Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Email: [email protected]
Slovenia – 5 nights The Karst - culture and landscape
https://www.onfootholidays.co.uk/routes/slovenia/slovenia-5-nights/
Route Summary
At a glance
5 nights (4 days walking) - missing Vipava. Add extra nights in Ljubljana or Trieste, and in Tomaj for extra walking, Lipizzaner horses and cave visit.
How much walking?
Full days: 11-16km per day, 3¾ - 5hrs walking Using shortening options: 11-16km per day, 3½-5 hrs (using lifts) (two days shortened)
Max. Grade:
page 1/9
The “Kras”, or Karst, in the west of this tiny country, is an area of woodlands, meadows and unspoilt villages with an ever-present backdrop of mountains. Its extraordinary geological phenomena include vast cave systems and rivers that vanish into cliffs and, en route to your first day’s walk, a disappearing lake. The rock is mother also to some fine vineyards producing the unique Teran wine, a ferocious red to be drunk as accompaniment to the local prosciutto (“Prsut”). After a first night in the pretty Slovenian capital Ljubljana, you stay in farms that produce their own wine, hams and honey, and grow all manner of fruit. You end your holiday in the lively Italian seaport of Trieste and, with extra nights, can visit the original Lipizzaner stud (small supplement) or part of the extraordinary Skocjan cave system, both on foot or by mountain bike (this way you can potentially see both!).
Route Highlights
● Green Europe at its most beguiling ● Stay on working farms and eat delicious produce ● Prsut (prosciutto) and Teran wine ● Supper at Cejkotova Domacija (subject to availability – see below) ● The hilltop settlements of Stanjel and Tabor ● Predjama Castle ● The disappearing lake and rivers ● Optional visits to the Skocjan Caves or the Lipizzaner horses ● Trieste and Ljubljana and the Hapsburg legacy
We Recommend
Extra nights in Tomaj for walk to the Skocan caves or Lippizaner stud, or hire mountain bikes to see either or both, or just to have a relaxing day exploring other parts of the region (include lunch at pretty Pliskovica). Good bikes and maps provided, and Sasha, our local bike provider, would be happy to take you on a guided ride too (supplement) to take in some good places to eat...!
When you're Stanjel, if you're a group of 4 or more staying Fri/Sat/Sun, don't miss the chance of a meal at Cejkotova Domacija, a legendary restaurant with all home produce - we can arrange this for you.
VENICE: This route can be efficiently combined with a trip to Venice at the start (see "How to get there").
Grading
Full days: 11-16km per day, 3¾ - 5hrs walking Using shortening options: 11-16km per day, 3½-5 hrs (using lifts) (two days shortened)
page 2/9 Well-marked paths, no steep sections. Highest point on route: 750m.
Easy-medium: Average cumulative uphill stretches (CUSs) 431m (225m-670m) per day.
GPX file available for handheld GPS or smartphone App for complete route (except Tomaj optional walks).
Important note: Times given for each day are walking times for an “average” walker and exclude stops. “CUSs” stands for “Cumulative Uphill Stretches” and measures the aggregated ascents in each day, expressed in metres of climb. See “Walk Grading” for more information.
When to go
The best months to walk: April, May, June, September, October
Other possible months: July, August
Late spring, with its profusion of wild flowers and butterflies, is an ideal time to walk through this gentle Slovenian countryside. July and August can be quite warm, but as September arrives, so the countryside is bathed in autumnal light and whilst the days become shorter, walkers can enjoy the fruits (and drink) of the Slovenian harvest in the evenings.
Please note: date ranges shown are for a 'normal' year. While Covid-19 restrictions remain, please contact us to discuss your plans and availability.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Ljubljana
Arrive in Ljubljana and, having checked in to your hotel, promenade along the river of this pretty Slovene capital.
Day 2 - Landol to Hudicevec
After a lift from Ljubljana, you will walk through lovely meadows and sleepy villages via the restored castle of Predjama (drawbridge, secret tunnels, disappearing river and all). (Medium: 5 hrs, 15 km, CUSs 400m). Alternative - start at Predjama Castle then walk to Hudicevec (easy-medium: 3½ hrs, 12km, CUS 370m) )
Day 3 - Loze to Stanjel
A lift from your hosts to the walk's start point at Loze (or earlier if you prefer).
Over the ridge to the Karst via the most lovely meadow and woodland walking to the hilltop village of Stanjel. Your B&B is just next to the tower gateway. Supper at local restaurant today (pay locally unless pre-booked as below) (Medium: 4¼hrs, 12¼ km, CUSs 620m)
Option
If you can arrive at Stanjel on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night we may be able to get you into the all-own-produce Cejkotova Domacija restaurant at Goce - check with us. Larger groups (6+) can eat here any night of the week subject to availability.
page 3/9 Day 4 - Stanjel to Tomaj
On to the wooded Karst proper, to the pretty hill village of Tomaj and a farmhouse supper with (almost) everything home-produced. Visit the wine and Prsut cellars and sample their homemade bread and honey. ( Easy-medium: 4 hrs, 11 km, CUSs 225m)
Option
Have an extra night here in Tomaj (required from June to September), and ...
EITHER taxi to Lipica and a walk on to the famed Skocjan Caves (Easy: 3½ hrs (plus time for tour), 12 km, CUSs 50m); taxi back;
OR for a small supplement visit, on the right day (Tue/Fri/Sun, May-Sept, Sun only April and Oct), the Lipizzaner horses: a gentle walk via Sezana with its botanical gardens to the stud farm at Lipica. Start early to arrive on time for a presentation of the Classical Riding School at 3pm (book direct on the Lipica website). Taxi back to Tomaj afterwards (Easy: 5 hrs (plus time for tour/presentation), 15 km, CUSs 160m). All taxis payable locally.
Hire mountain bikes to do both in one day! £20 pp, plus pick-up from Lipica or Skocjan at end if required (small charge). We provide maps, and offer 5 potential itineraries including two shorter circuits around Tomaj if you want an easier day.
OR do nothing - take a day off in Tomaj, wander round the village or swim in the Tourist Farm's outdoor pool.
Day 5 - Tomaj to Trieste
A walk via Tabor, across the edge of the Karst and on to Trieste, arriving triumphantly at the top of the city and then taking a scenic bus ride down from Opicina to our boutique hotel in the centre. (Medium: 3¾ hrs, 15 km, CUSs 430m)
page 4/9 Travel Information
ARRIVING BY AIR
The best ‘local’ airports are Ljubljana (inbound), and Trieste (return). Intercontinental flights may use Venice – also Frankfurt, Vienna and Paris – then change onto another flight to Ljubljana.
Land by (Ljubljana): any time (as your first night is in Ljubljana and the transfer into the city an easy one);
Land by (Trieste): 16:00 for bus transfer to Ljubljana.
Return flight earliest (Trieste): No time limit.
Return flight earliest (Ljubljana): 13:30 (bus Trieste/Ljubljana, then shuttle service from the station to Ljubljana airport).
Land by and return flight earliest times not applicable if using pre-booked taxi.
Flight information can change rapidly and not all flights run daily. Please do check directly with the airlines’ websites or Skyscanner (see below) before finalising any booking with us. Do not book your flights until we have confirmed that we have provisionally reserved accommodation for you.
For up-to-date schedules and flights from all airports check Skyscanner.
ARRIVING BY TRAIN
Nearest railway station:
Start: Ljubljana. If coming from Italy, get as far as Trieste, then bus to Ljubljana.
Finish: Trieste (5-10 mins walk) or Ljubljana (5 mins walk if staying in standard hotel)
Sample journey by rail:
Via Frankfurt: Frankfurt to Munich, Munich to Ljubljana ~10 hrs
Trieste to Frankfurt: Trieste to Verona, then Verona to Munich, Munich to Frankfurt ~13 hrs
We suggest thetrainline.com for times, ticket booking and other information.
ARRIVING BY CAR
Park in the village of Tomaj, near Tourist Farm Skerlj. Taxi back (supplement) to your first night; taxi back from
page 5/9 Trieste (supplement) to Tomaj at the end.
