Day 4 - leaving Slap (Margaret Soraya of Soraya Photography) 
Route summary
£740.00 (2013)
8 nights
8 B&B, 5 evening meals, 6 picnics, luggage transfers between hotels
Options from 5 to 9 nights possible
Easy
3 - 5 hours per day
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Slovenia
The Karst - culture and landscape
Full Description

A self-guided hike through the Slovenian Karst between Ljubljana and Trieste.  Farmhouse stays, and local food. Visit the Postojna or Skocjan caves, Mount Nanos and Predjama Castle, Stanjel and Tomaj, Trieste and Ljubljana.

 

Prsut, Teran wine and disappearing rivers
The “Kras”, or Karst, in the west of this tiny country, is an area of woodlands, meadows and unspoilt villages with an ever-present backdrop of mountains. Its extraordinary geological phenomena include vast cave systems and rivers that vanish into cliffs and, on your first day's walk, a disappearing lake. The rock is mother also to some fine vineyards producing the unique Teran wine, a ferocious red to be drunk as accompaniment to the local prosciutto (“Prsut”). After a first night in the pretty Slovenian capital Ljubljana, you stay in farms that produce their own wine, hams and honey, and grow all manner of fruit. You end your holiday in the lively Italian seaport of Trieste (via a wonderful tram journey down to the sea) and, with extra nights, can visit the original Lipizzaner stud (small supplement) or part of the extraordinary Skocjan cave system, both on foot or NEW by mountain bike (this way you can see both!). Walked by On Foot staff: Simon, Debbie and Liz

 

Suggested extras:  Extra nights in Tomaj for cave walk or Lippizaner stud or HIRE MOUNTAIN BIKES to see both (be prepared for a long ride though!).

 

Standard option (as per "Itinerary"): 8 nights, perhaps using our wonderful taxi-driver/guide Gregor to give you an introduction to Ljubljana. Suggested shorter alternatives: 7-night options - miss Ljubljana and travel straight to Cerknica, or night 8 (Trieste), OR miss night 4 and combine days 4 & 5 (Sajevce-Slap). 6-night option also available - contact us for details. 

 

VENICE: This route can be efficiently combined with a trip to Venice at the start (see "How to get there").

 

PLEASE NOTE: The Eurobasket tournament takes place in Slovenia in September 2013 and may create problems with availability in Ljubljana.

Highlights
  • Green Europe at its most beguiling
  • Stay on working farms and eat delicious produce
  • Prsut (prosciutto) and Teran wine
  • The hilltop settlements of Stanjel and Tabor
  • Predjama Castle
  • The disappearing lake and rivers
  • Optional visits to the caves of Skocjan or Postojna, or the Lipizzaner horses
  • Trieste and Ljubljana and the Hapsburg legacy
  • The vertiginous tram ride down the hill into Trieste with wide sea and city views

WE RECOMMEND: mountain bike hire from Tomaj (spend an extra day here) to explore the Karst. Extra days in Ljubljana and Trieste.

 

EATING AND DRINKING:  Majda at Rakov Skocjan suggests a soup made with locally picked mushrooms, and her famous venison medaillons - this part of the walk is in woodland hills. She also makes her own bread (delicious) and her desserts are renowned...  

 

As you progress into the Karst proper. the Mediterranean influences become more pronounced with herbs, olive oil and Prsut becoming important elements of the cuisine.  Wines in the east are Malvasia (white) and Cabernet Sauvignon (red) based, while nearing Trieste you can not escape the unique Teran. At Tomaj (night 6) Milojka will probably serve non-veggies "Karst roast beef in Teran wine and pršut with  different kind of vegetables, depending on the season.  Everything is home grown.  And of course a bottle of Teran - it's the best! - oh and our rabbit stew, but only if Izidor has been successful.  Did you try our own honey ice cream when you were here last...?"
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Route designed by

Janez Golob

Retired architect Janez Golob was born in Celje, eastern Slovenia. Living in Ljubljana, he teaches woodworking, is a mountain climber, mountain rescue team member, and mountain guide, and has trekked and climbed in the Slovenian Alps and elsewhere.