A gentle breeze rustles the leaves as I hop back on the saddle. I’m on the fifth stage of the Slovenia Green Gourmet Route (SGGR), a 435-mile, cycle-and-train itinerary that spotlights the country’s culinary scene. The trail was launched in 2020, coinciding with Slovenia receiving its first Michelin stars, as well as being named the 2021 European Region of Gastronomy. I pedal on to Kobarid, a five-minute ride further down the route that hugs the waterway. This town has long been popular among Slovenes for its riverside, Alpine location. More recently, it’s also made headlines for being home to the restaurant Hiša Franko, which in 2023 was awarded its third Michelin star. I ride through villages perched on slopes, whose houses are surrounded with bee boxes, orchards and meticulously stacked firewood. But it’s a train, the historic Bohinj Railway, from Bohinjska Bistrica to the town of Most na Soči, that finally takes me to the Soča River. Here, peaks begin to give way to vineyards, corduroy fields of grape vines carpeting the Goriška Brda wine region, best known for its native variety of white, Rebula, and its rich red Merlot and Cabernet Franc. 1. Slovenia Green Wellness RouteBest for: spa cultureSpanning just over 400 miles, with 16 stages averaging around 25 miles each, this route spotlights the country’s diverse wellness offering. Starting in Ljubljana, it heads north to the medieval town of Kamnik and the Kamnik-Savinja Alps before exploring the eastern half of the country, known for its therapeutic waters. It continues through the city of Maribor and into Slovenia’s northeastern corner before a stint in Croatia. For the best experience, split each day into two. From morning to midday, cycle along ridge lines, below peaks, between vineyards and through valleys. In the afternoon, relax at one of the many thermal spas you’ll find along the way. 2. Slovenia Green Solčava Panoramic RouteBest for: multi-activity breaksSlovenia is perfectly primed for those on two wheels; the country’s cyclists have dominated professional competitions in recent years, taking top podium spots at the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España. But at times, it pays to hop off the saddle. It’s in these moments that this route, covering over 80 miles on both bike and foot, comes into its own. Tucked into the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, on the border with Austria, the Solčava region is Slovenia at its prettiest. Trails crisscross valleys and farms, rolling from tidy, church-anchored villages to dramatic waterfalls framed by peaks. Between rides, cyclists refuel with local cheese, freshly baked bread and homemade schnapps. The first stages of this six-day itinerary will see you cycle on asphalt and farm roads from the village of Solčava through mountain landscapes to the Grohot hut. From here, the most active adventurers can set off to hike Raduha, a 2,062-metre peak. As the stages roll on, you’ll venture past waterfalls and caves and through forests as you travel to the Logar Valley. Stop along the way to sip mountain tea with Slovenes who’ve mastered the art of slow, in-the-moment living. 3. Slovenia Green Capitals Escape RouteBest for: soft adventureThis three-stage, 110-mile option takes in Slovenia’s urban, nature and heritage capitals rolling through foothills, with the Alps to the north and the Dinaric Alps spilling south east into the Balkans. It begins in Ljubljana, packed with museums and shops, and bistros and cafes lining the Ljubljanica river. If here on a Friday, don’t miss the weekly Odprta Kuhna (‘Open Kitchen’), where restaurateurs set up kiosks next to the city’s main outdoor market. Next, the route pushes out south to the town of Kočevje, the country’s green heart, set next to the densely forested Kočevsko region. Ride out to discover primeval woodland or hire a guide to try and spot brown bears, wolves and lynx. Once back in town, browse the works of local sculptor Stane Jarm, which are scattered throughout its streets. The final stage sees you pedal into the Bela Krajina region, the country’s cultural centre, to explore ancient customs and heritage. The city sits on the banks of the Kolpa River, where groups from southeastern Europe have settled over the centuries. Visit the Škof-Šrajf Homestead to try local baked goods or pop into one of the region’s breweries or vineyards. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Set in the beautiful alpine Logar Valley in the stunning Solčavsko area Hotel Plesnik is no ‘ordinary’ luxury hotel—and Solčavsko is no ordinary area a European Destination of Excellence and a Slovenia GREEN Silver Label location Solčavsko encompasses three glacial valleys: Matkov kot The Plesnik family have lived in the valley since 1400 and their commitment to the area and the hotel shines through Their original hotel was burned down during WW2 was extensively renovated following sustainable and environmental conservation principles in 2017 when it was named the Luxury Travel Guide’s global Luxury Eco-Friendly Hotel of the Year which measures a property's impact on one or more key areas: environment The hotel has hosted Presidents and Prime Ministers both Ljubljana’s Jože Pučnik airport and Austria’s Klagenfurt airport are only an hour away It’s easy to go green when travelling to the hotel or exploring the area: there’s a bus stop nearby shuttle services (including an airport shuttle bus) bicycle rental and an electric charging station The valley’s Landscape Park has received the CIPRA Future in the Alps Award for successful management of a protected area and there’s no better way to appreciate the Logar its neighbouring valleys and the Kamnik-Savinja Alps than via a trip along the Solčava Panoramic Road The hotel really does offer