Our 4-day Slovenian road trip was full of adventures and gorgeous landscapes. The journey started in Bled with hikes and turquoise water, continued with emerald green water in Triglav National Park, driving through the serpentines of Vršič Pass, hiking Slemenova Špica and flourishing with extreme sports in Soča valley and Bovec. I travelled with 3 of my friends, Nóri, Eszti and Ria, and we’ll never forget these adventurous 4 days in Slovenia. Keep reading this 4-day Slovenia travel itinerary for the best outdoor adventures to find the top places to visit and hike, the best extreme sport to try out and where to eat in Slovenia. A Google Map with our stops is also included, and you can check out the prices at the end of the post.

Now it’s time to dive into this adventurous 4-day Slovenia travel itinerary!

How to spend 4 days in Slovenia? 

Usually, summer is peak season in Slovenia, though in 2021, the country wasn’t busy, and we could experience everything with less crowd as usual. We left Budapest on a Friday afternoon, stayed 2 nights in Bled and 2 nights in Bovec. From there, we discovered the surroundings. It was intense and full of adventures, but we returned to Hungary with so many sweet memories. 

Here’s our adventurous 4-day travel itinerary for Slovenia:

Day 0 – arriving at Bled 

Day 1 – Lake Bled

• Soteska Vintgar (Vintgar Gorge)
• Discovering Lake Bled
• Walking to Mala Osojnica (670 m) and Ojstrica (611 m)

Day 2 – Kranjska Gora + Triglav National Park

• Zelenci Nature Reserve
• Lake Jasna
• Driving through Vršič Pass
• Slemenova Špica walking tour

Day 3 – Soča valley adventures + Bovec

• Canyoning Susec
• Zipline in Krnica valley, Bovec
• Bovec

Day 4 – Soča valley rafting trip + Slap Kozjak waterfall

• Basic rafting trip on Soča river 
• Slap Kozjak waterfall
• Leaving Slovenia 

On the following map (My Maps by Google Maps) you can see the places we’ve visited like natural sights, restaurants, accommodations and the schedule for our 4 days.   

By clicking on the tab next to “The adventurous 4-day Slovenia travel itinerary”, you can see the actual points, and it’s also possible to turn off and on layers. Furthermore, you can also save this map (if you have My Maps account) by pressing the star next to the map title. 

To create your own map, check out my blog post and video about How to plan your next travel itinerary with Google My Maps?. 

Day 0 – Arriving at Bled

Where to stay in Bled, Slovenia? 

Our Bled accommodation, Apartmaji Koman, was booked in advance on Booking.com because of its affordable price and central location. The lake was 10 minutes on foot, and a bakery, Saturday market and Spar supermarket were also nearby. Moreover, free parking was available in the yard in front of the house. 

Our host, Kristina, was super friendly and welcomed us with tasty red wine. She showed us the apartment upon arrival and gave us maps and local tips.

The spacious apartment was perfect for the 4 of us. It featured a foyer, bathroom, well-equipped kitchen and dining area, living room with 2 single beds and a sofa, and a bedroom with a double bed. 

Day 1 – Discovering Vintgar Gorge and Lake Bled 

On our 1st day, we woke up in time and sadly saw that it was rainy. So we went to grab some breakfast and sandwich ingredients for the following days. After breakfast, it was still rainy, though we didn’t care. So we grabbed our raincoats and headed to Vintgar Gorge, which was around 8 minutes from the apartment by car. 

Vintgar Gorge, a must-visit natural gem next to Bled

Vintgar Gorge is located only 4 km from the centre of Bled, in Triglav National Park. It’s been carved out by the Radovna River, and the crystal-clear river has an emerald green colour, which was even visible in rainy weather.

A 1,6 km long gorge path goes along the river. During the easy 30-minute walk, you will cross some bridges, get close to cliffs, and adore small waterfalls. The scenic canyon has fascinating shapes, and the cliffs are dressed in flowers and super green plants. At the final path of the gorge, we witnessed a train crossing the bridge above the path and the gorge with the triple waterfall. 

