8 Days & 7 Nights

4.5

Mountains & Lakes of the Julian Alps

Walking through Alpine meadows beneath the snow capped peaks of the Julian Alps
Soaking up the views along the best sections of the Via Alpina
Indulging in the traditional Slovenian dish of wind cured karst prosciutto ham
Exploring the Romanesque towers and Renaissance secrets of Bled Castle
Arriving at the blue waters of Lake Bohinj in the heart of Triglav National Park

Explore the mountains and lakes of Slovenia’s Julian Alps as you follow the Via Alpina from the tranquil village of Jezersko to Lake Bohinj at the heart of the Triglav National Park. Following well-marked trails, you will walk across forested plateaus, through deep river gorges and across flower-filled Alpine meadows with the snow-capped peaks of the Julian Alps as your constant companions. Medieval castles, churches and traditional mountain villages bring the walk to life and immerse you in the friendly Slovenian culture. Your holiday begins with three nights in the small romantic village of Jezersko in the Kokra Valley. You then walk up the northern side of the Kamnik Alps—which rewards with wonderful Alpine views. Your walk continues along mountain ridges, meadows and valley floors via Bled to finish at Lake Bohinj, the jewel at the heart of the Triglav National Park. Slovenia’s Julian Alps, located on the border with Austria, have always been a crossroads and this is reflected in the rich culture, architecture, music, history and food of this beguiling region. Highlights include the baroque Church of St. Petrus, Kamen Castle, Kremna Reszina pastries, karst prosciutto ham, borovnica blueberry schnapps and a lively folk music scene.

From £1,199.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive in Jezersko

The village of Jezersko is situated in the Kokra Valley in an idyllic location between the towering Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the Karavanke mountains on the Austrian border. Jezersko is easily accessible by public transport from Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, just 30km away.

Overnight Jezersko

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hisa Kocka | Lodge

Comfortable family run Alpine style apartments situated at the foot of the Kamniske and Savinjske Alps in the village of Jezersko.

Vila Koman | Hotel

Vila Koman is located in the heart of the village, surrounded by an idyllic, spacious garden that invites relaxation and rejuvenation. The expansive garden behind the house is a true paradise. This charming hotel captivates with its unique atmosphere, reflecting the authentic style of the 1930s. The rooms and the entire design of the house exude the charm of a bygone era while offering modern comfort.

Day 2 Jezersko to Ceska Koca Loop Walk 8 miles / 13 km

Today you can look forward to a delightful walk to the Ceska Koca mountain hut. Situated at 1543m above sea level, the mountain hut is one of the oldest in Slovenia and it gives an outstanding view of the two parallel valleys. Your return route to Jezersko takes you past the glacial Shepherds Lake to bring you back to Jezersko.

Ascent/Descent: 694m/690m

Overnight Jezersko

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hisa Kocka | Lodge

Comfortable family run Alpine style apartments situated at the foot of the Kamniske and Savinjske Alps in the village of Jezersko.

Vila Koman | Hotel

Day 3 Walk Jezersko to Virnikov Grintavec 11 miles / 18 km

Today you walk up the northern side of the Kamnik Alps - Virnikov Grintavec. A meadow and forest walk brings you to an amazing viewpoint above the Jezersko valley. With one foot in Slovenia and the other in Austria, you’ll enjoy splendid views of the Grintovec range.

Return back to your hotel after your hike.

Ascent/Descent: 969m/969m

Overnight Jezersko

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Senkova domacija | Guest House

Cosy rooms and a sauna invite you to relax after your walk. You can enjoy the wonderful view on the outdoor terrace. Traditional and with lots of wood, the house blends in well with the surroundings.

Day 4 Transfer to Ljubelj; walk to Begunje 9 miles / 14 km

Your day starts with a transfer to Ljubelj on the Austrian border, the starting point for a very interesting walk. The trail leads through an underground tunnel, originally dug by merchants in order to reduce the travelling time between the Slovenian state of Carniola and the Austrian state of Carinthia. As you emerge the trail follows an ancient shepherd’s route into the verdant Draga Valley.

Walking through a landscape of rich meadows and deep silent mountain forests you soon reach the historic village of Begunje. This is the home of the famous Slavco Avesnik Oberkrainer band, the primary exponent of ethnic Slovenian music. You will surely wish to visit the 12th-century Kamen Castle and the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque delights of the 15th-century Katzenstein Mansion.

Ascent/Descent: 627m/1,158m

Overnight Begunje

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Gostisce Avsenik | Country House

Stay in the family-run renovated inn, with its homely, pleasant atmosphere. Make sure to have dinner in its in-house restaurant, the owner still cooks the dishes according to his grandmother's recipes with a touch of modern cuisine.

Hotel Alma Preddvor | Hotel

Enjoying a unique location right by the Črnava Lake at the foot of the Storžič Mountain in Predgvor, Hotel Alma & Grad Hrib offers a garden and a terrace.

Day 5 Karavanke Mountains Foothills Walk from Begunje; transfer to Lake Bled 10 miles / 16 km

Embark on a panoramic walk at the foot of Karavanke range. In the morning ascend will to tiny St. Peters church, built at an outlook observation point in days of Turkish raids. The day's walk is an easy one, enjoy the quiet pastoral nature and panoramic views of the Julian Alps.

After a short transfer, finish the day in Bled – a world-famous town on the shore of a beautiful glacial lake, with its unique island church sitting proudly in the lake, and the castle perched high upon a cliff standing guard over the town

Ascent/Descent: 1,025m/964m

Overnight Bled

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Savica | Hotel

Located only 250 metres from Lake Bled, Hotel Savica offers free entrance to swimming and thermal pools at the nearby Živa Wellness Centre, as well as discounts for the saunas.

