Hike, Bike and Paddle Magical Slovenia

105 WS HDR Hike, bike and paddle adventure tour in Slovenia

Hike, Bike and Paddle Magical Slovenia!

Postcard perfect Slovenia is filled with tidy, charming villages with attractive gardens and showcases both the lower Alps as well as the Mediterranean Sea.

A safe and affordable alternative to Western Europe, Slovenia is an absolutely delightful country offering active travelers several wonderful ways to explore this hidden gem. The scenery is outstanding, the food is incredible (and very affordable!) and the locals friendly. You can get your culture fix in Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljiana [pronounced: Lu-Be-Yana], one of the best cities I’ve ever visited.

Join my friend Sharron and me as we tour highlights of beautiful Slovenia by foot, bike and kayak via my affiliate One Foot Abroad and their Slovenia Multi-Activities Tour.

If you want to do this or any One Foot Abroad or their companion company, Follow the Camino, be sure to use my exclusive Discount Promo Code ATA5 to get 5% off!

Why Visit Slovenia

Slovenia offers all the wonderful experiences of a European holiday but at a significantly less cost. And since it is less touristed than Western European countries, you don’t have to fight the crowds.

Slovenia has been part of the EU since 2004 and was part of the former Yugoslavia. Their breakup was significantly less harsh with only a ten day war in 1991. Slovenia is part of the Schengen Zone, which means that US passport holders can visit visa free for 90 days within any given 120 days.

Where is Slovenia?

Slovenia shares most of its short western border with Italy – in fact, I flew in to Venice and took a scenic bus ride to the capital of Slovenia, Ljubjiana. To the south is Croatia. Most people visit western Slovenia, which has better infrastructure for tourists. Here’s a map.

Just for fun, on one day tour from Ljubjiana, we actually stopped for espresso in Italy – it is that close!

Slovenia is one of the Balkan states and was part of the former Yugoslavia.

Is there a language problem if I can’t speak Slovenian?

Absolutely not! Most people speak English and the young people tell me they learned English from watching the Cartoon Network and then their teachers polished it up once they got to school, where everyone learns it. You will not find a langhuage barrier in Slovenia at all.

105 Sharron hiking in Slovenia in a pasture

When to Visit Slovenia

You can visit Slovenia any month of the year, but to do the hiking, biking and paddling self-guided tour that we took, the best times are between April – October. If you want good weather and less crowds, go in April – May or September – October. If you want no crowds, go in the off season of November – March. The most popular time, and thus the busiest time to go is between June – August.

Active Things to Do in Slovenia

My favorite way to explore a new country is by taking an active vacation. I like to hike, bike or paddle my way while there in order to discover the hidden treasures of wherever I go. My adventure travel holiday in Slovenia offered the best of all worlds as I got to do all on this multi-sport Slovenian tour!

We started in Ljubljiana, the capital (more on this down below). I highly recommend planning at least three days in this stunning city!

Here’s my 8 Day Multi-Sport Self-Guided Tour Itinerary:

DAY ONE

From Ljubljiana, we took an affordable two hour public bus ride to the lovely alpine village of Kranjska Gora (World Cup slaloms are held here every January, fyi). This enchanting village is surrounded by the majestic Western Julian Alps. You will have the remainder of the day to explore this village. There are lots of outdoor cafes that allow you to soak in the mountain views.

DAY TWO

Enjoy a delightful 10 mile/16 km hike around the Jasna Valley. You will walk around Lake Jasna with the jagged peaks of the Julian Alps as a backdrop. You will also hike the mountain arena of the Prisank and Razor Mountains. Heading back, you can check out the “Russian Chapel” which is dedicated to the Russian POWs who died during WWI building the military road over the Vrsic Pass.

DAY THREE

Today, you’ll bike (I highly recommend you reserve an e-Bike!) from Kranska Gora 25 miles/ 40 km to Bled, a town you are certain to fall in love with! Your ride takes you into the heart of the Triglav National Park. The route takes you alongside the Sava Dolinka River as it cuts its way south to join the Sava Bohinjka, where it becomes the Sava River, the longest in Slovenia.

From Mojstrana you will head into the Karma Valley. This lush green valley leads through a peaceful forest littered with WW2 monuments and traditional farmhouses, one of which has been adapted into a museum.

You can have lunch in the mountain hut at the foot of Triglav, the mightiest mountain in the Julian Alps, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery deep in the heart of this beautiful alpine landscape.

As you exit the valley, be sure to take a short detour to the visit the stunning 1 mile/ 1.6km Vintgar Gorge, carved 150m deep into the mountains by the Radovna River. I recommend taking the longer hiking route back to your stored bike so you can see the villages and farms dotted down below you.

NOTE: One Foot Abroad, the company we booked our self-guided tour with, not only makes all the (really nice!!!) accommodations for us, but also had a van deliver our bikes, AND transport us as required. We were also given a detailed itinerary booklet with step by step photos to keep us from getting lost. They also offer 24/7 support, if needed. All we had to do was enjoyably follow the itinerary as they figured out all the logistics for us!

When booking with either One Foot Abroad or their other company, Follow the Camino, be sure to use my exclusive discount Promo Code ATA5 to get 5% Off!

They offer incredible guided and self-guided adventure tours throughout Europe!

DAY FOUR : Cycling Lake Bled

Today’s 22 mile/ 35 km biking tour goes alongside the Jelovica high-plateau and the Sava River (some easy undemanding hills). Take time to check out the old smithies’ village of Kropa with a museum, and the bee-keeping museum in Radovljica. Enjoy lunch in a traditional restaurant next to the castle in Radovljica.

E-Bike Tips

E-bikes are great to give you that extra ‘oomph’ needed to climb a steep hill or just to give your body a little rest. Usually a fully charged battery can get you through a reasonable 20-40 mile ride without a problem.

