High Trails of the Julian Alps

8 Days & 7 Nights 4.5 Read 36 reviews
  • Relaxing on the shores of serene Lake Bled beneath Bled Castle
  • Soaking up the views from the mountain ridges and passes
  • Indulging in a glass of heart warming, home made, honey schnapps
  • Awakening to the mountain glow of an alpine sunrise in the realm of soaring eagles
  • Crystal clear Lake Bohinj in the heart of Triglav National Park
Explore the heart of Slovenia’s Julian Alps as you follow the high trails staying in traditional mountain huts. From the serene shores of glacial Lake Bled the route takes you from hut to hut high into the Triglav National Park and on down to the pristine waters of Lake Bohinj. Pass medieval castles, churches and traditional mountain villages as you walk across rich mountain pasture and traverse mountain ridges and passes beneath the sky scraping peaks. Your trip begins in the picturesque lake side town of Bled overlooked by the imposing medieval Bled Castle. A warm-up hike explores the surrounding verdant mountain pastures and dense fir forest up onto the Pokljuka high plateau, getting you ready for the following days exploring the Triglav National Park. Beneath the rugged summit of Mount Triglav, the highest Slovene peak at 2864m, you will get your first experience of staying in a traditional alpine hut. Continue toward Dolina Triglavskih Jezer, the Valley of the Triglav Lakes and Savica Waterfall, where the alpine karst spring water cascades 78m to feed mighty Lake Bohinj below. A relaxing walk along the northern shores of Lake Bohinj brings you to the village of Ribecev Laz, where you can enjoy a taste of home-made honey brandy and borovnica blueberry schnapps. Take a dip in the crystal clear lake waters or perhaps a cable car ride up to the Vogel high plateau. Your tour ends back at the pretty Lake Bled, which you can explore further. Slovenia’s Julian Alps, located on the border with Austria, have always been a cross roads and this is reflected in the rich culture, architecture, music, history and food of this beguiling region.
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Relax in comfortable lake shore hotel accommodations and explore the rugged mountainous environment of the Julian Alps staying in traditional mountain huts nestled beneath the peaks. Traverse mountain passes and experience 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!

Tour 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:

Hut to Hut Walking | Walk from hut to hut, changing accommodation each night

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Off the Beaten Track, Alpine Walking

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 16 Years

Activity Level & Terrain

This walk is graded strenuous and includes daily walks of between 8 and 14 kms and ascents of up to 1,300m following 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 is one section of Via Ferrata which is about 10 metres long and involves using a steel rope to navigate your way along a narrow ledge. You should have a good level of fitness and be an experienced alpine walker to get the most from this holiday. The itinerary would not be suitable for anyone under the age of 16 or anyone suffering from vertigo or a fear of heights.

Navigation

We supply you with turn by turn route notes and detailed maps so you will have no problem following the route each day. You will be walking in the high mountains and the ability to navigate with a map and compass in the event of bad weather is recommended. You will also have access to the Macs Adventure Smartphone App enabling you to follow the route using your phone's GPS so you will have no problems finding the way. You can simply download the GPX tracks to your phone for offline use and off you go!

Accommodations

We specifically select your accommodation to ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay in Slovenia. You will stay for 4 nights in traditional hotels (3 & 4 star) and 3 nights in mountain huts. The hotels offer comfortable rooms with en suite bathrooms while the mountain huts offer accommodation in a dormitory setting with linen included. All of the huts should have showers available apart from the Planika Hut which is very remote. Please Occasionally if there is a lack of rain, there may not be showers available at all of the huts. Please note that facilities in the huts are quite basic and you should not expect electricity in all of them or wifi access. Some of the huts also only accept cash to buy lunches (which are very basic) and bottled water so please make sure you have enough cash on you for the nights you are in the huts. All the properties provide a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food.

Single Rooms

If you require single rooms within your party we would be happy to accommodate you although there is a single room supplement payable.  Single rooms are not available in mountain huts.

Solo Walkers

This holiday is not available for solo walkers due to the remote alpine nature of the walk.

