Top 5 Slovenia Hiking Trails
1.Pokljuka Plateau
This alpine plateau stands in the Triglav National Park and stretches for almost 13 miles squared. Its diverse karst surface is home to pretty valleys, grassland and pine forests, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers to go hiking in Slovenia. As well as colorful wildflowers carpeting the ground, you’ll find shepherd’s huts, alpine cows grazing in the pastures, and an array of birdlife hovering overhead. If it’s wildlife and tranquility that you crave, the Pokljuka Plateau is the place to explore.
2. Lake Bohinj
Reflecting the rugged mountain peaks on its shimmering, emerald surface, Lake Bohinj is ridiculously pretty and is less crowded than Lake Bled during the summer months. It has a real authenticity about it and the views from here are jaw-dropping. The path around the lake lets you get back to nature as you hike below the circle of mountains that fringes its shores. In the warmer months, you can take a dip in the gin-clear water or simply relax and breathe in the fresh mountain air. At the western end of the lake, you’ll also find the cable car which takes you up to Vogel for some of the most extraordinary views over the Julian Alps.
3. Karavanke Mountain Range
This chain of limestone mountains stands on the border of Slovenia, Austria and Italy and is home to more than 1,200 species of flora. Hiking in Slovenia is unparalleled and the Karavanke Mountains offer some of the best trails in the country. Winding along alpine peaks, along valleys and waterfalls and below giant gorges, you’ll discover indigenous animals and learn about the region’s cultural heritage along the way. There’s a wide choice of trails suitable for both easy hikes and more demanding climbs. On our Lakes and Mountains tour of Slovenia, we head up to Golica mountain, known for its fields filled with wild white daffodils.
4. Martuljek Gorge
This beautiful gorge can be found at the end of a forest trail inside Triglav National Park where a series of waterfalls tumble down the steep sides. There are two hiking routes that lead you to the waterfalls, each following quiet forest tracks where you’ll meet some of the local wildlife. En route, there are several viewpoints where you can rest and take in the scenery, including the Lipovceva Hut which sells homemade soup and fruit juices from the open kitchen.
5. Lake Bled
The most famous of all Slovenia’s lakes is Lake Bled, spanning approximately 4 miles in length within Triglav National Park. The views surrounding its shoreline are to die for and you can complete the circular hiking route in around 1.5 hours, allowing for plenty of time to stop and take photographs. At the glacial lake, you’ll see its small island and castle, and there are many beautiful hiking trails that start from here. Alternatively, you might just want to sit by the banks and absorb the scenery or go for a dip at one of the several swimming spots.