Mountain Adventure Holidays
The Julian Alps in Slovenia have it all! Glistening Alpine pastures, surrounded by striking peaks, peaceful forests and breathtaking mountain viewpoints. Snowshoeing through Slovenia's backcountry alpine landscapes is a truly special experience. This trip balances excellent accommodation, with adventurous journeys and traditional mountain culture, a prefect mix for a week on the edge of the Julian Alps.
Our expert local guide will not only share this region's pastures, plateaus, passes and peaks, which make this area so perfect for winter exploration, but will also welcome you to taste some of Slovenia's distinctive delicacies and local specialities throughout each day. We love working with the 'locals' who know their mountain 'office' so well. We feel this truly enhances any guided experience.
Snowshoes are a tool for hiking in the winter but should the conditions not warrant their use then micro spikes may be used as an alternative. It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary; it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily plan based on the weather conditions.
You will be welcomed at the airport or train station (depending on your choice of arrival) by your professional local guide, who will drive you to your accommodation for the week. The approximate meeting time with your guide will be at 1800 hrs to discuss the itinerary, location and routes followed by the evening meal.
The guide will also join you for the final evening evening meal.
Departing from Rudno Polje - one of Slovenia's premier biathlon centres - our route journeys up and away through the forests of the Pokljuka Plateau. The plateau is the largest forest area in the Triglav National Park. Eventually we emerge onto one of our most beautiful Alpine Pastures, surrounded by striking peaks and sprinkled with historic shepherds huts. In the 16th century, iron ore was mined and smelted in Pokljuka, and the translation of Rudno Polje is literally 'ore field'. For around 3000 years the Julian Alps were strategically important due to their rich and high quality iron deposits. The working of metal in this area is documented as early as the Iron Age (800 BC), and reached a peak in the Roman era. After a picnic lunch, we will continue down the valley visiting the beautifully situated Uskovnica Koca for an afternoon snack, before a gentle ascent back to our starting point.
Ascent: 480m (1575ft) Descent: 480m (1575ft) Distance: 10km (6.2 miles) Duration: 5h00 - 07h00
Our day begins again at Rudno Polje, setting off away from the Cross-country sking trails and soon finding peaceful forest, with plenty of opportunities for spotting animal tracks and traces. Ascending gradually steepening ground we will reach a welcoming plateau. We can enjoy views back across Triglav National Park, before beginning our final ascent to Mrežce, a popular and easily accessible peak reaching 1974m (6476ft) on the edge of Pokljuka plateau near Bled. As we reach the ridge, the Julian Alps are revealed, with close-up views of Triglav from the top. Triglav at 2864m (9393ft) is the highest mountain in a group of over 300 mountains all with an elevation of more than 2000m (6560ft). After enjoying the view we descend via the same route to our starting point.
Ascent: 674m (2210ft) Descent: 674m (2210ft) Distance: 11km (6.8 miles) Duration: 5h00 - 07h00
Start at the iconic Planica ski jumping centre, and marvel at one of the world's highest jumps. Ski Jumping is considered one of Slovenia's national sports, and you will often be able to watch athletes in training. From the centre we set off on a gentle journey along the Tamar valley, surrounded by striking peaks and emerging in a wide pasture, home to Dom v Tamarju for a welcome, hearty lunch. Our return journey takes us back the same way, along a beautiful trail that soaks in the heart of Slovene winter mountain culture.
Ascent: 169m (554ft) Descent: 169m (554ft) Distance: 9km (5.6 miles) Duration: 4h00 - 5h00
Today we begin our snowshoe route close to Soriska Planina, a small skiing area popular with locals. Following the edge of the plateau we journey steadily up until we join a wide ridge with open views across the Pre-Alps and much of Slovenia's 3 Alpine ranges. The path undulates as we continue along the Ratitovec ridge to a peak called Kremant sitting at 1654m (5425ft). There will be some steeper sections as we climb and we have the option to extend our ridge walk to include another peak called Gladki Vrh with a summit at 1667m (5468ft). Your guide will decide on the route on the day, depending on snow conditions and the effort required. After enjoying the view we will return via the same ridge line.
Ascent: 550m (1840ft) Descent: 550m (1840ft) Distance: 12km (7.5 miles) Duration: 7h00 - 8h00
Starting again from Soriska Planina, we immediately depart from the skiing areas, breaking trail along a quiet track with striking views across Bohinj Lake. Behind is the largest permanent lake in Slovenia, and it part of the Triglav National Park. On the lake shore is a statue of the legendary Zlatorog! Legend refers to this mythical beast as a golden chamois frequenting the mountains surrounding Mount Triglav. Also know as 'goldenhorn' the horns were said to be the key to a treasure hidden under the mountain of Bogatin. You never know you might get lucky! Leaving myth and legend behind we take that climbs through occasionally broken forest, before arriving at a wide alpine pasture. We continue our ascent to above the treeline and enjoy views that take in the Julian Alps, Skofja Loka hills, Karavanke Alps and Kamnik Alps. On clear days you may see all the way to the Adriatic Sea. Our descent is more direct, completing the circuit back to the start.
