HIKING IN SLOVENIA - FROM KARST TO THE ADRIATIC COAST

Tour description

Located between the Gulf of Trieste, the Vipava Valley and Brkini, lies our magical Karst. The Karst is a unique world, it is where water and rocks make contact. It is a world filled with underground caves, disappearing rivers, dolines and other karst phenomena.

Our self guided hiking tour across the Karst landscape will fascinate everyone searching for a pristine and stunning nature as well as interesting stories.

Do discover the beauty of Karst on foot and fall in love with this dynamic region on the edge of the Mediterranean. As the best way to explore such beautiful destination is on a hiking holiday, truly a special experience.

From Karst all the way to the Adriatic Coast by foot in a week…This unique world awaits you.

*Cover photo: Archive: www.slovenia.info, Photographer: Jošt Gantar

Highlights:
A winding hiking holiday through unique Karst with it’s wild landscape and phenomenons
The Karst Living Museum, hidden jewel of nature with treasure of Karst phenomena
UNESCO listed, beautiful Škocjan Caves are a must
Don’t miss a visit to the interesting Predjama Castle
Famous Lipica Stud Farm
Vremščica with its vast mountain pastures
Romantic Slovenian Adriatic coast with its gem – charming medieval town of Piran

Tour course

Day 1

Individual arrival to Divača.

Divača is today the biggest settlement and seat of the municipality. In the 16th century it was just a hamlet of sheep farmers, but with the development of transport running from the port of Trieste to the interior, it gained importance, expanded and developed. The importance of the railway is still evident today in the steam locomotive engine that now stands as a museum piece open to visitors at the railway station. Did you know that in Divača you can also find a Museum of Slovenian Film Actors? (Hotel 3*) *Photo: Škrateljnova domačija homestead in Divača (traditional Karst architecture)

Day 2

UNESCO Škocjan Caves and surrounding Karst villages (approx. 8,5 km, 180 m ascent).

In the morning a short transfer will take you to the start of the hiking trail. It is a charming hiking day with exceptional highlight – the beautiful Škocjan Caves, which have been included in the World Heritage List (UNESCO) since 1986. After visiting the caves (optional), the hike continues around the unique landscape. The villages and enchanting Karst settlements are true »food« for the eyes. Full of historical sights and specialties such as genuine and old stone houses or »štirna« (a typical Karst well). Do stop for lunch in one of the authentic local inns, where the food is prepared on the basis of centuries-old recipes and a rich restaurant tradition (Hotel 3*, meals included: breakfast). *Photo of Škocjan Cave: Archive: www.park-skocjanske-jame.si, Photographer: Borut Lozej

Day 3

Vremščica (approx. 14,5 km, ascent 540 m).

You will start with a morning short transfer to the starting hiking point. Vremščica is a mountain ridge (1.027 m) and it enables beautiful hikes. With it's well preserved and vast pastures is a genuine treasure of karst biotic diversity. Vremščica is also known for Sheep Farm, well it is actually an infrastructure center, owned by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Ljubljana, which provides research, education and ecological production. Their ecologically-produced cheese has become a true concept for many cheese lovers and experts in terms of quality and taste. You can buy some and taste it yourself as they are selling it just below Vremščica peak. Once on top, you get to enjoy amazing views on surrounding mountains Nanos and Snežnik, the neighbouring Brkini and all the way to the Adriatic sea (Hotel 3*, meals included: breakfast). *Photo: Archive: www.visitkras.info, Photographer: Robert Kocjan, Jadran Čeh

Day 4

Lipica Stud Farm and surrounding Karst villages (approx. 11,5 km, ascent 100 m).

The scenic and easy hiking route takes you first to the picturesque sloping valley called Risnik. It is a collapsed valley in Divaški Karst about 72 metres deep and 220 metres wide. This particular landscape is the repercussion of an inversion of temperature and the result is this impressive sinkhole with particular vegetation. All around Risnik goes an interesting natural hiking path, important also for the study of the karstology. In Lokev you will pass the Military Museum Tabor situated in the defence tower that was built in 1485. Lokev is also famous for its delicious prosiutto should you be tempted to try it. Your accomodation today is in the Equestrian Park Lipica - the oldest European stud farm for breeding one of the oldest cultural horse breeds (Hotel 4*, meals included: breakfast). *Photo Archive: www.slovenia.info Photographers: Jošt Gantar and Dean Dubokovic

Day 5

The Karst Living Museum and Italian Basovizza (approx. 12,5 km, ascent 100 m).

It is just a beautiful and easy hiking day. The Karst Living Museum was chosen for the 2017 best themed route in Slovenia. It represents the natural and cultural heritage of typical Karst, and it covers the area between Sežana, Lipica and former Slovenian-Italian border, along the axis connecting the old Austro-Hungarian road Sežana - Bazovica. The route will take you to the outskirts of Trieste. Do take the time to enjoy a delicious cup of coffee in Basovizza, historic and, for Slovenians, very important place. (Hotel 4*, meals included: breakfast). *Photo: Archive: www.visitkras.info, Photographer: Borut Lozej

Day 6

From Karst to the Adriatic Coast in Piran (transfer, approx. 10 km, ascent 200 m).

First you will be transfered to the start of the hike (around 40 minutes). The last hiking day is truely amazing. Beautiful trail takes you from Izola, a medieval town known for fishing, wine, and olive-growing through the Strunjan valley and Strunjan Salt Pans. The views of Izola and Piran and the vast sea are stunning while walking through the Strunjan Landscape Park. This easy and scenic trail ends in Piran, the most beautiful town on the Slovenian coast. You will love the old port town with remnants of a medieval wall, its narrow streets and the beautiful central square. Piran is a true Mediterranean gem. (Hotel 4*, meals included: breakfast) *Photo Panorama of Piran: Archive: www.portoroz.si, Photographer: Jaka Ivančič

Day 7

Departure Or Extension (Meals Included: Breakfast).

Price:

Price per person (sharing a double room): 1.075 €

Price includes:
6 overnights with breakfast (mixture of good 3* and 4* Hotels) with en suite facilities
All transfers according to the programe
Maps & gps files for each hiking day
Personal welcome meeting
Luggage transfers between the hotels
Telephone assistance during the trip
Organization and VAT

Optional supplements:
Single accomodation 270 €
Single travel occupancy 130 € (only 1 person booking a tour)
Airport & city transfers on request
Additional nights on request

What’s not included;
Arrival / departure to / from first / last hotel
Flight tickets
Travel insurance
Lunch’s, dinners, drinks
Entrance fees
All other expenses that are not mentioned in what’s included description

Accomodations; Mixture of good 4* and 3* hotels with en suite facilities

Category and Key information: easy hiking holiday (Vremščica mountain hike is moderate hike with some climbs), combination of wood paths, gravel roads and mountain trails (Vremščica).

Date: Daily, all year around

Duration: 6 nights / 7 days

*Extra nights before / after tour on request. We would be happy to assist you with booking extra nights.

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