Walking in Slovenia

Our trip begins in the Arrivals Hall at Ljubljana Joze Pucnik Airport (LJU) at 9.45pm. Please look out for your driver who will have an Explore signboard. The latest time you should book a flight to arrive, to ensure you make this joining time, is 9.20pm. We'll travel to our hotel at Lake Bohinj as a group - a journey of around one hour.

Lake Bohinj, in Triglav National Park, is the largest lake in Slovenia: the vast blue-green waters are surrounded by spruce forest and the awesome Julian Alps. The lake is less developed, unspoilt and considered by many to be more beautiful than its northerly cousin, Lake Bled.

Arriving at Lake Bohinj we settle into our chalet-style hotel. Our comfortable base for the week is the family-run Hotel Kristal located a short walk from the lake, with views to Mt Triglav. The hotel offers typical Slovenian hospitality with a welcoming lounge, sauna and garden. Due to the late arrival time, our tour leader will meet you tomorrow morning (day 2) at breakfast after which there will be a short welcome meeting.

If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you will have time to wait ahead of our group transfer tour hotel at Lake Bohinj. You can make the most of this time by taking the airport bus into Ljubljana, Slovenia's laid-back capital. The journey takes 45 minutes, and there is luggage storage available at the main bus station on arrival into the city. This ancient city, which dates back to the 12th century, is located on the emerald-green Ljubljanica River. It is a pedestrian-friendly city, which has much to offer - the centre is traffic free with bicycles free of charge. Explore the old town with its museums and castle or soak up the cosmopolitan atmosphere in one of its many riverside cafes and restaurants.

You'll meet our tour leader this morning at breakfast after which there will be a short welcome meeting. We then set off from the hotel on our first hike of the holiday, walking around the north side of Lake Bohinj on a gently undulating forest trail before reaching the west end of the lake where we follow the trail towards the Savica Waterfall, gradually climbing to 653 metres/2,142 feet. The waterfall is fed by underground rivers hidden in the limestone karst; its impressive torrent is 78 metres/256 feet high. We head back down towards the lake along the same path and you can either choose to walk back to the hotel following the lake trail or take a boat which runs from one end of the lake to the other (this is included).

Today's leisurely grade 15-kilometre/9.3-mile walk is expected to take approximately five hours and 30 minutes with a total ascent and descent of 350 metres/1,148 feet along good paths, and some steps.

Today we take a 30-minute bus ride to Milno on the shores of Lake Bled. From here we set off to explore the countryside around the lake. Our journey takes us on quiet paths through rolling country of forests, fields and villages. Finally, a short but steep climb leads to a fantastic viewpoint of the lake from afar. After lunch, we return to the lake by a different route. Here where you can choose to extend the walk by going around the lake itself or take the bus back to the hotel. Tonight, you have the option of joining Jan, a qualified wine sommelier, for a tutored wine tasting. You will taste 6 different wines from 3 different wine growing regions in Slovenia, all made with indigenous local grape varieties. The wines will be served with a selection of cheeses and nibbles. The cost is 30€ per person.

Today's moderate grade 13-kilometre/8.1-mile walk is expected to take approximately five hours and 30 minutes with a total ascent and descent of 600 metres/1,969 feet.

Today is a free day to relax around the hotel; you can hire kayaks from the lakeside or explore the region further.

There is the option to take the public bus to Lake Bled where you can visit the castle or walk through the Vintgar Gorge. The gorge is 1,600 metres/5250 feet long, carved by the Ravnova River. There is a wooden walkway along the gorge which allows you to get as close as possible to nature; the walkway criss-crosses the river four times, hovering over waterfalls, rapids and pools.

Today's optional leisurely grade 12-kilometre/7.5-mile walk along the Vintgar Gorge is expected to take approximately four hours and 30 minutes.

This morning, we take a local bus along the Bohinj Valley to the village of Brod. We begin our walk heading over a low ridge, through woods, to find meadows filled with wildflowers on a plateau with farmland below. We descend through open country to reach the small farming villages of Srednja Vas, Studor and Stara Fuzina. There's time to explore these picturesque, traditional places before making our way back to Lake Bohinj, along farm tracks and quiet roads.

Today's leisurely grade 11.5-kilometre/7.1-mile walk is expected to take approximately five hours with a total ascent and descent of 375 metres/1,230 feet along good paths and minor roads.

We walk along the southern shore of Lake Bohinj to the cable car station and then take the cable car from 569 meters/1,867 feet to 1,533 meters/5,030 feet in a few minutes for wonderful views over the lake and the mountains beyond. We hike above the ski centre towards Orlove Glave, which is above the tree line, and we may see or hear a marmot. The views towards the high mountains are stunning and we should be able to see Mt Triglav when it is clear. We return to the cable car station and a quick return to the valley floor. We can then take the bus or hike back to the hotel.

Today's moderate grade 10-kilometre/6.2-mile walk is expected to take approximately four to five hours with a total ascent and descent of 200 metres/656 feet, along some rough paths with brief steep climbs.

We walk from the hotel, through an attractive village, and then alongside a white-water river through beautiful sections of gorge. Passing a cafe in a hut we can take a break and sample some of the local cakes. We continue on through the Voje Valley with pastures and chalets. In May the area is carpeted with beautiful wildflowers with fine views of steep hills and limestone outcrops enroute to Mostnica waterfall. The Mostnica Gorge is the most spectacular gorge in Bohinj. Carved out by the crystal clear Mostnica stream, it's only a few metres/feet wide but its towering walls are 20 metres/66 feet high. We head back along different paths with fabulous views through pastures, forest, riverside and village to reach the lake. This evening you have the option to join Alenka in her chocolate shop, to learn how she makes chocolate: 100% of the ingredients are sourced from the local area. You will try 8 different chocolates with a variety of surprisingly original ingredients. The chocolate tasting experience costs 25€ per person.

Today's moderate grade 16.5-kilometre/10.3-mile walk is expected to take approximately seven hours and 30 minutes with a total ascent and descent of 350 metres/1,148 feet along good paths.

On our final day, you can either have free time to enjoy the many activities on the lake, or our tour leader will offer an optional morning walk to Bohinjska Bistrica, taking the public bus back to the hotel. There will still be plenty of time before our afternoon departure to Ljubljana Airport. Please note you will need to vacate your room by 10am. Luggage can be left in the hotel.

We will depart for Ljubljana Joze Pucnik Airport (LJU) at 6pm to arrive at about 7pm and this is where our trip ends. The earliest your flight can depart is 9pm. Should you need to reach the airport earlier in the day, the easiest option is to take a taxi from Lake Bohinj to Ljubljana Airport which should cost in the region of €80.00-€100.00 EUR.

Today's optional leisurely grade 7-kilometre/4.4-mile walk is expected to take approximately three hours.