Slovenia is among countries that start with S listed on Countryaah.com.
- Day 1: Dobrodošli Slovenia
- Day 2: In the footsteps of old Austria
- Day 3: Hike to the Soča spring
- Day 4: On the trail of the Isonzo battle
- Day 5: On the Monte Matajur
- Day 6: Gentle hike in Friuli
- Day 7: On the Rilkeweg on the coast to Duino
- Day 8: Arreviderci Italia
We drive into the Trenta valley and climb up to the source of the Soča, which is considered to be the most beautiful karst spring in the Julian Alps. It flows up from a dark crevice with a small subterranean lake and comes to light emerald green. We follow the course of the river on the so-called “Soča -T rail”. It goes over hill and dale, through woods and pastures, past the botanical garden Alpinum Juliana. After a picnic by the river, we continue to hike to the Soca troughs in Krsocev.
On this trip we get by without a plane: In an environmentally friendly way, we get into the minibus in Villach, just the right start for this pleasure tour. From the Flitscher Klause, an old Austrian fortress, we hike to the town of Bovec, which is known for its good sheep cheese. We walk along the historical educational trail in Kobarid and visit the award-winning museum about the First World War, which tells of the terrible life of the soldiers on the Isonzo Front.
After the first half we leave our beloved hotel on the Soča and drive to Monte Matajur (1641 m). It is also called the “Friuli Balcony”, as the view from the summit extends to the Julian and Carnic Alps, the Dolomites and also to the Adriatic Sea. On the way from Gradisca to Cormons we walk through the vineyards where excellent grapes ripen due to the special microclimate and marl soils. And then we still have the nature park at the mouth of the Isonzo in front of us: The banks of the freshwater swamp are not only considered the best birdwatching place in Italy, the little white Camargue horses also flutter across the meadows with flowing manes.
Meals: B = breakfast / L = lunch / packed lunch / D = dinner
1st day:
Dobrodošli Slovenia
Meeting point of the participants in Villach train station at 2 p.m. Joint transfer to the municipality of Bovec in our family hotel Boka, located directly on the turquoise-blue Soča. A short walk to the nearby viewpoint on the “Slap Boka”, the highest waterfall in Slovenia with a total height of 144 m. First dinner together in the hotel. Surely it can be a cozy drink at the cozy hotel bar..
Driving time approx
. 1 hour. Hike: approx. 1 hour.
Overnight stay in Hotel Boka near Bovec
(- / – / A)
2nd day:
In the footsteps of old Austria
A lovingly prepared breakfast awaits us before we lace up our hiking boots. Today we hike from the Flitscher Klause, an old Austrian fortress, through a stone tunnel up to the fortress Hermann and later over meadows and through forests, always along the Koritnica river to Bovec. This pretty place is idyllically situated in a wide valley at the foot of the Krngebirge. In the afternoon you can explore the area on your own.
Driving time approx. 1/2 hour.
Hike: approx. 3 hours (+/- 150 m)
Overnight stay in Hotel Boka near Bovec
(B / – / -)
3rd day:
Hike to the source of the Soča
We drive into the Trenta valley and first climb up to the source of the Soča. It is considered to be the most beautiful karst spring in the Julian Alps. We then follow the course of the Soča, on the so-called “Sočatrail”. It goes over hill and dale through woods and pastures, past the Julius Kugy monument and the Alpinum Juliana botanical garden. We enjoy a picnic together by the river. We hike to Krsocev to the Soča troughs.
Driving time approx. 1 hour.
Hike: approx. 4 hours (+/- 300 m)
Overnight at Hotel Boka near Bovec
(B / – / -)
4th day:
On the trail of the Isonzo battle
Today we go to Kobarid. We hike along the historical nature trail, over the Napoleon Bridge to the breathtaking “Slop Kozjak” waterfall. In the afternoon we visit the award-winning “First World War” museum, which tells of the terrible life of the soldiers on the Isonzo front.
Driving time approx. 1 hour.
Hike: approx. 2-3 hours (+/- 300 m)
Overnight in Hotel Boka near Bovec
(B / – / D)
5th day:
On the Monte Matajur
We leave our beloved hotel on the Soca. It goes on to Friuli. We drive to the Monte Matajur, which belongs to the Julian Prealps. At 1641 m it is the last high mountain to the Friulian plain. Also known as the “Balcony of Friuli”, the view extends from its summit to the Julian and Carnic Alps, to the Dolomites, but also to the Adriatic Sea. After a nice circular hike, we fortify ourselves in the rifugio with some first Friulian food. In the afternoon we walk across the Devil’s Bridge in the Longobard town of Cividale del Friuli and try delicacies such as the popular Gubanica. Continue to Gradisca d`Isonzo in our Hotel Franz. Dinner together in the hotel.
Driving time approx. 1-2 hours.
Hike: approx. 3 hours (+/- 350 m)
Overnight at Hotel Franz in Gradisca d`Isonzo
(B / – / D)
6th day:
Gentle hike in Friuli
Today’s hike from Gradisca to Cormons is a pure pleasure hike, especially for wine connoisseurs. The path leads first through the meadow landscape, then through the magical hilly landscape where excellent grapes ripen due to the unique microclimate and marl soils. Of course we treat ourselves to a good glass of wine in the Enoteca in Cormons.
Hike: approx. 4 hours (+/- 150 m)
Overnight at Hotel Franz in Gradisca d`Isonzo
(B / – / -)
7th day:
On the Rilkeweg on the coast to Duino
Today we go to the sea. We walk along the Rilkeweg between Sistiana and Duino and visit the nature park “Riserva Naturale Regionale della Foce dell`Isonzo”, an ideal habitat for various animal species, especially native and migratory birds, in which one can also find camargue horses. Farewell dinner together in the hotel.
Travel time approx. 1-2 hours.
Hike: approx. 3-4 hours (+/- 100 m)
Overnight at Hotel Franz in Gradisca d`Isonzo
(B / – / D)
8th day:
Arreviderci Italia
After our last breakfast together, we return to our starting point in Villach. (Arrival at the train station at around 2 p.m.)
Driving time approx. 2 hours.
(B / – / -)
