High Trails of the Julian Alps

Bled is a uniquely picturesque town sitting on the shores of the glacial Lake Bled and overlooked by the imposing medieval Bled Castle perched atop a rocky ridge. Bled is easily accessible by public transport from Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana, just 55km (1hr) away.

On arrival at your hotel you will have a welcome meeting in the evening (6pm) with our local representative. They will give you all the information you need including detailed route notes, maps and local information and answer any last minute questions you may have.

A short morning transfer brings you to the starting point for today’s walk, across the heights of the Pokljuka plateau (1280m). This warm up hike leads you over verdant mountain pastures filled with alpine flowers and up through silent fir forests. Arriving at the traditional Lipanska Hut your afforded panoramic views over the plateau and Carniola Plain beyond with the summits of the Kamnik Alps rising into the clear blue skies. This is the perfect place to indulge in traditional Slovene stove cooked hiker’s lunch of local organic produce and herbal tea.
In the afternoon the route provides views far across the Karawanke and Bohinj mountain ranges bringing you to Pokljuka, home to famed winter biathalon competitions, and the perfect base for your night amidst the mountain landscape.

Walk: 805m ascent, 725m descent

Following breakfast you are ready to tackle the next stage of the walk, deep into the heart of the Triglav National Park and the Julian Alps. The trail slowly ascends to Vodnikov Dom hut, an ideal place to stop for lunch and to admire the view across to Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain at 2864m.

The final destination for today is the Planika hut, situated right beneath Mount Triglav on its southern slopes. If you can tear your self away from the alpine views which stretch all the way to the Karawanke and the Kamnik Alps on the horizon, you are free to explore the delights of the Planika hut, your accommodation for the night. Enjoy a sumptuous meal in the restaurant or a warming drink at the bar before settling down to sleep in the shadow of Triglav’s snow-capped summit.

Walk: 1288m ascent, 243m descent

Awake for sunrise and you will be rewarded with the changing colours of the snow capped peaks. After a hearty breakfast you commence your walk across the Hribarice Pass (2358m). You are now in the realm of the sure footed chamois and fearless mountain goats that inhabit the sheer rocky slopes beneath patrolling golden eagles.

Breathe in the crisp, clear air as you walk beneath the surrounding peaks and take a break to admire the beauty of one of the Triglav National Park’s seven lakes, Zeleno Jezro, or Green Lake. The name derives from the high algae content which gives the lake an emerald hue. As you walk onward the view unfolds across the Dolina Triglavskih Jezer, the Valley of the Triglav Lakes.

Walk: 347m ascent, 1059m descent

Walking west, you will reach Blakc Lake - the lowest lying lake in the Triglav Lakes Valley. It is named forits location in a basin in the middle of the forest, which stretches right to the edge of the Komarca rock face. It is the warmest of the Triglav lakes.  Your day on the trail ends at the traditional Komna hut, situated right on the Komna Plateau and offering superb views of Lake Bohinj. 

Walk: 133m ascent, 305m descent

After breakfast a relaxing walk takes you down to the Savica waterfall, an alpine karst spring which cascades 78m into serene Lake Bohinj. This is 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.

Take a walk along the northern shores to the small settlement of Ribcev Laz, sit back and relax with a glass of honey brandy or borovnica blueberry schnapps, coupled with a dish of wind cured karst prosciutto ham. 

Walk: 181m ascent, 1179m descent

Your day starts with a transfer to Lake Bled where you have much opportunity to undertake local walks. Especially recommended is the walk to the Vintgar Gorge carved 150m deep into the mountain strata by the turbulent Radovna River. Here you may negotiate the 1600m wooden walkway that leads you to the Sum Waterfall. Heading east from here, you may follow well marked trails in the direction of Bled, allowing you to visit the 15th century pilgrimage Church of St Catherine. From here it is approximately 4km back to Lake Bled.

For a more leisurely stroll you may wish walk around the shores of the lake. Traditional wooden barges called Pletna ply their trade to a small island that is the location of the Assumption of Mary Pilgrimage Church, itself sitting on the site of a temple of Ziva, the Slavic goddess of love and fertility. Whatever your choice of walk there is no better way to finish your day than with a welcome vanilla and cream kremna rezina pastry while overlooking the lake.

Walk: 167m ascent, 271m descent

Your adventure finishes after breakfast, though you may wish to add further nights to enjoy the many attractions that Bled has to offer.