Slovenia: Hike, Bike & Raft

With its crystal-clear emerald lakes, picture-perfect castle and fairytale island at the foothills of the Alps, Bled is the perfect spot to base your eight-day active adventure in Slovenia. Hike lush trails on Mt Vogel in Triglav National Park, go cycling next to the Radovljica River and hold on to your helmets on an exhilarating white water rafting trip on the Soka River with expert guides. Walk the Vintgar Gorge boardwalk, discover the secrets of Ljubljana and see the little village of Ribcev Laz. Along with all this adrenaline, there’s plenty of free time to discover bled at your own pace – kayaking or ziplining, anyone?

Itinerary

Day 1: Ljubljana

Zivjo! Welcome to Slovenia – often known as ‘Europe in Miniature’. Luckily for adrenaline junkies, Slovenia is perfect for a wide array of active adventures, like cycling, hiking, skiing, canyoning, caving and boating. Your adventure starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight in Ljubljana (pronounced 'Lyoob-Li-Yana'), the capital of Slovenia. Head out on an orientation walk around cosmopolitan Ljubljana – a city full of history, monuments, churches, museums and great restaurants. Afterwards opt to head out as a group for dinner at a local traditional restaurant. Your trip leader will have all the best recommendations!

Day 2: Ljubljana / Bled

In the morning, board a local bus to Bled – with dense green mountains, a rocky cliff-top castle and an emerald lake (with a church atop the island smack bang in the middle), it’s hard to take a bad photo here! You’ll head out on a hike around Bled through Vintgar Gorge, stopping for snacks and photo breaks along the way. Explore Bled’s gorgeous architecture and scenery, then walk across rapids, waterfalls and pools via an elevated boardwalk that clings to the craggy rock face.

Day 3: Lake Bohinj and Hiking on Mt Vogel

After breakfast, take a public bus to Lake Bohinj – the largest permanent glacial lake in the country. Take the cable car to the top of Mt Vogel within Triglav National Park. The upper station lies above 1500 m (4920 ft), from here you'll hike toward Orlove glave resting point, where you can ring the bell for a goodluck! Take in the Alpine scenery of Julian Alps. Next stop is Sija peak,on a clear day you can catch a glimpse of Italy. Enjoy the amazing views of the mountains before heading back. 

Day 4: Bled

You have a free day to choose your own adventure in Bled today. Maybe visit the 100 m high clifftop castle and chill out on Grajska Plaza (Castle Beach) – dating from the 11th century, the views from Old Bled Castle are nothing short of spectacular. You could take a Pletna boat ride (a wooden, awning-covered boat rowed by a special oarsman) to the island on Lake Bled, where you can climb up the 99 steps to St Mary's Church and ring the wishing bell. If you’re chasing a thrill, maybe go ziplining or kayaking on the Sava River. Be sure to seek out the famous Bled cream cake (nearly every cafe in town claims that theirs is the best).

Day 5: Rafting on Soca River

Pack your swimming gear and towel for a rafting trip on the Soka River today. On the way stop by the mountain town of Bovec famous for its breathtakingly beautiful natural sites. A professional guide will lead the group on a 1.5-hour journey through Class 2 and 3 rapids as well as gates and pools. You’ll pass alpine scenery and cypress trees as you navigate moss-covered boulders all the way downriver to Lancovo. There will be plenty of time for swim stops in the fresh water here and you’ll see the cascades of Boka Waterfall. After an exhilarating day, it’s a short drive back to Bled. Later, maybe dine on sausages or fresh fish with a side of the local vino. Luckily, Slovenia only exports a small amount of their wine, keeping the best local.

Day 6: Biking in Bled

Head out for a morning of biking. You’ll have your bike fitting and a safety briefing to set you up for the journey ahead, then it’s time to get your wheels in motion. With your leader, you’ll begin cycling from Bled, first pedalling gradually uphill through the mountains, following the low-traffic forest paved road. This route offers plenty to look at – mountain views next to Radovljica River, scenic stops along the way and a loop around the beautiful Lake Bled. Your final stop of the day is a flower and tree-filled valley, where you can refuel at a mountain house. The rest of the day is free for your own discoveries – you may like to explore Triglav National Park or rest and recharge before dinner.

Day 7: Bled

Your trip ends after breakfast today and with no further activities planned, you’re free to leave any time after check out. If you’d like to extend your stay in this postcard-perfect place, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Departure Dates