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Snowshoeing & Winter Walking in the Julian Alps
Slovenia
From
This trip supports
- Overview
- Itinerary
- Esential info
- Packing list
Grade:
Intermediate
Type:
Activity
Transfers
Duration:
8 Nights
4 - 8
Group size
Leaders
Tour Highlights
- Walking tour of Ljubljana
- Snowshoeing in Triglav National Park
- Lake Bohinj
- Skocjan Caves
- Wine tasting in Brda
- Wolf tracking / learn about the bears in Kocevje forests
- Authentic and comfortable boutique hotels & guesthouses
Embark on this wonderful winter walking tour of Slovenia
On this Slovenia walking tour, you can partake in amazing experiences such as; Wolf tracking in the Kocevje forests, wine tasting in Brda and snowshoeing in Triglav National Park. Whilst Staying in Authentic and comfortable boutique hotels and guesthouses.
Slovenia is a country of contrasts, and never more so than during the winter months, when the high peaks of Triglav National Park and the thick primeval UNESCO heritage forests of Kocevje are blanketed in snow, yet the lush green valleys of the Brda vineyards below remain bathed in sunshine and warmer temperatures. We embrace the winter in Slovenia; donning snowshoes or popping mini crampons onto our walking boots to explore the achingly beautiful shores of Bohinj lake in the Julian Alps, and to walk into the adjacent mountains for a magical night in a refuge at Komna.
Our Slovenia winter experience would be incomplete without a visit to the stunning Kocevje region where we are joined by a local wildlife guide to learn about the wolves and bears that inhabit the pristine forests. Depending on snow levels, we will snowshoe to track wolves or enjoy winter walking in the virgin forest Rajhenavski Rog and to the 55m tall Queen of Rog fir tree, over 500 years old.
(Available as a small group tour or tailor-made holiday)
The warmer side of our adventure sees us head into the famous Brda wine making region, to taste the local wine and prosciutto, learning about the winemaking industry and the remarkable WW1 history of the area. Numerous battles were fought between the Austro Hungarian and Italian forces along the border between modern day Slovenia & Italy, with tragic and extensive losses. As you stand in the Peace Park at Sabotin Hill, with its far reaching views across both countries, it is hard to believe all that occurred here over 100 years ago.
Staying in comfortable 3 and 4 star hotels, and small guesthouses with en-suite bedrooms, we also escape to enjoy the thrill of a night in the mountains above Bohinj lake, with spectacular panoramic views.
Day 1: Arrival into Ljubljana
3 star hotel
Arrive into Ljubljana and head to your excellently located 3/4* hotel to freshen up and relax (we are staying here for 2 nights). It is a short taxi journey (cost €40) from the airport to your hotel so we have chosen to avoid a group transfer that would limit options on flight choices and arrival times. Settle into the hotel and take time to relax or explore the area around your hotel independently.
You will formally meet the rest of your group and your English speaking Slovenian guide tomorrow morning, so you have the freedom to eat where you wish this evening, but we can make recommendations should you need some ideas.
Overnight: Hotel BB Park - the first eco-hotel in the capital
Day 2: Tour of Ljubljana
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
3 star hotel
After breakfast this morning we enjoy a leisurely walking tour of Ljubljana with time to explore the main sites situated along the Ljubljanica River which divides the city's old town from the modern commercial hub. Our tour includes the scenic Tivoli Park and the short climb up to Ljubljana Castle which is a great viewpoint. We pause for lunch in central restaurant and absorb the relaxed vibe of this small capital city.
Overnight: Hotel BB Park - the first eco-hotel in the capital
Day 3: Snowshoeing in Bohinj
Transfer
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
4 star hotel
This morning we leave the city and head into the majestic Julian Alps (1hr 30). Our destination is the lakeside town Bohinj in Northwest Slovenia which lies within Triglav National Park, named after the highest peak in the country: Triglav at 2863m. Renowned for its breathtakingly pristine blue-green glacial lake, it makes the perfect base for us at the start of our adventure. Agatha Christie, when asked once during an interview, if she could make the valley a scene for one of her murder mysteries, she said: "Bohinj is too beautiful for murder".
On arrival we check in to our hotel and get ready for our first foray into the mountains; on snowshoes! Not a problem if you are new to snowshoeing, it is very easy to pick up and the most tranquil and fun way to explore the snowy woods and trails of the area. We will be snowshoeing at a gentle pace for around 3 hours, on terrain to suit the group, accompanied by an experienced snowshoeing guide, and with the hire of the snowshoeing equipment included.