something for everyone You can also spend the day as a shepherd or hunter; try your hand at tractor driving; visit the Klemenča jama and Okrešelj mountain huts; book a cave tour that includes the Potočnik cave in Solčava the snow cave in Luče and the Obir caves in Eisenkappel Austria; visit the 90-metre-high Rinka Falls or take a short walk to the Palenk Falls near the hotel; marvel at Vilenica Cave the oldest showcave in Europe; or visit the Land of Fairytales amusement park in the forest Gentler activities include discovering the region’s history and Triassic fossils in the Center Rinka in Solčava; searching for a souvenir made from local pink Logar marble; and trying your hand at making wool products from the wool of the indigenous Jezersko-Solčavsko sheep at a felting workshop (or just watching local experts do it!) September visitors can enjoy the Solčava Wool Festival with its market stalls and woollen clothing fashion show Its ayurvedic retreats including treatments meditation and food are organised by a professional team from Kerala Its Eco Wellness centre was built with organic materials and curving walls clad in beautiful local pebbles lead you to the sauna cabins There is also a large indoor/outdoor lounge with a huge fireplace a natural swimming pool filtered by aquatic plants and rooms where you can enjoy spa treatments The hotel hosts bridge tournaments and weddings with equal flair and expertise—who doesn’t want to say their vows by a waterfall?!—and it’s a great meeting venue too the largest of which is in the hotel’s neighbouring property matches the alpine style of the main hotel and is connected to it by a covered walkway is connected to a cosy break-out area with an open fireplace and wood-burning stove The other halls each accommodate up to 40 people All halls are Wi-Fi enabled and equipped with portable microphones To restore your energy at lunchtime or finish off a busy day The chefs use local and organically grown ingredients where possible herbs and some fruits all coming from farms and producers in the valley Menus offer a mix of international and Slovenian cuisine and there are three great dining locations to choose from: the stylish main restaurant with its large fireplace and relaxed ambience; the traditional opposite the main restaurant; and the large hotel terrace top-class cuisine and great facilities—not to mention its stunning alpine setting and huge range of available activities—it’s not hard to see why visitors are raving about this hotel To book the perfect stay in the Logar Valley please visit: www.plesnik.si SUSTAINABILITY TRAVEL FDI ENERGY BUSINESS © Sustain Europe 2025. 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SUBSCRIBE Follow Sustain Europe Best in Travel is here! Discover 2025’s destinations The 30 best countries, cities and regions to visit in 2025 Plan your trip with Elsewhere, by Lonely Planet See where a Lonely Planet Membership takes you Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to get the latest travel news, expert advice, and insider recommendations Explore the world with our detailed, insightful guidebooks Stay ahead of the curve with our guidebooks Uncover exciting new ways to explore iconic destinations Every month, we release new books into the wild Search Search Close search menu Explore Best in Travel 2024 Africa Close menu Countries Antarctica Antarctica Close menu Regions Asia Asia Close menu Countries Australia & the Pacific Australia & the Pacific Close menu Countries The Caribbean The Caribbean Close menu Countries Central America Central America Close menu Countries Europe Europe Close menu Countries Middle East Middle East Close menu Countries North America North America Close menu Countries South America South America Close menu Countries A hiker pauses to admire the perfect blue of the Soča River © Ababsolutum / Getty Images The diversity of landscapes in Slovenia makes walking here truly unique this country-sized trekking playground offers everything from unique day hikes to thrilling multi-day expeditions Whether walking in the Julian Alps in the nation’s northern reaches or strolling the karst regions in the southwest you'll find a different adventure waiting around every corner Perhaps because of the sheer variety of hiking possibilities trekking is deeply ingrained in Slovenian culture and alongside rivers is not just a way to relax recalibrating with a stroll through the Slovenian countryside is a great way to see this bantam-sized country with a heavyweight heart It's also a great way to experience rural Slovenian life here are our five favorite Slovenian hikes and ticks all the boxes you’ll need for bragging rights back home time and difficulty varies depending on the route Accessed off the Panoramic Road are some 15 easy hikes that will have you in a quandary about which direction to snap photos the Kamnik Saddle (Kamniško sedlo) hike at the southern end of the Logar Valley provides show-stopping views of the Brana and Planjava peaks as well as a sweeping panorama of the entire range climbing more than 1200m (4000ft) to the saddle and previous mountaineering experience are needed which has been inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List as an “outstanding example of relatively undisturbed The looping trekking route begins on the banks of the Kočevsko Lake (also called Lake Rudnik) near the only city in the area Look for the bear-paw-print trail markings on trees and visit the ancient Željne Caves then follow a trail that climbs to heights of more than 1100m (3600ft) Expansive vistas look out over an area that shelters bears you’ll pass the Rajhenav Virgin Forest and the Queen of Rog a mammoth fir tree that's more than 500 years old Before you set out on the path, make reservations for