Amazing Outdoor Adventures in Slovenia

Outdoor Adventures of Slovenia

There may be no other place so full of outdoor adventures as Slovenia. You will be captivated by the mountains, streams, caves, and forests of this country called the greenest in the world. Slovenians want to share their cherished natural wonders, therefore, you will find outdoor activities in all corners of the small country. The tourism infrastructure is designed with outdoor adventurers in mind. Numerous long distant hiking and biking trails have been developed for section hikes/bikes or for long-distance travels.

Logistics of Outdoor Adventures of Slovenia

Fly into the capital city of Ljubljana for easy access to many regions for outdoor adventures. The small city is quite charming and worth a half day to wander around. I enjoyed the open air market with the coin operated milk machine where you can dispense farm fresh milk into your water bottle.

The best way to get around Slovenia is by car. The roads are well maintained and the drivers are curteous. There is certainly extra adventure involved in driving over any of the high passes such as the Virsic Pass near Kranjska Gora with its 50 switchbacks. But I have to say I had a blast feeling like I was Mario Andretti doing a Formula One race when I drove that pass.

I used my favorite car rental company, Discover Cars, to get a fantastic car for the trip. Discover Cars works with reputable companies offering great cars at good prices. I had a flat tire on my trip and the company was super helpful in getting it fixed to get me on my way.

There are many toll roads in Slovenia so be sure to buy a toll pass from the rental car company. The e-vignette costs $15 per week, $30 per month. Also, check with your rental company if you anticipate crossing borders. Since Slovenia is so small, it’s easy to slip into neighboring countries. Some rental companies charge a cross-border fee, some don’t. Therefore, inquire beforehand.

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Outdoor Adventures of the Bohinj Area of Slovenia

Many people are drawn to Lake Bled by the photos they see of it. However, Lake Bohinj has some of the best outdoor adventures in Slovenia and less crowds. It’s a gateway to Triglav National Park, as well as having hiking and boating adventures on the lake. It’s easy to rent a kayak or paddle board on either end of the lake. Here are the adventures we enjoyed during our three days at Lake Bohinj.

Mostnica Gorge and Waterfall

A hike up the Mostnica Valley is one of the most beautiful outdoor adventures in the Julian Alps of Slovenia. We were lucky to be able to start the hike right from our spectacular Vihar apartment in Stara Fuzina. The trail starts behind the church on the outskirts of the town. You can also begin at Hudicev Most, known in local lore as the Devil’s Bridge.

The 8-mile round trip hike starts out with a beautiful walk through a beech forest until you come to the entry station. The entrance fee is 3 euros for adults/ 2.5 euros for juniors/seniors.

Voje Valley

The trail eventually comes out to a road leading to a mountain hut. The Planinska Koca Na Vojah hut is a starting point for climbers headed up Mt. Triglav, the highest mountain in Slovenia. Located at the edge of the Voje valley, high mountains and meadows dominate the scenery. Be sure to sample local food and drink favorites here. We bought some of the wonderful Bohinjsko cheese for our hike.

Continuing up the glacier-created Voje valley, we walked through the meadow with many empty herders’ cottages. The high pasture is grazing land for livestock in the summer, with the animals and farmers descending as the weather changes. These wood and stone huts and barns dot the landscape, – part of a tradition that dates from the 1800s. I loved the rural beauty surrounded by the high peaks of Triglav National Park.

We came upon another hut about 15 minutes before we arrived at the Mostnica Waterfall. I had admired the bolete mushrooms on the entire hike and wanted to sample the soup made with wild mushrooms. Therefore, when a sign outside the hut said mushroom soup, we grabbed a table with a view. The soup was delicious as was the blueberry strudel that had to follow it.

Waterfall in Slovenian is “slap”. It seems apropos as the 21-meter Mostnica Waterfall slapped the rocks below with great force, sculpting rocks as it descended.

The return has several alternative trails to see the forest and the other side of the gorge. Therefore, look for these trails to get a different view of this out-and-back hike.

Biking on the Bohinj Cycling Route

The Bohinj cycling route, called the Kolesarka pot Bohinj, runs from the towns of Bohinjska Bistrica to Srednja vas, connecting the lower and upper Bohinj valleys. As our apartment Vihar apartment was right on the bike trail and the owner lent good quality bikes, we spent a lovely half day exploring the alpine villages of the upper valley. The path was shared with cows, horseback riders, and a horse-drawn funeral procession so it was quite an eventful ride.

You can also rent bikes in Stara Fuzina or Bohinjska Bistrica

Hiking around Lake Bohinj

Another way to explore Lake Bohinj is to hike around the lake. The loop trail is 12 km/ 7.5 miles and takes 3-4 hours. Hiking is easy and scenic with swimming beaches featuring panoramic views of Triglav National Park. Since the north section of the hike is more beautiful, it is possible to shorten the hike by walking half way around to the village of Unkanc and taking a boat ride back to Ribčev laz. The wooden electric boat is a true joy to take back to the start of the hike. A crew member offers stories and information about the area on the 25-minute journey.

