Slovenia June 2007

In June 2007, 10 of us met at Stansted Airport for the two hour flight to Ljubljana, Slovenia's capital. A 35-minute transfer later, we arrived at the Slovenian town of Bled. Ahead of us, three walks in the mountains, some fine food and excellent company.

Bled is situated on the banks of the shallow glacial Lake Bled on the edge of the Julian Alps, the destination for our first walk. We started on the outskirts of Gozd Martuljek, near the more famous ski resort village of Kranjska Gora. Our trail followed a deep limestone gorge past a series of dramatic waterfalls. A mid-morning stop at our first mountain hut of the weekend and a glass of Pine Tip Juice - a refreshing home-made cordial - that set us up for the next stage of the walk, a steady climb up through the woods to the dramatic Martuljkov Waterfall.

After a suitable stop and a chance to appreciate some fine examples of the rare lady's slipper orchid, we headed back to the hut for a splendid bowl of Slovenian soup, and from there a pleasent descent to the minibuses.

Day two saw us heading for the Karavanke Mountains that form the border between Slovenia and Austria to the north. Our plan for the day was to head up to Golica peak (1835m), weather permitting, with a chance to look into Austria, and of course take in the mountain hut on the way. You can't enjoy mountains without some climbing and this walk turned into a steady uphill walk through the woods. The weather was ever-changing but so far had veered towards the warm and sunny. It wasn't until we reached the ridge top that the first drops of rain arrived so a change of route saw us heading first to the hut for a cup of Planinska Chi, an infusion made from the local herbs that grow around the hut. Most mountain huts serve it and as such the taste varies between huts. It's a splendid drink and worth trying.

We then headed up to the ridge, a 300 metre ascent which got mistier and mistier as we climbed. At the summit cairn, we could see very little and after quick snatched photos we headed back down to the hut for lunch. It was at this stage that the heavens opened and the temperature dropped - an invigorating descent shall we say! A barley and sausage soup later and the weather was glorious again and we headed off the hill back to the start of our walk and our lift back to Bled.

Our evenings, during our short stay in Bled, were spent enjoying the food on offer in a variety of Bled restaurants. Good food, cheap wine and beer seem like excellent excuses to try as many as possible! And good wine and beer makes for much hilarity and banter too. That's the joy of a walking holiday, the aches of the day are soon forgotten as the jokes start to fly.

Day Three and the weather looked even more promising than the previous two had. The best walk saved to last too. A walk up to the summit of the 2009 metre Brda peak which looks across to the highest mountain in Slovenia, the 2864 metre Triglav, a beautiful limestone peak surrounded by high cliffs and dramatic gorges. Our guide Tillen told us to expect the "Wow" moment as we reached the saddle beneath Brda. I've done this walk four times now but a "wow" still escapes me at the first glimpse of Triglav and its neighbours; it's stunning.Our final walk and our final mountain hut (Blejska Koca), of the long weekend and another wonderful bowl of barley soup - perfect mountain food washed down with a fine pint of Slovenian beer - these huts are certainly civilised.

Then we are heading back down to meet the buses and finish the walk, the end of three fantastic days walking in one of Europe's best-known secrets! Day four and just enough time to enjoy a walk round the lake at Bled (a two-hour walk for all that), a leisurely lunch and then back to the aiport for our flight home.

Slovenia then; the walking is superb and varied, the Slovenian people very warm and welcoming and a long weekend there a perfect way of sampling the country. I could write at greater length but the best way to find out more is to come and join us on our next weekend. More details here. To enjoy more pictures of Slovenia click here.