25 marked hiking trails

Bela Krajina, the lowland corner of southeastern Slovenia between the Gorjanci hills and the Kolpa River, has a network of marked walking trails, around two dozen routes in all, that link its villages, vineyards, woods and riverbanks. The name means White March, usually explained by the birch trees whose pale bark gives the countryside a distinctive look. It is a gentle landscape of low hills, small fields, orchards and slow rivers, and the trails are mostly easy, so they suit walkers of all abilities, including families with children and those who prefer an unhurried outing to a mountain day.

The routes vary in length and character. Some are short educational loops with information boards, others are longer walks along the Kolpa, through the karst country of the Lahinja valley or over the hills toward the Gorjanci, and several pass farms, chapels and wine cellars. The trails follow farm tracks, forest paths and quiet lanes, so the walks are rarely strenuous, and they give a close view of a region that most visitors to Slovenia do not see. Markings are generally clear, and local tourist offices can provide maps and suggest routes by length and interest.

The Kučar–Kolpa educational trail near Podzemelj is among the best-known. It is a short circuit that climbs the hill of Kučar, where archaeologists have found traces of settlement from the Iron Age, along with the remains of a Roman and early Christian complex on the summit. From the hill there are broad views over the Kolpa valley, the fields and the villages on the Croatian side of the river, and the trail starts near a campsite beside the river. Many of the finds from the hill are on show at the Bela Krajina Museum in Metlika, which makes a good follow-up visit and also presents the region's folk culture, including painted Easter eggs and embroidered costumes.

Other trails lead into the Lahinja Landscape Park, a protected river landscape known for birds and wetland plants, and to places such as the community vineyard cottage at Drašiči, local honey producers, the oil mill at Pekarič and the Šokčev Dvor farm at Žuniči, so a walk can easily include a taste of local products. There are also many cycling routes in the same area.

The trails suit walkers, families, birdwatchers and anyone who enjoys quiet countryside. Spring and autumn are the best seasons, with comfortable temperatures and colour in the woods, while summer can be hot but has the river for a swim. Bring water, wear sturdy shoes and ask locally about current conditions.