Overnight: Hotel Bohinj
Day 4: Hiking to Mt Vogar and Savica Waterfall
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
4 star hotel
We walk (around 6km) up from Bohinj today to a wonderful spot above the northern shore of the lake, Mt Vogar (1054m). It is a peak ridge that affords tremendous views in all directions with two popular viewpoints and is well worth the 500m ascent on a fairly steep trail in places. Found at the top of the first viewpoint, is Kosijev dom na Vogarjua hiking cottage serving drinks and snacks (weather dependent).
After lunch we walk alongside the lake from Ukanc to Slovenia's most famous waterfalls: Savica, renowned for its A shaped pool of bright emerald hue. At 78m high, its watercourse is fed from Arno Lake, one of the seven lakes in the Triglav mountain valley and continues its flow into Lake Bohinj. We spend a second night in Bohinj this evening.
Overnight: Hotel Bohinj
Day 5: Hike from Bohinj to Komna
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Mountain refuge
We leave on an adventure within an adventure this morning: a night in Dom na Komni mountain refuge up at 1527m, and above the snowline. There is little to compare the the serenity of sleeping in a mountain refuge - nestled properly into the majestic peaks, with no light or sound pollution and stunning sunsets and sunrises.
The hut was built in 1936 (though it has been re-built and renovated many times since then) and offers magnificent long views down into Bohinj and across the lake as well as the rugged summits of Pdrta gore group, and the summits above the Valley of Triglav lakes.
Our route up to Komna begins at Koca pri Savici and will take us around 3 hours if there is no snow on the ground, or a little longer if we encounter snow. You will need to bring crampons with you that fit onto our hiking boots to safely hike over some sections of snow, depending on the weather. It is not technical ground, or difficult walking but the crampons, which are simple to fit, will give you good grip on snow. Mini crampons will be sufficient - see our packing list suggestions or email us for more information.
Accommodation tonight will be in dormitories but it is likely our group will have their own room or 2 depending on the group size. Blankets and single use sheets are provided but you need to bring a towel with you. Warm showers are available when there is sufficient water (weather dependent).
Overnight: Koca na Konmi or similar
Day 6: Back to Bohinj and wine tasting in Brda
Transfer
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
3 star hotel
We leave the tranquility of the Komna plateau and return to picturesque Bohinj to pick up our belongings and head south, into the Brda region. We break our 2hr 30 journey at Sabotin Hill Peace Park (609m) on the border between Slovenia and Italy, for incredible far reaching views over both countries. The walking path we take (4kms, 100m ascent) has many points of interest on the way: the church of Saint Valentin, and remains from World War I. The hill itself is arranged as a memorial park / open air museum where you can see the caverns and pyramids that denoted the front lines during the many First World War battles and tragic losses for which this area has become known.
This afternoon we enjoy something a little different - some wine tasting at a local Brda vineyard. Slovenia has a 2400 year old wine tradition and produces arguably some of the best wines in the world. The unique climate in the Brda region combines the cool air of the Alps and the warmth and sunshine of the Mediterranean, producing top quality wines. The 'taste' of Brda is due to a quality soil called 'Opoka' and the main grape varieties are Rebulea, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Savignon Vert . Grapes are hand harvested, thanks to the steepness of the terraces that prevent the use of machinery.
We stay this evening in a picturesque local village, surrounded by vineyards.
Overnight: Hotel San Martin or similar
Day 7: Karst
Transfer
Breakfast
Dinner
3 star hotel
Karst is a plateau region that extends across the border of southwestern Slovenia and Northeastern Italy, and the western edge of the plateau makes the traditional ethnic border between Italians and Slovenia. It was here that scientists first explained numerous karst features (landscapes with underlying limestone, eroded by dissolution, which produces ridges, towers, fissures, sinkholes and other characteristic landforms).
Leaving Brda this morning, we enjoy a mid-morning 'snack' with some Prosciutto tasting, before a hike to Kokoska Hill (gentle walk of around 1hr). After lunch (at the hut on Kokoska hill or in Lokev) we head to the UNESCO heritage Skocjan Caves, an exceptional limestone cave system with some 6km of underground passages, many waterfalls and one of the largest known underground chambers.
Tonight we stay in the small town of Lokev.
