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Types of Skiing Explained: Alpine, Nordic, Touring & SkateSlovenia
Jun - Sep
Learn to SUP on Slovenia’s glacier-fed lakes and emerald rivers. Alpine scenery, guided hikes, and wine tasting in hidden valleys.
Beginner
Moderate
Home Comforts
From
£1,975
(USD $3,100.75)
Active alpine adventure
SUP through Slovenia’s pristine lakes and emerald rivers, learning paddle technique while soaking up incredible alpine views. Start on Lake Bled’s calm waters then paddle through mountain gorges on the flowing turquoise Soča River.
Between SUP sessions, you’ll hike Julian Alps trails to waterfalls and viewpoints where Slovenia’s peaks stretch to the horizon. Daily distances of 5-8km will test your legs but reward you with scenery most tourists never see.
Sample wines in Vipava Valley, stay at a mountain farm, and leave wondering why Slovenia isn’t on every adventure bucket list.
An active agenda
No hidden costs
Lessons on Slovenia's lakes and rivers
Guided treks through the Julian Alps
Local village visits to experience Slovenian culture
SUP boards, paddles, safety gear and dry bags
Sample Slovenia's local wines - a proper taste of the region
4-star hotel and tourist farm with mountain views
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at local restaurants daily
Qualified SUP instructors, local guides and your Gutsy Girls host
Pick-up and drop-off at Ljubljana Airport, city centre, and Lake Bled
Activity Overview
SUP on Slovenia’s glacier-fed lakes, where alpine peaks reflect in crystal-clear water. Expert coaching gets you steady within an hour, then you’re ready to explore waters so fresh and pristine you’ll want to dive straight in. And you probably will.
Switch to the rivers where the water runs impossibly turquoise, like someone’s turned up nature’s saturation dial. You’ll paddle through some of Slovenia’s most stunning waterways with mountain backdrops that’ll stop you mid-stroke.
All levels welcome. We’re not about clocking distances but taking in the views, plus you’ll improve your technique with coaching from our expert guides.
Activity Overview
Hike the Julian Alps, where Slovenia’s highest peaks create some of Europe’s most dramatic mountain scenery. These 5-8km guided hikes might sound short, but elevation and rocky terrain throw in plenty of challenges. When you aren’t climbing peaks, you’ll discover secret swimming spots that only locals know about.
You don’t need to be a mountaineer, just active and ready to get sweaty. It’s challenging at times, but totally doable when there’s a crystal-clear waterfall pool waiting at the end.
The destination
Your adventure starts here
We’ll pick you up in Ljubljana and head straight to Lake Bled. Yes, that Lake Bled. We’ll cover the basics, then get you out on the water below the castle.
Lunch on the boards, then an easy afternoon paddle while you find your feet.
Over to Bohinj for dinner at a local restaurant, then an early night before tomorrow’s full day on the water.
We paddle across Lake Bohinj with the Julian Alps towering overhead, working on turns as we go.
Lunch by the lake, then we paddle back the other way. It’s a full day on the water and the best way to take in the scenery.
Tasty three-course dinner at a local restaurant, and plenty of laughs about who wobbled most.
Hike to Vogar viewpoint. It's about 1.5 hours each way on steep and rocky grounds, but the view over Lake Bohinj is worth every bit of sweat.
Explore Bohinjska Bistrica village, then take the car train through the mountains to our family-run tourist farm in the Soča Valley, home for the next three nights.
Farm-to-table dinner with organic produce grown locally.
Head over the border into Italy to paddle the Mediterranean coast, past limestone cliffs and two castles, with lunch on the beach.
Explore Trieste, Italy’s coffee capital. Have an espresso where James Joyce once sat, then take in Piazza Unità d’Italia, Europe’s largest sea-facing square.
We'll cross back across the border to the Vipava Valley for a wine tasting over dinner with a local winemaker.
Paddle the emerald Soča River through canyons and under bridges, with cliff jumps and swims along the way. Then on to the Idrijca River before lunch in Tolmin.
Relax by the pool or around the farm, or join a hike to a waterfall for a cold swim.
Enjoy a home-cooked dinner at the farm.
A final hike to a hidden waterfall in the Soča Valley, then street food for lunch in Bovec.
One last swim in the emerald Soča River.
Back to Ljubljana over a mountain pass, with dinner on the way to toast the week. Five-night trips fly home this evening. Six-night trips spend a final night in the city.
Rest & Refuel
We'll stay in two great spots. First up: two nights in a charming 4-star hotel in Ribčev Laz, right in the heart of the action. Then it’s on to an Agroturismo farm in the Soča Valley with incredible views and local hospitality.
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As well as views, Slovenia knows food. The country was awarded European Region of Gastronomy in 2021 for good reason, and you'll eat well here, with excellent restaurants, organic farm-to-table meals and a wine tasting evening pairing local wines with seriously good food. Come hungry.
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The essentials
| Accommodation |
Home Comforts A 4-star hotel and a family-run tourist farm. On select dates, there’s an additional night in Ljubljana at the end of the trip to accommodate flight schedules.
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| Food and drink |
We accommodate for some dietary requirements. Options for vegans and those needing gluten-free diets are quite limited in this region. When dining at local restaurants we also can’t guarantee zero cross-contamination, so if your allergy is severe we may not be able to cater for you. Please contact our Booking Team to discuss before committing to the trip.