The gorge ends with a waterfall, make sure to check it from the viewpoint. Just go down the staircase next to the tourist information, cross the bridge, and you’ll find the podium with a view of the waterfall. Gorgeous! 

Due to COVID-19, there’s a one-way visit to Vintgar Gorge, so you can’t turn back at the end. You can choose from 2 routes to return to the entrance:

• Red path is steep according to the map and takes 45 minutes to complete
• Green path is a lighter hike and takes 55 minutes to complete

We went back on the green path through meadows, forests, and a scenic trail overlooking the mountains and Bled Castle. In the rainy weather, the route was super muddy, but the view compensated us. We’ve even seen cute baby goats. 

Pro tip!

The gorge path does not require hiking shoes. The 2nd part of the route could be completed in comfy shoes, but make sure to wear something durable in rainy weather.

Visitor information

• Opening time (seasonally different), July+August 7:30 am – 7 pm
• Ticket (adult): 10 EUR/person (+ car park: 5 EUR), possible to buy the ticket online in advance on the website
• Toilet at the entrance and the waterfall 

How to get to Vintgar Gorge from Bled?

By car

It only took 7-8 minutes to get there from the centre of Bled. Many parking places are situated there, P1 parking is the closest to the entrance. Despite the rainy weather, the parking was busy, so in peak season, arrive in time to have a parking space close to the entrance. 

By bicycle

You can also rent a bicycle in Bled. It’s only 20 minutes to get there.

By bus

Buses leave from Bled to Vintgar every 2 hours. The timetable is available on the website.

Discovering Lake Bled from different angles

After our lunch, the rain stopped, so we could discover Bled without any rain 🙂 In 10 minutes, we reached the lake from our apartment and walked on its southern side. We were afraid that it won’t have that unique turquoise colour like in the photos because of the grey weather, though it was still beautiful and we were taking pictures constantly. 

The whole path along the lake is 6 km long. The southern lakeside offered a gorgeous view of the hills, the island with the church and Bled Castle. The castle was built in 1011, which makes it the oldest castle in Slovenia. 

There are many ways to discover the lake, you can:

• Walk along the lakeside
• Swim at the popular Velika Zaka (we just walked into the water, and it was pretty warm)
• SUP (paddleboard rent is available at several locations)
• Take a boat tour and visit the island
• Eat cream cake. It’s available in every restaurant and café in Bled.
• Have lunch and/or dinner next to the lake
• Walk to Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica

Climbing up to Mala Osojnica (670 m) and Ojstrica (611 m)

At the southern part of the lake, you’ll find many trails going up to viewpoints. Just follow the signs along the path. Next, we headed to Mala Osojnica, which had more starting points. In the beginning, it was very steep, and the ground wasn’t even, but the trail offered many viewpoints to the lake, which became more picturesque with every step. The most exciting part was the long metal staircase, and from there, Mala Osojnica was only a few minutes walk. The panorama was breathtaking to the still turquoise water and the tiny island. 

From there you’ll have more options to choose from, we decided to hike another viewpoint called Ojstrica, which was even better than the other one… Just follow the signs, and you’ll get there. At Ojstrica, you can enjoy the view of the lake without any barriers and fences. 

Pro tip!

You won’t need hiking shoes, comfy sport shoes are enough. We were just afraid after our muddy adventure at Vintgar Gorge. 

Where to eat in Bled?

It was already 8 pm after our hike, so we just stopped at the closest restaurant, Restavracija Camping Bled, which is located at the strand. And it was such a fantastic decision. The friendly waiters found us a table on the spacious terrace, and we ordered beers to celebrate our exciting day. I choose Grilled sea bass with risotto for my main dish, which was so delicious. For dessert, we wanted to have cream cake, which is a must-try dessert in Bled. Unfortunately, they sold every piece, so we remained without dessert and headed home on the northern side of the lake. 