Ascent: 367m (1148ft) Descent: 382m (1148ft) Distance: 8km (2.5 miles) Duration: 4h00 - 6h00
For our final day of snowshoeing we will journey up the western valley of Mount Begunjščica. Begunjščica is a ridge in the Karawanks which has three main peaks, funnily enough the highest is called Big Peak, the western Middle Peak lies a little lower, and the lowest is Begunje Mount Vrtača. However, our goal today is to cross behind this solitary mountain to the isolated Dom na Zelenici, where we will enjoy our final lunch on the mountain together. This is a traditional Alpine Hut, serving comforting Slovene mountain food such as Jota (cabbage stew), Klobasa (sausage) and Ričet (barley soup). Hut guardians employed through local Alpine Associations manage the food, accommodation and welcome guests to enjoy an important element of Slovene mountain culture. Dom literally translates to home, and you can be sure of home-cooked meals and a warm welcome when you stop by for a visit along your journey. After our meal we will have the opportunity to continue to the northern ridge above the Zelenici mountain hut, which stands on the border with Austria. A few more photos and then we embark on our return journey.
Ascent: 367m (1203ft) Descent: 382m (1253ft) Distance: 8km (6.6 miles) Duration: 5h00 - 6h30
Depending on your ongoing journey times, you may have the opportunity to independently explore the scenic surroundings of Bled lake this morning, before our guide will drive you back to the airport or train station, ready for your journey home.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
In the event of there being a lean winter and a lack of snow to cover the entirety of our route this trip will go ahead. Snowshoes are an aid to hiking in winter and if we do not require them we will still enjoy a winter walking trip.
The 4* Hotel Triglav on the shores of Lake Bled is a wonderful place to spend a holiday. The hotel is filled with artwork, antique furniture and the rooms are tastefully furnished. There are twenty-one bedrooms ranging from singles to suites. Each evening the kitchen creates a fine dining experience which will be savoured by 'foodies'. Sitting down to breakfast overlooking Lake Bled and watching the pink sunrise is a joy. Guests have free access to the indoor swimming pool, and Finish sauna to ease any aching muscles. There is also a Wine Club three times weekly where you can sign up to enjoy the really excellent Slovenian wines.
The hotel’s restaurant is named “1906” which is the year the hotel was built, and the same year the train connection between Bled and Trieste was constructed. Today, restaurant 1906 with its chef, Aleš Fende, is a leading force in the town’s culinary experiences; serving traditional dishes, offering wine tastings in the hotel’s private wine cellar, organising cooking classes, culinary theme events & a local farmer’s market.
We always aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. All of our trips are based on two people sharing a bedroom, what we call a 'twin' means two single beds in one bedroom. If you are booking as a single traveller you will share with someone of the same gender. In many cases a single room is available for a supplementary fee, but these can be in short supply and require early booking. Note that it is very rare to have air conditioning in European mountain areas, and most bedrooms do not have this facility. If you have any questions about the accommodation please Contact us for details.
By Train:
From the UK you can take the Eurostar train from London to Paris, France, then a high speed train to Stuttgart, in Germany, followed by a sleeper train from Stuttgart to Ljubljana, in Slovenia. For other possibilities visit: Seat 61. Once at Ljubljana you can take a local train to Lesce from where buses run to Bled every 30 minutes or so, the journey is around 10 mins. A taxi from Lesce train station to Lake Bled will cost approximately 25 Euros in 2025.
By Air:
There are a number of airlines which fly from the UK to Ljubljana. You can try the following, but availability will depend on the season and current schedules which can be changed at any time. Easyjet from London Gatwick to Ljubljana, departing in the early morning. You can also fly from Stanstead with Ryanair to Klagenfurt, just over the border in Austria, which is about 1h20 from Bled and can be reached by bus, or train to Lesce, then a bus to Bled. You can view other options at Rome2Rio and at Skyscanner
For convenience we have included a transfer from Ljubljana airport, Slovenia to Lake Bled. Our departure/pick up time from Geneva airport is scheduled for 14h30 however, once we have all the guest arrival times we may bring this forward if it suits all the other members of the group.
Our base for the week is on the shore of Lake Bled which is 40km (25 miles) from Ljubljana Airport. It takes around 30-40 minutes by taxi. You can take a transfer to/from the hotel with companies such as GoOpti or Airport Ljubljana, both are efficient and relatively inexpensive.
