Covid measures in Italy

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity. We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Italy, please refer to the Italian Ministry of Health websites. Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!

What you get on this adventure: An experienced, local rock-climbing guide with extensive knowledge of the area 1 day of hiking Transportation from and to Trieste Entrance fee to the Grotta Gigante What’s not included: Meals and snacks Transportation to Italy Accommodations prior and after the trip Medical insurance Expenses and personal extras Anything not expressly mentioned above

How fit do I need to be?

This one-day hiking adventure is ideal for hikers with excellent fitness and mobility. The hike is 11.4km (7 miles) long – you can expect about 3 hours of walking with up to +310 meters (1020 ft) in elevation. The visit to Grotta Gigante consists of 500 steps down and 500 steps back up, so make sure you work on your endurance and fitness before the trip. Keep in mind, the weather in summer can be very hot and you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.

What do I need to bring?

Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring: Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag) Hiking poles — optional Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity) Lightweight hiking boots or shoes Spare clothes for layering A sweater or sweatshirt (the temperature inside the cave is a constant 11°C all year round) Waterproof rain jacket Sunhat Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.) Headlamp or flashlight Sunglasses Camera — optional (but recommended) Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

Group sizes and age requirements

Group sizes and prices: For this group adventure, the usual client to guide ratio is 6:1, with groups of up to 12 people. It takes a minimum of 2 people for a tour to operate. All cost is per person. The cost decreases as the group grows, making this the perfect opportunity to hike with your friends and family! Hiking can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements. Min. age requirements: If you are older than 18, you’re good to go. Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian. If your group has hikers under the age of 18 , contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

Getting there and meeting location

To get to Trieste, most people fly into Venice Marco Polo International Airport. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service to Trieste, just an hour and a half away. Other options include flying directly into Trieste Airport or to Milan Malpensa International Airport 4 hours away. Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, usually at the Piazza Oberdan. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.

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KARST PLATEAU | ITALY

Hiking through the Karst and the Grotta Gigante

View of the Monrupino Church in Monrupino near Trieste, Italy

Intro
Itinerary
Brochure
Things to know

Duration

1 day

Season

Year-round

Group size

Up to 12 people

The Karst plateau extending across the border of southwestern Slovenia and northeastern Italy hides a myriad of breathtaking places and natural treasures waiting to be explored. The area is known for its caves including the largest show cave in the world — Grotta Gigante, which has been registered in the Guinness Book of Records since 1995! The cave contains many mesmerizing and large stalactites and stalagmites formed by water dripping from up to 80 m (260 ft). It also presents a challenge to visitors, boasting 500 stairs leading to a depth of 100 meters (329ft). The area also has a rich and long history as well as some real hiking gems, such as the Mount Lanaro which overlooks most of the plateau and offers stunning vistas reaching even the Adriatic sea! The shady woods and roads connecting regions and cultures can offer something for everyone, especially hikers looking for uncrowded trails full of historical sites and natural wonders!

Adventure highlights

Enjoy limitless views, record-breaking caves, and the Sanctuary in Monrupino
This plateau is also one of the biodiverse natural habitats in Europe
Explore astonishing caves, intermittent rivers, sinkholes and other karst phenomena

Itinerary

Download itinerary

Explore the magic of the wonderful Karst plateau on this one-day guided hike. Visit the Sanctuary of Monrupino, made of stones that have borne witness to stories for more than three thousand years! Pass a pleasant stretch of woodland and the nearby Mount Lanaro that boasts breathtaking panoramas encompassing the Karst plateau, the Adriatic and the mountains of the Slovenian hinterland. Last but not least, visit the Grotta Gigante, and discover a well-lit trail to a depth of 100 metres leading to the magical underground world of the Karst.

Hiking through the Karst and the Grotta Gigante

Adventure Brochure

Brochure sent, check your inbox

If you have questions or need help with planning a trip, schedule a call with one of our adventure experts.

Meet your guide

5.00

MaroWays

Despite travelling the world, Martina and Roberto, the founders of MaroWays, have always been drawn back to the wonderful landscapes of Slovenia and Italy. Born and raised in this culturally diverse setting, they are very connected with the history and environment of this area. Throughout their travels, they have accumulated knowledge, experienced emotions and lived through new experiences. They cannot wait to share their homeland with you and reveal its riches and hidden gems!

Things to know

57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.

We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Italy, please refer to the Italian Ministry of Health websites.

Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get on this adventure:
- An experienced, local rock-climbing guide with extensive knowledge of the area
- 1 day of hiking
- Transportation from and to Trieste
- Entrance fee to the Grotta Gigante
What’s not included:
- Meals and snacks
- Transportation to Italy
- Accommodations prior and after the trip
- Medical insurance
- Expenses and personal extras
- Anything not expressly mentioned above
This one-day hiking adventure is ideal for hikers with excellent fitness and mobility. The hike is 11.4km (7 miles) long – you can expect about 3 hours of walking with up to +310 meters (1020 ft) in elevation. The visit to Grotta Gigante consists of 500 steps down and 500 steps back up, so make sure you work on your endurance and fitness before the trip. Keep in mind, the weather in summer can be very hot and you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
- Day pack large enough to carry all the items listed (around a 25-40L bag)
- Hiking poles — optional
- Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
- Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
- Spare clothes for layering
- A sweater or sweatshirt (the temperature inside the cave is a constant 11°C all year round)
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Sunhat
- Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)
- Headlamp or flashlight
- Sunglasses
- Camera — optional (but recommended)
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Group sizes and prices:
- For this group adventure, the usual client to guide ratio is 6:1, with groups of up to 12 people.
- It takes a minimum of 2 people for a tour to operate.
- All cost is per person. The cost decreases as the group grows, making this the perfect opportunity to hike with your friends and family!
Hiking can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

Min. age requirements:
- If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
- Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Trieste, most people fly into Venice Marco Polo International Airport. From there, you can rent a car or take a shuttle service to Trieste, just an hour and a half away. Other options include flying directly into Trieste Airport or to Milan Malpensa International Airport 4 hours away.

Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, usually at the Piazza Oberdan. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
Day Trips Cancellations
Fully refundable within the initial 48 hours from booking, unless the trip date is less than 7 days from the time of the booking.
Cancellations up to 7 days prior to the trip date are refundable 100%.
Cancellations within 7 days prior to the trip date are non-refundable.