Back to All Events

Crag Express: Slovenia 2026


Summer extension on the Slovenian cliffs!

Places filled: 12/12

Places are full! It is possible to register for the waiting list.

A trip for true climbing enthusiasts! Crag Express is a travel series that takes you to discover exciting crags all across Europe. This trip is perfect both for seasoned climbers and beginners who have never climbed outdoors before. All you need is the desire to climb and the ability to belay—we’ll teach you everything else on the spot.

If you're not ready to let go of summer yet, come extend your summer on the warm Slovenian cliffs! We'll take you to Western Slovenia and visit rocky verticals both above and below ground. We can also make detours to Italy and Croatia.

A unique trip in stunning Slovenia combines rock climbing and wild caving. When you're looking back at the end of 2026, you can cross off wild caving from your bucket list in addition to rock climbing!

And those who aren't interested in cave days can take 110% on the Slovenian cliffs.

We will spend a total of 6 full days at the cliffs. The plan is varied - those who want to can climb all days from morning to evening; those who want to can take a few days off, for example, to hike in Triglav National Park, visit a cave, or enjoy the local atmosphere in other ways.

We will be moving around with rental cars to explore as much as possible during these 6 days. We will be staying in a lovely accommodation near Pivka, which has cozy rooms with private bathrooms, and we have access to a garden, sun terrace and a shared kitchen where we can cook together in the evenings.

About the region

Slovenia is a country in southern Europe on the northeastern coast of the Adriatic Sea. The main part of the country is in the Eastern Alps region. Slovenia is half the size of Estonia, but it is incredibly diverse - the region includes the Alps, plus alpine lakes and rivers, world-class caves, the Adriatic Sea, and deep forests.

Slovenia has good sport routes, there are few multi-pitches, but they do exist. You can climb slabs, negatives, crimps, cracks, etc. Opportunity to visit neighboring Croatia or try climbing in Trieste (Italy).

In September, Slovenia is pleasantly warm for climbing, but not too hot. The daytime temperature remains around 22 degrees. At this time, the water is still warm enough to take a dip after climbing. You should bring warmer clothes to visit the caves, because regardless of the season, the temperature in the caves remains at 8 degrees.

NB! To come on the trip, you must be able to climb at least 6a routes with protection indoors.

It is not necessary to buy all the climbing equipment yourself (ropes, quickdraws, carabiners, slings), but you should gather the necessary equipment for at least a couple of people. Fortunately, there is also the option of using the ropes and quickdraws that are part of the group equipment, and there are plenty of them.

For those looking to challenge their rope skills, we have planned an exciting wild caving workshop in a wild cave deep in the forest. To feel safe and get the most out of the experience, you should have:

  • good physical shape (able to climb 15 m continuously on a support rope)

  • knowing how to descend and ascend on a support rope, you know the 2-point principle

If you feel that you are not the best rope climber, but you could figure it out and enjoy it, then definitely contact the guides! Together we will figure out how to best prepare you for the trip. In any case, there are plenty of opportunities to visit caves in Slovenia - you will not miss out on the experience even if you do not have the urge to go into a wild cave.


👉 SEE EQUIPMENT LIST here👈


Overview - short & sweet

Goal: rock climbing trip in Slovenia

Dates: 04.09 - 11.09.2026

Activities: rock climbing, wild caving

Adventure guides: Elen Laaneväli, Jaagup Kümmel

Technical difficulty level: 3/5 (required) lead security skills)

Physical difficulty: 1-3/5 (according to the goals you set for yourself)

Group size: min 10, max 12 (including 2 guides)

Trip price

Late registration (from 01.06.2026) — €1128

NB! Elamus+ community members get a 5–10% discount. Read more and check your discount eligibility. community members page.


Travel cost

Price includes

  • Wild caving and multi-pitch workshops on site

  • On-site guidance

  • Wild caving equipment

  • Accommodation throughout the trip

  • Rental car use and fuel throughout the trip

  • Stylish Elamus+ sports shirts

  • Group equipment: ropes, express, pharmacy, topo book

  • Memorable drone videos and camera photos of you climbing

Price does not include

  • Flight tickets to Ljubljana and back

  • Transport to and from Tallinn Airport

  • Meals (we cook together in the accommodation and split the costs between us)

  • Insurance (travel insurance and MANDATORY sport insurance suitable for climbing )

  • Personal hygiene products and medications

  • Personal climbing equipment: climbing shoes, climbing harness, helmet, safety device, self-belay device, carabiners, etc. (helmet and harness can also be rented if necessary) Elamus Pluss)

  • Extra excursions, transport, etc. (or if you want to do something extra, e.g. visit caves)

*For more information about a specific flight, please ask the adventure guides.


Registration for the trip

Before registering, please read travel conditions. To secure your place on the trip, a prepayment (20%) must be paid within 3 working days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by e-mail. If there are less than 30 days left until the trip, the total cost (100%) must be paid. Read more: frequently asked questions ja package tour information sheet.


Schedule

Day 1 (04.09): Voices on the plane

We meet early in the morning at Tallinn airport and take a flight together. Upon arrival in Slovenia, we pick up rental cars and drive an hour to our accommodation. On the way, we already get a feel for the landscape and some of the rocks are already a great climbing experience. However, we hold back and take the first day to settle in, stock up on food and make plans.

Day 2 (05.09): we will go over ropework skills

For those who have no previous experience with outdoor climbing or would like to refresh their skills, we can go over the basic skills (belaying, placing express, belaying, etc.). The rest can at the same time get acquainted with the Slovenian (or even Janja's own?) grading system and test themselves on their first rocks.

