Slovenia - Hiking in the Julian Alps

Dates 18th to 25th June 2027

Cost £1100 excluding flights

OVERVIEW

Slovenia is the green heart of Europe, and in June 2027 we’re heading to the Julian Alps together with Queer Out Here for an inclusive hiking getaway like no other. 

Queer Out Here (Link) is a walking and hiking community for queer folks. We bring people together to enjoy the outdoors and experience the mental and physical benefits of group walks. Our hikes are safe, joyful spaces where LGBTQIA+ people can connect and feel welcomed. Our goal is to build a connected community of trans and queer people who find belonging through time outside together. There's no formal membership - if you want to join, you're in! This trip is for the whole extended Queer Out Here community. 

WHAT TO EXPECT

The week begins with a day exploring the fairytale lakeside town of Bled. We’ll then set out for three days of hut-to-hut hiking through the Julian Alps, then swap boots for a paddle with a day of white-water rafting on the emerald Soča river. Our adventure will wrap up with an afternoon exploring Ljubljana, Slovenia’s relaxed and charming capital. 

On our hike we’ll walk through the Triglav Lakes Valley, stay in welcoming mountain huts, cross to the Krn Lakes and drop down through the Lepena valley to Bovec. It’s easy-level, lower-altitude hiking, but the views are just as spectacular. Expect alpine lakes, big skies, good food in the huts and plenty of time to chat and get to know each other on the journey. 

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

• Seven nights’ accommodation: two nights in Bled, two nights in mountain huts, two nights in Bovec and one night in Ljubljana

• Delicious breakfasts every day, and evening meals whilst in mountain huts 

• Rafting on the stunning Soča river

• Transfers to Bled from the airport.

• Transfers to the start of the hike, and from Bovec to Ljubljana

• A local mountain guide and in-country team of experts able to support or advise on any problems or detours

• A Pride Expeditions guide (Ali) who will provide a briefing before each day about what to expect and how to make the most of the day, ensuring you feel included throughout the trip

What’s not included:

• Flights to Slovenia. You will need to arrange and book these yourself, see below.

• You will need to pay for five evening meals. This is when in Bled, Bovec and Ljubljana.

• All lunches. We will make plans to ensure lunch can be purchased as needed.

• Drinks and snacks.

• Travel insurance. Please make sure your insurance covers hiking and rafting.

The mountain huts are shared dormitories, and in towns we’ll stay in hotels and hostels in shared rooms. If you have any questions about sleeping arrangements or access needs, get in touch before booking and we’ll talk it through.

FLIGHTS

We recommend buying the following flights into Ljubjana.

Outbound flights direct on Friday 18th June:

• London → Ljubljana: Easyjet 06:40 arriving 09:55 or 16:50 arriving 19:55

• Manchester → Ljubljana: Easyjet 13:10 arriving 16:35

Inbound flights on Friday 25th June:

• Ljubljana → London: easyjet 10:35 arriving 11:55 or 20:40 arriving 22:00

• Ljubljana → Manchester: easyjet 17:10 arriving 18:45

You can purchase whatever flight you want. If you arrive at different times or on different days you are responsible for your own transfer to Bled. There is a cheap public bus that runs from the airport to Bled so this is easy.

ITINERARY

18.06.27 Day 1 – Arrival in Bled

Welcome to Slovenia! We will transfer to Bled, where we’ll be staying for the first two nights. We’ll meet up in the evening for a welcome get-together and introductions [time and venue TBC].

19.06.27 Day 2 – Day exploring the lakeside town of Bled

A relaxed day to settle in, stretch your legs with a walk around the lake getting to know the group. In the evening we’ll go through kit and plan for the hiking ahead.

20.06.27 Day 3 – Planina Blato to Bogatin Hut – Distance 16km, Ascend 770m, Descend 350m, Walking Time 5–6 hours

A transfer takes us from Bled to Planina Blato, where the hiking begins. We climb through the beautiful Triglav Lakes Valley, passing the Triglav Lakes hut, before reaching Bogatin hut, where we’ll stay the night. This is the biggest day of the trip, and it’s a proper day out, but we’ll take it at a steady, beginner-friendly pace with plenty of stops. The reward is a cosy hut, a hot meal and a great sense of achievement. Pride Expeditions have stayed at Bogatin hut before, and it’s a real highlight. Evening meal included. 

21.06.27 Day 4 – Bogatin Hut to Krn Lakes Hut – Distance 9km, Ascend 350m, Descend 450m, Walking Time 4–5 hours

A shorter day. We cross the Bogatin saddle and drop down to the Krn Lakes, where our hut sits just a short walk from Krn Lake, the largest high-mountain lake in Slovenia. Carved by glaciers and set beneath the peak of Krn, it’s widely considered some of the most beautiful scenery in the Julian Alps. There’s time for a wander to the shore before dinner at the hut. Evening meal included. 

22.06.27 Day 5 – Krn Lakes to Bovec – Distance 10km, Descend 900m, Walking Time 4–5 hours

Today is heading downhill, so your knees will thank you for poles. From the Krn Lakes hut, we follow a forested path, partly along old military mule tracks, down into the peaceful Lepena valley. From there we continue into the Soča valley and on to Bovec, our base for the next two nights. 

23.06.27 Day 6 – Rafting on the Soča

After three days on foot, it’s time to get on the water! Enjoy a guided rafting session on the Soča river, then the rest of the day is free in Bovec to explore. Bovec is a relaxed little alpine town in the heart of the Soča Valley, widely known as Slovenia’s outdoor adventure capital, with friendly cafés and restaurants for winding down after a day on the trail. 

24.06.27 Day 7 – Transfer to Ljubljana

After breakfast, a morning transfer takes us to Slovenia’s capital. The afternoon is free to explore the Old Town, the riverside cafés and the castle, and to spend a last evening together.

