Slovenia | Julian Alps Triglav Circuit
Let the enchantment of Slovenia carry you away.
Trip Highlights:
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The Julian Alps, starting point of the famed Via Alpina trans-Alp footpath.
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Triglav National Park, the heart of the Julian Alps, and Slovenia’s celebrated alpine treasure.
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Ravishing scenery, from the snowcapped peaks of the Julians to the sparkling blue of the Adriatic Sea.
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An enduring traditional life replete with master artisans and delectable cuisine.
Enchanting, or perhaps intoxicating, might be the best words to characterize the Julian Alps of Slovenia. Tom Longstaff, a renowned climber and president of the Alpine Club in London once wrote, “(The Julian Alps) have become for me, after forty years’ devotion to mountain scenery, the most desirable of all mountains…Triglav reigns over a dreamworld, sundered from time, full of unbelievable hidden nooks, of unsuspected passages, of sudden visions of cliffs which cannot be real. Surely there is no other mountain land like this.”
Indeed, Slovenia is a mountain land all to its own. Bordering Italy, Austria, Croatia and the Adriatic Sea, this rugged country beckons with dominating mountains, sun-drenched seaboards, alluring villages and a captivating culture. Triglav, Slovenia’s tallest peak, reigns supreme, and delights hikers with an elevation change of more than 9,000 feet from mountain to sea.
Slovenia is also a place where time slows down if you want it to. The countryside maintains a raw earthy feel, and it’s a place where families still work the land and grandmothers weave baskets out of corn. We’ll step into this enchanting world during a week of Slovenia’s finest walking.
Click here to read a guest account of our guided Slovenia hiking tour published by National Geographic Adventure.
Trip Itinerary
Choose from our standard itinerary or customize the trek by adding or subtracting days. We are happy to offer harder or gentler hikes where possible.
Ryder-Walker will provide a private taxi transfer from Ljubljana to Kranjska Gora, Julian alps most charming alpine village, exuding a serenity that makes the visitor feel immediately at home.
Today you will hike out of Kranjska Gora to Pec, a high point on a ridge where the borders of Italy, Austria and Slovenia meet. Hike on farm roads through ancient villages which give way to gorgeous single track that takes you high above timberline to this beautiful vantage point. Descend to the magical village of Ratice. Return to Kranjska Gora by bus or on foot. Enjoy regional and inernational specialites lovingly prepared by the skilled hotel chefs.
Van transfer to the famous Tamar Valley. The itinerary begins gently with an ascent to the Tamar hut. From here climb steeply to Sleme, a beautiful summit high above this fabulous valley. Descend to Vrsic (an outpost built for the Austrians by Russian WWI prisoners). Our van will pick you up here at the pass and transfer you to Trenta and a comfortable guest lodge in the heart of the National Park.
Leave Trenta and ascend the “Geology Path” and an old WWI military road up the Trebiska Valley to Cez Dol. Leave timberline and switchback to the top of a ridge not far from the Triglav summit. On the apex of the ridge is your hut, the Zasavska Koca. This magically situated hut is at the head of Slovenia’s most famous valley, the Valley of the Seven Lakes.
Begin a truly unique day by descending the Valley of the Seven Lakes to the Seven Lakes Hut. From here enjoy an undulating traverse-almost always a little up or a little down-through rocky terrain in a very Mediterranean environment. Finish at the Dom na Komni, your second and final hut of the trek. Upon arrival at this excellent hut, you’ll catch your first glimpse of Lake Bohinj, one of Slovenia’s most stunning natural features. The hut is well appointed with private rooms and fluffy duvets on the beds.
Depart the Komni Dom and traverse to the Konjsko pass. From the pass you will enjoy some of the most spectacular views of the Julian Alps, including the magnificent peaks Vogel and Krn. Views down to Lake Bohinj are unforgettable.
A short descent through karst topography and sink holes takes us to a conveniently situated cable car for a ride down to Ukanc on the shores of Lake Bohinj. Enjoy the first of two nights in a nice inn.
A final hike begins with a boat ride across Lake Bohinj to the tiny village of Stara Fuzina. Ascend through farmroads and meadows to the Kosijev Dom, a traditional Slovenian hut, for lunch with great views of the previous few days hiking and well as the lake below. Descend through alp and forest to Ukanc and your hotel.
Ryder-Walker will provide a private taxi transfer to Ljubljana.
Trip Rating
COMFORT
EFFORT
TERRAIN
Self-Guided Tour
Late June – Mid September
2023 Pricing
$2,470 per person double
Single (+$480)
Private Guided Tour
Late June-Mid September
2023 Pricing
**$4,900 per person double
Single (+$480)
**Price based on a group of four
Trip Map
Trip Profile
Duration
7 nights/8 days
Hiking up to 9 miles
One ascent up to 4700 ft with most days between 2000 and 3000 ft
Availability
Late June-Mid September
Tour Package Includes
Custom route descriptions
Four-color topo maps
Travel instructions
Partial luggage transfer (not at huts)
Cultural information and more
Accommodations
4 nights charming country inns
1 night simple country inn
2 nights in mountain huts (One with private rooms, one with a communal bunk room – both with shared bathrooms.)
Breakfast + Dinner
Breakfast daily and all but one dinner
Luggage Transfer
Luggage access everywhere except nights 4 and 5.
Transportation
Taxi transfers between between Ljubljana Airport and Kranjska Gora and Ukanc included.
Gateways
Ljubljana, Slovenia
