Julian Alps Peak Walk

8 days

Duration

Challenging

Difficulty

Slovenia

Location

July-September

Availability

Stunning hiking trails among the peaks of the Triglav National Park

Pass beneath the rugged summit of Slovenia’s highest peak, Mount Triglav

Stay in traditional alpine mountain huts and taste the local homemade honey brandy

Visit seven glacial lakes in the Triglav National Park, including the serene Lake Bled

Take a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Bohinj

Self-guided hiking in the Julian Alps

This is a stunning mountain hike amid the rugged and breathtaking alpine scenery of the Triglav National Park. Following high trails through the Julian Alps, you will stay in traditional mountain huts amid the high peaks.

Your trip begins at the shores of the beautiful Lake Bled and ends at Slovenia’s largest lake, Lake Bohinj. In between, you will enjoy some thrilling hut-to-hut hiking days in the high mountains of the Julian Alps. You will hike through narrow gorges, meadows and traditional mountain villages and enjoy stunning views from the mountain passes and ridges. The tour is suitable for fit and experienced walkers. It requires some basic experience of walking along narrow trails in the high mountains. This tour is not suitable for children under 12 years.

8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS

€920 per person sharing*

*A supplement charge will apply to solo walkers.

ACCOMMODATION

Four nights in 3* or 4* hotels in double rooms; three nights in mountain huts in dormitories, bed & breakfast.

Please note that bed linen in the mountain huts is not included and needs to be paid for locally (typically around €6 per hut).

AVAILABILITY

You can start on any day of the week, subject to availability, between July 6^th and September 14^th.

INCLUDED

4 nights in 3* or 4* hotels in double rooms
3 nights in mountain huts in dormitories
7 x breakfasts
Day 2: transfer from Bled to the Pokljuka Plateau
Luggage transfers between hotels
Detailed route notes and maps (in electronic form)
GPS tracks
Local tourist and other taxes
Backup service (hotline) during the walk

NOT INCLUDED

Flights and travel insurance
Transport to Bled and from Bohinj
Luggage transport on days 3-5 (not possible in the high mountains – you must carry what you need in your day pack on these days)
Lunches & dinners
Bed linen in mountain huts (approx. €6 per hut)
Personal expenses (drinks, phone calls, tips, etc.)

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Additional nights before, during or after the walk
Printed route notes and maps on arrival (€30)
Personal welcome meeting on arrival (€30)
Single room supplement (only available in hotels)
Transfer between Ljubljana airport and Bled (€75 for 1-3 people or €105 for 4-8 people)
Transfer between Bohinj and Ljubljana airport (€130 for 1-3 people or €170 for 4-8 people)

DIFFICULTY / TERRAIN

The difficulty level of this trip is rated as challenging overall. This is an alpine hike in the heart of the Julian Alps and along its mountain peaks. The terrain can be rough and exposed in places. The tour is suitable for fit and experienced walkers. You can expect long walking days and challenging ascents and descents. It requires some basic experience of walking at high mountain levels and along narrow trails. This tour is not suitable for children under 12 years.

Trail type: 95% alpine and mountain hiking paths.
Surface: 97% unpaved.

Day 1: Arrival in Bled

Bled is a popular and picturesque lakeside town with a combination of natural wonders and unique culture and history. A hike around the lake takes about 1 hour. You can reach the famous island church on the lake by a special boat called “Pletna”, or you can visit Bled Castle and its fascinating museum.

If you wish, you can book an extra night in Bled to have more time to explore this magical region. The surrounding area offers plenty of excellent hiking opportunities, including a walk to the stunning Vintgar Gorge. There is a 1600-metre-long wooden walkway leading along thundering rapids to the Šum waterfall, from which you can hike a trail to the Church of St. Catherine. From here it’s about 4 km back to Lake Bled.

Bled is easily accessible by public transport from Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, just 55km (1hr) away.

Overnight: Bled, 4* hotel.

Day 2: Bled – Pokljuka

Distance: 14 km | Ascent: 710 m | Descent: 620 m | Walking time: 6 hrs approx.

Starting in the verdant woodlands of the Pokljuka high plateau (1280 m), today’s walk leads you over fertile mountain pastures, through dense fir forests up to the traditional Lipanska Hut for a hearty hikers’ lunch. Then it’s onwards through the sweeping vistas of the Karavanke range, Pokljuka plateau, Krma valley and Bohinj mountains to the Pokljuka Biathlon Centre.