There are four levels of power: Eco, Tour, Mountain and Turbo, with eco being the lowest level of support and turbo being full on support. The higher the power support used, the quicker your battery will drain. There is a helpful monitor on the milage guage. If you see your bettery level dropping too fast, just put a little more of your own power into your biking. E-bikes are MUCH heavier than a regular bike, so you do not want to have to bike it back to your base on your own leg power.

DAY FIVE : Rafting Lake Bled

Enjoy a pleasant, couple of hour, guided rafting trip – no experience needed – down the Sava River. You will be surrounded by the beautiful mountains and get to see this stunning area from a new perspective.

In the afternoon, explore the beautiful Lake Bled area. Walk around the lake itself: it’s almost 4 miles/ 6 km. Take a row boat or motor bboat over to the church on the island. Explore the magnificent castle on the rock (believe me, you will be coming home with WAY too many castle and island church photos!). Be sure to try the famous cream cake created here (the Park Hotel is one great place to go).

105 Misty valley in Slovenia while hiking

DAY SIX : Hiking from Poklujka to Lake Bohinj

A driver will pick you up in the morning and take you up to the Pokljuka Plateau so you can hike the mountain pastures and around old farmhouses. You’ll enjoy stunning views of the Bohinj Valley down below before you head down towards the lake. Be sure to explore the cute town of Studor en route. There is a museum there you can visit that shows you how people lived in this area for the past 150 years. Your final destination is Lake Bohinj, the jewel in the heart of the Triglav National Park, and the small settlement of Ribčev Laz (Fisherman’s Pass).

DAY SEVEN : Kayalking on Bohinj Lake

Your tour includes a half day kayak rental on Lake Bohinj. Paddle to a secluded beach, or dock to enjoy some local lake trout or a local pubs. Afterwards, take a cable car ride up Vogel mountain – 1532 metres high. Take a cab or walk to the Savica Waterfall and witness the cool emerald green waters that flow into Lake Bohinj.

DAY EIGHT : After breakfast, your tour ends

Take a two hour bus back to Ljubjiana or continue exploring this beautiful region!

What’s Included?

7 nights in 3 & 4* hotels
7 Breakfasts
2 full days bike hire
Half day white water rafting tour in Bled
Half day kayak rent on lake Bohinj
Car transfer on days 3, 4 & 6
24/7 Customer Care
Welcome meeting upon arrival
Holiday pack

Remember to use the Discount Promo Code ATA5 to get 5% OFF any One Foot Abroad or Follow the Camino guided and self-guded tours! Plus, you’l be helping to support ATA at no additional cost to you!

How Difficult is this Adventure?

If you are reasonably fit, especially if you train, you should have no problem doing the activities on the tour. Remember, you can go at your own pace and you have all day to get there!

None of the hikes are super hard, although there are some definite ascents and descents. If you rent an e-Bike, and use the power judiciously, you will have no problem. The rafting is easy and the kayaking can be as leisurely as you like.

Who is this Slovenia Tour good for?

This is a wonderful adventure for all groups: solo, friends and couples! Unlike many adventures covered by Active Travel Adventures, this one is mild enough that it is family-friendly for active children who are able to hike the distances above.

Dragon Bridge in Ljubjiana, Slovenia

Ljubjiana – the Capitol of Slovenia

Make sure to allow for several days to explore this magical city! Ljubjliana is clean, safe and beautiful. It is a city with beautiful architecture and filled with history and legends. Compared to western Europe, it is quite affordable (although it will be the most expensive place you visit in Slovenia).

Getting to Ljubjiana

Ljubliana has an airport, LJU. Regionally, you can get there by bus or train.

I like the website Omio to help me to determine the best way to get around Europe. You plug in where you are starting and where you want to go, and then the website (or app) tells you your alternatives, with timetables, duration and pricing. Sometimes you can even book your ticket through them directly, which is convenient.

For durations less than a few hours, I tend to take the bus. I like how they often go through little villages en route, which gives me a ‘free tour’ of the region. Of course, train rides also show off the landscape, you just generally don’t get to see the inside of a village.

The price for both ways is pretty similar, in most cases. I have found both to be reliable methods to get around.

Ljubjiana Day Tour to Skogan Caves and more

We had a wonderful day trip from Ljubliana to see the massive Skogan Caves, the Lipica Stud Farm (this was only ‘ehh’ for me but gets high ratings from others), and then had lunch in a restaurant you couldn’t even tell was a restaurant (that’s why using a local is so much better). We even swung by Italy for expresso because it was so close! Here’s who we used, and I cannot more highly recommend Ziga and team!

In town, we also took a fun 3 hour food tour where not only did we get a history lesson of the area, we got to sample traditional Slovenian foods from our guides favorite places. We also toured the market.

Also be sure to take a walking tour of Ljubjliana. The local tourist office can arrange it, or you can sign up for a ‘free’ walking tour – these are tip based. The city has a fascinating history and it is worth your time to learn about it!

Train for your Adventure!

Becki from Trailblazer Wellness can customize a training plan for you that works with your euqipment (if any!) and helps to get your mind and body prepared for whatever your’ve got planned. Mention ATA sent you for a 10% Discount!

Helpful Links

How to Train for Adventure Travel

How to Get Cheap Flights

Solo Travel Tips

15 Benefits of Adventure Travel

Travel Insurance

It’s important to get travel insurance to cover your trips, especially for overseas and adventure trips.

It not only covers accidents, delays and lost luggage, but also cancellations due to a close family member becoming sick or worse, for example.

My InsureMyTrip.com link lets you compare options for the coverage you need. And, at no additional cost to you, you’ll be helping to support ATA and keeping it ad free – thanks!

Hike, Bike and Paddle Magical Slovenia