Trek Slovenia for Grief Encounter
Embrace the Adventure, Support the Journey of Healing
Challenge Overview
Join us from 14th to 18th October for an unforgettable five-day journey, with three days of trekking, through the heart of Slovenia’s Julian Alps. This moderate-difficulty adventure supports Grief Encounter's mission to aid bereaved children and young people. Challenge Central and Grief Encounter invite you to be part of this extraordinary event.
Our Partnership
Challenge Central's collaboration with Grief Encounter is a testament to our shared dedication to making a difference in the lives of those coping with loss. Your participation directly contributes to this vital cause.
The Slovenia Experience
>> Breathtaking Landscapes: Experience the Julian Alps' stunning valleys, pristine lakes and majestic peaks.
>> Expert Guides: Our team ensures a safe, supportive and enriching trekking experience.
>> Achievement and Purpose: Completing this trek is not only a personal achievement but also a step toward helping those in need.
Join the Cause
1. Register: Sign up for a life-changing challenge.
2. Fundraise: Help raise crucial funds for Grief Encounter's programs.
3. Prepare for Adventure: Gear up for a moderate trek that promises both challenge and reward.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Visit Grief Encounter’s Slovenia Trek Challenge, to start your journey and support Grief Encounter’s remarkable work.
DAY 1 – Meet in Slovenia
The challenge starts with overnight accommodation in the heart of Slovenia; Kranjska Gora. Participants are free to arrive at the accommodation at their leisure and relax before the challenge begins on Day 2.
There will be a welcome dinner and event briefing at 19:00. This is a very relaxed and informal evening where we like to get everybody together to meet one another before the Challenge starts on day 2.
DAY 2 – Jasna Valley
Your first walk will take you via a trail to the end of Jasna Valley. Emerging at the other end is the glorious mountain vista of the Prisank and Razor Mountains. Upon return, you can visit the Russian Chapel, a touching monument dedicated to Russian POVs’ who died during WW1 while building the military road over Vrsic Pass.
Walking for the day: 17km, 5-6h, ↑460m
DAY 3 – 3 Countries Border Point
This walk takes you along forest and mountain meadows to the summit of Mt. Pe (1508m) and the triple border point where the borders of Slovenia, Italy and Austria meet. At the top, you can soak up the dramatic views across the Julian and Carnian Alps, with the Hohe Tauern, the highest alpine range in Austria, forming a picturesque background. The trail then descends through the valley to the source of the mighty Sava River, the longest in Slovenia, back to Kranjska Gora.
Walking for the day: 18km, 6h, ↑520m, ↓730m
DAY 4 – Walk to be confirmed.
The exact details of the walk are still being finalised but you'll be once again exploring this amazing country with a final day to remember. After the event is finished, you'll be invited for a celebratory drink and meal to cap an incredible week.
DAY 5 – And we're done!
The challenge is now over and you will be required to make your own arrangements. You may decide to meet up with friends and family or just stay on for a few days and have a weekend to remember in beautiful Slovenia.
What’s included:
>> Support Vehicle
>> Leaders/Guides
>> 4 x Nights Accommodation in 3* accommodation (based on twin rooms shared or double bed occupancy. There is the option to upgrade to single occupancy during the booking process)*
>> 4 x Breakfasts
>> Welcome Dinner - Day 1
>> Light Refreshments & Fluids during the walks
What’s not included:
>> Equipment/Clothing
>> Personal Insurance
>> Food / Drink (aside from those mentioned in inclusions)
>> Air Flights before and after the challenge
>> Shuttle to and from the Airport (available as an extra during the booking process)
The challenge cost is based on participants sharing a twinned room. Unless informed otherwise we will place partners and joint bookings together wherever possible. We will of course only pair together same sex participants.
If you prefer to stay in a room on your own, you can select the single occupancy option during your booking.
All Challenge Central events require a minimum participation level to operate. On very rare occasions if this level is not reached with 3 months to go, we may unfortunately have to cancel the challenge date. Bookings can either be refunded in full or transferred to another Challenge Central event within the next 18 months.
Please find our full Terms and Conditions here.
By signing up for this walk, you have two options about how it's paid for, all whilst raising money for the fabulous Grief Encounter Charity.
Option 1: Sign up and pay the £300 registration fee and commit to raise a minimum of £2,400, Grief Encounter will then pay your entire balance.
Option 2: Choose to self-fund the challenge and pay both the £300 registration and £800 deposit, and commit to raising a minimum of just £800.
The team in charge over the course of the challenge, whilst ensuring it's safe and professionally run, will also be with you every step of the way making for an extremely enjoyable and social event.
You can expect lots of fun and games when not walking, for example, early morning exercise classes to get you warmed up and in the mood, fun and inclusive evening quizzes and games and even those invigarating 'cold water dips'! You never feel more alive than the immediate moments after plunging yourself into a cold water lake!!
With lots of suggestions of local attractions, walks and things to do in your downtime, you'll be sure to have the most amazing adventure with like minded people, making loads of friends and memories along the way - all whilst making a difference for the incredible charity; Grief Encouter.
