Famous Walking Trail Around The Julian Alps
This fabulous hiking tour takes you on a trek around the northwestern section of the Julian Alps. Mountain lovers will be enthralled by the stunning alpine scenery, and history lovers will enjoy learning about major events that took place here in the First and Second World War.
This hike features a collection of the most spectacular, different graded walks, from medium to hard. Trails will take you along mountain ridges, meadows and valley floors, slowly moving from east to west.
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL IN TOLMIN
If you arrive in Tolmin by train, you can take local transport from Most na Soči; the hotel is also close to the bus station. We suggest you check-in to the hotel early afternoon, then you'll have time to visit the stunning Tolmin Gorge, where the great Dante often searched for inspiration. Additionally, you can walk to the tombs of German soldiers who fell here during the decisive Battle of Kobarid in 1917.
Day 2: TOLMIN - KOBARID (intermediate, 3:30 hrs, ↔ 16 km, ↑ 125 m, ↓ 75 m)
Let's get on the road! The first stage of the Juliana Trail to Kobarid runs along the left bank of the Soča, a beautiful turquoise river that thunders through the valley. The walk follows the river for a large part of the way, leading off sometimes through the woods at the foot of the mighty Krn massif. In the small church in Vrsno, you'll find a homage to the memory of Slovene poet Simon Gregorčič, who foresaw the WWI tragedy in this beautiful valley. By evening we will reach the historic town of Kobarid. There will be enough time to visit the famous museum of the First World War or to walk to the Italian ossuary above the city.
Day 3: KOBARID - BOVEC (easy, 6 hrs, ↔ 20.2 km, ↑ 412 m, ↓ 198 m)
Today's hike takes you through the narrow gorge of the Soča. The first stop is at the majestic Kozjak Waterfall, which cascades 15 metres down into a beautiful emerald pool inside a stony chamber. The trail then slowly ascends towards the course of the river past Trnovo to Srpenica. As you meander along the Soča near Žaga, it is worth moving away from the route and climbing to a lookout point under the mighty Boka waterfall, the largest-volume waterfall in Slovenia. At the highest water level of the Kanin abysses, Boka certainly deserves the title "Slovenian Niagara". Across the former front line of the First World War, you will reach the idyllic alpine town of Bovec.
Day 4: BOVEC - LOG POD MANGARTOM (intermediate, 3:10 hrs, ↔ 11.3 km, ↑ 340 m, ↓ 151 m)
Today you leave Bovec and Soča and head west. In the Kluže gorge, you can admire the mighty Austrian fortress which blocked the road towards the interior of Austria. Part of the Juliana Trail also leads through the fort. Following the goat paths, over streams and torrents, the trail continues upstream until reaching your ultimate destination, the idyllic village Log pod Mangartom.
Day 5: LOG POD MANGARTOM - TARVISIO (hard, 4:15 hrs, ↔ 20.6 km, ↑ 767 m, ↓ 659 m)
The first part of the day starts with a slightly more demanding hike. From Log the trail ascends through the mountain village of Strmec to the Predil pass. The effort will be rewarded with magnificent views of Mt. Mangart and Mt. Jerebica. Here you will cross the border into Italy, and the main part of the day can be spent at Lake Raibl. The nearby town of the same name was once a mining town, used by the Counts of Celje used to dig lead ore in the nearby Raibl Mines. Today though, you can enjoy a nice cappuccino in an almost extinct village. Rio Fredo River leads to Tarvisio, where you will spend the night.
Day 6: TARVISIO - KRANJSKA GORA (easy, 6 hrs, ↔ 19 km, ↑ 181 m, ↓ 123 m)
After breakfast, the hike begins with a stroll along the route of the former railway back towards Slovenia. Leaving Italy, the view is dominated by Four-Finger Mountain. When you re-enter Slovenia, the mighty Mt. Mangart will once again greet you. The village of Rateče is famous for its good inns, where you can refresh yourself before visiting Zelenci, the source of the Sava River. You will stay overnight in Kranjska Gora.
Day 7: KRANJSKA GORA - MOJSTRANA - BLED (intermediate, 4:20 hrs, ↔ 16.6 km, ↑ 233 m, ↓ 403 m)
The last day of the walk offers a million-dollar view from the start. From Srednji vrh, the panorama of the Špik mountain group is shown in all its broad beauty! After descending into the valley, follow the cycling and hiking trail of the former Jesenice - Tarvisio railway all the way to Mojstrana. From here the route will take you to the famous resort, Bled. Bled is situated on the shore of a beautiful glacial lake. View its magical island church and clifftop castle at sunrise or sunset to see why it has earned a place as one of Slovenia's most popular attractions. Take a stroll around the lake and hike up to Mala Osojnica viewpoint at the western end for an excellent view from above.
(At the end of the hiking day, we will collect you in Mojstrana and bring you to Bled. It is possible to follow the original Juliana Trail route to Bled. However, this part leads through the industrial city, Jesenice and its urbanized surroundings leaving little to enjoy. Should you wish to walk that section too, please contact us and we will add an extra day to this tour. Please also see the Tab Additional days.)
