Hiking in Slovenia
Mountain Hikes in the Julian Alps
Slovenia lies at the eastern end of the great arc of the Alpine range. It’s a small but beautiful country that some have called “Europe in Miniature.” The great news for mountain hikers is that Slovenia offers memorable trail experiences in a less-frequented part of the Alps. In Slovenia’s Julian and Kamnik-Savinja Alps you’ll find the quintessential elements of the Alpine landscape–soaring peaks, deep forests, lovely mountain villages, and flower-bedecked meadows. For those of you who love the Dolomites of Italy, the Alps of Slovenia provide the perfect way to continue an exploration of the scenic eastern Alps.
The Fountain of the Three Carniolan Rivers and St. Nicholas Cathedral in Ljubljana.
Arrival day
Overnight in Ljubljana
Arrive in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital, a city which had its origins in a Roman settlement that was known as Emona. Here, stone bridges like the famous Triple Bridge (Tromostovje), cross the Ljubljanica River, and a medieval castle (Ljubljanski grad) perches above the town on a wooded hill. Your centrally-located hotel means you have easy access to the core of old Ljubljana which in large part is set aside as a pedestrian zone.
The high pasturelands of the Velika Planina and the Kamnik Alps.
Day 1
Overnight in Bled
Depart Ljubljana for the lakeside town of Bled set at the eastern edge of the Julian Alps. En route, stop for a hike through the expansive, mile-high meadows of the Velika Planina, the scenic crown jewel of Slovenia’s Kamnik Alps. Picturesque wooden huts and hayracks accent the landscape while the snow-flecked peaks of the Kamnik Alps rise in the background. Overnight near the shores of lovely Lake Bled (Blejsko Jezero, in Slovene), one of the most beautiful lowland lakes in the Alps.
Picturesque farm huts on the Velika Planina.
Late afternoon at Lake Bled.
Day 2
Overnight in Bled
Spend today exploring the serene beauty of Lake Bled on a hike that circumnavigates this sparkling alpine gem. Shady lakeshore paths, a castle perched on a rocky promontory, and viewpoints that offer views of the Julian Alps await! For a more challenging hike, travel by vehicle to the Pokljuka Plateau dotted with picturesque wooden barns and back-dropped by the peaks of the Julian Alps. Ascend through cool woodlands to arrive at the mountain refuge known as Blejska koča na Lipanci surrounded by meadows and larch trees. From here the path climbs steadily through larch woods to reach the top of the ridge that forms the western wall of the Krma Valley. The views are glorious from this high vantage point! The path continues its course along the ridge to reach the summit of Debela Peč. Revel in stunning mountain vistas that include the peak of Triglav, Slovenia’s highest summit and icon of the Julian Alps.
Hikers approaching the summit of Debela Pec.
View over the Planina Ovčarija toward the peak of Tolminski Kuk (center horizon).
Day 3
Overnight in Lake Bohinj
Travel by vehicle up a winding mountain road to reach today’s trailhead at a mountain meadow above the village of Stara Fužina. The trail ascends through beech woods to arrive at a lovely lake ringed by green meadows and conifer woods. Here, a comfortable mountain lodge known as the Koča na planini pri Jezeru overlooks the lake and makes a nice place for a break. Beyond the lake the trail climbs through beautiful larch woods to the meadow of Dedno Polje with its wooden shepherd’s huts. Hardy hikers can continue to the meadows at Planina Ovčarija and further to the Valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes (Dolina Triglavskih jezer) which contain a string of alpine lakes in a high country setting.
Dvojno Jezero in the Valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes.
IVelo Polje and the Julian Alps from the trail to Vodnikov dom.
Day 4
Overnight in Lake Bohinj
Travel by vehicle to Rudno Polje on the rolling Pokljuka plateau. From here, a trail leads upward through coniferous woods and meadows to the mountain pass of Studorski preval. The trail then contours along open slopes of the peak of Tosc high above the well-watered Voje valley. Views extend southward across the forested range of hills called the Fužinarske planine to the Bohinj Ridge (Spodnje Bohinjske gore). For a longer hike, continue along the trail as it swings northward heading toward the mountain hut of Vodnikov dom set on the slopes of an alpine bowl backdropped by the mass of mighty Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain. Enjoy views over the meadows of Velo Polje to the cloud-wreathed summits of the Julian Alps.
The Church of St. John the Baptist at Bohinjsko Jezero (Bohinj Lake).
