HIGHLANDER - Adventure of a Lifetime

MANDATORY GEAR

All mandatory equipment will be checked at the start, before the start of the event.

BACKPACKING GEAR LIST

Tent or bivouac sack or hammock and waterproof tarp
Sleeping bag (not required if bringing bivouac sack)
Sleeping pad (not required if bringing bivouac sack with a built-in sleeping pad)
Head torch / flashlight
Cookware & cutlery
Water purification tablets or drops or filter
Backpacking stove
Minimum 4L / 1 gallon of water on start
Hydration bladder or water bottles with a minimum total volume of 4L
Warm clothing and footwear suitable for terrain and conditions
Compass
First-aid KIT
Survival blanket
Trash bag (provided by organizer)

SHARED EQUIPMENT

Some of the equipment can be shared in a group of maximum 4 people; however, the group must cross the Finish Line within a time difference of no more than 30 minutes from the first to the last group member.

Participants sharing equipment must inform the organizing staff at Registration - Event week. Staff may check equipment before the event start. Participants missing required equipment, either at the start or during the event, will be disqualified and will not be eligible to receive a HIGHLANDER Pin, Patch, and Certificate.

Tent
Portable stove and canister
Compass
First-aid KIT

REGISTRATION INCLUDES

You can leave your additional luggage with us.

Leave it at the Check-in and collect it after you finish. Please note that the Organizer is not responsible for any of your valuable items.

"All inclusive" event (organisation, routes, campsites, food, etc).
5DAY format: Transportation from finish in Kobarid to Bohinjska Bistrica using shuttle and public transport (tickets and timetables will be distributed)
3DAY format: Transportation from finish in Kobarid to Most na Soči.
Luggage transportation (60 L/20 kg) from start to finish
Food package and water at checkpoints (dehydrated food, cold cuts, cheese, bread, ready meals)
HIGHLANDER ID – detailed itinerary showing checkpoint (with dedicated checkpoint stamp areas)
HIGHLANDER Maps – detailed maps of the route
Hiker tag, Luggage tag, and other Kit items
HIGHLANDER Pin
HIGHLANDER Patch
HIGHLANDER Certificate
Educational and leisure activities
Infrastructure provided at the start, finish, checkpoints and along the route

*Participants may make private transportation arrangements to Bohinjska Bistrica and may stay longer in Kobarid and Soča valley.

VIOLATION OF THE RULES

Participants will not receive the HIGHLANDER Pin, Patch, or Certificate in any of the stated circumstances

Littering
If groups the teams sharing gear reach the finish line more than 30 minutes apart
Preventing staff from verifying that gear meets requirements
Missing required gear
Fire starting
Sleeping or cooking in mountain lodges, huts or other accommodation facilities
Borrowing equipment from the same facilities
Bivouacking outside of the designated camps

FOOD

HIGHLANDER Slovenia offers meat and vegetarian options. Gluten-free options can be offered in agreed with organiser in advance.

Provided meals will be handed out in small packages suitable for carrying in backpacks. Each participant will receive three meals per day. Meal sizes are suited to adult persons. There is a specific field in the registration form that includes diet preferences.

We all have unique eating habits and feel full at different rates, so if you need additional food / have a special diet, please bring it with you. If you are participating with your dog please bear in mind dog food is not provided.

Food for HIGHLANDER Hercules 5DAY

START: Bohinj - lunch and a snack for day 1 (bring your own water for starting day, it is a long hike!)

CP 1: Podbrdo - food package for one day, water, black coffee
CP 2: Kneške ravne - food package for one day, water, black coffee
CP 3: Campsite Siber, Tolmin - food package for one day, warm meal for dinner, water, black coffee
CP 4: Livek: a food package for half day, water, black coffee
FINISH: Kobarid: *stew for extra charge after crossing the finish line
We advise all participants to bring snacks; nuts, dried fruits etc. On the trail you will pass food stores in Tolmin.

Food for HIGHLANDER 3DAY will be delivered to checkpoints in the following manner:

START: Most na Soči- lunch and a snack for day 1 (bring your own water for starting day, it is a long hike!)
CP 1: Campsite Siber, Tolmin - food package for one day, warm meal for dinner, water, black coffee
CP 2: Livek: a food package for half day, water, black coffee
FINISH: Kobarid: *stew for meals for extra charge after crossing the finish line
We advise all participants to bring snacks; nuts, dried fruits etc. On the trail you will pass food stores in Tolmin.

WATER

You must have to bring your own water to the Start (minimum 3 litres).

It is important to stay hydrated so please make sure to carry enough water with you at all times.

Plenty of drinking water will be available at all checkpoints. Mountain water is generally safe for drinking. Complimentary soft drinks will be handed out at certain checkpoints.

BIVOUACKING AND SITES:

Wild camping is forbidden in Slovenia.