Vogel Cable Car

Take the Vogel Cable Car from Unkanc to Brown Rock for panaromic views of the Lake Bohinj watershed and the Julian Alps. The ride is 4 minutes and deposits you on a viewing platform 1000 meters above Lake Bohinj. The best photos of the lake are from the platform so snap away before you depart.

Look for hiking around the wild flower-packed alpine meadow with interpretive signs explaining the area. You can also take the Orlove Glave chairlift (the price is included with the cable car ticket) that brings you to the start of the hike up Mount Vogel. The 6.7-mile loop is strenuous but has magnificent scenery on the summits of Mount Vogel and Mount Sija. The trails are well marked and if you don’t have the 4 plus hours for the Mount Vogel summit, visit Mount Sija for a shorter hike.

Hut to Hut hiking in the Julian Alps

Triglav National Park, the only national park in Slovenia, protects the majestic Julian Alps. Mount Triglav, the highest peak, is the centerpiece of the park. The rocky slopes have many trails and mountain huts.

Slovenian huts are simple. They can’t be compared to the more lavish huts of Italy or the White Mountains of the US where there is a focus on the hut experience. Slovenian huts are designed to just provide a bed and a simple traditional dish for your meal.

Hut snafu

I wanted to do the Seven Lakes Valley hike as a hut-to-hut adventure so I could spend more time enjoying the area. It’s a 8-10 hour day trip but I’d never want to do it as such. My original plan was to hike into Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih (Triglav Lakes Hut) and stay overnight and then continue to Zasavska koča na Prehodavcih hut for another overnight and come out the whole 8 miles the last day. You can read the details of this hike here and here.

However, the second hut had no spaces available so I decided to just stay in Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih. According to the website, there were 60 or more spaces left so I didn’t make a reservation. Well, please learn from my mistake. When I arrived around 1 pm, I was told that even though there were plenty of spaces at the hut, I would need to wait until 7 or 8 pm for them to know where to put me. I neither wanted to wait until after dark for a bed nor liked the vibe of the hut as a single woman. So I hiked back to the trailhead and was back in my cozy apartment in Stara Fuzina by the time I would have been assigned a bed.

The Seven Lakes Valley hike

In spite of the hut snafu, the hike into the Seven Lakes Valley was gorgeous. The trail traversed boulder-strewn forest through several alpine meadows. It climbed through cow pastures with the melodic comfort of cow bells ringing. After contouring along the cliffs overlooking the valley, I arrived at Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih around lunchtime. The lakes around the hut were an emerald green gorgeous.

My absolute favorite part of the hike was Planina Dedno Polje. People have inhabited this alpine pasture since Roman times. Herdmen’s cottages are built in a circle around a central watering pond. The cows graze freely but have quarters in the bottom of the cottages when the weather is bad. The herders and families live on the upper floors of the wooden structures. Iron ore basins are found in the nearby areas. The pasture was once a superior source of quality iron ore. Handmade iron handiwork is found throughout the tiny village.

Outdoor Adventures of the Lake Bled Area of Slovenia

Hiking in the Lake Bled Area

Lake Bled is one of the most visited places in Slovenia so while we decided to see it, we wanted to get away from the crowds. It poured rain the whole time we were there so that solved the crowds dilemma. We still got out for some hiking and recommend exploring the area by foot as a way to see the beauty of Lake Bled.

The Lake Bled Loop Trail is a great option for walkers of all abilities. The 3.7-mile trail is mostly flat. It’s not remote but there are beautiful sections. And you can stop for a slice of the famous Lake Bled cream cake along the way. If you want to cut the walk short, hop on the tourist train that circles the lake every 45 minutes in season.

For a magnificent viewpoint above the lake, climb to the summit of Ojstrica. The way is steep but it’s only about 30 minutes to get up to the top. After enjoying the view, head up to Mala Osojnica for an even better view. You can descend via switchbacks to make a loop of the hike. The trailhead is on the Lake Bled Loop Trail near Camping Bled.

Since we only had one day in Lake Bled, I didn’t get to all the outdoor adventures there I wanted to do. Here is a more comprehensive guide to visiting Lake Bled.

Outdoor Adventures of the Soca River Valley of Slovenia

The Soca River is touted as the most beautiful river in Europe. I second that motion. With its emerald-green water and the Julian Alps framing the picture, the Soca River is an outdoor explorer’s candy.

Bovec is the center of outdoor activities in the Soca River Valley. You name an outdoor sport, and you can probably find an outfitter near Bovec that can provide it. You will find ziplining, canyoneering, cycling trips, hiking, and all types of paddling trips in the area.

I enjoyed whitewater kayaking and hiking along the Soca River when I visited.

Soca River Whitewater Kayaking

No matter your paddling skill level, the Soca River has a section for you. There is rafting and whitewater kayaking for experienced paddlers on the bigger rapids. In addition, beginners can paddle some of the quieter sections.