25.06.27 Day 8 – Departure

The trip finishes after breakfast. Airport transfers are arranged according to the flights above. Again it is easy to get a bus to the airport if you want to take a different flight.

IS THIS FOR ME?

You don’t need to have done a multi-day hike before signing up, however we will be trekking for at least three days through remote and rugged mountain landscapes, covering 9km - 16km per day. While those distances may sound short, the terrain is rocky and uneven throughout, and each day will include sustained ascents and descents — this is definitely a physically demanding hike. Expect to walk for 5 to 8 hours per day with breaks, moving at a steady pace of around 3 km per hour on mountainous ground.

This trip is best suited to people with some previous hiking experience — ideally in mountainous areas like Snowdonia, the Lake District, the Scottish Highlands, or something similar in another country. If you’ve comfortably completed a full-day walk with uphill climbs and rough terrain before, you’ll likely be well-prepared. If you're unsure, feel free to reach out — we’d be happy to help you decide if this is the right adventure for you. 

WHAT MAKES THIS TRIP QUEER FRIENDLY? 

Pride Expeditions have been running LGBTQ+ trips to Slovenia since 2018. We have a network of trusted local guides across the globe who support our ethos to welcome all to the mountains. Queer Out Here is all about welcoming the queer community into the outdoors.

• Our local Slovenian guide on this trip is supportive of the LGBTQ+ community

• Accomodation is non-gendered; (but the toilets at the hut likely will be)

• Discrimination won’t be tolerated; we embrace everyone's uniqueness and welcome all to the mountains

Read our ABOUT US page and why we travel to countries like Poland and Morocco and Slovenia (Link Our ethos)

PRIDE EXPEDITIONS GUIDE

Ali Cooper will be your Pride Expeditions guide, working alongside Ailish Breen from Queer Out Here and our trusted local guides in Slovenia. Ali is a qualified Mountain Leader and Rock Climbing Instructor, and works for the Ramblers running their youth outdoor programme. He has led walks with Queer Out Here in the Peak District and helps run ClimbOut, the UK’s first queer rock climbing festival. He enjoys creating inclusive spaces where people can experience and learn about the outdoors.

MEET THE GROUP BEFORE YOU GO

Before we set off, we’ll host online meetings so you can meet your guides and fellow travellers, ask any questions and find out exactly what to expect from the trip. It’s a friendly, relaxed chance to put faces to names, so you’ll arrive in Bled already knowing a few people.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT

Once you’ve paid a deposit, we’ll email you a full kit list. Bedding and meals are provided in the huts, but you’ll need to carry your own clothing and toiletries for the whole trek, so please pack light and bring a comfortable 40-litre rucksack.

Our key items:

• Comfortable, broken-in walking boots with good grip

• Waterproof jacket and trousers

• Warm layers, a hat and gloves (it can be chilly at the huts, even in June)

• Sun hat, sunglasses and sun cream

• Water bottle or bladder (at least 1.5 litres)

• Head torch

• Walking poles (optional, but kind to your knees on the long descent on Day 5)

• Lightweight sleeping bag liner, towel and toiletries

• Earplugs, because dorms can be noisy

• Personal first aid, blister kit and any medication you need

For rafting: bring swimwear, a quick-dry towel. Rafting equipment will be provided.

HOW TO BOOK

Cost £1100 (if paying from outside the UK this will automatically be converted to your currency)

The remaining amount of £900 will be split into two payments in the lead up to the trip. The full amount will be due by the 13th April 2027. You are welcome to pay monthly if you would prefer or stick to the two payments of £450.

Payment schedule

• £200 deposit - pay as soon as possible to secure your place on the trip

• £450 - due 1st February

• £450 - due 13th April

Once you have booked on and paid, you will be added to a whatsapp group and there will be an online briefing at some point before the trip.

Secure your spot: Please pay a £250 deposit online to secure your place. Once you’ve paid a deposit and minimum numbers have been met, we’ll send you confirmation and a kit list. The deposit is refunded if we don’t reach minimum numbers. 

SITUATION
Slovenia is a welcoming destination for LGBTQ+ travellers. In 2022 it became the first country in Eastern Europe to legalise same-sex marriage and adoption, and it scores 54% on ILGA-Europe’s 2026 Rainbow Map, ranking 17th of 49 European countries. Ljubljana has belonged to the Rainbow Cities Network since 2014 and holds a Pride festival every June. The Slovenian tourist board actively promotes the country as open and friendly to LGBTQ+ visitors. Pride Expeditions have run trips in Slovenia before, so we know the places we’re staying and the people who host us. 

REVIEWS & PHOTOS

What previous Queer Out Here participants have said

“It was by far the most challenging thing I’ve ever done but the community there made it so much easier and it felt so rewarding at the end! I felt so connected, but also so proud of myself - it’s given me so much more confidence to be myself in day to day life.”

“Really excited to join more things in the future, I can’t under state how much fun I had and how much it’s helped me grow as a person!!”

“One of the exciting things about the Toubkal trip for me was that it was somewhere I wouldn't have considered going without this group.”

“I liked that it was led by an LGBT expedition company/ mountain leader, partnering with QOH: so the group were people I could relate to, plus Nick brought the expertise needed to lead the trip on the ground.”

What people who have been guided by Ali say:

“He made sure to chat to all of us so no one was on their own or left out, which was nice!”

“Really engaging and knowledgeable and patient with all members/all abilities of the group.”

“Ali came across as very genuine as I felt comfortable asking questions.”

“Ali was extremely friendly and supportive.”

Pride Expeditions is a registered tour operator for the LGBTQ+ community. This trip is being organised in conjunction with Queer Out Here. If you have an questions please contact us through our website