Overnight: Hisa Krasna
Day 8: Kocevje
Transfer
Breakfast
Packed Lunch
Dinner
Guest house
We leave the Karst area of Slovenia for the mystical forest landscapes of Kocevje, listed, together with the Krokar primeval forest, as another UNESCO's World Heritage site. This is the domain of the Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) and Gray Wolf (Canis Lupus) so, depending on snow levels, we will be wolf tracking or looking for evidence of bears (they will be hibernating), with a local wildlife expert. Snow is more abundant here than elsewhere in Slovenia lending a magical ambiance to the pristine forests, shrouded in white. Expect amazing opportunities for photography and an opportunity to learn about the woodland wildlife and how responsible tourism is supporting the conservation of the area.
Until the 13th Century, the Kocevje region was too inaccessible to be colonised: due to the vast fir and beech forests, harsh climate, karst features and poor soil fertility. In the 1330s the area was passed to Gottschee Germans from Tyrol and Carinthia who lived here and passed down their cultural traditions, and language for more than 600 years. With the end of the Habsburg Monarchy in 1918, Gottschee became part of the new kingdom of Yugoslavia and became an ethnic minority island in a large Slavic state.
We stay in the area's principal town: Kocevje, tonight in a bed and breakfast with ensuite bedrooms.
Overnight: Farm House to be confirmed, depending the number of people.
Day 9: Return to Ljubljana to depart
Transfer
Breakfast
We transfer as a group back to Ljubljana airport for flights home (1hr 10mins). Independent airport transfers are possible for those arriving outside of the group transfer (€120).
Adventure Optional Extras
Single Room Supplement
Single rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. We will charge on a pro-rata basis if a single room is only available for part of the trip.
Plant an additional 15 trees for your adventure
Carbon Compensation is not the perfect solution, and it is important to first reduce our carbon emissions as much as we can, yet trees remain an excellent natural technology to sequester carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to slow global warming.
For every client and guide who attends a YellowWood Adventure, we donate £30 to our partner charity WeForest to plant 15 trees to (over) compensate for the carbon footprint of the tour.
We also invite our clients to match this with an optional additional £30 for another 15 trees to be planted to help compensate for the carbon footprint of their international flights.
WeForest run many tree planting and tree maintenance projects such as this seedling nursery in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil and many other projects in other countries including Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania & India.
Click Here to find out more about their amazing projects around the world.
Not Included
- International Flights & taxes
- Comprehensive Insurance
- Visas if required
- Arrival Transfer (Taxi available for €40)
- Tipping (allow £100)
- Drinks & Snacks
- Souvenirs.
- 4 lunches & 1 dinner (Day 1)
Contents
Accommodation
We fully believe in, and practice, Responsible Tourism, using hotels run by locals. The accommodation on this adventurs is comfortable and welcoming hotel accommodation offering rooms with ensuite facilities. We put time and effort into building our relationship with accommodation suppliers to ensure you have a great trip;
We choose accommodation based on cleanliness, comfort, safety, proximity to our route (to avoid unnecessary extra travel) and a warm client welcome, as well as reliability in their service to us. Wherever we can we will choose smaller, more characterful, individual hotels, but in areas where tourism is still developing, or in remote areas (like the mountains), we may not have a wide range of options. An aspect of our adventures is to escape the ‘trappings’ of modern Western lifestyles and to experience new things with are exciting and memorable and reflects the countries we are visiting.
The list below gives information on our first choice of accommodation for this adventure. Where hotels and guesthouses are fully booked or unavailable, we will use an alternative of a similar standard, and equally well situated. We will provide you with an accurate list of accommodation, with contact information to leave with relatives, prior to departure on your adventure.
Facilities
Unless you have booked a single room (where they are available) and paid the single room supplement for those nights, you will be sharing a twin room with another client (of the same gender).
Guiding & Your Group
Supporting you on your holiday will be a local, English speaking Slovenian guide who is qualified to lead walkers in the mountains and knows the trails like the back of his hand, as well as the history & heritage of the area, ensuring you are in excellent hands and that you have access to local knowledge. You will be joined by a wildlife guide for your woodland walk in Kocevje.
We work jointly with our Slovenian Tour Operator partners both before and during your adventure to ensure that they understand your needs and the standard that YellowWood Adventures expects. We believe that it is a very important positive aspect of Responsible Tourism, to employ the expertise of local suppliers, as well as offering you a much more informative and authentic experience.
Your Group
Your group will be any number from our minimum group size of 4, up to a maximum of 8 clients. This number works really well with the ratio of guides, and ensures the optimum level of service to you during your adventure.
We get clients booking alone, as couples and in small groups of friends. If you have a group of friends or family who are interested in having their own customised trip, then please let us know and we can cost it for you.
Am I Fit Enough?
