Hiking the Alpe-Adria Trail, Alps to the Adriatic

Welcome to the elegant capital of Slovenia. Your expedition begins in Ljubljana, where you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Settle in before setting out on a walking tour to admire the intricate clock tower and the legendary Dragon Bridge. Take the funicular up to the medieval Ljubljana Castle, perched high above the red-tiled roofs. Later, meet your National Geographic Expedition Leader and National Geographic Expedition Expert for a presentation on the landscapes ahead, then gather for a welcome dinner featuring a first taste of refined Slovenian cuisine as the city lights begin to glitter below.

The expedition starts this morning with a visit to a local social enterprise, where a hands-on upcycling workshop offers a thought-provoking introduction to the circular economy of Slovenia and the communities building it. Continue into the spectacular alpine landscape of Gozd Martuljek. Here you start your hike as the mist-laden trail leads toward the thundering Martuljek Waterfalls — a dramatic curtain of white water framed by dense forest and granite peaks. A light lunch at a rustic mountain hut provides a moment of warmth before continuing your hike. Next, board your coach for a drive across the Wurzen Pass into Austria. The village of Heiligenblut awaits, its slender church spire pointing skyward against the mighty silhouette of the Grossglockner — a fitting end to a day of elemental beauty.

Trail Detail: 5 km (3 mi) | 3h | + 200 m (660 ft) / - 200 m (660 ft) ascent/descent | Moderate

A short drive brings you to a stunning viewpoint for a cinematic look at the Pasterze Glacier. Begin your hike along the Pasterze trail portion with a steep descent through the alpine tundra to the Margaritzen dam before ascending back to the Glocknerhaus. The air is crisp and thin here, offering a sense of total immersion in the High Tauern range. After a hearty lunch at a mountain hut, return to Heiligenblut by private coach. Spend a leisurely afternoon soaking in the village views before gathering for dinner at your hotel, reflecting on a day spent among the giants of the Alps.

Trail Detail: 6 km (3.7 mi) | 4h | + 171 m (561 ft) / - 400 m (1,312 ft) ascent/descent | Moderate

Travel to Erlacherhaus for a morning break before hiking up to Oswalder Bockhütte, where you have lunch at this iconic hut. Follow the ridgeline through a biosphere reserve, taking in the expansive mountain vistas that stretch toward the horizon. Descend by cable car and board your coach for the journey back into Slovenia to the shores of Lake Bled. Arrive at this fairytale destination, where an island church sits reflected in the still, turquoise water. The evening is yours to explore the lakeside and enjoy the gentle mountain breeze.

Trail Detail: 6 km (3.7 mi) | 4h | + 400 m (1,312 ft) / - 130 m (430 ft) ascent/descent | Challenging

The morning begins on the still waters of Lake Bled, crossing by traditional Pletna boat to the island church at its centre — a place of pilgrimage for centuries, reached by climbing 99 stone stairs worn smooth by generations of visitors. As you travel by coach to the trail head, the landscape shifts dramatically as you arrive at the gorgeous Jasna Lake and the Pišnica Valley to start your hike. Your hike is on the northern side of the Vršič Pass, nestled in the forest before the summit pass is the Russian Chapel — a wooden sanctuary built deep in the forest by prisoners of war — which stands as one of the most poignant and unexpected sights on the entire route. After lunch at a mountain hut, board your vehicle for a drive along the hairpin bends of the Vršič Pass, the limestone walls glowing amber in the afternoon light as the valley drops toward Bovec and the luminous waters of the Soča.

Trail Detail: 6 km (5.6 mi) | 4h | + 310 m (1,020 ft) / - 0 m (0 ft) ascent/descent | Moderate

The Soča River earns its reputation today — a thread of impossible turquoise cutting through the protected wilderness of Triglav National Park, its colour so vivid it barely seems real. The trail follows the gorge and crosses suspension bridges and narrows where the river has carved deep, crystalline pools into white limestone over millennia. End your hike today back in the village of Bovec. The afternoon brings a change of pace at a local eco-farm, where an artisanal cheese tasting introduces the rich dairy traditions of the Bovec valley — fresh yogurts and aged rounds are served with the unhurried warmth of a family who has farmed these alpine pastures for generations. A regional lunch follows before a free afternoon to soak in the mountain air of the Soča Valley.

Trail Detail: 10 km (6.2 mi) | 4h | + 100 m (328 ft) / - 100 m (328 ft) ascent/descent | Easy

Travel to Kobarid for a visit to the Kobarid Museum. Join the museum curator for a private visit, hearing the gripping stories of the soldiers who fought on the Isonzo Front during World War I. Next, hike to the Kozjak Waterfall, tucked away in a mossy limestone cave that resembles a natural cathedral. After feeling the cool spray of the falls, continue to the Smartno region for a celebratory lunch and wine tasting amidst the rolling vineyards. Cross the border into Italy and settle into the grand port city of Trieste for a free evening.

Trail Detail: 3 km (2 mi) | 2h | Minimal elevation change | Easy

The final day of the trail begins before dawn with the expedition's most extraordinary moment — private, before-hours access to the Postojna Caves. Board an open-air electric train with a cave expert, zipping through narrow tunnels into vast subterranean galleries where stalactites hang like chandeliers from cathedral ceilings, their formations built over millions of years. Next, drive to the trail head at Krvavi Potok to hike the penultimate stage of the Alpe-Adria trail via Val Rosandra to Bagnoli della Rosandra. This hike marks the final descent through the Val Rosandra — a limestone gorge that drops from the karst plateau toward the sea — arriving in a local village for lunch as the Adriatic shimmers in the distance. Board your vehicle and return to Trieste where you gather for a farewell dinner, toasting the alpine peaks left far behind.

Trail Detail: 8 km (5 mi) | 3h | + 70 m (230 ft) / - 370 m (1,214 ft) ascent/descent | Moderate

After a final breakfast by the sea, take a moment to reflect on the ancient trails and emerald waters witnessed on your expedition. Transfer is provided to the airport where your expedition concludes. Carrying with you the spirit of the mountains and the enduring legends of the Adriatic coast.