WALKING FOR ALL SEASONS… On the sunny side of the Alps!

For your walking holiday in Europe, picture yourself walking in the foothills of the Julian Alps, at the easternmost end of the Alpine range – the sunny side! The hills where we are based are some of the sunniest places in Slovenia. Most rain falls further west over the main mountain range, leaving this area with a microclimate perfect for long season walking.

Every season has its advantages: the Spring boasts a profusion of unusual woodland and sub alpine flowers, including many rare varieties of orchids and gentians. Meadow flowers are also excellent and abundant. Moving towards summer, the long days and warm temperatures give ideal walking conditions and the flowers in the higher Alpine pastures are at their best.

Summer brings shady walks to upland meadows, and often stable high pressure systems bring long hours of sunshine tempered by soft, cooling breezes in the hills. Temperatures on sunny days are generally are in the high 20s centigrade. Pick your own wild raspberries to enjoy as you walk!

Autumn is possibly the most beautiful time of year, with the cooler days ideal for walking and amazing colours as the beech forests turn red and gold. October is generally one of the driest months, and from early September there is often an abundance of wild mushrooms to feast on!

WALK DIFFICULTY AND FITNESS LEVELS

Our accompanied walks are of moderate length and difficulty. Most of the walks are on well marked paths and tracks, through woodland, upland meadows and on high rounded hilltops (up to nearly 1700m). Paths are generally good, but some are steep in places as we are in the foothills of the Julian Alps. To enjoy the accompanied walks we recommend that you are comfortable walking in hilly areas at a steady pace for around 6-7 hours each day (including rest stops). Walks generally include around 600 metres ascent (on one day up to 1000 metres ascent), which involves walking steadily uphill for sometimes several hours - but the rewards are great in terms of views, and there is usually a mountain hut for rest and refreshments at the top of the longer ascents! Generally one ascent will take you to a flattish area where the views are spectacular, and from there the rest of the walk is quite level and then in descent. If you don't regularly do day walks in hilly terrain, please ensure you are fit enough to enjoy the walking programme by doing some aerobic exercise and hill walking prior to your holiday!