- 3
This walking tour is a collection of different grade walks. However - none of them have a climber's rating. You will be walking along mountain ridges, meadows and valley floors, slowly descending from east to west. This is a picturesque alpine trail with stunning views at every turn, and is suitable for experienced walkers with appropriate equipment. This walk generally follows the international Via Alpina track - the Violet Route section - from East to West.
Walk highlights:
• stay in a tranquil mountain village
• walk through ancient feudal tunnels
• discover hidden mountain valleys
• visit Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj
• wander over mountain pastures
Itinerary
DAY 1. ARRIVAL in Jezersko. (guesthouse 2*).With its idyllic location in a basin between the towering Kamnik-Savinja Alps and Karavanke Mountains, on the border with Austria, the small romantic village of Jezersko will be the starting point for your hike. You will spend the next two nights here.
DAY 2. JEZERSKO - ČEŠKA KOČA
Round trip 13 km, 6 hrs walking/ascent & descent 665 m. (guesthouse 2*).
A warm-up hike to Česka koča mountain hut.
This short walk leads up to just above the treeline. Sitting quietly in the imposing shadow of the north face of Mt Grintovec is one of the oldest alpine huts in Slovenia (113 years old). Have lunch here amid majestic alpine peaks and soak up the view into the two parallel valleys. Your return route takes you past the lovely Shepherds Lake.
DAY 3. JEZERSKO - GOLI VRH
16 km, 5 to 6 hrs walking/ascent and descent 870 m. (3* hotel).
Today you hike up the northern side of the Kamnik Alps - Goli Vrh. A meadow and forest walk brings you to an amazing viewpoint above Jezersko Valley. With one foot in Slovenia and the other in Austria you'll enjoy splendid views of the Grintovec mountain arena. In the evening there'll be a short car transfer to Preddvor.
DAY 4. PREDDVOR - JACOB'S CHURCH - HUDI BORST - PREDDVOR
13 km, 6 hrs walking/ascent and descent 850 m
(or a short version 3 hours / ascent 450 m) (3* hotel).
A slightly more demanding yet wonderful hike packed with splendid vistas. It begins with an ascent up to St. Jacobs church, which in the days of Turkish raids served as a refuge, fortress and shelter. The walk continues through a deep fir / spruce forest and across steep hillsides covered with alpine flowers to Hudicev Borst, the perfect picnic spot. After a full day's walk, you can refresh yourself in Crnjava Lake just before returning to your hotel.
DAY 5. PREDDVOR - LJUBELJ - BEGUNJE
15 km, 4 to 5 hrs walking/descent 900 m, ascent 380 m.
(4* historic & modern hotel).
Starting at Ljubelj, on the Austrian border, the trail leads through a short underground tunnel originally dug by merchants in order to reduce the travelling time between Carniola and Carinthia. As you emerge at the other side, the trail then follows the old shepherd's route before entering the peaceful Draga Valley, which takes you on your final leg into the historic village of Begunje, hometown of the famous Slovenian folk musician Slavko Avsenik / Oberkrainer band. Two km down the road you can visit the ruins of Kamen Castle.
DAY 6. BEGUNJE – BLED
21.5 km, 5 hrs walking/descent 345 m, ascent 255 m. (4* hotel).
After days of hill walking, the morning hike across the upper Carniolan plain will be a welcome and relaxing respite. The only slight ascent takes you to St. Catherine's church. From here is a unique view of Bled Castle, but the best way into town is via the trail up to the Sum Waterfall and then through the stunning 1.6-km Vintgar Gorge, carved 150 m deep into the mountains by the Radovna River.
DAY 7: POKLJUKA – USKOVNICA SADLE – LAKE BOHINJ
14 km, 5 hrs walking, descent 850 m, ascent 50 m.
Mountain meadows & treeline walk (3* hotel).
From the Pokljuka Plateau, you will begin your hike across mountain pastures and old farmhouses, where you will come to a viewing point providing glorious views into the Bohinj Valley. As you descend you can stop at the little historic village of Studor. Your final destination is Lake Bohinj, framed by the soaring mountains of the Triglav National Park. Arrive early enough and you can take a walk to the other side and either hike the trail up to Savica Waterfall (the source of the lake) or take the cable car up to Vogel Mountain ski resort for the best view of the lake, valley and Triglav Mountain (the highest in Slovenia).
DAY 8. End of tour or extension of stay in Bohinj.
Price
Price: 650 EUR per person based on two people sharing.(Currency converter here)
Price includes:
• seven nights accommodation in above-mentioned hotels/guesthouses in a two-bed room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis
• car transfer on days three, five and seven
• luggage transport between hotels (one piece per person, max 20 kgs / 45 lb). Every additional piece 10 EUR, payable on the spot
• 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:
• single room 130 EUR
• half board (includes seven 3-course dinners in hotels) 130 EUR
• additional night in Bled in 4* hotel, per person per night, in a double room, B&B 85 EUR. Single room 155 EUR. Half board 25 EUR. (three-course dinner)
• additional night in Bohinj in 3* hotel, per person per night, in a double room, B&B 65 EUR. Single room 85 EUR. Half board 15 EUR. (three-course dinner)
• transfer from Ljubljana airport to Jezersko: 55 EUR per person (two-person minimum). Bohinj to Ljubljana Airport 60 EUR. Bohinj to Kranjska Gora 55 EUR. Bohinj to Ljubljana 65 EUR. Bohinj to Jezersko 65 EUR. All prices per person, one way, two-person minimum.
Discounts:
• children up to 12 years when sharing room with parents - 30%
• third adult in the room - 10%; both on basic price
• for one night less in Jezersko - 30 EUR
Price excludes: flights, entrance fees, meals not mentioned in itinerary, drinks with meals.
Travel options
Starting point of this trip is Jezersko in NW Slovenia, on the Slovene - Austrian border.Getting there...
By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it (check connections here). From the airport you can travel to Jezersko by bus (change once in Kranj, takes about 2 hrs) or book our transfer (faster): 55 EUR per person, two-person minimum. Transfers need to be ordered when booking the trip.
By train: nearest railway station is in Kranj, but it is difficult to get from there to Jezersko. Honestly, it is best to order our transfer: 45 EUR per person, two-person minimum.
By car: take exit Kranj Zahod on A1 motorway Ljubljana - Jesenice, Karavanke and then follow signposts to Jezersko. There is a free but unguarded parking lot in Jezersko.
... and away
By plane: need to get to the airport? Our transfer from Bohinj to Ljubljana airport - 55 EUR per person, two-person minimum.
By train: Bohinj has a railway station in Bohinjska Bistrica 5 km from your last hotel. It is on the Jesenice - Nova Gorica sideline, there are only a few trains a day.
By car: if your car is in Jezersko, you can get there by local bus (change once in Kranj, travel time is around 3 hrs) or we can transfer you for 65 EUR per person, two-person minimum.