Your itinerary involves hiking on snow and snowshoeing at altitude (up toxxxm). You will encounter some rough terrain, but will be following well defined paths. Gradients will be steep at time and you may be ascending and descending on snow so mini crampons are essential to bring with you (see packing list). You will be walking for 3 - 4 hours / day, and on some consecutive days.
To get the most of out of this adventure, you need to be a regular walker with experience of walking in the mountains, and be in good physical condition. You do not need to have used snowshoes or crampons before, though you need to bring crampons with you that fit your walking boots.
Any hiking is undertaken at the natural pace of the group, with regular stops for photos, snacks etc. Walking boots that have already been worn in are essential on this adventure.
You will be carrying just a day pack with camera, spare layers and a bottle of water.
For convenience, peace of mind, and to reduce the purchase of single use plastic water bottles, we highly recommend a filtration water bottle such as Aquapure Traveller (offer available - see section on Water)
Training
As with all active holidays, the fitter you are, the more you can relax and enjoy the stunning route, and the better you can cope with challenges such as the outside elements.
You are advised to get into a regular walking & or running pattern before the trip as convenient.
Travel
Your YellowWood adventure starts in Ljubljana. We understand that arriving at an unfamiliar airport can be daunting, so we aim to give you as much information here as possible to help you prepare.
Finding flights
Flights are not included in the cost of your holiday, and whilst we are happy to help advise you, the responsibility for booking the correct flights rests with you. We recommend that you use a comparison tool when searching for flights, such as Skyscanner or www.momondo.co.uk.
We will send you a Flight Information Sheet with further pointers on which flights to book for your adventure.
Travel by Train
Although the most timely way to get to Slovenia is to use a low cost airline, there is much joy to be found in incorporating your travel into your adventure and choosing the lower carbon footprint option of the train. You can travel from London to Paris, across France into Southern Germany, down through Austria and into Slovenia. Rome2Rio suggests the journey would take around 18 hours and cost between £250 & £550.
Foreign Travel Advice
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. As the situation in our destination countries can change, please do ensure you check regularly before your adventure.
We also receive notifications direct from the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) so we are always aware of the ‘status’ in our destination countries.
Arrival
For those of you who choose to fly into Ljubljana, it is a fully functioning, international airport welcoming domestic flights and those from Europe. Airport services include Duty Free, ATMs and Currency Exchange. On arrival at the airport, you will go through passport control to baggage reclaim and onwards to Arrivals where you will be met by a driver/guide with a YellowWood Adventures sign.
All group specific, final details on where to meet your guide will be sent to you prior to the start of your adventure.
Insurance
Holiday insurance is essential for all Yellow Wood Adventures. Unfortunately anyone without insurance is not able to take part in the holiday, so please make sure you arrange cover. We recommend sorting your insurance when you book so that if you have problems during the run up to your holiday, and need to cancel, you are covered, particularly in the light of effects that the pandemic has had on travel.
Prior to the holiday, we will ask you to send us details of your insurer, policy number, 24 hr emergency assistance contact details and the name, address, and telephone numbers of your NOK or persons to be notified in the event of an emergency.
Your insurance needs to cover you for snowshoeing and winter walking with the following fairly standard inclusions:
- Medical Expenses
- Coronavirus linked expenses (these may be country specific, so please ensure you know what the requirements are relating to the country you are visiting)
- Repatriation
- Helicopter rescue & Air ambulance
We would also recommend that you have cover for the following optional items:
- Cancellation
- Loss or damage to property
General information on Slovenia
For general information on Slovenia, such as climate, weather, language, social norms, food & drink etc, please have a read of our Country specific information.
Receive a 15% discount off Water-to-Go filtration water-bottles to help reduce plastic waste.
Compulsory
- € currency, or US$ or £GB to exchange
- Passport & insurance documents
- Credit / debit card for ATM use
- Prescription medication & Antibiotics such as Azithromycin to stop serious traveller's diarrhoea
- First aid kit: paracetamol, anti-diarrhoea tables, rehydration sachets, antihistamine cream, ibuprofen cream, thermometer & blister kit (eg plasters & zinc oxide tape).
- Insect repellent
- Hand sanitiser (70% alcohol) & min of 2 reusable & 10 disposable face coverings
- Washbag & usual contents - small travel bottles please! Biodegradable multi purpose soap can be used for washing clothes & self.
- Flannel & Towel (ideally quick drying travel towel)
Items for walking / sightseeing
- 20-30L daypack for hiking / sightseeing, with waist and ideally, chest strap
- Waterproof jacket (GoreTex or similar quality)
- Lightweight waterproof over trousers
- Comfortable walking shoes / boots - already broken in...
