Mountain Adventure Holidays
The Julian Alps in Slovenia have it all! Glistening Alpine pastures, surrounded by striking peaks, peaceful forests and breathtaking mountain viewpoints. Snowshoeing through Slovenia's backcountry alpine landscapes is a truly special experience. This trip balances excellent accommodation, with adventurous journeys and traditional mountain culture, a prefect mix for a week on the edge of the Julian Alps.
Our expert local guide will not only share this region's pastures, plateaus, passes and peaks, which make this area so perfect for winter exploration, but will also welcome you to taste some of Slovenia's distinctive delicacies and local specialities throughout each day. We love working with the 'locals' who know their mountain 'office' so well. We feel this truly enhances any guided experience.
Snowshoes are a tool for hiking in the winter but should the conditions not warrant their use then micro spikes may be used as an alternative. It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary; it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily plan based on the weather conditions.
You will be welcomed at the airport or train station (depending on your choice of arrival) by your professional local guide, who will drive you to your accommodation for the week. The approximate meeting time with your guide will be at 1800 hrs to discuss the itinerary, location and routes followed by the evening meal.
The guide will also join you for the final evening evening meal.
Departing from Rudno Polje - one of Slovenia's premier biathlon centres - our route journeys up and away through the forests of the Pokljuka Plateau. The plateau is the largest forest area in the Triglav National Park. Eventually we emerge onto one of our most beautiful Alpine Pastures, surrounded by striking peaks and sprinkled with historic shepherds huts. In the 16th century, iron ore was mined and smelted in Pokljuka, and the translation of Rudno Polje is literally 'ore field'. For around 3000 years the Julian Alps were strategically important due to their rich and high quality iron deposits. The working of metal in this area is documented as early as the Iron Age (800 BC), and reached a peak in the Roman era. After a picnic lunch, we will continue down the valley visiting the beautifully situated Uskovnica Koca for an afternoon snack, before a gentle ascent back to our starting point.
Ascent: 480m (1575ft) Descent: 480m (1575ft) Distance: 10km (6.2 miles) Duration: 5h00 - 07h00
Our day begins again at Rudno Polje, setting off away from the Cross-country sking trails and soon finding peaceful forest, with plenty of opportunities for spotting animal tracks and traces. Ascending gradually steepening ground we will reach a welcoming plateau. We can enjoy views back across Triglav National Park, before beginning our final ascent to Mrežce, a popular and easily accessible peak reaching 1974m (6476ft) on the edge of Pokljuka plateau near Bled. As we reach the ridge, the Julian Alps are revealed, with close-up views of Triglav from the top. Triglav at 2864m (9393ft) is the highest mountain in a group of over 300 mountains all with an elevation of more than 2000m (6560ft). After enjoying the view we descend via the same route to our starting point.
Ascent: 674m (2210ft) Descent: 674m (2210ft) Distance: 11km (6.8 miles) Duration: 5h00 - 07h00
Start at the iconic Planica ski jumping centre, and marvel at one of the world's highest jumps. Ski Jumping is considered one of Slovenia's national sports, and you will often be able to watch athletes in training. From the centre we set off on a gentle journey along the Tamar valley, surrounded by striking peaks and emerging in a wide pasture, home to Dom v Tamarju for a welcome, hearty lunch. Our return journey takes us back the same way, along a beautiful trail that soaks in the heart of Slovene winter mountain culture.
Ascent: 169m (554ft) Descent: 169m (554ft) Distance: 9km (5.6 miles) Duration: 4h00 - 5h00
Today we begin our snowshoe route close to Soriska Planina, a small skiing area popular with locals. Following the edge of the plateau we journey steadily up until we join a wide ridge with open views across the Pre-Alps and much of Slovenia's 3 Alpine ranges. The path undulates as we continue along the Ratitovec ridge to a peak called Kremant sitting at 1654m (5425ft). There will be some steeper sections as we climb and we have the option to extend our ridge walk to include another peak called Gladki Vrh with a summit at 1667m (5468ft). Your guide will decide on the route on the day, depending on snow conditions and the effort required. After enjoying the view we will return via the same ridge line.