Hotel Triglav | Hotel

The 4 * hotel is not far from Lake Bled and offers a great view of the same. Visitors have been staying in the house since 1906 and since the renovation around ten years ago it has shone in new splendor. The rooms are very comfortable and the hotel also offers a piano bar, a wine cellar and a fireplace lounge, as well as a modern wellness center.

Hotel Park | 4 Star

The Hotel Park is located in the very centre of Bled by the shore of Lake Bled. The hotel usually appeals to guests looking for an active vacation, since the nearby surroundings offer countless options for physical activities in the heart of nature.

Day 6 Transfer to Pokljuka High Plateau; walk to Pokljuka town 9 miles / 14 km

Today you start with a transfer up to the Pokljuka plateau in the Triglav National Park to walk across mountain pastures rich in Julian poppies, edelweiss and bellflowers. The high peaks are the realm of sure-footed chamois, ibex and lynx and griffon vultures circle on the thermals high above.

The hike will lead you over mountain pastures and through dense fir forests to up to Lipanska Hut. A typical hikers' lunch can be taken there. The afternoon walk will bring you along a panoramic route (excellent views of Karawanke range, Pokljuka plateau, Krma valley and Bohinj Mountains) to biathlon centre of Pokljuka where you stay for the night

Ascent/Descent: 749m/671m

Overnight Pokljuka

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Center Pokljuka | Hotel

Surrounded by forest, Hotel Center Pokljuka is situated in Rudno Polje. Featuring a gym, sauna and a restaurant serving local dishes, it offers free Wi-Fi and air-conditioned rooms with an LCD cable TV.

Day 7 Walk from Pokljuka Plateau to Lake Bohinj 9 miles / 14 km

Start from the Pokljuka plateau in the Triglav National ParK. Walk in the clear alpine air you pass traditional farmhouses to bring you to a viewpoint that provides views far down into the Bohinj Valley. Descending into the valley the route brings you to the historic village of Studor. Travel back in time at the village ethnographic museum and walk amongst the traditional hayracks that have been declared an architectural monument.

Your final destination is Lake Bohinj, the largest lake in Slovenia and the jewel in the heart of the Triglav National Park. Legend says that God gave the humble citizens of the lake the most beautiful part of Slovenia and the location surrounded by the Julian Alps is indeed sublime. In the small lakeshore settlement of Ribcev Laz, sit back and relax with a glass of borovnica blueberry schnapps, coupled with a dish of karst prosciutto ham.

Ascent/Descent: 8m/839m

Overnight Lake Bohinj

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Jezero | Hotel

Hotel Jezero is centrally located by Lake Bohinj, in the middle of the Julian Alps. Here you can breathe the fresh mountain air and enjoy beautiful sunsets over the mountains. The hotel also has a spa.

Hotel Kristal | Hotel

Family-run Alpine Hotel situated close to Lake Bohinj in a beautiful mountain location, this hotel is known in the area as the owners make their own chocolate, make sure you treat yourself to a piece after completing your walk.

Hotel Center Ribcev Laz | Hotel

This family-run hotel is located close to Bohinij Lake. It offers cozy rooms, a sauna and is known for its Ayurvedic treatments.

Day 8 Onward travel from Lake Bohinj

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 10kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 10kg is equivalent to 18 lattes. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

A perfect introduction to the famed Via Alpina walking route through Slovenia’s Julian Alps. Wonderful alpine walking through meadows, beside lakes and through narrow gorges. Carefully chosen traditional accommodation with local cuisine make this a walk not to be missed!

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&Bs, inns, and guesthouses.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

The minimum age for this tour is: 16 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Off the Beaten Track

Alpine Walking

Grade & Terrain

This walk is graded moderate to strenuous overall and includes daily walks of between 9 and 16 kms and ascents of up to 1,025m following rugged footpaths, tracks, and mountain paths. Due to the nature of the terrain in Slovenia, and the fact that paths are not as well looked after as in other alpine countries you may find that some paths can be blocked with overgrown tree roots etc. and care is required when negotiating the paths, paying close attention to your feet as the paths are very rugged.

Some of the ascents and descents are steep and are exposed so require a good head for heights and surefootedness. There are some short sections of up to 1 km where ladders and cables are in place to help you along the way where the path is very narrow or the slopes are scree. Some illustrations of this are shown below to give you an idea of what to expect.

Days 3 and 4 are the tougher days due to the fact that they are more exposed, route-finding is a bit trickier and the terrain which consists of lots of gravel rocks can become very slippery after bad weather. If the weather is bad, it is possible to simply do a shorter loop walk up to the church on day 4.
In summary you should have a good level of walking fitness and be an experienced alpine walker to get the most from this holiday. Most of the walks are not possible to shorten once you have started. The itinerary would not be suitable for anyone under the age of 16 or anyone suffering from vertigo or a fear of heights.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

Overnights in B&B’s, small hotels, agriturismos, and guesthouses
Daily breakfasts
Baggage transfers (one 20kgs bag per person) between each overnight location
Detailed information pack provided digitally through your online Macs “My Account”
Access to Macs Adventure Smartphone App containing GPX route tracks, map, and notes
Transfers as per itinerary (days 4, 5 & 6)
24/7 telephone support from our offices and local partner

Excluded

Travel to Jezersko and from Lake Bohinj
Travel insurance (required)
Entrance fees to gorges (to be paid locally)
Personal equipment
Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage

Extras

Extra night/s along the route
Private airport transfers (minimum 2 persons)
Hotel room upgrades
Single room supplement

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.