‘A truly magical trip in the most beautiful country with a guide that guides so effortlessly it just feels like you're on holiday with friends. I will definitely be back. If you're considering it, get your place booked now.’ Kathy, Wild Swim Slovenia 2024
Wild Swim Slovenia
Whether you choose to follow the emerald waters of the Idrijca river from its source over 60KM to where it meets the sapphire Soča, or seek out hidden gorges and waterfalls in the Karst landscapes of Slovenia’s wine country, Wild Swim Slovenia promises to share some of Slovenia’s most serene swimming and dipping spots.
Including hidden waterfalls, deep gorges and peaceful rivers, our journeys offer a truly unique experience along Slovenia’s most beautiful rivers.
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Inspire me!
Each day we will enjoy peaceful walks or E-bike rides, featuring natural pools, rivers or waterfalls for dipping. Every detail is chosen with sustainability, connection and wellbeing in mind. Our breakfasts, lunches and dinners will be locally sourced and made with care, whether we are visiting a farm, enjoying a picnic, or sharing each others’ company in a family run restaurant, alongside opportunities to visit local producers for tasting experiences, all found along the banks of the river.
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Who's coming?
Everyone who loves the water! These trips are focused on enjoying Slovenia’s incredible rivers and waterfalls from wherever you are at, whether thats simply supporting a friend, partner or family member, dipping a toe, or full immersion, everyone is welcome. Wild Swim Slovenia is not a distance swimming holiday, and many of our spots are small, natural pools, some are deep, but most have areas where you can remain in-depth should you wish.
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Leading Together
We believe in the power of walking and dipping and the positive impacts time spent in nature can have for ourselves, each other and our understanding of the natural world. We protect what we love! We are also committed to giving something back and for all of our Wild Swim Slovenia trips we collaborate with Mental Health Swims, donating 20% of our profits from every trip to help them continue their important work.
Itineraries
We believe in the power of letting go, embracing the unknown and leaving space for awe. Each day we will embark on a beautifully crafted experience, which will involve a mix of hiking, gravel Ebike rides, tasting local food, and of course opportunities to swim and dip. We always include 1-2 incredible spots for immersing yourself in Slovenia’s beautiful waters, often coinciding with a picnic lunch, and we take our time to relax and enjoy the places we are in. We are always flexible and Mikaela’s expertise and local knowledge enables her to pick the best locations every day to suit the weather and conditions. Awe often comes from allowing yourself to be surprised, and this year we are letting go of our day-by-day itineraries on our website in place of a little mystery!
Mountain Rivers.
Price: £1550pp
Single Room Supplement: £250
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My flagship Wild Swim Slovenia adventure! On this journey we will follow source-to-source along the full length of the emerald Idrijca river to where it meets the sapphire Soča.
Each day we will walk and cycle through vast forests, to hidden spots, exploring my home region and welcomed by wonderful hosts and friends along the way.
We’ll stay in family run farm-stays and luxury apartments, nestled in among the foothills of the Julian Alps. This is a landscape surrounded by mountains but shaped by the rivers that flow through it.
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This special journey follows two mountain rivers from source to source, the Idrijca and the Soča. Each location for dipping and swimming connects us with their unique character, and includes deep pools at the bottom of hidden waterfalls, swimming through the dramatic and sculptural limestone features that line the rivers, exploring narrow gorges and immersing ourselves in the emerald and sapphire waters that make these rivers unique.
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From peaceful, forgotten, forest paths, to dramatic viewpoints overlooking ancient fault-lines and hiking between the awe-inspiring peaks of the Julian Alps, the hikes included on our Mountain Rivers journey connect the surrounding landscapes and cultures with the water each day. Our hikes vary from 1-4 hours and in summer when the days are longer, we may have the opportunity to extend these.
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Our EBike ride makes some of Idrija’s more remote areas accessible, journeying on a gravel adventure through the history of the upper Idrijca, and Belca rivers, with historic and uniquely designed UNESCO protected Dams, connecting the region’s industrial past with the beautiful forests and rivers we enjoy today. A fun and exhilarating descent brings us back to our swim spot, supported the entire way by Mikaela and an additional cycle-tour leader for the day.
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We love bringing our adventures together with the beautiful culture of Slovenia, shared with us through the families who host us in the evenings, enjoying local specialities in working farms and visiting globally significant ancient sites, tracing back to early civilisation’s connections to the river.
Wine Country.
Price: £1650pp
Single Room Supplement: £250
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Explore Slovenia’s peaceful wine region, where the Soča river emerges and the Vipava river winds its way through the historic vineyards of this karst landscape. We will hike, cycle and travel by train, to explore the waterways that gives life from the limestone, and of course have the chance to enjoy tasting the wine that makes this region so special.