Overnight: Pokljuka, 3* hotel

Day 3: Pokljuka – Planika Hut

Distance: 12 km | Ascent: 1,140 m | Descent: 110 m | Walking time: 7 hrs approx.

Today it’s into the heart of the Triglav National Park and Julian Alps. The trail slowly ascends to Vodnikov Dom hut, with glorious views of Mt. Triglav (Slovenia’s highest mountain at 2864 m) and its neighbouring peaks. You will spend the night at Planika hut, right underneath Triglav.

Overnight: Planika mountain hut

*Today Your main luggage will be collected at Pokljuka hotel and delivered to your hotel in Bohinj, which you will reach on day six. It is therefore necessary to pack what you need to carry with you for the next 3 nights in the mountains.

Day 4: Planika Hut – Koča Pri Triglavskih Jezerih

Distance: 11 km | Ascent: 230 m | Descent: 910 m | Walking time: 6 hrs approx.

After a hearty breakfast, your day starts with a walk across the Hribarice pass (2358 m). Stop and admire the beauty of one of the Park’s seven lakes, Zeleno Jezero (Green Lake). Continuing along the trail, you will enjoy beautiful views into the Valley of the Triglav Lakes. A further three-hour hike brings you to your overnight accommodation at Koča pri Triglavskih Jezerih mountain hut on the shore of Double Lake.

Overnight: Koča pri Triglavskih Jezerih mountain hut

Day 5: Koča Pri Triglavskih Jezerih – Komna Hut

Distance: 8 km | Ascent: 130 m | Descent: 300 m | Walking time: 3 hrs approx.

Walking in a westerly direction you will reach Black Lake – the lowest-lying and warmest of the seven Triglav lakes. It is named for its location in a basin in the middle of the forest, which stretches right to the edge of the Komarča rock face. Your day ends at the traditional Komna hut, with stunning views of Lake Bohinj at sunset.

Overnight: Komma mountain hut

Day 6: Komna Hut - Ribčev Laz / Bohinj Valley

Distance: 16 km | Ascent: 60 m | Descent: 1,050 m | Walking time: 5 hrs approx.

The first part of your walk takes you to Savica Waterfall, one of the most famous and popular in Slovenia. An alpine karst spring flows to the top of the waterfall and then cascades 78 meters and subsequently feeds the mighty Lake Bohinj. Then you can ascend Mt. Vogel (1532 m) with a cable car and enjoy a panoramic view of the Julian Alps over a piping hot stew. A walk along the northern shore of Bohinj lake will bring you to Ribčev Laz village, where you can warm your blood with delicious homemade brandy and schnapps in the local bars.

Overnight: Lake Bohinj, 4* hotel. Your main luggage will be waiting for you on arrival.

Day 7: Circular walk in the Upper Bohinj Valley

Distance: 13 km | Ascent: 480 m | Descent: 480 m | Walking time: 5 hrs approx.

Time to rest and enjoy a day at the lake, or take an additional hike to the upper Bohinj valley. Through idyllic villages you climb to the Rudnica hill, which dominates the valley and offers a fantastic farewell view of the lake and the mountains you have hiked during your week in the Julian Alps.

Overnight: Lake Bohinj, 4* hotel.

Day 8: Departure from Ribčev Laz

The tour ends with a hearty breakfast, after which you are free to do as you please.

Arrival in Bled

	The closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). From the airport you can travel to Bled by bus (change once, takes about 2 hrs) or book airport transfers in advance (faster): Ljubljana Airport to Bled 65 EUR for 1-3 people or 85 EUR for 4-8 people.
	Bled has two railway stations: Lesce Bled on the Villach – Ljubljana mainline, 4 km from town centre, you’d need to take a local bus. The other option is Bled Jezero on the Jesenice – Nova Gorica sideline; only a few trains a day. 2 km away from town centre, we can arrange a pickup from here.
	Flixbus stops at Lake Bled.
	If travelling by car, take exit Lesce from A1 motorway Ljubljana – Jesenice. Please consult us about parking possibilities in Bled.

Departure from Bohinj

	A return transfer to Ljubljana airport from Bohinj is available for 130 EUR for 1-3 people or 170 EUR for 4-8 people. Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to book this.
	Bohinj has a railway station at Bohinjska Bistrica, 5 km from your last hotel. It is on the Jesenice – Nova Gorica sideline, only a few trains a day. Useful for travel in all directions.