Slovenia- a paradise

Slovenia is a small hidden gem, with only 2.1 million inhabitants. The nature is pristine. The river waters are transparent and translucent.  You cannot find trash on the street. In 2023, they had over 6 million visitors. Slovenia borders Austria, Italy, Croatia and Hungary.

In the Triglav National Park are the Julian Alps, also called the Limestone Alps. Mount Triglav is the highest mountain (2864 meters).  There are 161 lodges scattered throughout the Julian Alps many of which allow sleeping. If you don’t mind sleeping with 10 others in one room and sharing a bathroom,  a lodge is a charming,  wonderful experience and cheap.  I paid $17 per day at Erjavčeva mountain hut at Vršič pass. The food was great and perfect location for hiking and getting back down the mountain to Kranjska Dora.

I chose to hike on foot from Kranjska Dora to Erjavčeva mountain hut at Vršič pass through trails and some on the main road. It was about 13-14km and took me 3-4 hours. On the way, close to top is the Vladimir Church. It was built during WWI by 12,000 Russian prisoners. The church has only enough room for no more than 4 people. The church is a heritage protection site.

Slovenia is a biker’s paradise for street,/mountain bikes, hiking and mountain climbing. I stayed in Kranjska Dora – 1452-meter elevation, a small ski town.  I took a private mountain bike guide for 3 days – Rok Dokl, a graduate of sports science, professional skier and mountain biker. He runs the mountain bike shop for Extreme Vital in Kranjska Gora. He’s the only one who knows the single trails in and around the Julian Alps. If you wish to contact him, he can reached at: info@mtbrepublic.com or  mtb_republic (Instagram).

Here is a summary what we did in 3 days totaling over 120km and climbing 4,000 meters:

Day 1

57 km

Culinary trip between 3 borders (Austria, Italy and Slovenia)

1600 meters uphill

Refugio Zachi, Italy

Day 2

Austria

17-20km

1000 meters uphill trek

TRAILCENTER FAAKER SEE (Austria)

Day 3

Climbed 1200 meters

Reached 1800 meters elevation

Mount Santo di Lussari (Italy) – a small village with a monastery overlooking Tarvisio, Italy. Climbed the last leg (20) of Giro d’italia. Rok told me a great story about the 2023 event. In 2023, the winner was Slovenian Primož Roglič. On his climb up the steep grade of leg 20, he was second in the pack behind a Brit, Garett Thomas. Suddenly, he had a problem with his bike. The crowd reached out to help and there a childhood friend jumped in and fixed the problem. He managed to pass the Brit (even after losing time) and beat Garett Thomas by 40 seconds reaching the top of Mount Lussari, Italy.

Lake Jasna (Kranjska Dora) secret single trail behind the lake

Day Hike Two

Slemenova Špica this was a wonderful but grueling 10km, 3–4-hour hike (back and forth) but steep terrain but once you reach this peak are stunning 360-degree views, 1909 meters is the top.

You can hike to Mala Mojstrovka an elevation of 2333 meters but because the mountain rock is limestone your foot slips. I understand the trails are switchbacks so that makes it easy. But you need climbing boots to support your ancles or it’s too risky.

Day Hike 3

Vršič mountain just below is the Postman’s Lodge on the Vršič Pass a 45-minute walk, 1737 meters.