Hiking Highs
Those mountains beg to be trekked, and whatever kind of hiker you are, there’s a trail for you – after all, there are more than 6,200 miles of well-marked hiking routes crossing the country.
History buff? Take a historic hike to the site of the 1917 Battle of Kobarid, which had a huge influence on Ernest Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms.
Nature lover? Spring and summer are the best times to see Slovenia’s colourful display of wildflowers cloak the hills.
Got the kids in tow? Slovenia has plenty of short and flat trails along its famed lakes and rivers, and boasts 175 cosy hiker’s huts to stay in.
Slovenia is also home to part of one of the most epic hikes in the world – the Alpe Adria Trail. Tick off three amazing countries at once by taking on the challenging 466 mile-long hike, which connects Slovenia, Austria and Italy and winds from Austria’s highest peak, through Slovenia and down to the Adriatic sea.
On your bike
Cyclists of all abilities will find the perfect route to pedal in Slovenia. Chilled-out flat trails run through Goričko Nature Park, where you can stop for a dip in thermal pools. Head along the stunning Slovenian coast - Porečanka, a picturesque cycling route running along an old railway track, is a favourite with local riders. Or explore Slovenia’s Alpine landscape with a ride from Bohinj to Lake Bled.
Thrilling Adventures
The adrenaline-obsessed can also get their fix – in Triglav National Park you can take on the Soca River’s astonishingly bright turquoise waters by kayak or white water raft.
If you don’t mind heights, how about a 566 metre-long zip line, running down the world’s biggest ski jumping hill and racing at break-neck speeds over an alpine valley? The Planica zip line is a must for thrill-seekers.
And don’t forget to look under as well as over ground for adventure – the Krizna caves are an incredible water grotto where you can paddle a kayak through 22 emerald-green underground lakes.
And Slovenia’s not just a summer destination. Slovenians really like to ski – the country is home to hundreds of miles of ski tracks and 49 ski resorts. Or strap on some crampons and try ice climbing on a 40 metre-high frozen waterfall at Mlačca Gorge. Welcome to an active traveller’s paradise.
Six Slovenian adventures:
Climb Mount Triglav
Little known outside Slovenia, the Julian Alps are the unsung mountain range of Europe. Summit the jewel in its crown, Mount Triglav, on day five of Exodus’s trekking trip, which includes time to explore Lake Bled.
Price: Eight days from £1,199
Explore classic Slovenia
The village of Kraniska Gora, in the north western corner of Slovenia and a stone’s through from both the Austrian and Italian borders, makes the perfect base for exploring Triglav National Park by bike or by foot.
Price: Seven days from £459 per person
Cycle the Alps to the Adriatic
A much more relaxed take on the Alpe Adria route, Headwater’s ten-day self-guided cycle route takes in gorgeous countryside and medieval villages on its way to the ocean and the sun-kissed island of Grado.
Price: 11 days from £1,569
Hit the river with the kids
Make a splash on an action-packed trip based in a lovely guesthouse by the river Soca, including rafting, canyoning, climbing and abseiling. One for free-ranging kids.
Price: Seven days from £975
Take a proper family adventure
Explore Slovenia’s land and water in fast-paced style – go white water rafting, kayaking, SUP boarding and cycling, and explore pretty Ljubljana in the evenings.
Price: Eight days from £995
