Hiking and Walking

We will guide you on verified trails into the remote nature, where you can peacefully enjoy the incredible views. Hiking in the Karavanke range combines discovering three different cultures as the longest mountain chain in Slovenia stretches to Austria and Italy. The Shepherd’s trails take you from the slopes of the mountains and along the ridges, from where you can admire absolutely amazing views of the highest peaks.

Our partners ensure that you spend the nights in warm cottages, where you can get in touch with the life of the locals and try their delicious food.

What is our advantage? With the help of our excellent knowledge of the Julian Alps and the Karavanke mountain range, we can adjust the trips according to your personal needs.

Sustainable tourism is a big part of our trails. By including public transport, we are joined in the contribution to the quality of our environment. Together with our reliable local partners, we provide many opportunities for beautiful and unforgettable memories.

hiking boots

sunscreen

DIFFICULTY RATING

Find the way of cycling that fits your style.

Our hiking difficulty ratings base on the Swiss (SAC) hiking scale.

The SAC hiking scale is divided into six levels that range from T1 to T6 and are mainly based on the characteristics of the trail. Contrary to the often used terms easy, medium, hard, the SCA hiking scale never describes the length of the tour and the demands on your condition. Facts about hiking duration and elevation gain are given separately.

T1, for example, indicates a well-tracked path without danger. You can walk it in trainers and it is easy to navigate. T4 indicates an Alpine trail, for which walking boots are essential, you have to use your hands to move forward and deal with exposed areas.

SAC hiking scale

LEVEL

PATH

TERRAIN

REQUIREMENTS

T1

Hiking

Well developed, signposted and marked. Somewhat exposed places very well secured.

Flat or slightly inclined. No danger of falling with appropriate behaviour.

No steady footing necessary. Can be walked in trainers. Navigation without a map possible.

T2

Mountain hiking

Continuous route and passage marking.

Steep in parts. Danger of falling not excluded.

Some steady footing Trekking shoes recommended. Basic navigation skills.

T3

Challenging mountain hiking

A footpath is usually available. Exposed places mostly secured with ropes or chains.

Partially exposed areas with danger of falling, gravel plains, pathless steep terrain.

Good steady footing Good trekking shoes. Average navigation skills. Basic Alpine experience.

T4

Alpine walking

Path not necessarily available. Sometimes need to use hands to keep going.

Mostly exposed. Tricky grass heaps, rocky slopes, simple firn fields and snow covered glacier passages.

Familiarity in exposed terrain. Stable trekking shoes. Terrain assessment and good navigation skills. Alpine experience.

T5

Challenging Alpine walking

Often without a path. Individual, simple climbing sections.

Exposed. Challenging terrain, steep rocky slopes, snow covered glaciers and firn fields with danger of slipping.

Mountaineering boots. Secure terrain assessment and very good navigation skills. Good Alpine experience also in high Alpine terrain. Elementary knowledge in handling a pickaxe and rope.

T6

Difficult Alpine walking

Mostly without a path and unmarked. Climbing sections up to II.

Often very exposed. Tricky rocky slopes, snow covered glaciers with increased danger of slipping.

Excellent navigation skills. Proven alpine experience and familiarity with alpine equipment.

The same content in text:

T1 – Hiking

Path/Terrain: Paths are well cleared. In case they are marked according to SAW standards: marking is yellow. Flat or slightly sloped, no danger of falling.

Requirements: None, but we never recommend sneakers or flip flops. No problem to get oriented, even without a map.

 

T2 – Mountain hiking

Path/Terrain: Paths with continuous marked-out route. Sometimes steep, danger of falling possible.

Requirements: Sure footedness sometimes needed. Trekking shoes are recommended. Basic orientation skills.

 

T3 – Demanding mountain hiking

Path/Terrain: Paths are not always visible. Exposed sections can be safeguarded with ropes or chains. The hands might be needed for balance. Can have exposed sections with danger of falling, scree slopes, pathless craggy ground.

