Pick your seasonal adventure in Slovenia

For an adventurous outdoor escape in Slovenia, you can look far beyond the summer months. From autumnal hikes among vineyards to kayaking down mountain rivers in spring, to sledging down snow-dusted Alpine peaks, Slovenia’s exquisitely beautiful landscapes have plenty to offer, whatever you’re after. Read on to discover just why a country that straddles both the mountains and the Mediterranean has adventures for every season…

Enjoy a blend of autumn hiking and wine tasting in the Vipava Valley, which lies between the Mediterranean and Slovenia’s Karst region. Nearby Brda is also one of Slovenia’s most decorated wine regions, where you can hike, cycle and sip your way through the hills bordering Italy.Autumn is the perfect month for exploring Slovenia’s wine country by bike. The lesser-known Prekmurje region, Jeruzalem (near Ptuj) and the wineries north of Maribor are all great for cyclists. And there’s not just vineyards here. Visit the hop-growing region of the Lower Savinja Valley and hike the Hop Trail near Žalec to enjoy beers from local craft breweries.
This is a fine time of year to explore the Karst region, which extends across the south-west. Roam the vast tunnel network of the Postojna Caves or head to the UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves, home to Europe’s largest underground river canyon.

On the coast, the Parenzana cycling trail has been converted from a narrow-gauge railway line and lets you take in the striking landscapes of the Sečovlje salina salt pans and Strunjan Landscape Park. Or in the Dolenjska region, rent a traditional wooden boat and explore the stretch of the River Krka that wraps around Kostanjevica na Krki.

Slovenia’s most iconic skiing areas are Kranjska Gora and Pohorje. The former has been home to the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup events for decades, while Maribor-Pohorje has the country’s longest illuminated night run. Also notable is the Vogel ski resort, which has spectacular views of Triglav National Park. Some of the best cross-country skiing in Slovenia can be found in the Pokljuka plateau above Lake Bohinj, or in the Bloke plateau in southern Slovenia. Velika Planina, just a stone’s throw from the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana, not only offers skiing but also wintry routes for snowshoeing and hiking too.

Away from the ski tracks, Slovenia has plenty more winter fun up its sleeve. Release your inner child by sledging down Slovenia’s snow-topped hills, from popular resorts like Kranjska Gora or Rogla or under the star-filled skies of Velika Planina. In Maribor, you can weave through the Pohorje Hills on a pležuh, a traditional Slovenian ski seat used by farmers in the past.

In spring, try cycling the Logar Valley, a beautiful Alpine gorge plunging one side of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Or pedal the long-distance Drava cycling route that snakes through the Koroška region and the historic towns of Maribor and Ptuj in the Štajerska region to take in some of the widescreen landscapes of north-east Slovenia. There are lots of ways to soak up the outdoors in spring. The vast, ancient forests of Kočevsko are both little-visited and great for wildlife watching. Or dive deep into the subterranean world beneath Mount Peca, where you can kayak flooded tunnels that once connected the largest lead and zinc mine in this corner of Europe. Or hike, cycle or swim Lake Cerknica, the largest intermittent lake in Europe and a key seasonal wetland for birdlife.

For natural splendour, hike the northern shore of Lake Bohinj, then trek up to the Savica falls. From Mojstrana you can walk south along the Vrata Valley following a trail to the spectacular Peričnik falls – the route actually passes behind the waterfall here, so you can literally feel nature’s force with this cascade. And don’t miss the wonderful Tolmin Gorges, where the Zadlaščica and Tolminka rivers converge in a wild jumble of spray, dripping cliffs and moss-covered boulders.

Summer is the time to kayak or raft down the emerald-green River Soča, between Trnovo ob Soči and Kobarid. The Soča is also great for canyoning, and there’s plenty of scope for this around Bovec. Alternatively, the River Kolpa, running along the edge of the Bela Krajina region, is both exceptionally warm and quite slow, making it perfect for wild swimming, canoeing or stand-up paddleboarding and handy for multi-generational trips. Also not to be missed is swimming in Lake Bled. The public bathing area here lies below its spectacularly impressive medieval castle, as well as swimming spots at Velika Zaka and Mala Zaka. Or join a stand-up paddleboarding tour on the river Ljubljanica through the heart of the Slovenian capital.

Summer is also the ideal time for hiking in the cooler air of Slovenia’s mountains – the Julian Alps, Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the Karavanke. Try hiking the Slovenian section of the Alpe Adria Trail from Kranjska Gora and across the 1,611m Vršič Pass, taking in the remote Trenta Valley and the Soča gorge. You can also climb to the restored network of First World War trenches that form the Kolovrat Outdoor Museum above Tolmin. It’s just one more seasonal treat worth savouring in Slovenia’s great outdoors!