Karavanke Range and Julian Alps in one hiking holiday
This self-guided walking tour is a collection of different grade walks. However - none of them have a climber's rating. The route leads you along mountain ridges, through meadows, and across valley floors, gradually descending from east to west. The picturesque alpine trail offers breathtaking views at every twist and turn. Suitable for experienced hikers.
Itinerary
Day 1: ARRIVAL in JEZERSKO
Nestled in a picturesque basin, flanked by the majestic Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the Karavanke Mountains, the quaint and romantic village of Jezersko will serve as your trailhead. Here, you'll enjoy the next three nights amidst this enchanting setting.
Day 2: JEZERSKO–ČEŠKA KOČA (round-walk, hard, 6 hrs, ↔ 12 km, ↑↓ 640 m)
Embark on a gentle warm-up hike to Češka koča. This trail leads to one of Slovenia's oldest alpine huts, standing serenely beneath the imposing north face of Mt. Grintovec, a true alpine giant. Pause here to savor lunch and bask in the presence of majestic peaks, while taking in the captivating view of the parallel valleys. On your return journey, you'll pass by the delightful Shepherds Lake before arriving back in Jezersko.
Day 3: JEZERSKO–VIRNIKOV GRINTOVEC (hard, 7 hrs, ↔ 18 km, ↑↓ 760 m)
Today's adventure entails a hike up the northern side of the Kamnik Alps, specifically Virnikov Grintavec. The path weaves through meadows and forests, ultimately leading to a breathtaking viewpoint overlooking the Jezersko valley. Here, straddling the border between Slovenia and Austria, you'll be treated to a splendid panorama of the Grintovec range. It's a vista that truly showcases the natural beauty of this region.
Day 4: JEZERSKO–LJUBELJ–BEGUNJE (intermediate, 4 hrs, 12,5 km, ↑ 250 m, ↓ 700 m)
You'll begin with a car transfer to the starting point at Ljubelj, right on the Austrian border. From here, the trail leads you through a brief subterranean passage originally excavated by merchants to expedite travel between Carniola and Carinthia. Upon emerging on the other side, you'll follow the ancient shepherd's path before entering the serene Draga Valley. This will be your final stretch, culminating in the historic village of Begunje. Notably, Begunje is the hometown of the renowned Slavko Avsenik and the Oberkrainer band. Just 2 kilometers down the road, you'll find the evocative ruins of Kamen Castle.
Day 5: BEGUNJE–KARAVANKE RANGE–LAKE BLED (intermediate, 7 hrs, ↔ 13 km, ↑ 850 m, ↓ 790 m)
Day for a panoramic stroll along the base of the Karavanke range. Your morning ascent will lead you to the diminutive St. Peter's Church, strategically constructed at an observation point during the days of Turkish raids. The day's walk is a easy one, allowing you to relish the serene pastoral scenery and the sweeping views of the Julian Alps. After a brief car transfer, your day ends in Bled—a globally renowned town nestled along the shores of a stunning glacial lake. Here, you'll find the unique island church gracefully positioned on the lake's surface, while the imposing castle stands sentinel atop a cliff, watching over the town. It's a quintessential scene of natural and architectural beauty.
Day 6: BLED–POKLJUKA HIGH PLATEAU (hard, 6 hrs, ↔ 14 km, ↑ 710 m, ↓ 640 m)
Car transfer to the beginning point, on top of Pokljuka high plateau (1280 m) – starting point of many hiking trails in Julian Alps. The hike will guide you across mountain pastures and through lush fir forests, ultimately leading to the Lipanska Hut. Here, you can enjoy a typical hiker's lunch. After lunch, your path will wind along a panoramic route, offering superb views of the Karawanke range, Pokljuka plateau, Krma valley, and the Bohinj Mountains. This picturesque journey concludes at the biathlon centre of Pokljuka, where you'll spend the night. It's a day filled with natural beauty and invigorating mountain air.
Day 7: POKLJUKA–USKOVNICA SADLE–LAKE BOHINJ (intermediate, 4 hrs, ↔ 14 km, ↑ 30 m ↓ 830 m)
Embarking from the Pokljuka Plateau, your hike will lead you through mountain pastures and past charming old farmhouses. Along the way, you'll reach a vantage point offering magnificent vistas into the Bohinj Valley. As you descend, make a delightful stop at the historic village of Studor. Your ultimate destination is Lake Bohinj, cradled by the majestic peaks of the Triglav National Park. If you arrive early enough, consider a walk to the opposite side of the lake. From there, you have two exciting options: either trek the trail leading to the awe-inspiring Savica Waterfall, the source of the lake, or take the cable car up to the Vogel Mountain ski resort. This vantage point promises the finest view of the lake, valley, and the imposing Triglav Mountain, the highest peak in Slovenia.
Day 8: DEPARTURE
After breakfast or extension of your stay.
You may also wish to continue hiking onward over our Goldhorn Trail!
Price
Price per person in a double room sharing:
Low season: May 25 to June 9 and September 22 to October 5, 2024: 925 EUR
High season: June 10 to September 21, 2024: 975 EUR
(Currency converter)
Price includes:
• accommodation in 3* or 4* hotels/guesthouses in a two-bed room with WC and shower, on a bed & breakfast basis
• transfers on days 4, 5 and 6
• luggage transport between hotels (one piece per person, max 23 kgs / 50 lb) - every additional piece 60 € 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 560 EUR - applies when a person travels alone
• single room 395 EUR in low season, 430 EUR in high season - applies when a person travels together with a group
• printed information package including route notes and corresponding maps delivered upon arrival - 30 EUR
Additional nights:
• 3* Guesthouse in Jezersko 80 EUR per person in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 115 EUR
• 4* Hotel in Bled 130 EUR per person in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 170 EUR
• 4* Hotel in Ribčev Laz / Bohinj 115 EUR per person in a standard double room, B&B. Single room 165 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 adult in the room on auxiliary bed 10% (applies only to the third person)
• one night less in Jezersko - 30 EUR
Not included: flights, entrance fees, meals not mentioned in itinerary, drinks with meals
Transfers:
Ljubljana Airport to Jezersko
1–3 persons: 100 EUR
4–8 persons: 130 EUR
Ljubljana City to Jezersko
1–3 persons: 110 EUR
4–8 persons: 150 EUR
Bohinj to Ljubljana Airport
1–3 persons: 130 EUR
4–8 persons: 170 EUR
Bohinj to Ljubljana City
1–3 persons: 150 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, 2, 3: 3* Guesthouse
Day 4: 3* Guesthouse
Day 5: 4* Hotel
Day 6: 3* Hotel
Day 7: 4* Hotel
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): please ask us for a favorable quote.
By train: nearest railway station is in Kranj, but it is difficult to get from there to Jezersko. It is better to order our transfer - please ask us for a favorable quote.
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 - please ask us for a favorable quote
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 - please ask us for a favorable quote.