Seeking out cold water springs, slow stretches of river and following an underground journey through a dramatic gorge, each day will be full of exploration, laughter and plenty of opportunities to swim.
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From crystal blue springs hidden in the forest, to the slow meandering journey of the Vipava river this trip is full of surprises. We will also have the opportunity to explore one very special river that emerges from a canyon deep underground, bursting briefly into the dramatic Karst valley before disappearing again just a few kilometres away, and there may be the opportunity to visit Slovenia’s small stretch of coast on the adriatic sea.
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Throughout the trip we will enjoy hikes that take us through shady lowland forests, with secret pools and gorges, to soaring plateaus with dramatic ridgelines and views towards the adriatic sea across the mediterranean vineyards of the Vipava Valley.
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Partnering with a local expert, we will take an EBike tour travelling up, down and around through beautifully rolling terrain, with a stop to swim in the meandering Vipava river and finishing at a vineyard to enjoy a tasting experience.
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Culture is at the heart of this trip, as we travel through ancient vineyards on foot, in the water, by bicycle and by train and stay with families who have been tending the land for generations. Each evening, we will have the opportunity to enjoy wine made by our hosts, and learn about the characteristic Slovene varieties that are crafted here.
On our final evening, we will enjoy a special home-cooked meal, paired with local wine, looking back across the valley to celebrate our journey.
Winter Lakes.
Price: £1680
Single Room Supplement:
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Explore Slovenia’s winter beauty, as we hike, snowshoe, sledge and dip our way around it’s breathtaking mountain lakes. Alongside our daily journeys, this trip will be full of surprises that will be sure to inspire you!
We will be venturing out each day together for a journey on foot, and for a cold water dip, before heading back to our accommodation for comforting home-cooked food, saunas and good company.
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Cold water immersion is our inspiration for all of our winter swim spots. With easy access and breathtaking views, we will dip in alpine valley lakes surrounded by Slovenia’s winter mountains, before seeking the warmth of cosy fireplaces, hot chocolate, saunas and of course plenty of cake.
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Alongside our daily dips we will enjoy a winter walk. From Alpine valleys surrounded by snowy peaks, to upland pastures, with shepherds huts and views across the Julian Alps. If the conditions allow, you will be invited to have a go at snowshoeing, enabling us to play and explore away from the trails, finding animals tracks as we go, in forests home to bears, wolves and the elusive eurasian lynx.
No prior winter experience is needed for the hiking element of this trip, just a love of the outdoors and a good base level for enjoying hillwalking.
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Winter activities are incredibly popular in Slovenia, and we will embrace and experience the warmth of Alpine Culture on this adventure, visiting important cultural sites, such as one of the world’s largest ski jumps, where we can have a go at sledging to a nearby hut hidden at the end of the Tamar Valley. In the evenings we will enjoy hearty home-cooked food prepared by our welcoming hosts.
All of our accommodation is carefully selected by Mikaela to combine comfort, culture and delicious home-cooked food.
We often stay at a mix of working farms, small guesthouses and Alpine Cottages, giving you a real taste of Slovene culture and hospitality. The options above may be subject to change but the quality and character will always remain the same.
Accommodation
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Podobnik Farm
Idrija
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Apartments Reida
Kneža
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Residence Soča
Trenta
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Hostel Lukn'a
Mojstrana
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Majerija
Vipava Valley
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Glamping Zarja
Podkraj
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Čebron Family Estate
Preserje
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Garni Hotel Miklič
Kranjska Gora
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Ribno Alpine Hotel
Bled
Dates
2025
September 5th - 12th: Mountain Rivers. Fully Booked (waitlist available)
October 2nd - 9th: Bespoke with 2 places available. Contact me directly for more info.
November 7th - 14th: Wine Country.
2026
February 14th - 20th: Winter Lakes.
April 3rd - 10th: Wine Country.
June 5th - 12th: Mountain Rivers.
September 11th - 18th: Mountain Rivers.
October 8th - 12th: Bespoke Blue Tits trip. Contact for details.
November 6th-13th: Wine Country.
What's included?
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Inclusions
- All of your accommodation (with shared rooms) from arrival to departure.
- All of your meals
- Private transport throughout the trip
- Any technical equipment needs for example EBike and winter equipment rental.
- Fully guided experience with Mikaela
- Pre-trip Whatsapp support
- Local produce tasting opportunities
- A series of professional photographs
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Exclusions
- Flights
- Individual Insurance (We will require copies of this)
- Additional drinks and snacks
- Single room supplement available, for if you would prefer not to share a room. Where we are staying in apartments, you will likely have an individual bedroom but a shared bathroom.
Any Questions?
Visit my FAQ page for more info on flights, room-sharing, kit and more. Or contact me directly at Info@mtexplore.com
