Via Alpina, long-distance hiking trail
Via Alpina is a long-distance hiking trail that winds through 8 European countries. This long-distance trail consists of 342 stages and five different hiking trails.
The total length of all trails is more than 5,000 km. Via Alpina runs from the sea to the highlands at an altitude of 3000 metres. Embark on a unique long-distance route and discover the natural and cultural sights of the Alpine world.
Alps, the largest natural area in Europe
If you are a lover of nature and outdoor experiences, do not miss the unique long-distance hiking trail, Via Alpina. Along the way, you will get to know the world of the Alps, which is the largest natural area in Europe.
This natural area is home to many wildlife. The Alpine region offers many opportunities for unforgettable experiences. Discover the diversity of languages, cultures and cuisines of the Alpine countries connected by this unique long-distance hiking route.
Where the Via Alpine long-distance trail runs
The entire Via Alpina long-distance route is just over 5,000 km long. You will walk 342 stages along the way and cross eight alpine countries. You will walk through Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France and Monaco.
All routes are marked accordingly. You will recognize the trail by the Via Alpina logo.
There are many natural and cultural attractions along the way. There are many information points to guide you along the way.
Via Alpina offers five different routes. You can choose between red, purple, yellow, green and blue paths.
Each route consists of several stages. The trails are not technically demanding and are accessible to all hikers.
The red route consists of 162 stages, starting in Monaco and ending in Trieste.
The red trail runs through Slovenia in 14 route stages.
The Blue Trail has 61 stages. The Yellow Trail comprises 40 route stages.
The Purple Trail consists of 66 route stages. It runs through Slovenia in 7 trial stages. The entire green route consists of 15 stages.
When you go on a trip, check the weather conditions. Prepare yourself for the trip accordingly.
Where in Slovenia Via Alpina runs through
There are two Via Alpina routes through Slovenia. You can choose between the red and purple routes.
The red route passes through Slovenia in 14 stages.
The purple route has ten stages. The stages are of different levels of difficulty. The total length of Via Alpina in Slovenia is about 340 km. You will walk it in 17 days.
Both routes run through the Triglav National Park. The park stretches through most of the Julian Alps. Along the way, you will admire many natural attractions. Among the most beautiful are certainly the Peričnik waterfalls, the Savica waterfall and the Boka waterfall. You will be fascinated by the beauty of the emerald river Soča. You will be impressed by the small and big gorge of the Soča river. You will cross some alpine mountains and bathe in Lake Bohinj.
The purple Via Alpina route will take you to the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. You will visit the unique Logarska Valley landscape park and the Dovžan gorge in Tržič.
Via Alpina red route
The Via Alpina red route is the most connecting. The trail connects all eight countries. It runs across the Alps from Italy through Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, France to Monaco. Are you often tempted to cross the red Via Alpina? Anyway, 161 stages and an unforgettable experience await you.
The route runs along the Alps with the highest peaks such as Triglav, Tri Cime, Hochfeiler, Zugspitze, Silvretta, Bernina, Mont-Blanc, Vanoise Glaciers, Barre des Ecrins.
Along the trail, you will discover different cultures. You will get acquainted with the cultural heritage of individual countries. And likewise, get to know various foreign languages. Furthermore, you will cross many national borders as many as 44 times.
The course of the red route via Slovenia
The Via Alpina red route will take you from Trieste via Slovenia and is 220 km long. You can cross it in as little as seven days. The trail starts with the first stage at Marconi Square in Milije, Italy and in the second stage crosses the border with Slovenia. The trail leads through the Glinščica Valley – Val Rosandra, across Draga, Peska – and the Italian-Slovenian state border.
The route will take you past Lipica. It is known for breeding white horses, Lipizzaners. The path will lead you to a beautiful karst landscape. The route is mostly flat and will take you to the foot of Nanos, where you will climb over 1000 m above sea level.
The trail will lead you through Idrija, all the way to the wine-growing world of the Julian Alps and the Triglav National Park. You will visit Lake Bohinj, climb Triglav lakes, and finally descend into the Soča Valley.
Follow the path over the Vršič pass, from where it descends towards the Tamar valley among the rare larch trees. From the Tamar valley, the trail will take you through Podkoren. The ascent to Korensko saddle follows. Here you will cross the Karavanke.
Follow the ascent to the Seltschacher Alm. You will reach the tri-border between Italy, Austria and Slovenia at an altitude of 1,509m.
That is the end of the journey through Slovenia.
The course of the purple route via Slovenia
The purple Via Alpina trail, which leads through Slovenia, is shorter. The route connects Slovenia, Austria and Germany. The whole purple trail route consists of 66 stages.
The purple trail crosses Slovenia in 10 stages. The route starts in the Julian Alps at the foot of the highest Slovenian mountain, Triglav (2864m).
The trail continues further through the Vrata valley past one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Slovenia, the Peričnik waterfall. You will continue your journey through the Karavanke mountain range. The trail continues to Tržič, Zgornje Jezersko and the Kamnik-Savinja Alps.