Departure
On your departure day there will be a private minibus transfer which will collect you after an early breakfast and take you to Ljubljana airport, Slovenia. The return transfer will leave Cogne at approximately 07h00 in order to arrive at the airport at 07h45. Your flights from Geneva airport should be booked to depart no earlier than 09h30. The departure time may be changed if all the group flights are departing later in the day.
Activity, Injury and Mountain Rescue
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. For all of our trips your insurance must also cover mountain rescue. The exception to this is if the trip is being held in the United Kingdom or Norway where mountain rescue is free of charge. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Insurance should be booked as soon as we have confirmed that your trip is going ahead. Note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions. For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have the appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and the accommodation you will be staying in.
Generally clothing for snowshoeing should be equivalent to that used for walking in the mountains in winter. For this trip all the necessary snowshoe equipment is provided free of charge. This includes snowshoes, walking poles, snow probe, snow shovel, and avalanche transceiver. The carrying of this safety equipment is compulsory and demonstrates ‘best practice’.
Your guide will arrive at the ‘Welcome Meeting’ with only enough snowshoe equipment for those who have booked it via their Booking Form.
Equipment
Clothing
Comfort
Personal First Aid
Documentation
Additional Items
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and carry their own first aid kit
The image below gives examples of how snowshoes can be attached to your rucksack
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms can be booked but are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. The single supplement for this trip is £350.
We go to great lengths to work with first class guides who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
Please note your snowshoe guide has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment. This is particularly relevant in a winter environment where the snowpack can change on a daily basis.
Your local guide will be fully qualified to the Slovenia standards required for professionals in the mountain. They will also be chosen for their local and extensive experience of the mountains in winter. You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons, the most important of which is food waste. In general our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you purchase your own snacks rather than throw away items from the picnic lunch which we would supply.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout the day. Buying snacks and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with local people and to practise your language skills.
If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this. Each evening you can order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market. In all cases we would ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks the evening before you depart, and not in the morning when there may be a queue.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will often only accept payment in the local currency in cash. The euro is the official currency of Slovenia, which is a member of the European Union.
Food
On all of our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes.
If you are vegetarian catering for your diet is not generally a problem. If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy/intolerance we would ask that you make your needs clear on your booking form so we can discuss your requirements with the accommodation as soon as possible. A diet that is not related to an allergy/intolerance or beliefs cannot be catered for. It is simply not possible for mountain accommodation to deal with many variations in diet while providing meals for groups.
In addition, if you have an allergy/intolerance we would suggest you bring/purchase suitable snacks as a supplement to the picnic lunches. At times finding gluten free bread, for example, can be an issue. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet, gluten or lactose intolerance please contact us.
We request that you do not CHANGE your dietary requirements during the trip as we will have pre-ordered your meals.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel or mountain hut is having a problem with a water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water.
In some countries such as Switzerland and Italy it’s not uncommon for restaurants to charge for tap water. If this is the case then Tracks and Trails will pay for the tap water at the accommodation during the evening meal when on half board, but not at lunch stops.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for the country you are visiting, paying attention to your citizenship. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
New European Travel Regulations from mid 2025
If you are a guest travelling to one of our European holidays you may be impacted by a significant change to travel regulations expected to be in place from the middle of 2025. The new EITAS scheme will start operating this year and, whilst a start date is not yet confirmed, it is likely to affect our summer holidays in 2025 and any winter holiday thereafter. As your holiday approaches we recommend that you check for updates on the website HERE.
We ask that you carry a paper copy of your passport with you on your trip. We suggest keeping your passport in your rucksack, and a paper copy of your passport in any luggage you might have. If your trip is without luggage transfers then keep a paper copy somewhere in your rucksack, separate from your original document.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
Plug, Socket & Voltage by Country
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Tracks and Trails pays guides/instructors a fair and appropriate fee for their professional service. However, if you feel your guide/instructor has provided an excellent service that went 'above and beyond' then it is at the discretion of each guest whether to tip or not. Guests will often give a tip of between 2 - 5 per cent of the total value of their trip. It is entirely up to you and any gesture will no doubt be appreciated no matter the size.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
As the winter season approaches, it's time to embrace the beauty of snowy landscapes and outdoor adventures. To help you make the most of your holiday, we've put together some essential tips and suggestions on how to prepare for your winter getaway. Click here to find some suggestions on how to prepare for both cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Prices may vary depending on date.
| Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sun 25 Jan - Sun 01 Feb Code: SLS1 |
Price: £2240 | Spaces available | Book |
|
Sun 22 Feb - Sun 01 Mar Code: SLS2 |
Price: £2240 | Spaces available | Book |
| From Price | £2240 |
| Holiday Type | Snowshoeing |
| Duration | 8 Days |
| Group Size | 4-8 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 1974m (6475ft) |
| Countries Visited | Slovenia |
| Meet In | Bled, Slovenia |