Sorica village en route to Kobarid from Bohinjska Bistrica.
Kobarid, also known as Caporetto in Italian.
Day 5
Overnight in Kobarid
Before leaving the Bohinj area, ascend by cable car into the mountains to the south of Lake Bohinj. From the top station of the cable car, begin a hike toward the crest of the open, alpine Bohinj Ridge (Spodnje Bohinjske gore). Continue to the high slopes of the peak of Šija from where, weather permitting, you can gaze out toward the distant Adriatic Sea. Return to the cable car station for the descent to Lake Bohinj. Travel by vehicle to the small village of Kobarid (known as Caporetto in Italian, and Karfreit in German) in the valley of the Soča River. Kobarid (only five and a half miles from the current-day Italian border) was center-stage during the Battle of Caporetto in 1917, an event documented by Ernest Hemingway in A Farewell to Arms. Enjoy a hike along portions of the well-developed Kobarid Historical Trail, a route that will lead you by historic sites associated with the World War I Isonzo front. The trail presents a wealth of natural features as well, from cyclamens blooming in the shade of beech woodlands to the wonderful spectacle of the Slap Kozjak (waterfall) plunging into a cavern-like gorge!
Looking east from Stol to the peak of Krn. (Photo by A. Marinov)
Looking west along the Soča River valley from near Kožljak. The south face of Krn is to the right. (Photo by A. Marinov)
Day 6
Overnight in Kobarid
This morning a short vehicle shuttle will bring you to the broad meadows of Planina Kuhinja set on the southern slopes of the sheer-walled limestone peak known as Krn. From here you can ascend through open meadows to the prominence known as Kožljak where the view extends up the Soča River valley; below you lie the lovely villages of the Drežniški Kot close under the peak of Krasji Vrh. If you desire additional challenge, continue on the switchbacking trail that ascends to the Krn Pass (Krnska škrbina) between the peaks of Krn and Batognica. From this high vantage point you have a superb view of the rugged limestone high country of the Julian Alps. To the north, and two thousand feet below you, nestles the Krn Lake (Krnska Jezero), one of the few large alpine lakes in the Julian Alps. On a clear day you can see all the way to Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak.
Looking east from above Krnska škrbina. (Photo by A. Marinov)
Hiking to Sleme.
Day 7
Overnight in Kranjska Gora
Travel by vehicle up a twisting cobblestoned highway to Vršič Pass from where you’ll begin the hike to the larch-ringed mountain meadows of Sleme, dotted with small ponds and back-dropped by the massive Jalovec peak. The is perhaps “the” classic hike in the Julian Alps and the views are unforgettable! Before returning to the trailhead, amble upward on grassy slopes past picturesque ancient larch trees to reach the top of Slemenova špica. From this lofty vantage point high above the Tamar Valley, enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains before retracing your steps to the starting point. Sure-footed hikers can opt for an alternative route back to the trailhead which follows a climber’s path along the base of the rugged north face of the peak of Mala Mojstrovka.
Day 8
Overnight in Kranjska Gora
Today, embark on an exploration of the limestone range that forms the border between Slovenia and Austria. Known as the Karawanks or Karawanken Alps (Karavanke, in Slovene), this mountain range offers spectacular hiking along its main crest with expansive views toward the Julian Alps to the south and over the Drau River Valley in Austria to the north. In the morning, travel by vehicle from Kranjska Gora to the high country north of the town of Jesenice. From the trailhead on the Austria-Slovenia border hike up the slopes of the broad, grassy peak of Golica. Enjoy a loop hike over and around Golica’s summit, or set off on a longer hike following the international border along the crest of the Karawanken range to the peak of Dovška Baba. At the end of the day, descend from the high country to meet up with your vehicle for the ride back to Kranjska Gora. Cap off your Slovenian alpine adventure with a farewell dinner this evening in Kranjska Gora.
View of the Karawaken from the slopes of Golica looking toward Dovška Baba (sharp peak) and Kepa (the tallest). (Photo by A. Marinov)
Departure day
Transfer to Ljubljana Airport
Morning transfer by vehicle from Kranjska Gora to Ljubljana Airport for your departure.
Trail sign above Vršič.
Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows (Marija Snežna) in the Velika Planina.
Shepherd’s huts at Dedno Polje.
Lake Bled (Blejsko Jezero).
Photos on this page are by John Osaki (© All Rights Reserved) except as otherwise credited.
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