Slovenia’s Splendid Mountains, gorges and lakes

For sole use of a twin room, there is a supplement of £20 per night. This is included in the price on our website There is the option of sharing a Duplex suite – two separate twin rooms, with a shared bathroom, without incurring a sole occupancy supplement. Talk to us about this option.

Flights

You purchase your own flights for this holiday.

The price you pay to Secret Hills Walking Holidays is a land only price.

Flights are from London Gatwick – Easyjet – or London Heathrow – British Airways.

This means that clients will arrive at the destination airport at different times and we will arrange the onward transfers to the hotel, and return you to the airport at the end of the holidays.

Meeting you in Slovenia

We will meet you at Llubjlana airport for onward transfer to Hotel Tripic and return at the end of the holiday.

This is an escorted holiday with UK Tour Guides

The Walks

Walking in Slovenia, marvellous alpine hill walking through limestone country, with stunning vistas of lakes and river valleys.  Slovenia lies south of Austria and Italy and our walking in the Julian Alps is in the north of the country.  We base ourselves near Lake Bohinj, the largest of the Slovenian lakes.  There are picturesque villages, with  farming at the heart of the economy.  There are alpine meadows to amble through, and fast flowing rivers.  There are number of deep gorges – familiar to limestone alpine scenery.  Simply stunning alpine mountain scenery walks take us over stunning ridges, and down beautiful valleys, and there is a variety of scenery for the discerning walker.  We grade the walks as moderate with some short strenuous stretches.  An easier shorter option is available on each day.  Five days walking during the week’s break, with one day as a rest day.  Walking is moderate,  we don’t rush the hills and ridges – talking, looking, learning about Slovenia – tends to slow the pace a little.

We walk for five days with a day free for you to explore the country.

After a mini bus journey to the walk start every day, we walk for about five and a half hours, returning at about 4.30 pm – time for a swim, or simply rest before dinner in the  hotel’s dining room.   Climbing is steady, with the occasional steep short stretch, not to be rushed, and downhills are … well downhills – always a pull on the old knees.  Distances are 7 – 9 miles a day.  There is always a cooling  breeze so early mornings require a top layer, but after that, it is shorts and tee shirt walking.  We walk in the Julian Alps, Triglav National Park, Karavanke Mountains on the Austrian Border, Poclujka, and the Kranska Gora area. 

Your walk leaders

Secret Hills Walking Holidays work with Human Fish, the best Slovenian guiding business.  Two guides are provided for each walk, with back up from Alan Garner.  The guides will structure a balanced programme of walks to suit the ability of the group.  We also have two walks per day, around the same area, giving the opportunity for a shorter and less demanding walk. Your tour guide, Alan Garner is responsible for all aspects of your holiday in Slovenia.

Choice of Walks

Each week we choose walks according to the ability of the group who join. Each day we have a choice of two walks:

Walk 1 – moderate grade, some climbing and descending, all at a steady pace.

Walk 2 – easier – with plenty of time to see the wonderful Slovenian countryside.

Sample Walks

Vogel ski lift and Rodica mountain– we take the gondola to the Vogel Ski resort, then a chair lift before ascending Sija mountain 1800 metres or so. On then to Rodica mountain along a superb ridge with views to the Adriatic as well as deep into the Triglav National park.and Julian Alps. We return a slightly different way to the gondola and transport back to the hotel. Dependent on the ability of the group,we may only ascend Sija, and on our return after lunch into the Sava valley we walk round the east side of Lake Bohinj, a lovely lake side walk.

Prvisec mountain and the hills above Lake Bohinj – starting at Blato, we ascend through forests to the lovely mountain hut-  Pl VisVisevnik – beside a small lake for coffee. We then ascend again to the superb viewpoint over the Bohinj Lake and the Lower Bohinhj range of mountains at Prsivec. We return to the hut for lunch then descend back to Blato on a different path for transport pick up.

Mount Brda and Debela Pec – starting after winding up in our minibus to Pockluka meadows – we ascend through forest and meadows to the Lipanca Mountain hut. After a coffee, we ascend Mount Brda – 2009 metres and Debela Pec 2015 metres – an ascent from the hut of 250 metres, then wind our way down to Lipanca hut for lunch. Descend through the forest after lunch to our original start point.