Other restaurants and recommendations:

• Restavracija Sova Bled
• Grajska plaža Restaurant
• Confectionery Zima

Day 2 – Kranjska Gora + Triglav National Park

We couldn’t leave Bled without trying out the famous cream cake, so we bought some for takeaway and enjoyed them at Zelenci Nature Reserve.

Zelenci Nature Reserve

The nature reserve is situated around 40 km from Bled. After a 30 minutes drive, we arrive at its free parking place next to the road. From there, the lake is approachable with a 5-minutes easy walk. 

Zelenci is a wetland surrounded by mountains. The 15-hectare area is part of the European Natura 2000 and is home to many unique endangered species. The lake is famous for its unbelievably emerald green water and its geological and hydrological activities. You’ll notice bubbles on the water’s surface because of a cold spring, which boils through its chalk ground layer. The lake doesn’t freeze in winter, its temperature is around 5-6°C throughout the year. 

You can adore the lake from a wooden footbridge and a panorama tower, from where the colours are even better. 

Lake Jasna

After Zelenci, we returned to Kranjska Gora to drive through the Vrsic Pass. Our 1st stop was Lake Jasna, with its scenic location between the mountains. There are many free parking places along the road. 

The surrounding mountains were reflecting in the crystal clear lake, and sometimes ducks swam through this perfect scene. It’s a popular swimming spot during the summer, though only a few people were swimming. I put my feet into the water and couldn’t keep there for more than 10 seconds. It was super cold! SUP is also available if you’re not brave enough to swim in the cold lake.  

The other highlight of Lake Jasna is the statue of the Alpine ibex called Zlatorog (means golden horn). It guards the lake, and according to the legend, its horn is the key to Mount Triglav’s hidden treasure. 

Restaurants, toilets and changing rooms are also located at the northern lake. 

Driving through Vršič Pass to Soča Valley

Eszti was our hero, and she drove through on the super curvy roads of Vršič Pass. IT INCLUDES 50 SERPENTINES, 24 from the Sava valley and 26 on the way to Soča valley. It was built during WW1 as a supply route and connected Sava and Soča valleys. Vršič Pass is the highest Slovenian road crossing with scenic views, so make sure to stop a few times.

Russian Chapel 

The Russian Chapel was built in memory of 100’s of soldiers who died here in the 19 century. You can’t miss its sign at the side of the road, and a parking place is also nearby. Unfortunately, it was still raining when we got there, so we decided to continue our drive. 

Slemenova Špica walking tour

The rain stopped when we reached the highest point of Vršič Pass (1611 m). The hiking trail to THE 1911 M HIGH SLEMENOVA ŠPICA WAS WAITING FOR US. 

The trekking started with a steep trail between gorgeous flowers, lush bushes and pines, overlooking the Vršič Pass. We constantly had to look back and adore the view of the snowy mountains. After 45 minutes, we reached the Slemenova Špica – Mala Mojstrovka circuit starting point. After a right turn, a moderate scenic section came with flowers and viewpoints to the valley and gorges. 

From the circuit point up to the summit, the hike was steep, though THE 360 PANORAMA COMPENSATED US FOR EVERYTHING. We didn’t know which way to look. The valleys and mountains were so beautiful and diverse. The south valley looked like a glacier, the western valley was sunny and green aaaaand it was rainy in the northern valley. And that rain reached us in a few minutes… The horizontal raindrops, the wind and the heavy cloud didn’t let us enjoy the panorama and have lunch with a view, so we went back to the loop trail junction. And the adventure continued…

The circuit trail through Mala Mojstrovka was snowy and partly covered with gravel. So we made the wrong decision and decided to go off-trail… So we continued on a smaller path, through snow, cliffs, stones, snow, gravel, and snow again. Then we noticed that we were super far from the original route but still didn’t turn back… 

To keep our hike exciting, rain and fog came again… After a few slides and hits and thanks to the hiking app of Nóri, we walked back to the other trail through a magical forest part. Of course, there wasn’t any trace, so sometimes we had to crawl under trees, above trees and between bushes… after 10 minutes of struggle, we were so happy to find the original trail. 

