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", a bridge 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-Hohe (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 at the lakeside promenade, where the Bled Heart offers a striking vantage point against the misty water. To the north, Bled Castle dominates the skyline from its 130-metre cliff, reached via a winding path from St. Martin's Church. As the trail rounds the bend toward Vila Bled, the air grows shaded and still. This tranquil estate once served as the summer residence of Josip Broz Tito, the statesman who led Yugoslavia for decades, and the grounds still echo with the history of his era.

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 Soca 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 Soca. The trail enters a more wooded area as you approach the Krsovec 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 Skander Farm reveals the true soul of "slow food" before the term became a marketing cliche. Located just a stone's throw from the emerald Soca River, this eco-farm is one of the few places left dedicated to the Bovska ovca (Bovec sheep), an autochthonous breed that has survived in these harsh Alpine conditions for centuries. By tasting the landscape of the Soca Valley through the biology of this single, hardy breed, you participate in an unpretentious experience that serves to honour deep-rooted authenticity.

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 museum 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 Soca 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 Soca Valley's natural and wartime history.

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

A visit to Edi Simcic 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 Simcic is an intellectual exercise in power and elegance. These are not "quaffing" wines; they are architectural. Lunch here is an intimate extension of the Simcic 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 alongside a cave specialist offers rare access to a subterranean cathedral. Enter in the soft light of early morning, securing a peaceful audience with the cave before the arrival of the midday crowds. This intimate perspective allows you to stand in awe of the ancient stalactites as the site slowly awakens, revealing the delicate artistry of nature in its most peaceful state.

Hiking the penultimate stage of the Alpe-Adria-Trail reveals a profound display of geographical drama. Starting in Krvavi Potok, you begin on 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, a historic route tracing the old Austro-Hungarian railway line. The experience reaches its crescendo as you descend into the rugged, sun-drenched Italian canyon of Val Rosandra. Leaving the flat railway path behind, you dive into a deep limestone gorge that evokes the scale of the Grand Canyon, yet remains deeply rooted in its 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.