- Sunglasses and high factor suncream
- Sun hat / baseball cap
- Water-to-Go filtration water-bottle & additional storage water-bottle - ideally 2 litres per person
- Mini crampons that fit your walking boots (available from stores such as Blacks, Decathlon etc)
Clothing
- General socks / underwear, including walking socks
- Suitable clothes / pjs for sleeping in at night
- Light clothes for day time - long & short sleeved tops that can be layered. NB technical fabrics dry quickly in hot or wet weather.
- Walking trousers (thickness depends on how 'warm' you get when walking)
- Thermal base layers
- Sandals / trainers
- Warm jacket & fleece - Down or synthetic insulated jacket & light fleece recommended.
- Warm hat & gloves
- Trousers / skirts for sightseeing days
Optional
- Waterproof stuff sacks & liners to keep kit dry.
- Torch with spare batteries / charger
- Buff or neck gaiter for cold weather / sun protection.
- Camera & charging cables / plug
- Phone & charging cables / plug
- EU plug adaptor
- Money belt or grab bag
- Walking poles
This trip supports
Need a little help?
All adventures can be tailored as private bespoke trips.
Please contact us for more information:
+44 207 846 0197
Related Adventures
Booking Process
Select dates: Choose the dates for your adventure and consider adding any extra adventures or add-ons to enhance your experience.
Check the box to agree to our Terms & Conditions.
Make Booking: Click on "Make Booking." If you're booking more than 56 days before your adventure, you'll be redirected to secure WorldPay to make your deposit. If it's 56 days or less before your adventure, you'll need to make full payment. Rest assured, your money is held securely by the Travel Trust Association.
Your booking will show as 'pending' in your YellowWood online account.
Confirmation: We'll be in touch as soon as possible to confirm your booking or discuss any availability limitations. Please refrain from booking transport or flights until we've emailed you to confirm your booking. (Note: Receipt of your booking form is not confirmation.)
Making payment: Once your booking is confirmed, we'll change the status of your final invoice from 'Pending Approval' to 'Outstanding,' indicating that it's ready for payment online.
You will receive a reminder email for your final payment 56 days before the departure date.
Feel free to contact us with any questions about your adventure or booking, we're here to help!
Grading
To help you choose the right adventure for you, we have given each itinerary a grading that relates to the level of Walking / Trekking you will experience during the trip. This grading can be found on the Yellow map on the adventure page of the website.
All of our trips involve a level of general activity so are designed for people who are in good health, enjoy the outdoors, and have a taste for adventure and some level of fitness. As will be clear from our destinations, the climate (and altitude) may be different to that which you are used to, so please take this into consideration when choosing the most suitable holiday.
Please read our Adventure Itinerary & Essential Information for more information and don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to chat through whether you have found a suitable adventure for you.
Grade 1-3: Entry Level
You need to be in good physical health to enjoy your active holiday, but you don’t need to be an experienced hiker. These itineraries offer a mix of sightseeing and easier walking for around 2-4hrs a day, with the emphasis on sights and cultural experiences.
Walks will be well marked or on defined pathways, and often around sites of interest. The expected amount of descent/ascent will depend on the landscapes of the destination, but will not exceed 400m/day, and will often be much less. Walks are at low altitude (below 3000m).
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack with water and essentials. Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have a pair of comfortable and worn in walking shoes/boots.
Grades 4-6: Intermediate
You need to have a good level of fitness and be a regular walker for these adventures, with ideally some trekking experience. You can expect to be walking for 3-6 hours per day, not including rest stops, normally on good trail paths but with some uneven surfaces at times.
You will not be required to carry more than a day sack. You may be walking in more challenging temperatures. You will generally be walking at low altitude (below 3000m) but may walk at altitudes up to 4000m. The amount of ascent could be up to 800m in a day but will frequently be less. You may walk on consecutive days.
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable clothing for this adventure.
Grades 7-9: Challenging
You need to have a good level of fitness with previous experience of trekking. Extra training before your trip will ensure that you get the most out of your adventure. Areas will be remote and terrain uneven.
Expect to walk for 5 – 8 hours a day, not including breaks, with some very steep ascents and descents. You will be walking at altitude (over 3000m but not higher than 5000m).
Ensure you are aware of the weather conditions likely in the destination you are visiting and have suitable equipment/clothing for this adventure (see the packing list for your adventure).
Please check individual itineraries for details of what you will need to be carrying with you.
Get in touch
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