Day 8: DEPARTURE
After breakfast or extension of your stay. You may wish to continue hiking onward over the Southwestern stage of Juliana Trail.
Price
Price per person based on two people sharing:
Low season: April 29 to May 19 and September 23 to October 7, 2023: 810 EUR
High season: May 20 to September 22, 2023: 870 EUR
(Currency converter)
Price includes:
• seven nights accommodation in above-mentioned hotels 3* / guesthouses 2* in a two-bed room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis
• luggage transfer between overnight accommodation (one piece max 20 kgs / 45 lb per person)
• transfer on day 7
• comprehensive information pack including route description and corresponding maps in electronic form
• GPS data
• local tourist and other taxes
• welcome meeting upon arrival
• backup service (hotline) during the walk
Supplements:
• single travelers 250 EUR
• single room 165 EUR
• printed information package in English including route notes and corresponding maps delivered upon arrival 30 EUR
Additional nights:
• 4* Hotel in Bled 105 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 170 EUR
• 3* Hotel in Tolmin 75 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 90 EUR
Discounts:
• children up to 5 years: free of charge when sharing bed and room with parents
• children up from 5 to 12 years: when sharing room with parents and sleeping on an auxiliary bed -40% on basic price
• children up from 5 to 12 years: when sharing room with parents and sleeping on a regular bed -20% on basic price
• third adult in the room -10% on basic price
Not included: flights, entrance fees, meals not mentioned in itinerary, drinks with meals
Transfers:
Ljubljana Airport to Tolmin
1–3 persons: 140 EUR
4–8 persons: 160 EUR
Trieste Airport to Tolmin
1–3 persons: 120 EUR
4–8 persons: 140 EUR
Most na Soči Railway Station to Tolmin
1–3 persons: 20 EUR
4–8 persons: 30 EUR
Bled to Ljubljana Airport
1–3 persons: 75 EUR
4–8 persons: 105 EUR
Bled to Ljubljana City
1–3 persons: 100 EUR
4–8 persons: 140 EUR
Other transfer routes prices on request
Additional days
This section only covers the extra days of original Juliana Trail from Mojstrana to Bled:
1. day Mojstrana to Jesenice (medium difficulty, 4:30 hrs, 20.6. km, ↑ 691 m, ↓ 784 m)
2. day Jesenice to Begunje (medium difficulty, 4:30 hrs, 16.2 km, ↑ 435 m, ↓ 431 m)
3. day Begunje to Bled (easy, 3:40 hrs, 15.1.km, ↑ 95 m, ↓ 159 m)
Price: 290 EUR per person based on two people sharing
(Currency converter here)
Price includes:
• three nights (in Mojstrana, Jesenice and Begunje) accommodation in hotels 3* and / or guesthouses 2* in a two-bed room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis
• luggage transfer between overnight accommodation (one piece max 20 kgs / 45 lb per person). Every additional piece 10 EUR, payable on the spot
• comprehensive information pack including route description with corresponding maps in electronic form. Every additional pack 20 EUR
• GPS data
• local tourist and other taxes
• welcome meeting upon arrival
• backup service (hotline) during the walk
Supplements:
• single room 190 EUR
Accommodation
Helia supports responsible travel. On our trips we therefore use small, authentic hotels and guesthouses with character operated by locals or their families. Here you can find the list of standard accommodation we primarily use on the trip. The actual hotels may differ from this list, depending on time of booking and rooms availability.
Day 1 3* Hotel Dvorec / Tolmin
Day 2 3* Hotel Hvala / Kobarid
Day 3 4* Hotel Mangart / Hotel Sanje ob Soči Bovec
Day 4 3* Hotel Alpine / Log pod Mangartom
Day 5 3* Hotel Trieste / Tarvisio
Day 6 3* Hotel Miklič / Kranjska Gora
Day 7 4* Hotel Triglav / Hotel Rikli Balance Bled
Travel options
Starting point of this trip is Tolmin 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 Tolmin via Ljubljana City by bus (change once, takes about 5 hrs) or book our transfer - please ask us for a favourable quote! Next good option is Trieste airport. From here you can take a train/bus to Slovenia and Tolmin or we come to pick you up - ask us for a favourable quote.
By train: Tolmin has a railway station at nearby (5 km) Most na Soči on the Jesenice - Nova Gorica mainline. There are a few trains per day and the trip over the vintage railway line is quite spectacular. From the railway station, you can take a local bus to Tolmin.
By bus: there are a few buses per day to Ljubljana and to Nova Gorica (if you fly to Trieste airport).
By car: take exit Lesce from A1 motorway Ljubljana - Jesenice. Long term parking is available in Bled, but has to be booked in advance, please consult us.
... and away
By plane: closest airport is Ljubljana (LJU). Several airlines serve it (check connections here).
By train: From Bled you can travel by train to Austria, Italy and Ljubljana. The town has two railway stations: Lesce-Bled on the Villach - Ljubljana mainline, 4 kms from town centre, you'd need to take a local bus or we transfer you. 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 in Bled