overnight stays at one of the tourism information points around Kočevje. Consider staying the first night at the Luža Hut, about a third of the way along the route, and at the Rajhenav Farm about two-thirds of the way along the trail take care to stay on the track to protect this fragile landscape and help ensure your safety in this remote wilderness When you hike this trail in southwest Slovenia, which starts in the town of Razdrto and ends at Predjama Castle you are really getting several hikes for the price of one The trail across the Nanos Plateau is a particular treat and one of the more popular paths in the region Around 10km (6 miles) after descending from the plateau, the end of the hike brings a special treat for history buffs – Predjama Castle, lodged in a sheer cliff wall. Arrive early enough to take a tour of this well-preserved 12th-century fortress; if you buy a combined ticket, you can also visit stalactite-filled Postojna Cave around 10km (6 miles) southeast of the castle Part educational nature route and part history lesson, this easy trail starts in the City Park and heads to the hill known as Piramida topped by the remains of a 12th-century castle After enjoying magnificent views of the city walk on to forests and ponds to learn about bats Circle around to end in the Kalvarija Hills for more panoramas of the surrounding mountains and the Drava River You may also like:Get to know Chef Ana Roš in 22 questionsThe best things to do in Slovenia from the mountains to the sea5 incredible and responsible road trips in Slovenia On Friday August 4th, heavy rains caused flash floods and landslides in different parts of Slovenia. Thousands of people had to evacuate their homes, as reported by German news outlet DW Many others had to be transported to safer locations by rescue teams the weather conditions had improved and authorities began to assess the size of the damages Slovenia asked for technical aid from both the EU and NATO to help with the reparations needed after the destruction the floods caused Slovenia has asked for 30 prefabricated bridges of up to 40 meters each Authorities have requested five heavy military helicopters from NATO The army deployed helicopters to rescue people trapped in their homes the majority of the country was not severely affected and remains open for guests and visitors and road and rail connections are disrupted in some places Destinations and tourism providers are doing everything in their power to continue to offer guests safe and comfortable stay Prime Minister Robert Golob said the floods may have caused damages worth €500 million “This is the worst natural disaster in Slovenia’s [recent] history it has affected two-thirds of the country,” Golob said ETC stands in solidarity with our colleagues, travellers and everyone impacted by heavy rains and floods in Slovenia.If you are currently on vacation in 🇸🇮 or planning to visit, please refer to the essential information and recommendations from @tourism_slo ⬇️ https://t.co/sWnVUBomWN Numerous regions have been affected by the floods Before exploring Slovenia’s beauties we strongly recommend checking destination websites or social media channels for updates Certain tourist destinations may be inaccessible please change your routes or plans and explore locations that were not affected In the case of already made reservations or planned vacation with providers in the destinations affected by the accident Slovenia’s Tourism Board suggest contacting the providers It is advised to follow the situation online The Štajerska highway between Ljubljana and Maribor is open again in both directions the likelihood of landslides throughout the country remains high Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website Statistics cookies collect information anonymously This information helps us to understand how our visitors use our website a shortlist of candidates for the placement among the best rural destinations thereby awarding villages and rural destinations which through their tourism operations contribute to the development of their respective regions preserving their rich natural and cultural heritage in the process The selection took place on a global scale Last year saw Solčava and Radovljica make the list The rankings of all three villages represent a great recognition for Slovenian tourism that make the list become members of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Global Network as well as expert training and promotional support provided by the UNWTO The BTV initiative comprises three components: in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology conducted the second call for applications in 2022 and selected three destinations which it nominated for selection by the UNWTO at the international level Podčetrtek and Moravske Toplice to the UNWTO Bohinj was recognised as a destination that best meets the criteria which earned it the title and designation of Best Tourism Village Candidate destinations were evaluated based on several categories: Cultural and Natural Resources Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration Destinations that meet the following conditions were eligible for candidacy: they have less than 15,000 inhabitants and low population density are located in an environment where traditional sectors such as agriculture livestock farming or fishery are still highly present and they preserve the way of life and values typical of tightly-knit local communities Did you find the information you were looking for Do you want to receive a response from the responsible institution Clicking on the link will open your default e-mail program and automatically draft a message that you can send to the institution responsible for the content of this website ask for a reply