Days 3-6 (April 06-09.09): CLIMB!

In the evenings before, we plan together and set the next day's activities. Depending on the weather and mood, we will, for example, conquer the fortress in Črni Kal. The fortress is located at an altitude of 30 meters, which can be climbed in one section. If the weather happens to be hotter, we will drive to a crag in the forest, after which we will take a cooling dip in a cascade river hidden in the forest with its own waterfall. And if the weather is still not favorable at all, we will drive to the neighboring country of Croatia!

In addition to the cliffs, Slovenian nature has something else to offer. Slightly less than half of the area is made up of karst areas, which means over 14,000 caves, and you definitely have to visit some of them! It can be a couple of hours' visit to admire the mighty stalagmites, or a longer day-long boat adventure in the underground river, where you might even encounter an olme (a salamander that lives in water).

If the caves don't offer enough space, we can, if desired, take a longer hike in Triglav National Park to enjoy the Alps and the bright blue Soča glacial river, or relax by the Adriatic Sea.

Day 7 (10.09): Wild caving

There is one special gem left at the end of the trip. Let's go visit Damijan in his forest cabin. Damijan has a lot of experience cave explorer and professional cave rescuer. First, we drink coffee by the campfire, while Damijan will definitely share some exciting stories. Then we put on our belts and find out what he is talking about. Damijan explains the techniques needed for cave exploration, checks them with a keen eye in the training cave, and then we are ready to go into the cooler, narrower, and much muddier cave! Depending on our will and speed, we can go into the still-undiscovered Čaganka Cave, which is about 80 m deep. After visiting the cave, we have dinner together and share impressions.

Day 8 (11.09): Back to Estonia

We'll settle our equipment, pack up our things, and head back to Estonia, where we'll hopefully be greeted by warm autumn weather.

NB! The schedule and planned activities may be subject to minor (or major) changes — for example, due to weather and conditions or passenger requests.


Don't worry, let's do it!

I've never climbed natural rocks before. Can I still do it?! 

If you're not unfamiliar with at least belaying from above, you'll definitely get it! Rock climbing isn't much different from climbing indoor walls, the only difference is that instead of a predetermined path consisting of colorful blocks, you have to find a suitable rock curve for yourself by feeling it with your hands. Don't worry, we'll guide you on the spot in everything you need.

I really want to come on the trip, but I don't know how to do this security stuff. Can I still come?

However, you need to learn how to belay in order to be able to climb rocks. If you don't know how to do it yet, there are several options:

  1. In the climbing factory Complete green and red card training, which gives you the right to climb independently in indoor halls, but during the process you will also learn how to belay.

  2. Join Elamus+ with mountaineering training, where in addition to climbing, you can also learn the most important knots, solve rescue situations, and other exciting rope work. You will have time to learn belaying before the trip.

  3. It is also possible to take private training from us,in Tartuor in Tallinn.

But I don't have any personal climbing equipment. Where can I get it and what kind of equipment is suitable?

You can rent or buy climbing equipment. When renting or borrowing, keep a critical mind. Climbing equipment has a lifespan of 8-10 years. If you find used old equipment somewhere, it's worth remembering that your own life depends on it. If things seem decent, renting can really save you some money by bringing it with you for one trip. Elamus+ The equipment rented by us is safe and has already been inspected by the adventure guides, so there is no reason to worry when renting from us.

It is wise to definitely try the equipment on when buying. A climbing harness and slippers should be comfortable. A suitable rope for Sardinia is a 60-80 m long, weatherproof, and dynamic rope with a thickness of 9,5-10,5 mm. The thicker the rope, the harder it is to climb with it. However, a thicker rope has a longer lifespan.

If you are a confirmed visitor and are missing a few items that you need advice on purchasing, feel free to ask the tour guides for advice.

What's up? wild caving? Can I come on a trip if I have never been on one before?

Wild caving is an adventurous activity that involves exploring undeveloped caves, where there is no artificial lighting and no established walkways. Unlike tourist caves, you move here in a completely natural environment: you climb, crawl through narrow crevices, descend into vertical shafts, and navigate underground passages using only your own equipment and skills.

You don't need to have any previous experience with caving to come on the trip - you can learn it on site. And in fact, you can just visit the tourist caves if you want!

Read more also frequently asked questions.


Travel documents and footnotes

  • The participant is responsible for the validity and condition of their travel documents. For this trip you will need:

    • ID card/passport;

    • sports insurance suitable for climbing (read more on the FAQ page). A suitable sports insurance policy must be carried and is a prerequisite for participation in the trip;

    • travel insuranceNB! We recommend that you take out travel insurance immediately after receiving confirmation of your registration for the trip, so that longer-term health problems are also covered.

  • Plan your trip early and start training for it. If you've never been to rock climbing before, now is the time to familiarize yourself with the terms: eight-knot, express, station, backstep and safety equipment. It would be a shame if you couldn't come along just because you don't have safety skills. If necessary, we can arrange some private training to reinforce safety techniques when climbing a big wall. Read more FROM HERE. ;)

  • Although at the end of the day everyone is still responsible for their own actions and consequences, we do our best to mitigate the risks associated with climbing. As a result, the group leader has the right to make ongoing decisions about the competence of the participants, the suitability of their equipment, physical fitness, etc., and, if necessary, prohibit access to certain routes if it endangers the health of the group or the participant themselves. Hopefully, of course, there will be no need for this.

Read also travel conditions.


Contact

Adventure guides:

Elen Laaneväli

Phone : 5823 0710

Email: elen@elamuspluss.ee





Jaagup Kümmel

Phone : 5366 9741

Email: jaagup@elamuspluss.ee