Hiking the Alpe-Adria Trail, Alps to the Adriatic

Your opportunity to meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group on the morning of day two.

Enjoy a guided walk through a city where emerald waters reflect the legacy of grand architects and Alpine peaks frame every horizon. From the dragon-guarded bridges of the Old Town to the quiet majesty of a hilltop castle, connect with the refined soul of Slovenia.

Taking the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle for dinner is the ultimate "ascent into elegance", abridge between Ljubljana’s vibrant street life and its noble history. Sit down in the warmth of the courtyard for an evening spent within ancient granite walls while soaking in the modern cityscape below, and the local culinary creations on your plate.

Smetumet is a social enterprise and upcycling initiative that reduces waste by transforming trash into unique, usable products like bags and gifts. They promote sustainability and circular economy principles through creative workshops, awareness campaigns, and community engagement, aiming for a waste-free, greener future.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

This loop-trail hike begins with the low-frequency roar of the stream, moves through the physical effort of the forest climb, and ends with the absolute silence of the Jasenje Meadow. Your hike pauses for lunch at the legendary Ingo’s Hut (Brunarica pri Ingotu), in one of the most dramatic "amphitheaters" of the Julian Alps.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

The view from Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe (2,369m) is widely considered the most dramatic alpine vista in Austria. It is a place of stark contrasts: the vertical, dark granite of the Grossglockner (3,798m) stands directly opposite the sprawling, blue-white river of the Pasterze Glacier.

Hiking the trail from the Pasterze Glacier to the Margaritzen Dam and ascending to the Glocknerhaus is one of the most visually staggering experiences in the Austrian Alps. It places you at the very feet of the Grossglockner (3,798 m), Austria’s highest peak. This hike is a masterclass in Alpine geology. It takes you from the raw, prehistoric world of the glacier to the engineered precision of the dams, finally ending at the warmth of a traditional mountain hut for lunch

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

The air at the Erlacherhaus is filled with the scent of sun-warmed larch needles. You’ll start on Path 13 of the Alpe-Adria-Trail, winding upward through ancient stone pine forests where marmots are frequently seen sunning themselves on the boulders. After a steady 45-minute climb, the forest gives way to vast alpine pastures where you find the massive terrace of the hut waiting. Next, Speichersee Brunnach is a brilliant turquoise mirror and offers wooden lounge chairs perfect for a pre-descent siesta.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Begin your walk at the lakeside promenade near your hotel. This is home to the famous Bled Heart photo spot, which looks particularly striking today against the backdrop of the misty lake. Bled Castle dominates the north shore from its 130-meter cliff, the castle is accessible via a steep, winding path from the St. Martin’s Church area. As you round the bend toward Vila Bled (Tito’s former summer residence), the walk becomes quieter and more shaded.

Board your traditional boat for a ride to Bled Island. Unlike a motorboat, the only sound is the rhythmic creak-slap of the oars. Disembark on the island and the "sightseeing" turns into a series of local rituals: The most recognisable symbol of the island is the Church of the Mother. Inside the church, pull the rope to ring the bell three times. Legend says it will grant one wish, provided you believe in the "Lady of the Lake. Don't leave without visiting the island’s boutique bakery.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

The hike from Lake Jasna, often referred to locally as the gateway to the mountains, to the Russian Chapel is one of the most poignant and visually stunning segments of Stage 23 of the Alpe-Adria-Trail. It is a narrative of beauty and tragedy and a transition from the leisure of the lakeshore to the rugged, historic heart of the Julian Alps.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Your hike begins just past the village of Soča at the entrance to the Great Gorge, this is the "Instagram" shot of Slovenia. The river is squeezed into a limestone canyon only a few meters wide but 15 meters deep. A few kilometers in, you’ll reach the spot where the Lepenjica River joins the Soča. The trail enters a more wooded area as you approach the Kršovec Gorge. As you approach the end of the trail, the narrow Trenta Valley suddenly "breaks open" into the wide, sun-drenched Bovec Basin.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

A visit to Škander Farm is a masterclass in "slow food" before the term became a marketing cliché. Located just a stone's throw from the emerald Soča River, this eco-farm is one of the few places left dedicated to the Bovška ovca (Bovec sheep), an autochthonous breed that has survived in these harsh Alpine conditions for centuries. You are tasting the landscape of the Soča Valley through the biology of a single, hardy breed of sheep. It’s unpretentious, deeply authentic experience.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

A private visit to the Kobarid Museum is a lesson in empathy. With a curator as your guide, the rusted wire, gas masks, and mountain maps transform into the stories of individual men caught in a global storm. This is a profound descent into the "humanity of the trenches." While many war museums focus on strategies and triumphs, Kobarid is world-renowned as a "museum of man and his plight."

Your walk begins by crossing the famous Napoleon Bridge. Originally built in 1750 (and used by Napoleon’s troops), the current stone arch offers one of the most iconic views of the Soča River. The hike from Kobarid to Kozjak Waterfall is widely considered the "gold standard" of short Slovenian treks. It is less of a grueling expedition and more of a curated gallery walk through the best of the Soča Valley’s natural and wartime history.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

A visit to Edi Simčič is a masterclass in heritage and ambition. Today, the third generation—Jure and Jakob—are at the helm, bringing modern precision while maintaining the "Old World" soul. A tasting at Edi Simčič is an intellectual exercise in power and elegance. These are not "quaffing" wines; they are architectural. Lunch here is an intimate extension of the Simčič hospitality. It is served "family-style," often in a room that looks out over the very vineyards that produced the wine in your glass.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Private Coach day trip from Trieste Postojna Cave/Krvavi Potok/last stage Adria

A private, before-hours visit to Postojna Cave with a specialised expert is the ultimate "backstage pass" to the underworld. While the general public waits for the mid-morning rush, you enter early, when the only sound is the rhythmic heartbeat of the cave—the slow, persistent dripping of water that has been carving this karst masterpiece for millions of years.

Hiking the penultimate stage 36 of the Alpe-Adria-Trail is a masterclass in geographical drama. Start in Krvavi Potok you begin in the high, silent limestone plateau of the Slovenian Karst. As you cross into Italy near Basovizza, the architecture shifts subtly and the trail joins the Giordano Cottur Bike Path (the old Austro-Hungarian railway line). Later, descend into the rugged, sun-drenched Italian canyon of Val Rosandra. This is the "crown jewel" of the hike. You leave the flat railway path and dive into a deep, limestone canyon that looks like a miniature version of the Grand Canyon, but with a Mediterranean soul.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport at the end of your adventure.