IN a time when over-tourism in Europe is leading to increasingly busy national parks and trails it is a delight to discover a place that harks back to a less crowded past. Imagine a country abounding with stunning alpine hikes, idyllic valleys, glacial lakes and rivers of eye-popping beauty, abounding with wildlife and flora. Where traditional mountain culture survives, with hospitable people who not only love to be outdoors but truly practice and value sustainability. Welcome to Slovenia!
Slovenia's relatively compact size is a blessing for hikers as it allows you to explore a wide range of landscapes within a relatively short distance. You can easily find a level of walking to match your desires and ability: from challenging high Alpine hut-to-hut trips to more sedate river valley and vineyards walks through the lowland Karst region. The Slovenian section of the long-distance Alpe
-Adria Trail offers a combination of these varied landscapes.
A capital start
My journey started in the capital Ljubljana, truly one of Europe's gems. Ljubljana's blend of historic charm, artistic expression, and environmental consciousness creates a unique atmosphere that makes exploring on foot a delight. One of