Vintgar Gorge circular and Lake Bled – we walk through meadows from Bled town through lovely villages to the start of Vintgar Gorge – through this wondeful tumbling gorge and then to St Katerina’s church. Along a meadow path back to start of the gorge, and descend down to lunch in Bled town. In the afternoon , we walk round Lake Bled on its eastern side to view the church on the island, Vila Bled, Tito’s summer home, and Mlino for transport back to the hotel.

Martuljek waterfalls – Under the Špik Mountain the  spectacular Upper and lower Martuljek waterfalls – transport to this deep valley and ascend over wooden bridges and many steps to two waterfalls. Coffee at a magnificent hut under Spik mountain and eventually ascend to highest waterfall. Return to hut for lunch, then back to minibus and a visit to Kranska Gora.

Mostnice Gorge and Voje Meadows.– we start at Ribcev Laz, and walk alongside Bohinj Lake to the Mostnice Gorge. Through this magical deep gorge and out into the Voje meadows and to the Mostnice Waterfall. Lunch at a lovely mountain hut, and descend to Stara Fuzcina and trasport back to hotel.

The Barons Walk – to the Austrian border and through small tunnels and woodland to our coffee stop. Then a little higher underneath the Karavanke range of mountains, we descend a superb limestone valley for a late lunch, then on to look at Grad castle – in the rocks

Sava river trail – from the hotel we walk to Brod along Sava river cycle path then over the hill to Rudnica hill, then Pec before descending into Stara Fuzina village for lunch. Under Studor mountain to Sredna Vaz, and over the hill back to Bohinj Bistrica in the Sava Valley.

Prevailing weather conditions

Slovenia  has a true alpine climate – 6 months under metres of snow, a spring in May and early June- summer in late June and early July will be warm with a chance of some showers. In mid July to end of August it is hot with regular thunderstorms. September to early October is autumn with sunny days and between 18 and 20 degrees.

Exclusions

Although our leaders are well trained  and experienced in dealing  with different capabilities of our walking clients, if they have any concerns about  any clients ability or suitability to undertake safely any walking activity we plan or they feel that participation of an individual may affect the groups safety and cohesion, then they have full permission to exclude that client from an activity.

They will try at all times to provide an alternative suggested activity, though this may involve the client in additional local cost.

We rarely have to enforce this above recommendation, but it is a sensible and necessary protection for the individual client, the group and the leaders.

• Simply stunning Alpine scenery

• Stay in an owner managed three-star hotel with delightful food in a friendly working village

• Choice of walks daily- explore the highs and lows of this alpine paradise
• Superb walking in the Julian Alps in the Triglav National Park- its lovely gorges and river valleys
• Walk in alpine meadows and wildflower paradise
• Enjoy the peace of lovely Lake Bohinj and the bustle of tourist trap -Lake Bled
• View the might of Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak from the 2009 peak of Mount Brda
• Walk the fabulous Vintgar gorge with its wooden walkway suspended above the roaring river
• Visit by cable car the alpine wonderland of Vogel and the peaks of Sija and Vogel
• Eat lunch in fabulous mountain huts
• The hospitality of the Slovenian people
• Our relaxed social approach
• And its only 2 hours away

On each Slovenia  holiday we have two grades of walking.- moderate and easy.

On the moderate walks – 8/9miles – we ascend and descend at least once per day – up to 300 metres but generally over an hour and a half. Pace is critical – we don’t rush, there’s too much to see, but we do stride out where it is possible. Underfoot conditions in Slovenia  can be stony – it is limestone country after all – and we take care on these sections.

On some well marked paths, especially in forested areas, there are exposed tree roots which can be slippery when wet.

The walks on this trip are rated as Moderate but each day involves a fair amount of ascent and descent. The trip requires a reasonable amount of fitness, ideally with previous hill walking experience.

You need good walking footwear, preferably waterproof walking boots with good soles for protection. You may find that walking poles will aid your enjoyment of this land.

On the easy walks – which  may also include some sightseeing of villages. towns, and things of interest generally as well as visiting the wonderful lakes of Bled and Bohinj – we wont walk as fast, have plenty of stops and probably cover 5/6 miles.

There will be hills to ascend/descend but we will take these very steadily – we do not rush our clients. As with the walking grade – underfoot conditions in Slovenia – can be stony – it is limestone country after all – and we take care on these sections. The pace is slower, not snail pace but enough to give you a good stroll, and to allow you to enjoy the wonderful Slovenian countryside.

You will find the easy walking holiday advertised under Strolling and Exploring on our web site.

Each day you have the choice of either walking or strolling.