Meals

A delicious breakfast is included each morning. Most accommodations are happy to provide a packed lunch - this should be requested on arrival. Or you can pick up lunch in the villages or mountain huts along the trail. If you choose the half board option dinner is included each night.

Transfers

Transfers to and from the airport need to booked in advance, but will be paid locally to the driver. You will find it as an option during the booking process.

Included
  • Accommodation for 4 nights in comfortable 3 or 4* hotels
  • Accommodation for 3 nights in traditional alpine huts in dormitory-style rooms with linen included
  • Daily breakfasts
  • Baggage transfers (one 20kgs bag per person) between each overnight location (please note it is necessary to carry a day pack containing all overnight requirements for days 3-6 at the mountain huts)
  • Detailed information pack provided digitally through your online Macs “My Account”
  • Access to Macs Adventure Smartphone App containing GPX route tracks, map, and notes
  • 24/7 telephone support from our offices and local partner
  • Transfer on day 2 as per itinerary
  • Welcome meeting on the morning of day 2 (8am) with our local partner
  • Secure storage of main luggage on days 3-6 whilst at the mountain huts
Excluded
  • Travel to Bled and from Lake Bohinj
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Entrance fees and cable car (to be paid locally)
  • Personal equipment
  • Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
  • Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
  • Luggage transfers whilst staying in the mountain huts
Extras
  • Extra night/s along the route
  • Private airport transfers (minimum 2 persons)
  • Hotel room upgrades in Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj
  • Single room supplement (available for hotel nights only)

When To Go

The best months for walking are in the summer months between July and September when the wild flowers are in still in bloom, the weather is usually fair and the higher alpine trails are mostly clear of snow. It should be noted however that the weather in the mountains is changeable and therefore you should be well prepared for all weather conditions including the occasional thunderstorm. There can also occasionally still be some snow in the early season. We do provide a detailed equipment list for the tour so that you are prepared.

Getting to the Start

Bled is located just 55km from Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana. Many low cost airlines fly into Ljubljana Airport including Easyjet, Wizz Air, and Flybe. From the airport: You can take a taxi straight from the airport to Bled which is the cheapest option. If you prefer to have something pre-arranged, it is possible to book our optional airport transfer service from Ljubljana Airport to Bled (1hr). Alternatively take the airport bus to Ljubljana (45mins) and a connecting service to Bled (2 hours total). A good resource to check the schedules is the Slovenian Bus website.

Getting from the End

Bohinj has a railway station in Bohinjska Bistrica, 5 km from your hotel. It is on the Jesenice - Nova Gorica sideline, and only a few trains a day. From the village of Ribcev Laz there are buses to Ljubljana (2hrs) whereupon connecting buses serve Ljubljana Airport (45mins). A good resource to check timetables and fares is the Slovenian Travel Information website.

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred between your accommodation as per your itinerary. On days 3, 4, 5 and 6 when you walking to and from the mountain huts it is necessary to carry a day pack containing all your overnight requirements. After your main bags are collected in Pokljuka you are reunited with them when you arrive at your accommodation in Lake Bohinj. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

General Information

The distances and ascents/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and trousers), sun hat and sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack. 

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, emergency evacuation and hospital care. 

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive at Lake Bled Day 2 Transfer to Pokljuka High Plateau; walk to Pokljuka town 9 miles / 14 km Day 3 Walk from Pokljuka to Planika Hut, by Mount Triglav 8 miles / 12 km Day 4 Walk from Planika Hut to Koca pri Triglavskih Jezerih Hut 8 miles / 12 km Day 5 Walk from Koca pri Triglavskih Jezerih Hut to Komna Hut via Black Lake 5 miles / 8 km Day 6 Walk from Komna Hut to Ribcev Laz on the shores of Lake Bohinj 9 miles / 15 km Day 7 Rest day beside Lake Bohinj or Upper Bohinj Valley loop walk 8 miles / 13 km Day 8 Onward travel from Ribcev Laz

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