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| Fitness level |
2
Moderate Paddling 5–9km on lakes and rivers and hiking up to 550m on rocky uneven terrain across five consecutive days means your body is constantly switching between different demands. Warm summer temperatures also add their own layer on top. Neither activity is technically difficult, but the combination across back-to-back days and ground you may not have hiked on before is what makes this a genuinely active week. If you’re doing medium to high-intensity cardio three or more times a week, you’ll get the most out of every day. You'll Need To Be
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| Skill level |
1
Beginner No SUP experience is needed and our guides cover the basics before you hit the water. You do need to be able to swim 100m comfortably though as confidence in water is essential when you’re learning to balance on a board. You should also be prepared to hike on sometimes steep, uneven and rocky paths. Beginner is the skill level. It’s not an easy trip. Check the Fitness Level above. Not sure what level you are? Our Trip Rating Guide explains how we score fitness and skill. |
| Packing list |
This list is an indication of the specialist items you will need, and might need to invest in before your adventure! For a full list of what you’ll need to bring, check out the trip guide. We provide
You'll need
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| Travel |
The meeting points for this trip are Ljubljana City, Ljubljana Airport, and Lake Bled. Alternative routes are available in our trip guide. |
| Not included |
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| Trip Code |
SLOBANSUPB. Include this code in any message and we’ll know exactly which trip you mean. |
The answers
Not at all. This trip is designed for beginners – our guides will teach you everything from basic balance to confident paddling technique. If you’re already comfortable on a board, you’ll love the alpine lake locations and technique refinement.
We can cater for some dietary needs, although choices may be limited. Vegetarians will have good options, however although vegans are welcome choices will be very restricted.
we are currently unable to accommodate for anyone on a coeliac diet or with a severe food allergy. Meals are cooked in locations with a single kitchen, including at the Farm Stay, so we can’t guarantee zero cross-contamination.
If you’re unsure, please get in touch before booking your trip and we’ll be able to offer more information.
You’ll be active 4-6 hours daily – paddling up to 9km and hiking 5-8km with elevation gain up to 550m. The hikes don’t look far on paper, but you’ll be dealing with rocky and uneven terrain, as well as steep paths in places too.
If you can handle consecutive active days and don’t mind getting sweaty, you’ll manage fine, but be honest with yourself before booking.
Moderate means you’ll move your body every day, but with breaks and rests. You don’t need to be an athlete, but to enjoy the week fully you’ll need a decent level of fitness.
We normally paddle in swimwear or sportswear with a hat and long-sleeved top for midday sun protection. If conditions are cooler, we provide shorty wetsuits. You’ll need aqua shoes or wetsuit booties with solid soles (not neoprene socks) for rocky conditions.
You must have hiking boots, hiking shoes, or trail running trainers with good grip. This is for your safety and comfort on uneven, rocky terrain. No compromises on footwear – if you don’t wear the right shoes, you can’t come on the hike.
Fly to Ljubljana where our transfer will meet you to make the one-hour drive to the start point of the trip. We offer three pick-up and drop-off points for the transfer on this trip. Please make sure your own travel plans align with these.
As well as Ljubljana Airport, we also collect and drop guests back from Ljubljana City Centre and the library in Bled.
A group transfer is included on both the arrival and departure days. Timings change depending on the date of your trip so ensure you’re looking at the right adventure before booking your flights.
5 Nights
June and September
Arrival Day:
Ljubljana City Pickup: 09:40
Ljubljana Airport Pickup: 10:10
Lake Bled meeting point: 11:00*
Departure Day:
Lake Bled Drop off: 18:30
Ljubljana Airport Drop off: 19:20
Ljubljana City Drop off: 19:50
July and August
Arrival Day:
Ljubljana City Pickup: 09:55
Ljubljana Airport Pickup: 10:25
Lake Bled meeting point: 11:15*
Departure Day:
Lake Bled Drop off: 18:30
Ljubljana Airport Drop off: 19:20
Ljubljana City Drop off: 19:50
*Please note Lake Bled pick up may change a little depending on traffic and logistics on the day – your host and guide will keep you updated via the WhatsApp group.
6 Nights
Arrival Day:
Ljubljana City Pickup: 09:40
Ljubljana Airport Pickup: 10:10
Lake Bled meeting point: 11:00*
Departure Days
Ljubljana Airport Drop off: 08:50
This trip ends in Ljubljana so we only offer a transfer back to the airport.
You can always fly in the day before or stay an extra night after. Ljubljana and Lake Bled both have good accommodation options. Alternative routes include flying to Venice and taking a 2 hr-2 hr 30 mins bus to Ljubljana.
Expect warm summer weather with substantial sun exposure, particularly July and August. June and September are also warm, but with occasional rain showers. This means sometimes plans need to be swapped, but that the locations are far quieter!
Mountain weather can change quickly – you might get sunshine and rain in the same day. Your best bet is to pack layers and rain protection.
Absolutely. Mountain and lake conditions can be unpredictable, so our guides adjust daily plans to ensure the best (and safest) experience. None of our itineraries are set in stone – we’ll move things around to make the most of whatever conditions we have.
Slovenia is affordable, but budget around €15-30 per day for extras like ice cream, drinks, souvenirs and tips. Most places accept cards, but bring some cash for small vendors.
It’s either five or six nights depending on the date. Some dates need an extra night in Ljubljana at the end to line up with flight schedules without compromising the itinerary.
Both options show in the booking widget with their own prices, so you’ll know before you book.
No, unfortunately not. By Day 2 you will have already missed a lot of the introductory lessons and be 24 hours behind getting to know your group too.
This trip runs with up to seven guests and two guides, as well as your Gutsy Girls Host, so you get plenty of support and it’s easy to get to know everyone across the week.
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