JULIAN ALPS PEAKS WALK	price from 530 €
Slovenia - Independent walking - 8 days

A very picturesque mountain tour, emphasis on the countryside and natural points of interest.

Program

Day 1 ARRIVAL IN MOJSTRANA. Upon arrival at Ljubljana airport you will be transferred to the idyllic alpine village of Mojstrana, where you will spend the night. The village sits at the confluence of the Triglavska Bistrica and the Sava River, on the edge of the Triglav National Park. Here you can spend the evening in one of the many gostilnas (family-run restaurants) where you can sample delicious Slovenian home-cooking. Small family hotel 3*.

Day 2 MOJSTRANA – VRATA VALLEY. You will wake early to a scene from a fairytale, as the dawn light softly illuminates the towering peaks of the Julian Alps that dominate the western horizon and mark the entry point to the region’s three magical valleys, Vrata, Krma and Kot. Your route will take you through the Vrata Valley. For the first day you will have a relatively short hike (12 km; about 4h) along the Triglavska Bistrica trail. This trail takes you through the most beautiful parts of the valley. At an altitude of 750m the Peričnik waterfall will be the highlight of today’s walk. It actually consists of two waterfalls; the first cascade drops 16m onto the first ridge and then plunges a further 52m to the bottom. Other attractions on this day include the Galleries, which are natural roofs formed by great sheets of eroding limestone, and the amphitheatre-shaped end of the Vrata valley. The walk ends at Aljažev dom mountain hut (1015m.), where you will spend the night in the foothills of Mt. Triglav’s north face (The highest mountain in Slovenia.) and be awed by the beauty of its three magnificent peaks. (Transfer of luggage from Mojstrana to Aljažev dom is included). Mountain hut accommodation. 18kms, +160m, -200m.

Day 3 VRATA VALLEY – KOČA NA DOLIČU MOUNTAIN HUT. Starting from Aljažev dom hut you will walk for about 2hrs 45 min along a trail that leads you along the foothills of the spectacular north face of Triglav and its towering peaks (2864m.) According to ancient Slavic legend, Mount Triglav is the three-headed god who watches over the earth, sky and underworld. Its triple peak is also the symbol of Slovenian national pride and independence. The trail will take you across the Luknja saddle (1758m.) where you will be blessed with a magnificent view of the surrounding landscape. From the saddle it’s no more than 3 hours to Kočana Doliču mountain hut (2151m.) where you will spend the night. Alternatively you could continue your walk to Vodnikova koča hut (a further 3 hours). (Today your main luggage gets collected at Aljažev dom and is safely stored in Helia’s head office in Bled until you reach Bohinj at the end of the walk. You will not have access to it until then so make sure you have everything you need in your backpack.) Mountain hut accommodation.

Day 4 KOČA NA DOLIČU MOUNTAIN HUT – KOČA PRI TRIGLAVSKIH JEZERIH. After a hearty breakfast you will start your walk across the Hribarice pass (2358m.) in the direction of the Koča pri Triglavskih Jezerih hut. On your way to the hut you can stop and admire the beauty of one the Triglav Park’s seven lakes, Zeleno Jezero (Green Lake), whose name is derived from the high algae content painting the lake a gorgeous lush green. As you continue on you will enjoy the beautiful view into the rest of the Dolina Triglavskih Jezer (The Valley of the Triglav Lakes). From the Koča pri Triglavski Jezerih hut it’s about a 3-hour hike to the Koča pri Savici hut where you will spend the night. Mountain hut accommodation.

Day 5 KOČA PRI TRIGLAVSKIH JEZERIH – RIBČEV LAZ / BOHINJ VALLEY. The day will start with a short 20-minute walk to Savica Waterfall, which is one of the most famous and popular waterfalls in Slovenia. An alpine Karst spring flows to the top of the waterfall and then cascades 78 metres and subsequently feeds the mighty Lake Bohinj. From here you will follow the flow and take an easy stroll around the lake-edge (5 km) for the afternoon. In the summer months you can swim in its crystal clear water. You will spend the night on the eastern shore of the lake in the lovely lakeside village of Ribcev Laz where you can warm your blood with delicious homemade honey brandy and schnapps in the local bars.. (Your main luggage will await you here.) Hotel 4*.

Day 6 RIBČEV LAZ / BOHINJ VALLEY. After breakfast you will take the gondola to the Ski Hotel on Vogel Mountain (1540m). From the hotel there is a wonderful view of Triglav Mountain and across Lake Bohinj into the Bohinj Valley. After about 1hr 15mins you will reach Šija peak (1880m.) and yet another spectacular view from its summit. Then it’s on to Vogel peak (1922m). It will take just over one hour to reach the summit where you will then continue towards Globoko saddle (1828m.) after which you will go straight to the mountain pasture of Kal (1346m.) and then follow the marked trail through Zagarjev graben to the village of Ukanc. Hotel 4*.

Day 7 RIBČEV LAZ / BOHINJ VALLEY – LAKE BLED. After breakfast you will be transferred to Lake Bled, a place that attracts visitors with its combination of natural wonders and unique culture and history. The surrounding region offers plenty of excellent hiking opportunities, including a walk to the stunning Vintgar Gorge. There is a 1600-metre long walk on a wooden walkway, which leads through the scenic gorge along the Radovna River to the Sum Waterfall. Heading east, following well-marked signs for Bled, you have about 1 km to the Church of St. Catherine. From here it’s about 4kms back to Bled Lake. If you prefer a nice leisurely stroll on your final day, a hike around the lake takes about 1 hour. You can reach the famous island church on the lake by a special boat called “Pletna”, or visit Bled Castle and its museum inside. The museum hosts an interesting exhibition on the history of the castle. Your final night will be spent in a nice hotel overlooking the lake. Small family 4* hotel, lake view room.

Day 8 DEPARTURE FROM BLED. The tour ends with a hearty breakfast, after which you are free to do as you please.