This Slovenia hiking adventure reaches its final stage in Episode 245 of the World Vegan Travel Podcast.
In Part 1, Brighde and Seb traveled from Trieste to Lake Bled. In Part 2, they began hiking the Juliana Trail and reached beautiful Lake Bohinj.
Part 3 begins in Bohinjska Bistrica. From there, their route leads through the Soča Valley, historic mountain towns, and dramatic alpine landscapes.
They also learn about the region’s World War I history, cross into Italy on foot, and end the journey in Slovenia’s capital city, Ljubljana.
Riding the Avtovlak car train
The next stage begins with an unusual form of mountain transport.
Brighde and Seb board the Avtovlak, also known as Slovenia’s car train. Cars, vans, and motorcycles are driven onto open railway cars before the train carries them through the mountains.
The route passes through the historic Bohinj Tunnel. This allowed them to avoid the steep and winding mountain roads.
After leaving the train at Podbrdo, their large bags were collected and moved ahead. Brighde and Seb could then continue walking toward Tolmin with only their daypacks.
Discovering the Soča River
Near the end of the day’s hike, they stopped at a small campsite beside the river.
This was their first close look at the Soča River. The water is famous for its clear turquoise color.
They sat beside the river and ate the sandwiches they had prepared that morning. After lunch, they completed the final walk into Tolmin.
The peaceful river setting offered a beautiful introduction to the Soča Valley.
Walking from Tolmin to Kobarid
The route from Tolmin to Kobarid was one of the easier stages of their journey.
The path followed the river valley and passed through thick forest. Although the water was often hidden by trees, the landscape remained green and peaceful.
Along the way, Brighde and Seb passed an Italian military cemetery. It offered their first clear reminder of the region’s difficult World War I history.
Kobarid was once known as Caporetto. The town and surrounding mountains were part of the Isonzo Front between 1915 and 1917.
A rest day in Kobarid
Their rest day began with a very practical problem: dirty laundry.
Their hotel did not have washing facilities, so they walked to Kamp Koren. The eco-campsite offered self-service washing machines, Wi-Fi, and coffee.
What first seemed like an annoying task became an enjoyable morning. While the laundry was running, they sat beside the Soča River and cooled their feet in the cold water.
They later stopped at Market Planika to buy fresh ingredients for lunch.
Learning about the Isonzo Front
That afternoon, Brighde and Seb visited the Kobarid Museum.
The museum explains the human cost of the Isonzo Front and the Battle of Caporetto. Soldiers fought in harsh mountain conditions, far above the flat trenches often linked with World War I.
The exhibits include battlefield objects, wartime letters, models of the mountains, and a reconstruction of a limestone bunker.
Rather than celebrating military victories, the museum focuses on the suffering experienced by soldiers on all sides.
The visit gave Brighde and Seb a deeper understanding of the landscape they had been walking through.
Following the Soča River to Bovec
The hike from Kobarid to Bovec was their longest stage so far.
The trail covered about 20.5 kilometers. It passed through beech forests, green pastures, and areas containing old military bunkers.
The Soča River was the main highlight.
Brighde and Seb crossed the turquoise water several times using narrow wooden suspension bridges. They also stopped beside the river to eat lunch.
Rain began to fall as they approached Bovec. Fortunately, their small travel umbrellas worked just as well for rain as they had for protection from the sun.
Vegan food in Bovec
Brighde and Seb stayed at Dobra Vila Bovec, a boutique hotel inside a restored historic building.
The hotel had a warm atmosphere, a large collection of books, and a peaceful garden beneath the mountains.
Finding dinner in Bovec required more planning than expected. Many restaurants were full, so reservations were important.
Seb found a restaurant called Gostišče Sovdat, which offered clearly marked vegan choices.
They enjoyed an Amaze Burger with French fries and a bowl of mushroom gnocchi. It was a satisfying meal after a long day of hiking.
Mountain trails and historic tunnels
The next stage led from Bovec to Log pod Mangartom.
This section followed the Koritnica River, a tributary of the Soča River. As they moved deeper into the valley, the high limestone mountains closed in around them.
The river had carved smooth shapes and deep pools into the pale rock. Narrow footbridges offered dramatic views of the turquoise water below.
They also walked through old tunnels cut into the mountains.
These tunnels had once been connected to mining. During World War I, parts of the underground system were also used to move troops and supplies.
They ended the day at Gorska Roža, a small alpine hotel in Log pod Mangartom.
Crossing from Slovenia into Italy
Their final hiking day began with a long uphill climb through the forest.
The path eventually reached Predil Pass, which marks the border between Slovenia and Italy. Brighde and Seb crossed the international border on foot.
From there, the trail descended toward the Fusine Lakes.
The clear glacial lakes sit beneath the steep walls of the Mangart mountain range. Reaching the water marked the end of their multi-day trek.
They celebrated with tomato pasta, vegan Parmesan, and a cold Radler beside the lake.
Finishing the journey in Ljubljana
After completing the trail, Brighde and Seb traveled to Ljubljana.
They checked into the InterContinental Ljubljana, using travel points and hotel benefits. After several nights in mountain lodges, the five-star hotel felt like a luxurious reward.
That evening, they visited Gaudi & Naan, an upscale vegan restaurant in the city center.
Brighde ordered a Juicy Marbles plant-based steak with pepper sauce and roasted vegetables. They also shared a vegan cheesecake for dessert.
The meal was a fitting celebration after days of hiking through the Julian Alps.
Exploring Ljubljana’s Old Town
Their final full day in Slovenia was spent exploring Ljubljana.
They followed a walking route through the car-free Old Town and saw several famous landmarks.
These included Prešeren Square, the Triple Bridge, the Central Market, Dragon Bridge, and Cobblers’ Bridge.
The city’s streets, bridges, outdoor cafés, and riverside spaces created a relaxed atmosphere.
For lunch, they returned to Gaudi & Naan. This time, they tried a vegan version of Kranjska klobasa, a traditional Slovenian sausage dish.
The plant-based sausage was served with sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, and vegan mayonnaise.
The end of the Slovenia hiking adventure
Looking back, Brighde describes the journey as a balance between physical challenge and comfort.
They experienced long hiking days, steep climbs, heat, rain, and tired legs. However, they also enjoyed luggage transfers, comfortable hotels, vegan meals, and peaceful evenings in the mountains.
Slovenia proved that an active vacation does not always require camping or carrying a heavy backpack. With planning and some supermarket stops, plant-based travelers can enjoy both adventure and good food.
The country’s natural beauty, friendly people, and peaceful trails made a lasting impression on Brighde and Seb.
Their Slovenia hiking adventure is now c
Learn More About What is Discussed on the Podcast
- Riding Slovenia’s Avtovlak car train
- Walking from Podbrdo to Tolmin – Official Juliana Trail routes and maps
- Seeing the turquoise Soča River
- Hiking from Tolmin to Kobarid Visiting the Kobarid Museum
- Learning about the Isonzo Front
- Finding vegan food in Kobarid and Bovec
- Crossing suspension bridges over the Soča River
- Walking through historic mountain tunnels
- Reaching Log pod Mangartom Crossing from Slovenia into Italy on foot
- Completing the multi-day hiking route
- Enjoying vegan food in Ljubljana – Gaudi & Naan vegan restaurant
- Exploring Ljubljana’s Old Town
Other World Vegan Travel Content Connected With This Episode
- Vegan Travel in Slovenia | Trieste to Lake Bled | Part 1
- Hiking the Juliana Trail in Slovenia: Bled to Bohinj | Part 2
- Exploring Slovenia: A Vegan Travel Guide | Klemen Godec