I kayaked with Bovec Sport Center on the Soca River. We paddled inflatable kayaks which are more forgiving, therefore you can do more adventurous whitewater than in a hard shell kayak. Not only was the whitewater a blast, but the scenery was also gorgeous. The movie Narnia movie was filmed here, and you can understand why. The mountains rising out of the mist when we were on the water were otherworldly.

I enjoyed the philosophy of Fillip and Maja, the owners of Bovec Sport Center. They were intent on people taking their time on the river to enjoy nature as well as the thrills. After a trip, the owners invite the paddlers back to their meeting pavilion to sample a local homemade dessert and share conversation. The personal attention and the chance to interact with the locals was a real treat.

Soca River Hiking

The Soca Trail is a 15.5-mile hiking trail starting at the Source of the Soca River(Izvir Soce) and ending in Bovec. The trail traces the river crossing back and forth on footbridges. The emerald water dances over boulders making a mesmerizing sight and a periodic swimming hole along the way. The best way to hike is downhill from the source to Bovec. It’s easy to catch a bus to the trailhead. There is a wonderful infrastructure of campgrounds and accommodations not far from the river to make it an overnight trip.

Outdoor Adventures in the Logar Valley

The Logar Valley conforms perfectly to your most pleasant dreams of an alpine valley nestled under the Alps of Europe. Logar Valley (called Logarska dolina) and its companion valleys, Robanov Kot and Matkov Kot were carved by glaciers in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, in the northern part of Slovenia near the Austrian border.

Farm Stay in the Logar Valley

Imagine a place where alpine beauty joins a story of land preservation in a remote valley in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps of Slovenia. Lenar Tourist Farm is that place, a delightful farmstead in the heart of the Logar Valley. Urskja and her parents run an amazing farm stay for those wanting to absorb all the natural wonder of this glacial valley.

The farm is located in the heart of the valley and stretches up the wooded mountains. Gold-hued horses linger in the pastures around the farmstead. Apples and plums droop from the overloaded trees. It’s the perfect base to enjoy some of the best outdoor adventures in Slovenia.

The views from the farm stay bedrooms are jaw-dropping. Have a cup of tea on the balcony to admire the rocky peaks towering nearby. Wake up to fresh air and a luscious breakfast buffet in the main house. You can indulge in homemade Slovenia breakfast treats knowing you will have an active day outside.

Lenar Farm is the perfect starting point for hiking and biking in and around the valley. They let you borrow mountain bikes, hiking poles, helmets, and other outdoor gear for free. They also have a couple of e-bikes for reasonable rent. There is a nice restaurant steps away- right across the street.

Hiking in the Logar Valley

At the end of the single winding road through the Logar Valley is the trail to Rinka Falls (Slap Rinka). Rinka is the second-highest waterfall in Slovenia and is an easy walk in to see it. The trail climbs for 10-15 minutes before you reach the falls. You can continue on the trail to the top of the falls for an adventurous viewpoint.

The Logar Valley Trail is a delightful way to peacefully explore the valley while learning about the heritage and natural history of the area. You can do sections of the 7-km flat trail for a shorter hike. I enjoyed the interpretive signs explaining the fascinating history of the valley. A stop at the mountain hut Dom Planincev for a hearty homemade Slovenia lunch was perfect too. For kids, the Fairytale Forest on the route will entertain them.

Biking the Solčava Panoramic Road 

Looking down on the Logar Valley from the Solcava panoramic road gives you a sublime sense of beauty seldom matched. The 37-km Solcava panoramic road is accessible by car, however, it is properly enjoyed by bicycle. With so many viewpoints to sigh over, you will need to stop frequently.

I did the route by electric bike and recommend it due to the steep climbs to get to the panorama views. You can rent E-bikes at Lenar Farm, the hotel, or even the central parking lot in the summer. Mountain bikes are also available to ride the many local trails.

The panoramic road takes you above all three valleys. There are stops with interpretive signs to learn about the area. There are also easy hikes and mountaineering routes that start from the road so you can combine a wonderful biking and hiking day trip.

Caving Outdoor Adventures in Slovenia

Natural and commercial caves riddle the karst regions of Slovenia. The extensive river systems dissolve the underground limestone to create caves with great natural beauty. Predjama Cave with its palatial castle built right into the cave, Postojna Cave, the longest cave in Slovenia, and Skocjan Cave are the most famous caves with tours for the public.

Wrap-Up of Outdoor Adventures in Slovenia

I had some amazing outdoor adventures throughout Slovenia. Even so, I’d love to return for more. There is just so much to explore in this tiny green country. The Juliana Trail is 270 km circling the Julian Alps. There are 16 stages that average about 4-5 hours of walking each. I yearn to go back and wander through alpine valleys past sparkling clean rivers and end the day in a homey cottage in a tiny historic village.

Or maybe I’ll return to cycle some of the routes all over this most sustainable country in Europe. The Parenzana rail trail and the Drava cycling route are calling my name. I hope the outdoor activities of Slovenia will have a chance to call your name too.

I was sponsored by Lenar Farm and Bovec Sport Center. My opinions are my honest assessment of the experiences.

Posts may contain links to products and services I love. I may make a small commission from them, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog.