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Finally, the whole Soča valley belongs to Primorska: you’ll find hikes in that region under Julian Alps

Notes

  • Red dots on the map are hiking trips with English description;
  • Green dots are biking tours.
  • Gray dots are hikes without an English description. You might still want to look at the map, enjoy the photos, or use Google Translate on Slovenian text .

Karst Plateau

Cerje (343 m, Δ=150 m, 1.5 hour)

Hiking to Cerje, a hilltop with a fantastic view high above Vipava valley, was fun before it was graced with a gigantic Monument of Peace. Gravel roads got a needless coat of asphalt, and the old footpaths turned into wide rocky trails… but if you’re creative and take plenty of detours, you can still have a lovely Karst experience.

Exploring Karst: From Hruševica to Kosovelje (17.7 km, Δ=160 m)

It’s easy to meander around Slovenian Karst on a bike as it’s crisscrossed with paved roads. Still, it’s more interesting to stay on gravel roads and try to find old overgrown dirt tracks, this time taking us from Hruševica to Kosovelje.

Exploring Karst: Lukovec and Mali Dol (17.5 km, Δ=290 m)

This time we’ll explore the forests and meadows at the northern edge of the Karst plateau, north of Kobjeglava and Komen. We’ll pass Lukovec and try to find our way through the narrow streets of Mali Dol.

Exploring Karst: Pliskovica – Tupelče (18.5 km, Δ=260 m)

We decided to continue our exploration of Karst dirt trails when visiting our friends in Tupelče. We started in Pliskovica, dropped by Volčji Grad and Gabrovica, barely managed to find a long-lost dirt trail from Gabrovica to Kobjeglava, and returned to Pliskovica via Kosovelje.

Karst Villages between Hruševica and Pliskovica (16.3 km, Δ=210 m)

On a rainy day, I found myself in the beautiful St. Daniel Hotel and took a short biking trip on asphalt and gravel roads to avoid the inevitable mud. The end result: I enjoyed the hidden beauties of a half-dozen Karst villages.

Kokoš from Lokev (670 m, Δ=210 m, 2.5 hours)

Kokoš is one of the summits in the hill range separating Sežana Karst (more accurately Lokavsko polje) from the Gulf of Trieste. These hills are crisscrossed with hiking paths and cycling tracks, making them ideal for spring and autumn walks.

The Path of Nine Ponds (6.5 km, Δ=100 m)

This is not my lame attempt at reaching Zen… the farmers in Slovenian Karst used ponds with clay bottom to collect rainwater, and there’s a nice path linking nine of those ponds as well as several small caves around Kobjeglava and Tupelče.

Trstelj from Komen (27.1 km, Δ=590 m)

I noticed a gravel road leading to the Trstelj mountain hut the last time I was there and decided to use it for a bike trip starting in Komen. I tried to avoid the asphalt roads as much as possible, but it’s not hard to find a route that will bring you to Trstelj even if you have a road bike.

Other hikes in this region

Slovene Istria

Abitanti from Gračišče (27 km, Δ=470 m)

Abitanti is a tiny Istrian hamlet that’s not just in the middle of nowhere. It’s way beyond that. The village was deserted when I hiked there years ago. This time, I found a group of renovated houses (and locals fixing even more of them) after a colorful ride across Istrian pine forests and meadows.

Biking to Kojnik (15.5 km, Δ=400 m)

It was way too hot for May, and I was tired and sunburnt. An early morning tour to Kojnik, a wooded hilltop south of way more popular (and crowded) Slavnik, was precisely what I needed.

Biking to Kuk and Lačna (18.7 km, Δ=430 m)

I love hiking across the hills on the limestone edge of Slovenian Istria, but whenever I’m schlepping myself along the long dirt trails, I dream of doing them with a mountain bike. As it turns out, what looks like a wide and easy dirt road when you’re hiking could turn into a mischievous beast when you are on a bike, including the trails between Kuk and Lačna.

From Marezige to Boršt (23.3 km, Δ=470 m)

The tour from Marezige to Boršt will take you onto scenic hills around Rokava valley. The descent from Labor to Dragonja valley (should you choose to do it) is just the icing on the cake.

From Osp to Socerb (437 m, Δ=420 m, 2 hours)

Socerb is a castle above the steep cliffs of Karst Edge with a beautiful view of the Bay of Trieste. You can get there by car (the castle restaurant has excellent food), but it’s more fun to hike there from Osp, a village better known for its extensive climbing areas.

Golič (890 m, Δ=580 m, 5 hours)

Want to experience expansive meadows with beautiful vistas in the middle of nowhere? Golič, a multi-peak ridge south of Slavnik, might be just what you’re looking for.

Hrastovlje – Podpeč – Brežec – Zazid (566 m, Δ=700 m, 5 hours)

We decided to take a somewhat longer hike in Istria, and found a path that took us from Hrastovlje to Karst Edge and back around the upper Rižana Valley.

Jampršnik (649 m, Δ=260 m, 2 hours)

Jampršnik is a barely noticeable peak above the overhanging cliffs of Karst Edge. If you find yourself in Zazid but haven’t been to Slovenian Istria before, don’t waste time going there; the hike to Lipnik or Kavčič is infinitely more picturesque. However, if you’ve visited most of the other peaks along the Karst Edge, Jampršnik might be an attractive alternative destination.

Karst Edge and Praproče from Rižana Valley (14.8 km, Δ=450 m)

Hordes of tourists visiting the famous church in Hrastovlje might spend a few seconds admiring the rocky cliffs high above the village. We’ll explore them, and the lovely meadows north of the Karst Edge.

Karst Edge: Around Črni Kal (420 m, Δ=210 m, 2 hours)

We love exploring paths around the Karst Edge from Črni Kal to Zazid, and it’s even more fun if they happen to be unmarked. This time we’ll do an easy hike along old dirt roads – an ideal family weekend trip.

Kavčič from Rakitovec (883 m, Δ=400 m, 3 hours)

Kavčič is the easternmost peak in the Kraški Rob (Karst Edge) ridge, with a beautiful view of surrounding meadows and hills.

Kojnik (802 m, Δ=290 m, 2 hours)

Kojnik is a wooded hilltop south of Slavnik with an excellent view of Slavnik and Golič ridges. You might want to go there when you see hordes going to the vastly more popular Slavnik; it might also be a lovely destination for a longer family hike.

Kuk and Gradež above Hrastovlje (507 m, Δ=410 m, 3 hours)

Veliki Gradež and Kuk are barely visible bumps (with incredible vistas) at the edge of an expansive steppe-like meadow east of Hrastovlje and Rižana Valley.

Lačna from Gračišče (451 m, Δ=150 m, 1.5 hour)

A leisurely walk from Gračišče (a village in Slovenian Istria next to the main road toward Buzet) to Lačna is an ideal short family hike that you could easily extend into a much longer experience, depending on how enthusiastic your kids are.

Lačna, Kuk and Kvirik (497 m, Δ=500 m, 4 hours)

We love visiting Lačna in autumn to enjoy the fiery fall colors of the European smoke bush, and we try to do a slightly different hike every year. This time, we went for a long roundtrip visiting Lačna, Kuk, Movraž, and Kvirik.

Lipnik from Zazid (804 m, Δ=420 m, 4 hours)

Lipnik is one of many barely noticeable peaks on Kraški Rob (Karst Edge), the border between limestone Karst plateau and flysch terrain of lower Istria. Hike there in early May and enjoy the wildflowers along the way.

Marezige – Šmarje – Vanganel (18.9 km, Δ=500 m)

You’ll love biking through old Istrian villages high above Adriatic sea. Some of the vistas you’ll encounter are probably among the best ones you can get in Slovenian Istria.

Marezige – Trsek – Popetre (18.3 km, Δ=520 m)

After enjoying the vistas of Adriatic Sea, it’s time for a trip deep into Šavrinsko gričevje (Šavrinje hills). We’ll start in Marezige, cross Rokava and Dragonja valleys, visit Trsek, enjoy the views from the road to Popetre, and return to Marezige via Lopar or Gradišče.

Podgorje

Podgorje is the ideal starting point for a quick hike to Slavnik, or for a day-long exploration of eastern parts of Karst edge.

Pomjan Fairy Tale (350 m, Δ=430 m, 2.5 hours)

Pomjan is a village on a hilltop high above the Slovenian coast – an ideal destination for a family excursion or a wake-me-up morning hike starting at the outskirts of Koper.

Praproče and Marija Snežna (467 m, Δ=240 m, 3 hours)

The church of Marija Snežna (Santa Maria Maggiore), hidden on a wooded hill north of the Karst Edge, is a beautiful destination for a half-day hike if you love hiking around Črni Kal but have exhausted all the obvious choices.

Rock Shelters in Veli Badin (410 m, Δ=300 m, 2 hours)

The cliffs at the boundary between limestone and clay parts of Slovenian Istria end with enormous rock shelters – a must-see for every hiker visiting these parts of Slovenia.

Slavnik (1028 m)

Slavnik is the highest peak of the Slavnik range, the last mountain range before the gentle slopes of Slovenian Istra. It's also the last peak above 1000 meters visited by the Slovenian Mountain Hiking Trail.

Slavnik and Grmada from Podgorje (1028 m, Δ=510 m, 3 hours)

The shortest routes to Slavnik lead from Podgorje, a small karst village south-west of the mountain, where you’ll find abundance of little paths and cart-tracks across Slavnik’s southern slopes.

Slavnik from Podgorje (on a bike) (12.1 km, Δ=510 m)

I’m lamenting the loss of the dirt track leading to Slavnik every time I hike there, but the gravel road it was bastardized into comes handy if you decide to get to the top with a mountain bike.

Slavnik from Podgorje (steep path) (1028 m, Δ=510 m, 2.5 hours)

Since the overabundance of EU cohesion funds helped transform the old dirt track to Slavnik into a gravel road, I prefer to take the steeper footpath ascending directly toward the peak.

Slavnik from Prešnica (1028 m, Δ=520 m, 4 hours)

Goldilocks would love the hike from Prešnica to Slavnik. It’s not too long nor too short, it’s not too steep nor too dull, and it’s in a lovely shade, but the forest is thin enough to let some winter sunshine through.

Up, Down and Around the Karst Edge (22 km, Δ=520 m)

Karst Edge is the wondrous land where the limestone cliffs of continental Slovenia meet the soft flysch landscape of lower Slovenian Istria. This time we’ll explore dirt tracks on its easternmost part – from Podgorje to Kavčič.

Zgornji Kras and Socerb Castle (440 m, Δ=80 m, 1 hour)

When our kids were still in kindergarten, they loved hiking around the place with the Bora wind – the meadows of Zgornji Kras, a karst plateau above Trieste with beautiful views of surrounding hills and the Adriatic Sea.

Other hikes in this region

Vipava Valley

Abram (Nanos) from Vrhpolje (22.9 km, Δ=830 m)

Two roads lead from Sanabor (a hamlet on the western slopes of Nanos plateau) to Abram (one of the few still-active homesteads): a pleasantly cool gravel road along the Bela stream and a sunny asphalt road going straight from Sanabor to Abram.

Biking to Čaven Mountain Hut (14 km, Δ=370 m)

If you’ve explored all the footpaths to the Čaven mountain hut, it’s time to bike there. We’ll start in Predmeja; if you’re looking for a much longer ride, choose Lokavec as your starting point.

Čaven (1242 m)

Čaven is a Karst plateau (as well as one of the peaks in that plateau) high above Vipava valley north-west of Ajdovščina.

Its steep slopes presented a formidable challenge to local farmers, who created a web of footpaths, dirt trails, and narrow dirt roads to reach high-lying meadows and forests. You can walk along those paths to get to Koča na Čavnu (Čaven mountain hut) from Predmeja, Vrtovin, Stomaž, Kamnje, or Lokavec.

Čaven from Kamnje (1242 m, Δ=990 m, 5 hours)

Farmers from Kamnje, a tiny village high above Vipava valley, had to walk two hours to reach the meadows where they were preparing hay for the winter.

The local mountaineering team decided to preserve that tradition and created a theme path leading from Kamnje to Mala Gora.

Exploring the Ressel Trail (20 km, Δ=730 m)

The edge of Gora (plateau high above Vipava Valley) is full of fantastic vista points. A few of them are reachable with a road bike; we’ll visit the westernmost one and explore an ancient dirt trail laid out by Josef Ressel on the way back of the ship propeller fame.

Kovk above Col (961 m)

Kovk is a scenic hilltop at the edge of the Gora plateau high above Vipava valley with fantastic vistas of the valley, Trnovski Gozd, Julian Alps, and the Italian Dolomites.

Kovk from Col (961 m, Δ=320 m, 2 hours)

Getting from Col (a village along an old Roman road) to Kovk (a scenic hilltop high above Vipava valley) is a comfortable hour-long hike with a few steeper sections – ideal for an afternoon family stroll.

Kovk from Vipava Valley (961 m, Δ=550 m, 3 hours)

The steep footpath to Kovk from the hunting hut in Budanje is an excellent choice for the days when you’re looking for a quick strenuous hike with a fantastic view.

Mala Lazna (13.8 km, Δ=420 m)

Mala Lazna is a lovely clearing deep in the Trnovo Forest. A chance geological accident resulted in an unusual soil composition welcoming plants you would not find anywhere else in western Slovenia. You can reach Mala Lazna via an asphalt road from Predmeja to Lokve, making it a perfect destination for a short road biking trip.

Multipitch Climbing in Gradiška Tura (500 m, Δ=250 m, 3 hours)

I love spending sunny autumn and winter days in the rocks above Vipava; the crags around Gradiška Tura were one of my first sports climbing adventures. Years later, I started tasting the long trad climbing routes, resulting in a discovery of a recently-created masterpiece: an almost-vertical slab with fantastic compact rock and almost a dozen bolted multi-pitch routes.

Nanos (Pleša) from Abram (1262 m, Δ=560 m, 4.5 hours)

The hike across sunny Nanos meadows from Abram (a 500-year old farm situated 800m above the Vipava valley) is my favorite way to reach Pleša, the most prominent Nanos peak.

We love taking the hike in May and June, enjoying the wildflowers, or doing it in late autumn or early spring when the soil is still frozen.

Orlovca (860 m, Δ=320 m, 2 hours)

Orlovca (Eagle Rock) is a large overhanging cliff at the edge of Gora plateau high above Vipava Valley. It’s one of the highlights of the Angel Mountain Trail (Pot po Angelski Gori); we’ll use a tiny bit of that trail to get there.

Otlica's Natural Window (820 m, Δ=580 m, 3 hours)

Otliško okno (Otlica Window) is a large natural window at the edge of the Gora plateau high above Vipava valley. It’s just a short walk from Otlica, a village on Gora, but it’s more fun to hike there from the valley.

Plaz above Vipava (529 m, Δ=270 m, 1.5 hour)

Plaz is a scenic viewpoint above Vipava. Pleasant footpaths lead to it from Vipava and Gradišče, making it a perfect destination of an afternoon family hike.

Saint Nicholas above Vipava Valley (445 m, Δ=210 m, 2 hours)

As you’re traveling on the highway from Postojna toward Vipava, you might notice a tiny church high on the slopes of Nanos plateau (look right just before the gas station) – the Saint Nicholas church, a perfect destination for a short family hike.

Saint Paul above Vrtovin (498 m, Δ=360 m, 2 hours)

High above Vipava Valley, on a limestone terrace jutting out of the slopes of Čaven ridge, is a tiny church dedicated to Saint Paul – a fantastic hiking destination on dry autumn or spring days.

Škavnica (734 m, Δ=490 m, 3 hours)

Škavnica is a giant limestone slab in the middle of a pine forest on the west slopes of Nanos plateau. I usually hike there to admire its limestone pavement crisscrossed with deep fissures; the view of Vipava valley, Adriatic sea, and the Italian Alps is just the icing on the cake.

Smrečje and Smrekova Lazna (28 km, Δ=720 m)

Smrečje is a giant hollow and a cold-air pool in Trnovo Forest – even though it’s barely above 1000m, the local information tables claim you could get below-freezing temperatures in July – making it a perfect summer destination when you’re tired of heat waves and summer crowds.

Sončnica (867 m, Δ=450 m, 2 hours)

The steep hike from Budanje to Sončnica (a prominent overhanging rocky outcrop at the edge of the Gora plateau) is an ideal opportunity to burn the few extra fat cells you were so carefully nurturing during the winter months.

Southern Slopes of Nanos (17.6 km, Δ=600 m)

Two asphalt roads lead to Nanos, a mountainous plateau high above Vipava valley. While I like biking on the northwestern road in summer, the one on the sunny southern slopes of Nanos is an ideal choice for spring and autumn days.

Sports Climbing above Vipava (400 m)

When it’s too cold to climb in Vipavska Bela, try the sunny southwest-facing crags above Vipava. Regardless of whether you’re a total beginner or a slab master, you’ll find tons of well-protected climbs to enjoy.

Stara Baba above Ajdovščina (350 m, Δ=120 m, 1 hour)

Stara Baba is a fluvial terrace with a nice view of nearby Ajdovščina. It must be a popular destination for afternoon strolls as it’s crisscrossed with unmarked footpaths – an ideal easy hike if your kids love exploring the countryside or if dad needs to show off his latest GPS gadget.

Veliki Rob from Gojače/Zasod (1236 m, Δ=1050 m, 6 hours)

Veliki Rob is one of the most prominent peaks on the edge of the Čaven plateau. Most hikers focus on nearby Kucelj, making it an exciting destination a bit off the beaten track. Marked paths to Veliki Rob are pretty circuitous if you want to start in Vipava valley, so we’ll take an extra-steep unmarked approach.

Vipava Old Castle (240 m, Δ=140 m, 1 hour)

Every self-respecting European city has a castle (or, at the very least, the castle ruins) on a nearby hill, and Vipava is no exception. Ascending to Vipava’s Old Castle is a lovely family hike worth combining with phenomenal ice cream at Bar Marjanca.

Vipavska Bela (250 m)

Vipavska Bela is my favorite climbing spot. Compact rock, short and sweet climbs, lovely family-friendly surroundings, no-hassle parking, a two-minute walk to reach the crag… what else should one hope for?

Vipavska Brda (Vipava Hills) from Podnanos (17.3 km, Δ=560 m)

I’ve been watching the tiny church of Sv. Socerb (Saint Servulus) high above Vipava Valley for over a decade as I was climbing in Gradiška Tura. I’ve heard of a dirt track leading from it back to the valley years ago, but it took me a long while to go and find it. You might want to do it sooner than that and enjoy the spectacular views of the Vipava Valley and Nanos on the way.

Other hikes in this region

Hikes or biking tours with detailed descriptions

Idrijske Krnice (19 km, Δ=810 m)

Idrijske Krnice is a sparsely-populated hamlet on a high-lying plateau between the Idrijca and Kanomlja valleys. Getting there is tough, but the views are well worth the effort.

Križna Gora and Javornik (24 km, Δ=790 m)

Getting to Pirnat Lodge at Javornik from Col is easy – you can drive there – but it’s way more fun to take a detour via Križna Gora and another one through Vodice on the way back.

Lokvarski (Šebreljski) Vrh (18 km, Δ=850 m)

Lokvarski Vrh (also known as Vrhovec or Šebreljski Vrh) is one of the highest peaks on the ridge between Idrijca and Kanomlja valleys, with a phenomenal 360-degree panorama of the Julian Alps, Cerkno hills, Vojsko, and Trnovski Gozd. You can get there from Oblakov Vrh, Idrijske Krnice, or Šebrelje.

Oblakov Vrh from Dolenja Trebuša (19 km, Δ=600 m)

Oblakov Vrh (Cloudy Peak) is a saddle between Kanomlja and Hotenja valleys with a beautiful view of the Idrija Fault (both valleys resulted from that fault). We’ll bike to Oblakov Vrh from Dolenja Trebuša and enjoy a panoramic view of the Julian Alps on the way back.

Šebrelje by Bike (8 km, Δ=400 m)

Šebrelje is a village on a sunny plateau high above Idrijca valley, best known for the nearby Stone Age archeological site. You can hike to the northern part of the village or take the asphalt road and then explore Šebrelje by bike.

Šentviška Gora (22 km, Δ=580 m)

Šentviška Gora is the largest settlement on a lovely high plateau between Idrijca and Bača valleys. The nearby vista point on Arbišče offers beautiful views of Cerkno and Idrija hills, Trnovski Gozd, Vojsko, and the Julian Alps.

Šentviška Gora Roundtrip (14 km, Δ=350 m)

Biking from Idrijca Valley to Šentviška Gora (a plateau high above the valley) is nice; a roundtrip around the plateau is a beautiful experience. We’ll explore the sunny meadows and forests between Pečine and Šentviška Gora.

Široko on Banjšice Plateau (13 km, Δ=590 m)

Široko is a vista point on the northern edge of Banjšice Plateau, high above the confluence of Idrijca and Soča. Getting there takes a steep and strenuous ascent regardless of whether you hike there from Most na Soči train station or bike from the village center, but the rewarding views of the southern ridges of the Julian Alps are well worth the effort.

St. Ivan and Šebrelje (630 m, Δ=420 m, 3 hours)

A steep hike from Idrijca valley to the church of St. John (Sv. Ivan) brings you to the sunny Šebrelje plateau.

Strug Gorge and Klavže (25.8 km, Δ=370 m)

Love biking along sapphire crystal-clear streams with a bit of history on the side? You must drop by Idrija, bike through the Strug Gorge, and visit klavže (huge water barriers used to transport wood downriver).

Vojsko from Čekovnik (24.1 km, Δ=640 m)

Vojsko is a high, densely forested karst plateau with one of the highest-lying settlements in Slovenia. You could bike around the Vojsko and admire the people who made their living in that harsh environment for centuries or enjoy the views while biking to Vojsko from Idrija, Spodnja Idrija, Idrijska Bela, Gorenja Trebuša, or Čekovnik.

Zadlog from Wild Lake (22.4 km, Δ=450 m)

Zadlog is a dispersed settlement stretched across a fairy-tale flatland high above the upper Idrijca Valley. We’ll start at Wild Lake, use an old road supposedly built during the Napoleonic occupation of Slovenia, and return via the scenic Strug gorge.

Zakojca from Idrijca Valley (24.8 km, Δ=640 m)

Zakojca is a tiny village on the northern slopes of Kojca with a beautiful view of the southern peaks of the Julian Alps. Starting from Idrijca valley, you could get there on an asphalt road via Bukovo or (more interestingly) via Vrh Ravni pass.

Other hikes in this region

Coming Soon

  • Idrijske Krnice
  • Jagršče
  • Hudournik
  • Around Šentviška Gora
  • Dolenja Trebuša - Vrše
  • Most na Soči - Kanalski Lom
  • Most na Soči - Čepovan - Lokovec