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Pictoresque Hiking in western Slovene Alps
A self guided walking holiday in the heart of the Julian Alps and along its mountain peaks. This is a stunning mountain hike, taking you through breathtaking alpine scenery and its many natural attractions, including Lake Bled & Lake Bohinj. The tour is suitable for fit and experienced walkers. 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.
Walk highlights:
• among the jagged peaks of the Triglav National Park
• hike to the highest Slovene mountain, Triglav
• stay in alpine mountain huts
• scenic view from your Bled hotel
• visit the famous seven Triglav lakes
• take a refreshing dip in Lake Bohinj
As a pre-trip, you may consider our Via Alpina tour!
During your time at Lake Bled, how about taking a one-day photography workshop with British professional photographer Ian Middleton? Use this time to learn how to take better photos during the rest of your trip around Slovenia, no matter what camera you have. For more information, check Ian's Photoshop Site
Itinerary
DAY 1. Arrival in Bled (501 m) (4* hotel).Bled is a popular town on the shore of a beautiful glacial lake with a combination of natural wonders and unique culture and history. Take a stroll around the lake and visit its unique island church and medieval castle perched upon the edge of a towering precipice.
DAY 2. BLED – POKLJUKA HIGH PLATEAU
(14 km, 710 m ascent, 620 m descent, 6-hour walk) (3* hotel).
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 Lipanska Hut for a typical hikers' lunch. Then it's onward through the sweeping vistas of the Karavanke range, Pokljuka plateau, Krma valley and Bohinj mountains to the Pokljuka Biathlon Centre.
DAY 3. POKLJUKA – PLANIKA HUT
(12 km, 1170 m ascent, 160 m descent, 7-hour walk)
(mountain hut accommodation, dormitory).
Today it's to the peaks of Julian Alps and of the Triglav National Park. The trail slowly ascends to Vodnikov Dom hut, amid the glorious views of Mt. Triglav (Slovenia's highest mountain – 2864 m), and its neighbouring peaks. You will spend the night at Planika hut, right underneath the peak of Triglav. Additional nights can be booked here, should you want to climb Mt Triglav (the climb is partly a “via ferrata”, some alpine experience and a helmet are recommended).
(Today your main luggage gets collected at Pokljuka hotel and is delivered to your hotel in Bohinj, which you reach on day six).
DAY 4. PLANIKA HUT – KOČA PRI TRIGLAVSKIH JEZERIH
(11 km, 300 m ascent, 1000 m descent, 6-hour walk)
(mountain hut accommodation, dormitory).
You start today 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), before continuing on to enjoy a beautiful view into the rest of the Valley of the Triglav Lakes. A further three-hour hike brings you to the Koča pri Triglavskih Jezerih mountain hut on the shore of Double Lake.
DAY 5. KOČA PRI TRIGLAVSKIH JEZERIH – KOMNA HUT
(8 km, 230 m ascent, 410 m descent, 4 to 5-hour walk)
(mountain hut accommodation, dormitory).
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. End your day enjoying a great view of Bohinj Lake at sunset. (at this point a route detour can be made via our Goldhorn Trail in direction of Bovec, please contact us to discuss the options).
DAY 6. KOMNA HUT - RIBČEV LAZ / BOHINJ VALLEY
(15 km, 60 m ascent, 1050 m descent, 5 to 6-hour walk) (3* hotel).
Today you'll visit 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 perfect 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 schnapps in the local bars.
DAY 7. RIBČEV LAZ / BOHINJ VALLEY – LAKE BLED (4* hotel).
After breakfast you will be transferred back to Lake Bled, where you'll 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 kms back to Bled lake. If you prefer a nice leisurely stroll on your final day, 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 visit Bled castle and its museum inside. The museum hosts an interesting exhibition on the history of the castle. Your final night will be spent in a nice hotel overlooking the lake.
DAY 8. DEPARTURE FROM BLED.
The tour ends with a hearty breakfast, after which you are free to do as you please.
Note that tour program might be changed in case of bad weather.
Price
Price: 690 EUR per person based on two people sharing.(Currency converter here)
Tour is not suitable for children under 12 years.
Price includes:
• accommodation: four nights in 3* or 4* hotels in double rooms; three nights in dormitories inside mountain huts, bed & breakfast. Linen in mountain huts is included
• car transfers on days two and seven
• luggage transfers between hotels (one piece per person, max 20 kgs / 45 lb). Every additional piece 10 EUR, payable on the spot. During high altitude walks, from day three to day six clients need to carry own clothing / personal items with them and main luggage is stored at the Helia office
• information pack including detailed route description (in the form of a picture book) with corresponding maps (one per booking)
• GPS data
• local tourist and other taxes
• welcome meeting upon arrival
• backup service (hotline) during the walk
Optional extras:
• extra night in Planika hut 45 EUR BB accommodation
• transfer from Ljubljana airport to Bled - please ask us for a favorable quote!
Single supplement
• (only available in hotels, not available in mountain huts) 90 EUR
Additional nights:
• 4* Hotel in Bled 85 EUR per person per night, double room, BB. Single room 140 EUR
• 4* Hotel in Bohinj 65 EUR per person per night, double room, BB. Single room 80 EUR
Price excludes: flights, entrance fees, meals not mentioned in itinerary, drinks with meals.
Travel options
Starting point of this trip is Lake Bled in NW Slovenia.Getting there...
By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it (check connections here). From the airport you can travel to Bled by bus (change once, takes about 2 hrs) or book our transfer (faster - 20 mins) - please ask us for a favorable quote!
By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce Bled on the Villach - Ljubljana mainline, 4 kms 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 kms away from town centre.
By bus: Flixbus stops at Lake Bled.
By car: take exit Lesce from A1 motorway Ljubljana - Jesenice. Please consult us about parking options in Bled.
... and away
Simple, use one of the above options or - cycle away: consider our cycling trip Best Of Slovenia!