is generally well sign-posted. The trail logo appears on signboards, spray painted on the edge of paths or as stickers fastened to existing signposts. The Juliana Trail is nicely marked with different signposts and J-A signs in different places (e.g. trees, rocks, ground). Our unique walking app has been designed to help you navigate easily on the trails. The app will show your location on the trail in real-time without any internet connection needed, so you’ll be able to find your way with ease.

Our Hut to Hut hike in Triglav National Park is our most challenging hike. It’s a serious alpine hike on rough terrain with lots of uphills and downhills, crossing steep grave slopes, but it can be walked self-guided by experienced walkers. Climbing Mt Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak, is an optional addition to this hiking tour and is best done with a licensed mountain guide.

Slovenia’s climate can be described as a typical Continental European climate with warm to hot summers and mild to cold winters. Snowy Alps and sunny Mediterranean coastline makes it a popular year round destination. However, the best time for hiking is from April to mid-October, with prime months being May, June and September.

Waterproof hiking boots or hiking shoes (not sneakers) with a good tread and ankle support are recommended for hiking trips to Slovenia. Make sure your footwear is comfortable. We also recommend proper hiking socks that are breathable, and well fitting, as you will find that these minimise the chance of getting blisters. We recommend trekking poles for hiking in Slovenia. They will give you extra stability for the steep ascents and descents, especially when you are tired.

A trip to Slovenia is easy to plan, thanks to its central European location and accessible transport links. Fly into Ljubljana or nearby European hubs, and you’ll find yourself at the trailhead of an unforgettable adventure in no time.