NEVER GO OFF THE TRAIL! 

Only 2 cars left in the car park, which was packed when we arrived… We also noticed a red “danger” triangle next to the sign of Mala Mojstrovka… No comment… Finally, we could eat our sandwiches and continued our way to Soča valley through 26 serpentines.

We’ll remember Slemenova Špica for the rest of our life!

Things to know about Slemenova Špica (1911 m) hike

• The highest peak in the Eastern Julian Alps
• Starting point: 1611 m
• Distance: 4 km / 5,5 km
• Duration: 3-4 hours 
• Elevation: 400 m / 550 m
• Difficulty: easy to moderate
• Sign: red
• No need for special equipment, just for comfy shoes. Trekking poles might come in handy.
• Parking: The trail starts at the highest point of the Vršič Pass, where you’ll find many free parking places along the road. 

Bovec and Soča valley

Bovec is a cute little town situated in the Soča valley, surrounded by mountains. It’s a dream location for adventure seekers and outdoor sports lovers. 

Where to stay in Bovec, Slovenia? 

We booked our accommodation on Booking.com in advance. Tiptop Apartment is located in the centre of Bovec, a half minute walk from the main square and street. Our chosen “Standard Apartment” was perfect for the 4 of us. It was well equipped and modern.

After the booking, it turned out that the hosts, Betty and Balázs, are also Hungarians. Both of them were super friendly, and their company also organised adventures for us. 

Where to eat and drink in Bovec, Slovenia?

Bovec has many quality restaurants, though if you’re visiting in peak season, make sure to book a table in advance. Keep in mind that most of the restaurants are closed on Monday!

• Pekarna in trgovina Erdogan Jahaj to buy pastries
• Supermarket offers many fruits, vegetables and even warm dishes for takeaway.
• Groceries at Sunnivit food stall close to the supermarket
• Wooden kiosks at the main square (we tried only the super tasty waffles)
• Bar Gouf is in the hidden corner of the main square and serves delicious Aperol Spritz (only cash) 

• Lunch for 4 people at Gostilna “pri Mostu” on the way to Kobarid. The restaurant is located close to the road, so it was a bit loud on the terrace. They served large portions and tasty food, though it wasn’t the best dish we had in Slovenia. 
• Bar Črna Ovca
• Gostilna in pizerija Letni vrt
• Felix
• Gostišče Martinov Hram Martin & Silva 

Day 3  – Soča valley adventures + Bovec 

Soča valley and Bovec are perfect starting points for adventures. These extreme activities were the highlights of our 4-day Slovenian road trip, and we’ll never forget this adrenaline rush.

Read more about our extreme adventures in my previous blog post called Must-try adventures and activities in Bovec and Soča valley, Slovenia – Canyoning, rafting and zipline. 

Canyoning Susec, Soča valley 

After the 9 am pickup at the apartment, we got our neoprene outfit with equipment and headed to Susec waterfall. 

The 1st part of the canyoning adventure was a hike on a steep hill in swimwear, carrying our neoprene set on our back. After half an hour, we arrived at the beginning of the stream, and it was time for dressing up and training. Our guide, Geri, taught us some basics. He was so friendly, helpful, patient and also funny. 

The canyoning started with shorter walks, slides and jumps. After the warmup, we slid and abseiled from higher cliffs through waterfalls, climbed and sometimes crawled on rocks, jumped from more prominent cliffs into clear ponds or just levitated on the water. We even slid backwards and climbed to jump again and again. 