Ascent: 550m (1840ft) Descent: 550m (1840ft) Distance: 12km (7.5 miles) Duration: 7h00 - 8h00
Starting again from Soriska Planina, we immediately depart from the skiing areas, breaking trail along a quiet track with striking views across Bohinj Lake. Behind is the largest permanent lake in Slovenia, and it part of the Triglav National Park. On the lake shore is a statue of the legendary Zlatorog! Legend refers to this mythical beast as a golden chamois frequenting the mountains surrounding Mount Triglav. Also know as 'goldenhorn' the horns were said to be the key to a treasure hidden under the mountain of Bogatin. You never know you might get lucky! Leaving myth and legend behind we take that climbs through occasionally broken forest, before arriving at a wide alpine pasture. We continue our ascent to above the treeline and enjoy views that take in the Julian Alps, Skofja Loka hills, Karavanke Alps and Kamnik Alps. On clear days you may see all the way to the Adriatic Sea. Our descent is more direct, completing the circuit back to the start.
Ascent: 367m (1148ft) Descent: 382m (1148ft) Distance: 8km (2.5 miles) Duration: 4h00 - 6h00
For our final day of snowshoeing we will journey up the western valley of Mount Begunjščica. Begunjščica is a ridge in the Karawanks which has three main peaks, funnily enough the highest is called Big Peak, the western Middle Peak lies a little lower, and the lowest is Begunje Mount Vrtača. However, our goal today is to cross behind this solitary mountain to the isolated Dom na Zelenici, where we will enjoy our final lunch on the mountain together. This is a traditional Alpine Hut, serving comforting Slovene mountain food such as Jota (cabbage stew), Klobasa (sausage) and Ričet (barley soup). Hut guardians employed through local Alpine Associations manage the food, accommodation and welcome guests to enjoy an important element of Slovene mountain culture. Dom literally translates to home, and you can be sure of home-cooked meals and a warm welcome when you stop by for a visit along your journey. After our meal we will have the opportunity to continue to the northern ridge above the Zelenici mountain hut, which stands on the border with Austria. A few more photos and then we embark on our return journey.
Ascent: 367m (1203ft) Descent: 382m (1253ft) Distance: 8km (6.6 miles) Duration: 5h00 - 6h30
Depending on your ongoing journey times, you may have the opportunity to independently explore the scenic surroundings of Bled lake this morning, before our guide will drive you back to the airport or train station, ready for your journey home.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
The 4* Hotel Triglav on the shores of Lake Bled is a wonderful place to spend a holiday. The hotel is filled with artwork, antique furniture and the rooms are tastefully furnished. There are twenty-one bedrooms ranging from singles to suites. Each evening the kitchen creates a fine dining experience which will be savoured by 'foodies'. Sitting down to breakfast overlooking Lake Bled and watching the pink sunrise is a joy. Guests have free access to the indoor swimming pool, and Finish sauna to ease any aching muscles. There is also a Wine Club three times weekly where you can sign up to enjoy the really excellent Slovenian wines.
The hotel’s restaurant is named “1906” which is the year the hotel was built, and the same year the train connection between Bled and Trieste was constructed. Today, restaurant 1906 with its chef, Aleš Fende, is a leading force in the town’s culinary experiences; serving traditional dishes, offering wine tastings in the hotel’s private wine cellar, organising cooking classes, culinary theme events & a local farmer’s market.
Staying at the Organic Tourist Farm Pri Plajerju offers an authentic Slovenian experience, this family-run farm combines rustic charm with sustainable living, providing guests with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in nature and Slovenian farm life. The rooms are cozy and offer comfort with a personal touch. The restaurant serves organic dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. Note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sun 26 Jan - Sun 02 Feb Code: |
Price: £1995 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sun 09 Feb - Sun 16 Feb Code: |
Price: £1995 | Spaces available | Book |
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat 24 Jan - Sat 31 Jan Code: |
Price: £2075 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sat 07 Feb - Sat 14 Feb Code: |
Price: £2075 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £1995 |
| Holiday Type | Snowshoeing |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Countries Visited | Slovenia |