Requirements: sure footedness, good trekking shoes. Average orientation skills. Basic alpine experience required.

 

T4 – Alpine hiking

Path/Terrain: Path traces are not always present. Some sections require the use of hands. Grounds are relatively exposed, tricky grass slopes, craggy ground, simple firn fields and snow free glacier sections.

Requirements: Stable trekking shoes. Basic ability to judge grounds and good orientation skills. Alpine experience required. A sudden change in the weather can make a retreat/fallback difficult.

 

T5 – Demanding alpine hiking

Path/Terrain: Often without paths. Some easy climbing sections. Exposed, demanding grounds, steep craggy ground. Danger of slipping on glaciers and firn fields.

Requirements: Climbing boots. Experienced to judge grounds and very good orientation skills. Good alpine experience also in high alpine areas. Basic knowledge in the use of pick and rope.

 

T6 – Difficult alpine hiking

Path/Terrain: Mostly without path. Climbing sections up to II. Paths are not marked most of the time. Often very exposed. Tricky craggy ground. Glaciers with increased danger of slipping.

Requirements: Excellent orientation skills. Advanced alpine experience and well acquainted with the use of technical alpine appliances.

 

In addition to the grade according to the T-scale, in many tours you find the abbreviations I, II and III which describe the (highest) climbing difficulty of a tour. These roman numerals correspond to the first, second, and third grade of the UIAA scale (International Union of Alpine Associations).

 

(I)

Slight difficulties, most simple form of rock climbing (however, no simple walking terrain). The use of the hands is necessary to assist maintaining balance. Berginners may need to be secured by a rope. A head for heights is required.

 

(II)

Moderade difficulties. Climbing requires to keep three limbs in contact with the rock.

 

(III)

Medium difficulty. Trained and experienced climbers can climb such passages without a rope. Vertical sections require physical effort.

FAQ

Most frequent questions and answers
  • hiking rucksack
  • good hiking shoes or boots
  • t-shirts (preferably breathable/fast drying)
  • synthetic mid layer or warm fleece, windproof jacket/softshell
  • Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
  • large bottle of water, energy snack
  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Compass
  • Extra food (energy snecks)
  • Extra water
  • refillable water bottle, 800 ml (27 oz)
  • map

You can contact us:  Contact Us via email :  [email protected] 

This is the perfect for you if you want to explore without the hassle of planning your whole vacation. You can spend time in your own rhythm. You have the freedom to decide what you want to do with full of suggestions (what to see). We plan for you all travel arrangements, itineraries, accommodation arrangements, detailed walking route notes,  suggestions (meals, drinking coffee, refilling bottle of water) maps, and emergency contact details.

You have 24/7 phone assistant.

Maps, notebook with all instructions:  directions, where to eat, where to refill bootle of water, atractions, tips).

You can take GPS with you (just choose in booking – it is an extra cost). We are always aveliable for you in case you need asisstance.

Select the BOOK NOW button on the page of your trip. Choose what you want to include in your trip.  Once your booking is complete you will receive an email confirmation with important information pertaining to your trip.

Yes, you can book at every trip a guide at extra costs.

Our routes are designed with safety in mind and go through a lot of places where you can refill up your water bottles and reload on snacks or food if needed. Please be prepared to carry your own snacks and water bottles.

It is possible that other guests will be on a guided and self-guided trip on the same dates so you may meet them out on the road or maybe drive with them in van if you have trip on same date. If you would like to drive private, just your group, you can contact us, we will provide for you ( at extra costs).

We can always give you some tips, advice and extra time for spending great day by yourself, relaxing and enjoying by lake in the city or walking in green nature.

We are not in control of weather. It can rain in summer. We need to adapt to the weather.

We highly recommend appropriate clothing so you can be warm and dry on the tours if it starts raining.

Your safety is our first priority so if your safety is compromised by going on the tour in then we will cancel it and you will get full refund, if it is possible we will change dates of traveling when it is more appropriate.