Today we head to the heart of the Pohorje’s, an area famous for its rugged beauty. Streams, dense forests, the Drava river and an organic farm are all part of today’s adventure. Starting at Ožbalt train station, we make our way to Stalag XVIIID, before our walk truly commences. Then it’s straight into dense forests, located close to the Drava river. While it is steep to begin with, you are quickly immersed in the beauty of the forest and can leave your cares behind.

Today’s lunch comes from Sadonik Organic Farm, a 400-year-old Slovenian farm in the centre of Lovrenc na Pohorju serving homemade dishes with generous hospitality, making you feel extremely welcome.

Our accommodation is simpler tonight, as is dinner. Both are a great example of the simplicity of some of the areas we will be travelling through. Wines in this region are still light, fresh and young.

Be inspired by breathtaking views, gorgeous wetlands, an incredible 360-degree view from a tall tower and authentic Slovenian hospitality. Today we have a beautiful serene walk through the forests, although it is slightly harder than yesterday. Throughout the wetlands you’ll see pools of water perfectly reflecting the sky, the vegetation changes then we come to forests full of tall trees you can lose yourself in.

Tonight we stay in a world-famous ski resort and wellness centre where you’ll have access to spa, pools and can book in a massage if you would like. At dinner, you will have a delightful selection of traditional Slovenian meals to choose from. As for wine, the Pohorje’s are famous for a variety of flavoured liqueurs, especially herb and fruit flavours such a plum, pear and blueberry. There is also a selection of distilleries and wineries around Rogla, so you have more options but the focus is still white wines in this region.

Today we will explore the Loverenška lakes, cross meadows to Ribniška cottage, drink from “Lover’s Spring” if you wish, then walk through to Mislinja. This path is full of breathtaking scenery and unique views, especially around the lakes.

It’s believed you will fall in love with the first person you see after drinking from “Lover’s Spring”, which you can try for yourself before we reach Ribniška cottage for lunch. Ribniška cottage is a popular ski resort and during summer frequented for it’s great views and delicious, authentic Slovenian meals with generous servings.

Tonight, we stay in a nice hotel with various meal options. Out the front, you’ll find a bar with a great selection of drinks, an ice-cream bar, pizzeria and down the street a cute bar on the corner. Locals frequent this hotel, always friendly and welcoming to tourists.

Wines for the area still lean to the crisp whites for now but as we head further along, you’ll notice a shift in options.

Gorgeous forests, a musical guest house, quaint farms, colourful beehives, friendly Slovenians and a famous spa resort are all packed into today. As we continue our walk today, if farmers are home, they often come to greet us, share schnapps, produce and stories. The hospitality and genuine enthusiasm for life is amazing throughout Slovenia. Slovenians want you to feel at home in their beautiful country and today will truly show you that.

Our accommodation tonight is a gorgeous spa resort located in a lush forest. With a variety of wellness options available, numerous pools, spas and treatments, you’ll see why people travel from everywhere to spend time rejuvenating here.

Wines in this region are young, fresh and crisp, whether white or red. Deep red wines aren’t as common until we get further south but the whites have a few deeper options.

Pretty little waterfalls, peaceful forest paths, clear streams and friendly farms make today’s walk different to previous days. As always, you have stunning scenery everywhere we go, finishing up at Hotel Golte, a famous and incredibly popular ski resort.

One of the popular spots along our path today is beautiful gorge of Hudi Potok, simply picturesque. As we climb higher towards Hotel Golte, there are a few spots you will be able to pause and look out over the valley to see how far you have come and what you are achieving.

Our accommodation tonight has phenomenal views from its high vantage point, beautiful fixtures, a la carte menu and a wellness centre, it’s a wonderful place to rest tonight. Every room has a balcony and guests have free entry to the wellness centre so be sure to make use of the pool, spa and facilities.

Starting the morning with the most spectacular views from Golte, we descend and walk through forests to a quaint historic town, followed by a gorgeous baroque church, walking alongside a stream then up the hill until we eventually make our way to a beautiful homestay for the night.

Today has more towns than previous days, each with a unique look and feel. Slovenia has a rich, vibrant history which shows as we explore more today. You’ll have the opportunity to meet locals or simply discover the architecture unique to each town we pass through.

Tonight, the homestead we stay at has recently been refurbished while still maintaining a gorgeous traditional Slovenian vibe. Be spoilt by authentic, homecooked meals, sure to fill your body and soul.

Reds will be quite fresh here compared to the deep, oaky reds some are used to. White wines are refreshing or of course, there is beer, juice and coffee.

Crossing Menina planina to Kozjak pass is considered absolutely beautiful but locals and tourists. With a gorgeous pass in the Kamnik alps, gorgeous open meadows, Črni vrh (Black peak) and ending the day at the highest altitude spa in Slovenia, it’s truly a day of beauty and adventure.

Meninan planina has breathtaking views, easier walking through forests and fields as well as an array of wildlife. As with all our walking, you’ll notice Slovenia has a gorgeous mix of ancient, medieval, baroque, WWII, post-war and modern across the country, yet is untouched and non-commercial, enabling you to have a unique European experience.

The spa we finish at has an incredible wellness centre you have full access to plus a delicious range of meal options, including a fresh fruit salad with a delicious rum syrup enjoyed by many. For wines, you have a wider selection here and we begin to get into deeper reds if you wish.