Clothing:
>> Walking Socks
>> Waterproof Socks
>> Walking Boots
>> Base Layers – Shorts, Tights, Upper Body
>> Walking Trousers
>> Walking / Wind Proof Jacket
>> Rain Jacket
>> Fleece or Warm Jumper
>> Hat, Gloves, Balaclava
>> Spare Walking Clothes
Other Clothing:
>> Casual Clothing (for when not trekking)
>> Shoes / Trainers / Flip Flops (for when not trekking)
Luggage / Packing Equipment:
>> Day Back Pack (to take on the walk. This would be a Personal Preference regarding which size however 40-45L in our opinion would be fine - Example)
>> Packing Sacks and Dry Sacks
>> Holdall (for everything left in the support vehicle)
>> Plastic Bag (for wet clothes)
>> Camelbak / Water Bottle (This would be a Personal Preference regarding which size Camelbak however 2L in our opinion would be fine - Example)
Walking Equipment:
>> Head Torch & Spare Batteries
>> Mini First Aid Kit, Pain Killers, Blister Plasters, and Vaseline
>> Insect Repellent, Sun Cream, Sun Glasses
>> Whistle, Compass
>> Mobile Phone
Hygiene & Health:
>> Toiletries
>> Bath Towel, Hand Towel, Flannel
>> Toilet Roll
>> Prescribed Medication (if applicable)
>> Anti-Nausea Tablets/Bands (for the road journey between mountains)
Nutrition (suggestions only):
Mountain Nutrition:
>> Energy Bars, Nuts, Seeds, Dry Fruit
>> Malt Loaf, Banana Cake, Jelly Babies, Trex Bars
Post Mountain Nutrition:
>> Protein Shake
>> Protein / Recovery Bars
>> **Soup, Porridge, Pot Noodles, Quick Sports Meals, Oats So Simple
**We do not supply any food on the trip but do provide hot water which can be used for a whole range of items.
Other Optional Equipment:
>> Walking Poles
>> Neck Pillow, Eye Mask, Ear Plugs (to help with sleep during the road journey between mountains)
>> Camera
>> **Maps
>> **Emergency Equipment – Silver Blanket, Survival Bag
**All of our guides will have Emergency Equipment and Maps with them.
Physical fitness and walking experience are both very important however the ethos of Challenge Central is to take on a challenge, not to be the quickest. The challenge is as tough mentally as it is physically. You will suffer from sleep deprivation, fatigue and possibly be faced with some rather challenging weather conditions, however these all help to make the challenge such an amazing adventure! The weekend isn’t easy but it is fun, rewarding and challenging. If you are tough on the inside, your outside will catch up.
Preparation for the challenge must be taken seriously and we encourage participants to undertake physical activity for at least 3 months before the event. All challengers will receive a plan to help support with their training.
The best and most relevant training you can do would be to walk up and down mountains or hills. We appreciate that this is not always possible due to location however anything with a gradient will help prepare you for the real thing.
If you do not have access to any hills then you can create your own in the gym. Walk up hills on the treadmill, take steps on the climber or go up and down stairs. Any movement that involves stepping up is beneficial. Failing the first two training options, the next best thing would be to improve the strength of muscles required in the challenge. Performing exercises such as squats, lunges and step ups will help increase the strength of your leg muscles. You can progress by holding weights to increase intensity. We recommend you speak to your gym instructor if you are unsure.
We do not supply food on the trip however you will have access to hot water which can be used to heat foods such as soup, Quick Sports Meals and porridge. If you are completing the challenge.
We recommend you bring food that is energy dense, light to carry and easy to eat on the mountains. We will be making regular stops at service stations whilst driving between mountains where you will be able to purchase food.
Of course not! In the past we have tried to keep participants together in large or small groups but have found that participants enjoy the challenge more if they can go at their own pace whether that be faster or slower than the average. No one is allowed to walk on their own but we do allow you to trek in smaller groups of 2 or more where applicable.
We will always have a leader right at the front and a mountain guide at the back of the group to show the way. Challengers are not permitted to overtake the front leader or fall behind the back guide. Commonly this results in 3 smaller groups; a front group, back group and one in the middle. No one will be forced to walk faster or slower than they are able to.
We will provide enough tap water for the entire weekend however you of course can bring your own alternative sources of hydration with you. Keeping up your fluid intake is very important; before, during and after each mountain.
| Time before start of the challenge | Deposit refund |
| More than 3 Months | 50% Refund of Price Paid (excluding challenge deposit) OR Transfer to Another Event within 18 months (excluding challenge deposit) |
| Between 1-3 Months | 0% Refund HOWEVER Transfer to Another Event within 18 months (excluding challenge deposit) |
| Less than 1 Month | 0% Refund AND No Transfer |
Please refer to section 9 of our Terms & Conditions for full details.
Any lost property can be collected from our HQ in Letchworth, Hertfordshire or we can post the belongings out to you. If posted, please note you will be charged P&P plus a £10 admin fee in advance of the items being delivered. Please refer to 6.5 in our Terms & Conditions.
We strongly recommend anyone who has a medical condition should seek approval from their GP / Consultant before signing up to a challenge. When registering for the event, you are agreeing to be fit and healthy enough to take part.
The Health and safety of all participants and members of staff are paramount to us. Depending on the type and severity of your condition, we may require a letter from a medical professional stating that you are fit enough to undergo the activity. Please refer to 6.6 in our Terms & Conditions.
Yes, Challenge Central has public liability insurance. This covers us for the costs of legal fees resulting from claims of negligence against Challenge Central. If you would like to view a copy, please get in contact.
Our insurance does not cover participants personally if Challenge Central is not at fault.