Getting to the start of the walk
The first hotel is in Ljubljana and the last in Trieste. Transfer times and methods are suggested for the outward journey from Ljubljana airport and the return journey to Trieste airport, the best combination. If flying into Trieste or out from Ljubljana, you will need to transfer between the two by bus (various times/days) or pre-booked taxi. Railway station transfers are also given below.
LJUBLJANA AIRPORT:
Shuttle bus or pre-booked taxi, both direct to your Ljubljana hotel (or bus/train station)
TRIESTE AIRPORT:
Airport bus or local taxi between airport and bus/train station
For pre-bookable taxi prices, see “Prices” or contact us
VENICE: This route can be efficiently combined with a trip to Venice at the start. From Venice, train to Trieste, then bus to Ljubljana. Returning, train from Trieste to Venice Mestre then shuttle to airport.
Railway/bus station transfers:
Ljubljana station is a 7-minute walk from our standard hotel, or a 20-minute walk/5 minute taxi ride from our alternative.
Trieste train and bus stations are a short walk from your final hotel,
Full transfer advice, including timetables, is provided in your Walkers’ Pack. Contact us if you would like additional pre-booking information.
Where You'll Stay
Sandwiched between stays in carefully chosen city hotels, you’ll experience simple accommodation on working farms on this route, with delicious home-cooked food and home-produced food and wine (which the owners will be proud to talk about!). There’s also one night in a B&B run by a charming former English teacher.
page 6/9 Night 1 Ljubljana – Pension Slamic (B&B)
Charming, family-run pension with lively cafe-bar and weekly jazz.
Night 1(Upgrade) Ljubljana – Lesar Hotel Angel (B&B)
Stylish small hotel in old town.
Night 2 Hudicevec – Emilijan and Katya Simcic (dinner, B&B)
Katya and Emilijan welcome you to their excellent Slovene cooking and Alpine-style farmhouse (near busy main road).
Night 3 Stanjel – Nassa Dessella (B&B)
Comfortable rooms (not all en suite) next to the gate tower and gardens. Dinner booked in local restaurant (or enquire about pre-booking Cejkotova Domacija through us)
page 7/9 Night 4 Tomaj – Izidor Skerlj (dinner, B&B)
Farmhouse-with-accommodation and excellent home-made food and wine. Outdoor pool. Bikes for hire (pre-book with On Foot).
Night 5 Trieste – Hotel Coppe (B&B)
Modern-style interior to old family-run hotel, conveniently situated.
Prices
Price: £700
Total 5 nights in double/twin room, all breakfasts, 3 picnics, 2 evening meals, transfer from Ljubljana to start of walk, luggage transfers between all hotels on walking route; full Walkers Pack with route directions, maps, transfer and background information; local telephone support.
Locally levied tourist taxes are not included.
All prices are per person unless otherwise indicated, and are based on a standard booking in May. Prices may vary seasonally and a fixed price will be given to you before you commit.
Single Room Supplement (SRS): From £110 Lone Traveller Additional Supplement (LTAS): From £175 Large Party Saving (LPS): Groups of more than 2 people (on an identical itinerary, on the same booking and booked at the same time) – discount of at least £25 per person Maximum party size: 10
page 8/9 Add Ons
Ljubljana airport to Ljubljana hotel: From £37 (1-4 people), £60 (5-8) Taxis Trieste/Ljubljana: Contact us For further nights in any hotel: Contact On Foot Holidays (see below for Tomaj) Dinner at Cejkotova Domacija (Stanjel night): £41 per person Presentation of the Classical Riding School at Lipica - Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays: £25 per person (plus taxi back to Tomaj, payable locally) Mountain bike hire from Tomaj: From £26 per bike per day (pre-book) Extra half board night in Tomaj to enable visit to Lipica or the caves, mountain bike hire, or just a day of relaxation: From £47 per person; £11 single supplement Sending Walkers Packs to addresses outside the UK: £10-£40 (per pack, location dependent)
On Foot Holidays Telephone: +44 (0) 1722 322 652 Griffin House, Malthouse Lane, Email: [email protected] Salisbury, SP2 7RF, United Kingdom
page 9/9