Exclusions

Although our leaders are well trained and experienced in dealing with different capabilities of our walking clients, if they have any concerns about any clients ability or suitability to undertake safely any walking activity we plan or they feel that participation of an individual may affect the groups safety and cohesion, then they have full permission to exclude that client from an activity.

They will try at all times to provide an alternative suggested activity, though this may involve the client in additional local cost.

We rarely have to enforce this above recommendation, but it is a sensible and necessary protection for the individual client, the group and the leaders.

It’s all about meeting new friends. Each holiday is designed to be a friendly, relaxed and stress-free occasion. Talking is as important as walking on Secret Hills Walking Holidays. We don’t go in for discos, we may use an event that is taking place in the area we are in to boost the weekend’s activities – but it’s good, old fashioned chat that makes our short breaks successful.

“Make new friends that turn into old friends” – that’s our motto.

You might be surprised by what fun you’ll have with people who are older or younger than you during a holiday with us, and that’s exactly the sort of atmosphere we encourage; people find it very rewarding. It doesn’t matter what your reasons for travelling with us are, we’ve had people who are single, divorced or widowed, people who have partners that are unable to travel, and people who can’t holiday with their friends anymore as they’ve all got married themselves. There are people who want to make friends, see sights, and experience something completely new. Whatever your reason, we’ll welcome you with open arms and our friendly hosts will help you to get the most out of your holiday.

Don’t worry if this is the first time you have ventured to join a group holiday – its always a bit daunting – but we will look after you and ensure that you get used to being amongst friends again. Trust us to to get you back into the swing of things.

Oh – by the way – it’s not a dating agency – over the years we have had people meet and fall in love – but that’s just chance. Our aim is that you make like-minded friends – just relax and enjoy.

Just arrive and enjoy.

There are other walking holiday companies that cover Europe but we believe we offer the best value for many reasons….

• We specialise in organising guided walking holidays for single and solos travellers
• We are a small friendly company
• We have a loyal customer base who return again and again (so we must be doing something right) – read our testimonials page on the website
• We offer a lot of flexibility – you can stay extra nights which we are happy to organise for you. We are also very flexible on the walks we provide, adapting to suit walkers and weather conditions
• Our walk leading is second to none. Unlike some other large Walking Companies, we use LOCAL leaders who live in the area and who love their surroundings. They have expert knowledge of everything you need to know to make an area come alive.
• You are safe in our hands – our guides are experts, fully qualified in first aid. Also, because of their local knowledge of the hills, they can respond to any situation that might for example demand cutting short a route. They don’t need to consult maps – they know the hills intimately.
• Our leaders are all easy-going, genuinely sociable people who want to ensure that you have the best time you can with the rest of the group. They make the weekend fun by engaging with all members of a group, and ensuring that everyone feels part of the group experience.
• We give great value for money. Because we recognise that lots of walkers holiday on their own, we have negotiated no single supplement deals with all our hotels to ensure the best possible deal.
• We always use good hotels, selected and constantly reviewed.
• We have smaller groups than some of the larger walking companies because we believe the social experience is much better in a smaller group. People can talk to everyone, especially at dinner where you can all sit at one table in a small group. Our numbers vary from holiday to holiday but an average group size would be 8-12.

You may book and pay online.

Payment is in two parts – you pay a deposit of 25%, payable when reserving your holiday place. You will receive an invoice for the holiday showing the deposit paid, and full amount to pay for the holiday. This acts as your confirmation.

The balance is due 8 weeks prior to the holiday start date. You will be sent a reminder.

About three weeks prior to departure, we will send you holiday joining details, and details of the transfer from the airport to the appointed hotel we have arranged for you.

Once you arrive at your holiday destination

Secret Hills Walking Holidays organise all aspects of your holiday– including guiding, transport to walks start and provide you with an experienced tour guide. You make your own arrangements to get to the airport in the UK, we meet you at the airport you are flying to, and help you with your transfer to the appointed hotel.

It is important to read Secret Hills Walking Holidays Terms and Conditions – click on the tab on our web site – before you complete the booking form.

 Insurance – you need to be fully covered

It is a condition of joining any of our holidays that you must be fully insured against travel, medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs and air ambulance or helicopter rescue services where appropriate).

We will ask you to provide us with the details of your insurance prior to the holidays start date and it is a condition of reserving a place.

If you are a UK citizen and travelling in Europe you should obtain the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which is available only online from the UK Government website.

This gives you medical care at a reduced cost, and some cases for free, in many European countries, but should not be considered a substitute for adequate travel insurance.