On our way to the geometrical centre of Slovenia, we will pass Črni graben and the surrounding hills are historically famous for the Rokovnjači robbers of the 18th and 19th centuries. We also head up to Golčaj with a cute little church where we stop for lunch and the biggest, most amazing donuts you’ll ever have. Most of the day is spent in the forest and crossing undulating meadows until we reach Geoss.

Our accommodation tonight is a quaint mountain lodge where the owners take great pride in providing a stunning menu with the freshest, in-season produce, locally sourced where possible. Each meal is perfectly paired with a wine, based on the best wine to match the meal as well as our tastes. Their wine knowledge is outstanding, making it easy to enjoy a hearty meal with delicious wines in the heart of the forest.

Crossing the Sava river is one of the highlights of our walk today, along with touching the geometrical centre of Slovenia in Geoss, beautiful meadows and gorgeous forests. At some points today, the path virtually disappears and we rely completely on our guides to take us through the forest. It’s a magical experience, making you feel as if you are the first to come through this enchanted forest.

Tonight’s accommodation is famous for weddings in Slovenia. If you’re lucky, you’ll get a peek into the rich Slovenian culture through the food, dancing and wedding celebrations. For wine, try cviček which is produced by a local vineyard in Debeli Hrib. One of the rare wine varieties made from both red and white grapes, cviček has a unique flavour loved by many and with relatively low alcohol content, it’s a great option for the end of the day.

An easier walk today, through forests and farms, the opportunity to drink from one of Slovenia’s fresh mountain springs and visit Bogenšperk castle, a 16th-century castle, considered by many to be one of Slovenia’s most beautiful castles.

As we cross through farms, you’ll see many of the barns and haystacks throughout Slovenia are decorated, carved and over a century old. With the mountains, meadows and valleys as gorgeous backdrops, they look like they’re out of an old European movie.

Tonight’s accommodation is one of the most popular with guests. A gorgeous family-run hotel with multiple generations all putting their heart and soul into every inch of it. They take great pride in both their beautifully designed hotel and their meals. With incredible knowledge and a wonderful wine selection, they pair wines with our meals and can answer any question about wine or you can choose from the extensive list yourself.

Enjoy lunch at the base of a castle, explore forests, enjoy easier walking and a gentler pace today. On our way to Mirna castle, we pass through beautiful forests, cross small streams and pass an old wine press, giving us a great insight into farm life here years ago.

Despite covering 19kms today, the walking is easier so we get back to the hotel with time to enjoy a wine tasting at the bar, relax in your room or explore the area a little.

We return to our accommodation from yesterday but that doesn’t mean the meal will be the same. Each night is different, with a set menu for our party of authentic Slovenian meals. The crème brûlée is particularly popular for dessert, perfectly made every time from a family recipe.

We continue walking today through quiet, picturesque roads, forests with sinkholes and end the day at Domacija novak, a gourmet treat as well as exploring a stunning castle above a river and picturesque waterfall right at sunset. Passing gorgeous rivers, we go through meadows, farms and even a few small hobby wineries. Most Slovenians grow grapes in these areas and depending on the time of year, you might be lucky enough to taste a variety, fresh from the vine.

Our meals and accommodation tonight are at a delightful old farmhouse where the focus is on slow, local food. Producing everything they serve or sourcing it locally, the family takes great pride in ensuring the freshness of everything. Another location with an extensive wine list and knowledge of wines, your meal is lovingly prepared and perfectly paired with a wine for your enjoyment, whether you enjoy crisp whites or deep reds.

Cute churches, a unique river which flows through rock, not under or over it, stunningly blue and turquoise water along with castles being reclaimed by the forest are the highlights for today. Following the river Krka, we see watermills, bridges, historical buildings and mini waterfalls as the river weaves its way along.

Soteski grad is the best-known castle we will see today. Once large and colourful, it is now being taken over by the forest, making the experience of exploring it ethereal.

Tonight we stay at a popular spa and wellness location where you have time to explore and book in treatments if you wish at one of the major wellness centres. For dinner, the restaurant is a delight where they utilise delicious herbs and spices in their cooking, along with being able to recommend excellent wines to pair with your meal.

Today, before we reach Semič, you’ll be able to look across the valley right through to mountains in Croatia. It is a stunning view we reach after coming through forests. From here, we weave our way down past numerous small farms with vineyards sprawling in front of them.

Often, as we pass through, farmers come out to greet us and share their produce. Proud of what they grow and create, they love greeting travellers and hearing of your experiences in their country.

Tonight we stay at tourist farm Kalska domačija. Situated in the middle of a village called Štrekljevec, in the south-eastern part of the municipality of Semič, it has beautiful views you can enjoy from the balcony. As with the other tourist farms, everything is cooked fresh here and most items sourced locally, along with an ample cellar on the lower floor.

Our final day of walking is predominantly along a main road lined with unique Slovenian houses and gorgeous forests. As we finish this stage, you may share drinks with locals then head up the final section. Turning from the road to the Dakota plane at Otok, a sense of achievement washes over you, having completed the full 280km walk through Europe’s hidden gem, Slovenia.

Tonight we spend our last night together at tourist farm Kalska domačija. It’s a special feeling to reminisce with those who have done the journey with you, discuss your favourite parts, the funny moments, stories from your life and where you’ll go from here. Our meal is lovingly prepared with fresh ingredients, leaving you feeling full, refreshed and ready to continue your travels the following day.