LAKES & MOUNTAINS OF SLOVENIA

Day 1
Late evening arrival to the hotel.

Day 2
After breakfast and our weekly brief we enjoy a walk direct from the pension explore our surroundings. The local area is extremely pretty, dotted with small churches, quaint villages, lush forests and a beautiful river. Our leader will decide the exact route depending on the weather.

Day 3
In a quiet area of the Karavanke Mountains are the mysterious Barons Tunnels, which run through the mountain of Begunjscica. Rare alpine flowers and fossils line the path, with an open panorama of St Ana Valley and the contours of the Karavanke. From the hut of Preval (1311m) we can rest and admire the view opposite us, as the Kosuta Ridge fills the horizon, before heading onwards to Roblekov Dom (1657m) offering sweeping views across the Karavanke Range. The drive back passes Grad Kaman, a castle whose ruins are hidden between the mountains.

Day 4
The Karavanke Mountains are the natural and official border between eastern and western Europe, Slovenia, Austria and Italy. Their position has a great effect on Slovenia's climate - hence the soft south Slovene side in comparison to the harsh northern side in Austria. Here you can also find an abundance of alpine fauna and flora, with over 1200 different plant species, as well as having wonderful views into two contrasting countries. We aim for Golica (1835m), part of the longest ridge in Slovenia (120km) and one of the least travelled trails in the area.

Day 5
Radovljica itself has plenty of possibilities for the rest day. Alternatively, a short bus ride away is the lake of Bled - rowing boats and canoes can be hired on the lake. Vintgar Gorge, lying at the far end of the lake, can be visited, or you can walk around the lake, which takes approximately 1.5 hours. Others may wish to take the public bus further into the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana, or your leader can help arrange other activities such as rafting, horse riding or mountain biking.

Day 6
Here we enjoy a walk in the mountains that circle Lake Bohinj. Situated in the heart of the Triglav National Park this is an area of stunning natural beauty. We have a selection of start points and open mountain trails to follow that lead us around this magical area. The area is rich in flora and fauna and offers some bird's eyes views of the Julian Alps and Slovenia's largest glacier lake. Depending on how the week has gone the leader will decide the exact walk but we can guarantee it will offer some of the best views in the Triglav National Park and Bohinj Valley.

Day 7
From the beautiful green plateau of Pokljuka (1300m), an abundance of flora and fauna scatters the trail, which snakes its way up to Blejska Koca (1630m). On reaching the hut, situated in an open meadow, the view opens out over the surrounding forest and the high plateau. Rugged mountain paths take us up to one of the best viewpoints in the area. At 1965m the trail opens out directly opposite the Julian Alps and Mt Triglav. Even further up at 2014m the Triglav Valleys of Kot, Krma and Vrata fall below with the emerald green lake of Bled. Surrounding us are not only the Alps but the Karavanke Mountains, Ljubljana and in the distance Austria.

Day 8
The morning is free for us to relax at our base or by the lakeside of Bled.