The whole canyoning was so fun and exciting. I won’t go into more details, you’ll have to experience this adventure, and you won’t forget it! Believe me 😉 

Things to know about Canyoning Susec

• Price with Tiptop apartment & outdoor activities – 55 EUR/person
• Duration: 3-4 hours
• Tour start: 9 am, 2:30 pm 
• What to wear: swimwear 
• Best time for canyoning: summer, though the neoprene outfit will protect you also during spring and autumn (season: mid-March – end of October)

Zipline in Krnica valley, Bovec

Betty from Tiptop booked us a zipline tour to aktivni planet. Their office is located on the main square of Bovec. 4×4 vehicles brought us up to 1300 m above sea level.

At the arrival point, our guides, Betty and Rossi, presented the most important things to know, then everyone had to test and show what we’ve learnt on the small practising wire.

With its 5 lines more than 3,3 km in length, this is the biggest zipline in Slovenia. You can fly with 60-70 km/hour speed, 200 m above the ground of Krnica valley. 

Every second I felt safe and free. Flying above the valley and enjoying the view to the valley with the mountains in the background made me speechless. 

Don’t bring valuables. If you want to take photos, have your phone and/or camera in a small backpack, and you can take pictures on the platforms between the ziplines. 

Things to know about the biggest zipline in Slovenia

• Price with aktivni planet – 55 EUR/person (group of 4-15 people)
• Duration: 3 hours
• Tour start: between 8 am – 6 pm, every hour
• What to wear: not too short trousers and a T-shirt/top, a small backpack if needed. Closed comfy shoes, which are suitable for small hikes. 
• Best time for ziplining: It operates all season, depending on the weather conditions. Try to go in the morning or choose a later appointment to avoid high temperatures during the summer. 

Day 4 – Rafting in the Soča valley + Kozjak waterfall

Rafting on the Soča river 

Tiptop Betty picked us up at 9 am, then drove to the Tiptop hub to collect our equipment, including neoprene outfit, shoes, helmet and the boat with the paddles. After a 15 minutes drive, we arrived at the rafting start point at the Soča river. We had a little training on the ground by Betty, our instructor and guide. 

This was my first rafting trip. I didn’t have expectations, I just wanted to have fun. And I had sooooo much fun and excitement! When we hit the waves the adrenaline was pumping in our wains, the waves were crashing around us, the cliff from the right, big waves from the left, the boat moved up and down. We just followed the instructions of Betty, forward, forward, right forward, left backwards and then hurray!!!

Between the rocky parts, our boat was just flowing with the Soča river, and we could enjoy the clear turquoise water and the view of the surrounding mountains. 

The water was refreshing with its 7°C, though it didn’t seem that cold thanks to the adrenaline and our enthusiasm. And the neoprene outfit, of course 🙂 There were also opportunities to slide and jump into the water. 

Things to know about rafting in Soča valley

• Price with Tiptop apartment & outdoor activities – 50 EUR/person
• Duration: 3-4 hours
• Tour start: 9 am, 1 pm
• What to wear: swimwear
• Best time for rafting: summer is the best season for rafting because, during spring and autumn, the water level raises (season: mid-March – end of October)

Read more about our extreme adventures in my previous blog post called Must-try adventures and activities in Bovec and Soča valley, Slovenia – Canyoning, rafting and zipline. 

Kozjak Waterfall (Slap Kozjak)

On the way to the waterfall, we stopped at Gostilna “pri Mostu” to have lunch. Then we needed a 20-minute drive to reach the parking of the waterfall. The Kozjak Waterfall is located 27 kilometres from Bovec, close to the town of Kobarid.

How to get to Kozjak Waterfall?

Add “Parking Kozjak” to your GPS, and it will bring you to the parking of the waterfall. From there, you’ll need a 20-30 minutes easy walk to reach the waterfall. The path goes through a meadow, then next to the Soča river (make sure to check out the view from the hanging bridge) and continues in a forest between cliffs and lush greenery. 

On the way, you’ll see also a smaller waterfall and don’t forget to buy your ticket at a wooden kiosk to see the primary beauty. 

At the end of the gorge, the waterfall will reveal between the cliffs. The 15-meter high waterfall was so gorgeous and memorable, thanks to its hidden location. 

Visitor information

• Not open during the whole year! In 2021, the entrance point is open only between the 24th of April and the 31st of October!
• Opening time (seasonally different), July+August: 8 am – 8 pm, check out the opening time here
• Ticket in the summer season (adult): 5 EUR/person (+ car park: 1,5 EUR/hour)
• Toilet at the parking (didn’t look so promising…)
• There’s no need for hiking boots, the walk is manageable in sandals. However, don’t wear your shoes with the thinnest sole.

Other attractions close to Kobarid and on the way to Hungary:

• Napoleon’s Bridge
• Tolmin Gorges
• Postojna Cave Park + Predjama Castle 
• Skocjan Cave

Our expenses during 4-day Slovenia adventure travel 

During our 4-day Slovenia road trip, we spent money mainly on accommodation and adventures. Our trip cost 1641 EUR for the four of us, so the average cost for one person was 410 EUR. The prices can change anytime, to plan your budget, make sure to check the websites for up-to-date prices. 

Our main expenses: 

• Accommodation – 494,00 EUR
• Travel costs – 145,00 EUR
• Adventures, tickets and parking fees – 707,00 EUR
• Food and drinks – 294,68 EUR

Note: We travelled by my friend’s, Nóri’s car, so we saved money on car rental. Don’t miss car rental from your budget. 

See our daily expenses below (these were the prices in July 2021):

General travel costs from Hungary to Slovenia: 

• Hungarian highway ticket – 3680 HUF (~10 EUR)
• Slovenian highway weekly ticket – 15 EUR
• Petrol – 120 EUR

Day 1 – Bled & Vintgar Gorge

• 2 nights in Apartmaji Koman + tax (booked in advance on Booking.com) – 270 EUR 
• Pastries for 4 people, bought in Hitri Kruhek – 12,40 EUR
• Spar supermarket (sandwich and breakfast ingredients for 4 people)  – 34,18 EUR 
• Vintage gorge car park – 5 EUR
• Vintage gorge entrance fee – 40 EUR (10 EUR/person) 
• Dinner at Restavracija Camping Bled for 4 people (main dishes + beers) – 74,80 EUR

Day 2 – Kranjska Gora + Vršič Pass

• 4 cream cakes, bought in Hitri Kruhek, Bled – 13,20 EUR

Day 3 – Bovec & Soča valley adventures

• 2 nights with tax in Tiptop Apartment  for 4 people (booked in advance on Booking.com) – 224 EUR 
• Pastries for 4 people, bought in Pekarna in trgovina Erdogan Jahaj – 11,20 EUR
• Canyoning Susec with Tiptop apartment & outdoor activities – 220 EUR (55 EUR/person)
• Supermarket (lunch and breakfast ingredients for 4 people) – 19,95 EUR 
• Groceries at Sunnivit food stall close to the supermarket – 18,35 EUR
• Zipline with aktivni planet – 220 EUR (55 EUR/person)
• Waffle at the wooden kiosk, on the main square (2x Banana + Rocher + Soča waffle) – 15,80 EUR 
• Drinks at Bar Gouf (6x Aperol spritz + 1 lemonade + tip) – 30 EUR (only cash) 

Day 4 – Soča valley adventure & Kozjak waterfall 

• Rafting with Tiptop apartment & outdoor activities – 200 EUR (50 EUR/person)
• Lunch for 4 people at Gostilna “pri Mostu” – 64,80 EUR
• Kozjak waterfall parking – 2 EUR (1,50 EUR/hour) 
• Kozjak waterfall entrance fee – 20 EUR (5 EUR/person)

As you can see, we had an adventurous 4-day Slovenian road trip, and I hope you’re also ready to step out of your comfort zone and witness the adventurous side of Slovenia. 

And remember… NEVER GO OFF THE TRAIL! 

Tell me in the comments below, which adventure would you try out?

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