Hiking the Famous Trail Around the Julian Alps
This popular hiking tour takes you on a walk around the southeastern section of the Julian Alps. The trails leads through bucolic valleys, across green plateaus, over high passes, along hidden paths of sparsely populated areas, through small tourist centres on the outskirts of the mountains. It follows the Sava, Bača, and Tolminka rivers. Throughout most of the hike, Slovenia's highest mountain Triglav is visible from all sides. Along the way, you will discover the history of ironworks in Slovenia, get to know the homes of the great Slovenian writers and poets and learn about the importance of beekeeping in the past and today. You will get to meet ordinary people who live on secluded farms, meet cheesemakers who create their own products. Those interested in history will enjoy learning about major events here in the First and Second World War.
A collection of the most spectacular, different grade walks, from medium to hard, it features walks along mountain ridges, meadows and valley floors, slowly progressing from east to west.
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL IN 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 beautiful view of Bled from above.
Day 2: BLED - GORELJEK / POKLJUKA HIGH PLATEAU (intermediate, 7 hrs, ↔ 21 km, ↑ 866 m, ↓ 91 m)
In the morning, leave the Slovenian pearl and start hiking Juliana Trail towards the Julian Alps through the idyllic subalpine village of Gorje. The day's main highlight awaits at the magnificent Pokljuka Gorge – a designated nature reserve and protected biotope. You'll spend the night surrounded by blooming alpine meadows, immersed in the tranquility of this natural haven.
Day 3: GORELJEK / POKLJUKA HIGH PLATEAU - STARA FUZINA / BOHINJ VALLEY (intermediate, 5 hrs, ↔ 22 km, ↑ 280 m, ↓ 1.005 m)
Today you will descend from mountain pastures into the stunning Bohinj valley that awaits below. As you pass through the quaint villages along the way, you can visit a small alpine museum. Your final destination is the beautiful alpine Lake Bohinj, framed in a dead-end valley by the Julian Alps. Before dinner, indulge in a special treat – a panoramic cruise around the lake, offering a unique perspective of its natural splendor.
Day 4: STARA FUZINA / BOHINJ VALLEY - BOHINJSKA BISTRICA (easy, 2:30 hrs, ↔ 11.3 km, ↑ 103 m, ↓ 151 m)
An easy stage of hiking is ahead of you today. Say goodbye to the lake and walk through the nearby village pastures to Bohinjska Bistrica. Your hotel is famous for its wellness programs. In this small town, you can relax and prepare for the more demanding stages ahead.
Day 5: BOHINJSKA BISTRICA - PODBRDO (hard, 8 hrs, ↔ 13.7 km, ↑ 770 m, ↓ 763 m)
Today's stage of the Juliana Trail Southeast wing is a bit more challenging, but the rewards for your efforts will be abundant. Setting off from Bistrica, and passing by the former ski resort, you'll ascend to Baška sedlo. Here, you'll have the delightful opportunity to indulge in a snack "at the top of the world". From the saddle, you'll be treated to the most breathtaking views of the entire tour. The views extend far and wide, enveloping the nearby and distant mountain landscapes. In the afternoon, you'll descend to the quaint town of Podbrdo, where you'll spend a peaceful and restful night.
Day 6: PODBRDO - GRAHOVO (hard, 6:30 hrs, ↔ 17.1 km, ↑ 1,308 m, ↓ 879 m)
If you cherish solitude, the embrace of nature, and the symphony of silence, then you're in for a treat on this stage of the hike. It guides you through landscapes where, aside from the locals, visitors seldom tread. High above the valley of the Bača River, you'll wander along mountain trails, encountering the warm hospitality of the friendly inhabitants who call these remote places home.
Day 7: GRAHOVO - TOLMIN (intermediate / easy, 5:30 hrs, ↔ 21.9 km, ↑ 884 m, ↓ 1,013 m)
The valley you'll hike through today holds a special place in the hearts of all Slovenes. It's a place of historical significance, as it was where the first Slovenian feature film with sound was shot—a story of devoted partisans who valiantly fought against their occupiers. Along your route, you'll encounter numerous monuments from both the First and Second World Wars, serving as poignant reminders of the region's past. In the afternoon, you'll reach the majestic Soča River. Before the day comes to a close, consider taking a boat ride along its renowned turquoise lake, a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of this iconic waterway.
Day 8: DEPARTURE
After breakfast or extension of your stay. You may wish to continue hiking onward our Northwestern loop of Juliana Trail. You can also continue along the famous Alpe Adria Trail.
Price
Price per person based on two people sharing:
Low season: May 5 to May 17 and September 28 to October 12, 2024: 945 EUR
High season: May 18 to September 27, 2024: 975 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 23 kgs / 50 lb per person) - every additional piece 60 EUR per trip, payable on spot
• tour description and maps in GUIBO application electronic form
• local tourist and other taxes
• welcome meeting
• backup service (hotline) during the walk
Supplements:
• single travelers 545 EUR - applies when a person travels alone
• single room 375 EUR low season, 415 EUR high season - applies when a person with a group
• printed information package including route notes and corresponding maps delivered upon arrival - 30 EUR
Additional nights:
• 4* Hotel in Bled 130 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 170 EUR
• 4* Hotel in Bohinj 115 EUR per person per night in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 165 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 from 5 to 12 years: 40% discount on basic price when sleeping on auxiliary bed, sharing room with parents
• children from 5 to 12 years: 20% discount on basic price when sleeping on regular bed, sharing room with parents
• third person in a double room on auxiliary bed: 10% discount only for the third person
Not included: flights, entrance fees, meals not mentioned in itinerary, drinks with meals
Transfers:
Ljubljana Airport to Bled
1–3 persons: 80 EUR
4–8 persons: 110 EUR
Ljubljana City to Bled
1–3 persons: 110 EUR
4–8 persons: 150 EUR
Villach to Bled
1–3 persons: 160 EUR
4–8 persons: 180 EUR
Klagenfurt Airport to Bled
1–3 persons: 190 EUR
4–8 persons: 230 EUR
Lesce Bled Railway Station to Bled
1–3 persons: 20 EUR
4–8 persons: 30 EUR
Tolmin to Bled
1–3 persons: 160 EUR
4–8 persons: 190 EUR
All prices per transfer, one way. No pooling permitted.
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* Hotels Park / Lovec / Triglav in Bled
Day 2: 3* Hotel Center on Pokljuka
Day 3: 4* Hotel Jezero in Ribcev Laz
Day 4: 4* Eco Hotel in Bohinjska Bistrica
Day 5: 3* Guesthouse Apartmaji Sonce in Podbrdo
Day 6: 2* Guesthouse Brisar in Grahovo
Day 7: 3* Hotel Dvorec in Tolmin
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 - please ask us for a favourable quote!
By train: Bled has two railway stations: Lesce-Bled on the Villach - Ljubljana mainline, 4 km from town centre, you'd need to take a local bus. The other option is station Bled-Jezero on the Jesenice - Nova Gorica sideline; only a few trains a day. 2 km away from town centre.
By bus: Flixbus stops at Bled.
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
Return transfer: from Tolmin to Bled - please ask us for a favorable quote!
