Journey Through the Alps to the Adriatic: Austria, Italy & Slovenia's Best Hikes

Day 1 – Arrival in Salzburg, Austria

Begin your adventure in Salzburg, the elegant Alpine city known for its baroque architecture, musical legacy, and setting for The Sound of Music. Spend the day exploring its UNESCO-listed Old Town, stroll past Mozart’s birthplace, and take in sweeping views from the hilltop fortress. Overnight in Salzburg.

Day 2 – Into the Alps: Hohe Tauern National Park & Heiligenblut

Leave Salzburg behind for a scenic two-hour drive into the heart of the Austrian Alps. Arrive in Hohe Tauern National Park for your first alpine hike, winding through wildflower meadows and beneath dramatic peaks. After a traditional Austrian lunch, continue to Heiligenblut, a picturesque mountain village at the foot of Grossglockner—Austria’s highest summit and the official gateway to the Alpe-Adria Trail.

Hiking: 5 hours / 5.5 miles / 2,000 ft elevation gain & loss

Overnight in Heiligenblut.

Day 3 – Glacier Views & Waterfalls on the Alpe-Adria Trail

Embark on the first full stage of the Alpe-Adria Trail, heading toward the glistening Pasterze Glacier. Follow well-marked paths through forest and past waterfalls, with switchbacks that reveal ever-expanding views of Grossglockner. Reach the panoramic lookout at Franz-Josefs-Höhe before returning to Heiligenblut for a hearty local dinner.

Hiking: 6 hours / 7 miles / 3,500 ft gain & 600 ft loss

Overnight in Heiligenblut.

Day 4 – Panoramas Above Lake Millstatt

Today’s hike takes you high above Lake Millstatt, climbing to the Steinerner Tisch, a massive stone slab perched at 6,000 feet. From this peaceful alpine ridge, enjoy sweeping views and imagine the legends of giants said to have once roamed these grassy slopes.

Hiking: 4–5 hours / 7 miles / 1,600 ft gain & loss

Overnight near Lake Millstatt.

Day 5 – The Path of Love & the Garnet Gate

Follow the Path of Love, a scenic trail leading through wildflower-strewn meadows to the Garnet Gate, a striking modern sculpture overlooking Lake Millstatt. This ridge hike rewards you with views in every direction and a deep sense of connection to the surrounding landscape.

Hiking: 5–6 hours / 8 miles / 1,600 ft gain & loss

Overnight near Lake Millstatt.

Day 6 – Crossing Borders: Austria to Italy to Slovenia

Travel into Italy via a scenic 90-minute drive. Take a gondola up to Monte Lussari, where you’ll hike along an old pilgrims’ path to the hilltop church of Maria Lussari, then continue toward the craggy basin below Cima del Cacciatore. After lunch with mountain views, descend by gondola and explore the tranquil forests around Laghi di Fusine. End the day with gelato before crossing into Slovenia for a peaceful night in Kranjska Gora.

Hiking: 4–5 hours / 5 miles / 1,000 ft elevation gain

Overnight in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.

Day 7 – Vršič Pass & the Soča Valley

Start the day with a hike to Vršič Pass, Slovenia’s highest mountain pass at 5,285 feet. With open views of the Julian Alps and possible sightings of mountain sheep, it’s a highlight of the region. Later, descend into the Soča Valley and follow the vibrant turquoise river to the mountain town of Bovec.

Hiking: 5–6 hours / 8 miles / 2,000 ft gain & 1,000 ft loss

Overnight in Bovec.

Day 8 – Through the Heart of Triglav National Park

Walk along a gentle stretch of the Soča River as it winds through pristine parts of Triglav National Park. Once a WWI battleground depicted in Hemingway’s A Farewell to Arms, today the valley is a quiet refuge for hikers and nature lovers. Sample local cheeses along the way, then head to the wine country for prosciutto and a glass of regional red.

Hiking: 2–3 hours / 3.2 miles / 70 ft gain & 300 ft loss

Overnight in Goriška Brda wine region or nearby.

Day 9 – Karst Landscapes & Coastal Culture

Return to Italy for a final hike through the Rosandra Valley, a unique reserve of limestone cliffs and Mediterranean vegetation. Then continue to Trieste, a historic port city where Latin, Slavic, and German cultures converge. Celebrate your final evening with a farewell dinner of local specialties and a toast to the journey.

Hiking: 2 hours / 3.1 miles / 660 ft gain & loss

Overnight in Trieste.

Day 10 – Departure

Transfer to Trieste Airport or Venice Marco Polo Airport for your departure.