Camino Vipava Valley

Our journey begins at Lavričev trg in Ajdovščina, a historic square filled with Roman heritage. We will move through this ancient Roman town, following the path along the peaceful Hubelj river. Then, we will cross the highway, marking the beginning of our ascent. We will pass by the quaint St. Pavel church first and then move towards the charming village of Planina, which boasts a stunning panorama from the local winery, Guerila. Our route will lead us uphill to Goče, known for its lovely old vinery cottages, before a brief descent to Podraga. Podraga will offer us yet another captivating view of the valley as we climb the hill towards Socerb, which a small hilltop church crowns. Finally, our last steps of the day will lead us downhill to the village of Podnanos, where Stage One concludes.

During Stage Two of our journey, we will embark on an exhilarating trek over the majestic Mount Nanos. The Nanos plateau offers us one of the best views of the Vipava Valley, a patchwork of vineyards, orchards, and quaint villages stretching as far as the eye can see. Our first prominent stop will be at Eko Hut Nanos. From there, we will head towards the famous Nanos Ridge, which will lead us to Vojkova Hut. Along the way, we will pass by a gigantic antenna receptor that dates back to Yugoslavian times. Mount Nanos is full of memories of World War 2 and was a battle place for the famous Nanos battle. We will continue trekking through the forest on Nanos until we reach Abram, a tourism farm, after approximately 2 hours. After that, we will continue walking through the forest on Nanos for another two hours before descending towards Vipava, our final stop of the day.  When we reach Vipava, we will pass by another interesting sight, the ruins of Vipava castle from the 12th century. And with that, our day will be done.

Embark on an electrifying expedition as we progress into the 3rd stage of our adventure, commencing from Vipava and traversing through Vrhpolje. Ascending to the Trnovo plateau, a majestic panorama unfolds, with one of the most breathtaking ridges, Angel’s Mountain, awaiting our exploration. Spanning an impressive 16 km, this panoramic journey takes us through the iconic Otlica window, where we unveil the captivating legend of a devil whose touch contributed to creating this natural wonder along the mountain ridge. Get ready to be captivated by the extraordinary tales and awe-inspiring landscapes that await on this thrilling leg of our expedition. Wrapping up the third stage, our journey culminates at the breathtaking Mount Čaven, serving as the picturesque finale to an enthralling expedition.

Our adventure progresses with Stage Four, taking us from the rough terrain of Čaven to the tranquil beauty of Saint Mountain. As we begin this part of our journey, we encounter a landscape abundant in natural marvels and historical importance. While trekking, we come across a cave from World War I, a reminder of the past conflicts that devastated this region. Our journey ends at Saint Mountain, a site that holds great spiritual significance and boasts of natural beauty. Legend has it that a little girl once saw Saint Mary at the top of this mountain, which led to the construction of a grand church in her honour.

During Stage Five of our journey, we will descend from the sacred heights of Saint Mountain to guide us through the village of Miren. Once we reach Solkan, we will be at the Italian border and see the famous river Soča under the Solkan bridge. This stage is an easy hike, and we will visit Europe Square, located at the border between Gorica (Italy) and Nova Gorica (Slovenia). After that, we will continue for about two hours until we arrive at Miren, which will be our last stop of the day, marking the end of day five of our journey.

For Stage 6 of our camino, our route will take us through the valley’s vineyards. During this stage, we will have the opportunity to visit the striking Cerje Monument, which stands on a hilltop and provides breathtaking panoramic views from the Adriatic Sea to Vipava Valley and further to Dolomites. This monument is a tribute to the sacrifices made during World War I. After that, we will head towards the picturesque village of Tabor, known for its charming architecture and tranquil ambiance. And finally, our destination for Stage Six is the charming settlement of Pedrovo, located amid the rolling hills of the Vipava Valley, and known for its traditional architecture and rustic charm. Pedrovo offers a serene escape from the hectic pace of city life.

On our last day, we will begin with a visit to the biggest castle in the Vipava Valley, the magnificent Castle Branik from the 13th century. This must-visit destination offers stunning views and has a rich history. After exploring the castle, we will proceed towards the local hiking trail called “Vrtovčeve poti”, named after a local priest named Matija Vrtovec, who taught local winemakers about wine-making in the 19th century. We will then head towards the ridge of Vrtovče Planina, which offers an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the region and witness some breathtaking panoramic views. For those who have extra time and energy, visiting Vipavski križ is an optional destination to consider at the end of this stage. From the majestic landscapes to the rich cultural heritage, the Vipava Valley will have left an indelible impression on our hearts, making this final day a fitting conclusion to our adventure.