The Organizer will designate bivouacking spots nearby Checkpoints. During their night rest, participants need to stay at the specifically marked camp areas (at Checkpoints). Participants who fail to reach marked camp areas can choose their bivouacking spot on site (but only in case of emergency).

Sleeping arrangements may include only the required gear: tent, tarp, bivouac sack, or hammock.

TIME LIMITS

HIGHLANDER is not a race but it does have a time limit.

All participants who collected all stamps and came to finish by the time of the finish closing, will receive their HIGHLANDER Pin, Patch and Certificate.

FIRE

Campfires are not permitted in the wilderness.

LITTERING AND WASTE

Wastebaskets will be placed at some checkpoints and at the start and finish areas.

Littering and polluting are strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disqualification.

Participants may use the lavatories available at checkpoints, huts, hotels, etc.

When relieving in nature, feces must be buried or covered with mud or stones well outside camping sites, buildings, and hiking trails. Failing to do so will result in immediate disqualification. Participants will be denied the HIGHLANDER Hercules Finisher Badge and Certificate.

DOGS

We are a dog-friendly event

$0No extra registration fee required

The route is demanding for dogs, there can be heath and rocky path. Please reconsider if your dog is in used to walk terrain like that.
Dogs must be on a leash at all times
There is no extra registration fee
You should carry the dog food with you
Please note: dogs must be used to sleep in crowd and not make noices during the night.

WITHDRAWING

In circumstances of no cellular coverage; serious injury or inability to walk must be reported at the nearest checkpoint through other participants or controllers.

If cellular service is available, serious injury or inability to walk must be reported to emergency services by dialing 112. In the most urgent and life threatening situations, it is important to adhere to the instructions and call 112 instead of family members and partners.

If withdrawing for reasons other than serious injury, the event organizer must be informed about withdrawal immediately. Participants must reach a road or train station BY THEMSELVES and return to Bohinjska Bistrica or to the closest checkpoint.

If you have to withdraw, the easiest way is to return to the starting point by train from the railway station in Podbrdo (5DAY-1st checkpoint) or when you reach Tolmin (3rd checkpoint). Withdrawing between the 5DAY - 1st and 3rd checkpoint is more challenging as the area is poorly accessible. In case of withdrawing between Most na Soči and the finish line in Kobarid (e.g. in Livek or Kolovrat) you can use local HOP ON HOP OFF buses to reach finish line or main bus station (more information at https://www.soca-valley.com/sl/dolina-soce / sustainable-mobility/).

The organizer has no obligation towards the participants who decide to withdraw. Participants are responsible for making their own transportation arrangements. However, please consult the event director if we can offer some help.

THE ORGANIZER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE RULES AND T&Cs.

SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability Guidelines for HIGHLANDER Julian Alps 2026

The HIGHLANDER Julian Alps event aims to serve as a model for sustainable outdoor sports events, minimizing environmental impact and promoting eco-friendly behavior. The main guidelines include:

Sustainable Mobility – encouraging participants to use public transport and carpooling; parking areas will be designed to minimize environmental disturbance.
Zero Plastic Bottle Policy – a completely plastic-free event; participants use reusable bottles, with water refill points provided along the route.
Sustainable Food Distribution – use of natural materials for serving food (wooden bowls, ladles); all meals are locally sourced and traditionally prepared.
Minimal Plastic Branding – use of reusable textile and wooden materials for banners and decorations instead of plastic.
Personal Utensils – participants are encouraged to bring their own utensils and cookware to reduce waste.
Eco-Friendly Souvenirs – awards and merchandise made from natural materials, such as wooden medals.

The goal is for HIGHLANDER Julian Alps to become a benchmark sustainable event that respects and preserves the natural environment.

MANDATORY ON - SITE CHECK-IN

Few days before the start you will receive an email which will include your BIB number and the QR code that you will be asked for at the Mandatory Check-in. You will also sign a waiver and go through equipment overview (equipment marked with * is shared by UP TO 4 people) walking together.

SAFETY HEALTH &

Julian Alps and HIGHLANDER route can be inaccessible, and communications can be patchy. In case of injury, you will need to notify HIGHLANDER staff at checkpoints and/or call emergency services by calling 112 (as described in your HIGHLANDER ID received at registration).

Checkpoints are positioned to allow vehicle access. Consult checkpoint staff in case of a mild injury or if withdrawing from HIGHLANDER. However, organiser is not offering/ensuring any kind of transfer. The nearest public transport and nearest town/village in different areas will be presented in Highlander ID (booklet).

Staff will call or text you if you do not show up at the checkpoint during opening hours. If you are unavailable, we will NOT start a search and rescue. Search, and rescue will be launched by the appropriate services only in cases of immediate danger to a participant’s life or health.