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 experience of walking at high mountain levels and along narrow trails. This tour is not suitable for children under 12 years.
As a pre-trip, you may consider our Slovene Alpine Pearls tour!
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL IN BLED
Lake Bled is a well-loved town nestled along the shores of a stunning glacial lake, offering a blend of natural marvels and distinctive cultural heritage. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the lake and be sure to pay a visit to its one-of-a-kind island church. Additionally, explore the medieval castle, which sits proudly on the edge of a towering precipice, providing unparalleled views of the surroundings. It's a destination that seamlessly intertwines nature's splendor with a rich tapestry of history and culture.
Day 2: BLED – POKLJUKA HIGH PLATEAU (hard, 6 hrs, ↔ 14 km, ↑ 710 m, ↓ 640 m)
Commencing from the lush woodlands of the Pokljuka high plateau (1,280 m), today's journey takes you across fertile mountain pastures and through dense fir forests, ultimately leading you to Lipanska Hut for a customary hikers' lunch. Following this, you'll continue through the expansive panoramas of the Karavanke range, the Pokljuka plateau, the Krma valley, and the Bohinj mountains, ultimately arriving at the Pokljuka Biathlon Centre. It's a day immersed in natural beauty and fresh mountain air.
Day 3: POKLJUKA – PLANIKA HUT (hard, 7 hrs, ↔ 12 km, ↑ 1.140 m, ↓ 110 m)
Today it's to the peaks of Julian Alps and of the Triglav National Park. The trail gently ascends to Vodnikov Dom hut, offering splendid views of Mt. Triglav, Slovenia's highest peak at 2864 meters, along with its neighboring summits. Your night's rest will be at Planika hut, situated right beneath the towering peak of Triglav.
(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 (hard, 6 hrs, ↔ 11 km, ↑ 230 m, ↓ 910 m)
Today's journey commences with a walk across the Hribarice pass, standing at an elevation of 2358 meters. Take a moment to appreciate the beauty of one of the Triglav National Park's seven lakes, Zeleno Jezero (Green Lake), before continuing to relish a breathtaking view into the expanse of the Valley of the Triglav Lakes. A further three-hour hike leads you to the Koča pri Triglavskih Jezerih mountain hut, nestled on the shores of Double Lake.
Day 5: KOČA PRI TRIGLAVSKIH JEZERIH – KOMNA HUT (intermediate, 3 hrs, ↔ 8 km, ↑ 130 m, ↓ 300 m)
Continuing your journey in a westerly direction, you'll arrive at Black Lake, the lowest and warmest of the seven Triglav lakes. Its name comes from its location in a basin nestled within the heart of the forest, which extends all the way to the edge of the Komarča rock face. Conclude your day by savoring a magnificent 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 (intermediate, 5 hrs, ↔ 16 km, ↑ 60 m, ↓ 1.050 m)
Today's itinerary starts with a visit to the renowned Savica Waterfall, a beloved attraction in Slovenia. This alpine karst spring pours its waters from the top of the waterfall, creating a majestic 78-meter cascade before feeding the impressive Lake Bohinj. A leisurely walk along the northern shore of Lake Bohinj will lead you to the charming village of Ribčev Laz. Here, you can warm your spirits with delicious homemade schnapps at the local bars.
Day 7: RIBČEV LAZ – UPPER BOHINJ VALLEY – RIBČEV LAZ (medium, 5 hrs, ↔ 13 km, ↑↓ 480 m)
Today, you have the option to either take a well-deserved rest by the lake or embark on an additional tour to the upper Bohinj valley. Through idyllic villages, you'll ascend to Rudnica hill, a vantage point that commands the valley and grants a farewell view of the lake and the mountains you've explored during your journey.
Day 8: DEPARTURE
After breakfast or extension of your stay.
Price
Price: 920 EUR per person in a double room sharing
(Currency converter here)
Price includes:
• Seven nights accommodation: four nights in 4* hotels; three nights in dormitories inside mountain huts, bed & breakfast.
• Car transfer on day 2
• Luggage transfers between hotels (one piece per person, max 23 kgs / 50 lb), Lufthansa airline dimensions. Every additional piece 40 EUR per trip. *During high altitude walks, from day 3 to day 6 clients need to carry own clothing / personal items with them and main luggage is stored at the Helia office
• Tour description and maps in GUIBO application electronic form
• Local tourist and other taxes
• Person welcome meeting upon arrival
• Backup service (hotline) during the walk
Supplements:
• Single travelers 450 EUR - applies when a person travels alone. Includes single room supplement.
• Single room (in hotels only) 290 EUR - applies when a person travels with a group
• Extra night in Planika hut 55 EUR (BB)
• Guided ascent of Mt. Triglav (extra night at Planika hut required) 1-3 persons 480 EUR including equipment and IFGMA licenced guide
• Printed information package including route notes and corresponding maps delivered upon arrival 30 EUR
Additional nights:
• 4* Hotel in Bled 115 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B, single room 210 EUR.
• 4* Hotel in Ribcev Laz Bohinj 115 EUR per person per night in a standard double room B&B, single room 195 EUR.
Not included: lunches, dinners, entrance fees, cable car ride to Vogel high plateau
Tour Profile
Trekking. Long walking days and challenging ascents / descents, these walks may require navigation and / or mountaineering skills. A good level of fitness and experience is required as the terrain can be rough and exposed in places. The average sum of all daily ascents exceeds 800 meters. Not suitable for children under 12 years.
Waytype: 95% alpine and mountain hiking paths. Surface: 97” natural, unpaved and gravel. 3% asphalt and paved.
Accommodation
Helia is committed to promoting responsible travel. In our journeys, we prioritize the use of small, genuine hotels and guesthouses imbued with local character, often run by local families.
Day 1: 4* Hotel Park, Lovec, Kompas, Savica or Triglav
Day 2: 3* Hotel Center; Pokljuka
Day 3: Planika mountain hut
Day 4: Seven Triglav Lakes mountain hut
Day 5: Komna mountain hut
Day 6, 7 :4* Hotel Jezero, Hotel Bohinj; Ribčev Laz
Travel Options & Local Transfers
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) - see here below!
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!
Local Transfers
Ljubljana Airport to Bled 1–3 persons: 88 EUR, 4–8 persons: 120 EUR
Ljubljana City to Bled 1–3 persons: 120 EUR, 4–8 persons: 160 EUR
Villach to Bled 1–3 persons: 160 EUR, 4–8 persons: 170 EUR
Klagenfurt Airport to Bled 1–3 persons: 195 EUR, 4–8 persons: 230 EUR
Lesce Bled Railway Station to Bled 1–3 persons: 20 EUR, 4–8 persons: 30 EUR
Trieste Airport to Bled 1–3 persons: 240 EUR, 4–8 persons: 310 EUR
All prices per transfer, one way.
