Austria, Italy & Slovenia Alpe Adria Hiking

Itinerary

• Day01

  Arrive in Salzburg

  Start your journey in Salzburg, one of the most beautiful cities in Austria, if not the whole Alps. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mozart's birthplace, and the setting for The Sound of Music movie, Salzburg has a charming baroque Old Town with a formidable fortress looming above. Meet with your group at 3pm for orientation and welcome dinner.

  • Accommodation: Sheraton Grand Hotel
  • Meals: Dinner
• Day02

  Set Out on the Alpe Adria Trail

  After a scenic 2-hour drive from Salzburg, reach Hohe Tauern National Park to take the inaugural hike amidst its alpine meadows and peaks. Enjoy a typical Austrian lunch and then transfer to the village of Heiligenblut at the foot of Grossglockner, Austria's highest peak at 12,461 feet - a perfect starting point for the Alpe Adria experience.

  • Accommodation: Hotel Laerchenhof
  • Activity: 5 hours/ 5.5 miles hiking with 2,000' elevation gain & loss
  • Transportation: 3-hours total private van transfer
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day03

  Head Toward the Pasterze Glacier

  Hike the first stage of the Alpe Adria trail, beginning in the village of Heiligenblut and ascending towards the mighty Grossglockner and Pasterze Glacier. Wind your way through forests, past waterfalls, along lakes and on steep hairpin bends. End the hike with panoramic views from Franz Josef Hohe, and take a 40-minute shuttle ride back to the village. In the evening, try local dishes featuring lamb and beef, which is especially tender as local farmers take their cattle up to 6,000-foot-high alpine pastures.

  • Accommodation: Hotel Laerchenhof
  • Activity: 6 hours/7 miles with 3,500' elevation gain & 600' elevation loss
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day04

  Hike Around Lake Millstatt & to Mount Steinerner Tisch

  Explore the area around Lake Millstatt, starting with a scenic hike to Steinerner Tisch, a massive stone table that sits 6,000 feet above the lake with stunning panoramic views. Legend has it that giants once lived in the grass-covered mountains here. Stop at the local high alpine farm to sample some of the products. In the afternoon, check into the hotel on the shores of Lake Milstatt, to enjoy a peaceful sunset and local wine.

  • Accommodation: Naturhotel Alpenrose
  • Activity: 4-5 hours/ 7 miles hiking with 1,600' elevation gain & loss
  • Transportation: 2.5 hours total private van transfer
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day05

  Discover the Path of Love

  Take in fabulous views as you climb the so-called Path of Love to the Garnet Gate, an impressive Cubist sculpture at the summit that overlooks Lake Milstatt. The hike across lush alpine meadows along the Millstätter Alpe Ridge is a feast for the senses. Afterward, enjoy freshly baked bread with local spreads and salami.

  • Accommodation: Naturhotel Alpenrose
  • Activity: 5-6 hours/8 miles hiking with 1,600' elevation gain & loss
  • Transportation: 1-hour total private van transfer
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day06

  Experience Three Countries & a Mountaintop Sanctuary

  Today experience how the Alpe-Adria trail connects Austria, Italy and Slovenia. Leave Austria for a 1.5-hour drive to Italy to take a gondola ride up to the start of a hike along the charming pilgrims' path to the church of Maria Lussari on Monte Lussari (5872'), and then towards a rocky amphitheater just below Cima del Cacciatore. After lunch with a view, return by gondola and do an enjoyable 1.5-hour hike in the woods along Laghi di Fusine, wrapping it up with gelato. Head towards Slovenia for well-deserved rest at the picturesque ski village of Kranjska Gora.

  • Accommodation: Hotel Skipass
  • Activity: 4-5 hours/5 miles hiking with 1,000' elevation gain
  • Transportation: 2-hours total private van transfer
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day07

  Hike Up the Highest Mountain Pass in Slovenia

  This morning, hike up to Vršic (5,285'), the highest mountain pass in Slovenia with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. On the climb along the scenic alpine trail, you might come across some mountain sheep. Later on, descend into the Soca Valley, following the stream of the turquoise-green Soca River to the town of Kobarid. Overnight in a charming villa.

  • Accommodation: Hotel Dobra Vila or Hiša Franko
  • Activity: 5-6 hours/8 miles hiking with 2,000' elevation gain & 1,000' elevation loss
  • Transportation: 2-hours total private van transfer
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day08

  Explore Soca Valley & Triglav National Park

  Today hike in the Soca Valley, following the Soca River through unspoiled parts of Triglav National Park. Famous for the WWI Battle of Isonzo vividly described in Ernest Hemingway's novel, A Farewell to Arms, Soca is now known as a playground for hikers, cyclists, and water enthusiasts. After sampling local cheeses, end the day amongst the vineyards with some fresh-cut prosciutto and a glass of local red.

  • Accommodation: Hotel Gredic
  • Activity: 2-3 hours/3.2 miles hiking with 70' elevation gain & 300' elevation loss
  • Transportation: 2-hours, 45 minutes total private van transfer
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day09

  Hike in the Valley of Rosanda & End up in Trieste

  Last but not least, head back to Italy for a 2-hour hike in the Valley of Rosanda. This unique natural reserve is known for its karst landscape and mild Mediterranean climate. End the tour in Trieste, a fascinating city that has been on a crossroads of Latin, Slavic, and German culture for over 2000 years. For the final night together, enjoy a farewell feast of local Italian specialties.

  • Accommodation: Hotel Savoia Excelsior
  • Activity: 2 hours/3.1 miles hiking with 660' elevation gain & loss
  • Transportation: 1-hour private van transfer
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day10

  Depart from Trieste

  Depart from Trieste Airport, or take a train, shuttle, or taxi to the airport in Venice.

  • Meals: Breakfast