Julian Alps Walking Tour

Julian Alps Walking Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Departure from Kranjska Gora

Set off from the popular tourist enclave of Kranjska Gora on your first day of hiking. Today’s route takes you into the Sava Dolinka Valley, which leads you to Mojstrana, your destination for the evening. The valley acts as a connector between these two beloved tourism towns, Kranjska favoured in the winter and Mojstrana in the summer.

After the hike, you can cycle to the nearby Peričnik Waterfall in the Vrata Valley if you’re looking for extra sightseeing!
Overnight Location: Lodge in Mojstrana
Distance: 5-6 hours, 18.2km, 275m of ascent, 448m of descent
Meals: None

Day 2 The Industry of Jesenice

Continue east through the foothills of the Karavanke range as you follow the Sava River. Your route leads you through an old mining trail as you approach your destination of Jesenice, known for its ironworks. This was an important town for industrial production during the World Wars.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Jesenice
Distance: 4-5 hours, 20.6km, 690m of ascent, 785m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 In the Shadow of Stol

After breakfast, set off and continue along the Sava River, eventually crossing it in your way to Begunje na Gorenjskem. Along the way, you’ll pass through a handful of villages that lie under the watchful gaze of Stol, the tallest mountain in the Karavankes. Beekeeping is a prominent trade in these parts.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Begunje na Gorenjskem
Distance: 4-5 hours, 16.7km, 464m of ascent, 460m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 The Jewel of Lake Bled

Today’s route is relatively flat as you work back towards the west and the renowned resort town of Bled. Visit Radovljica, known as the cultural capital of the Julian Alps, before arriving at the breathtaking Lake Bled.

This beautiful setting is Slovenia’s most popular attraction, and for good reason. The aquamarine waters hold a tiny island with an even smaller church, and Bled Castle overlooks the entire scene from high atop a cliff. It’s an endlessly photographic spot!
Overnight Location: Lodge in Bled
Distance: 3-4 hours, 15.1km, 95m of ascent, 160m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 The Pokljuka Plateau

It’s an ascent into a series of mountain plateaus today, as you bid Bled goodbye and head west. Work through the narrow walls of the Pokljuka Gorge, then start to hike upwards as you cross the Kranjska Planina and Planina Javornik pastures. Some of these ascents are steep, but the views are more than worth it!
Overnight Location: Lodge in Goreljek
Distance: 6-7 hours, 21km, 866m of ascent, 95m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Descend to Lake Bohinj

From the dreamy alpine plateaus, set off on a descent through the meadows and forests of Pokljuka. Reaching the Upper Bohinj Valley, continue your walk through the settlements of Češnjica, Srednja vas and Studor before reaching Lake Bohinj. As Slovenia’s largest lake, this gorgeous environment is a popular place for locals who enjoy its clear waters and peaceful shores.
Overnight Location: Lodge near Lake Bohinj
Distance: 4-5 hours, 22km, 315m of ascent, 1038m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 Stroll Through the Dobrava Meadows

It’s a relatively short day today as you leave the shores of Lake Bohinj behind and hike towards Bohinjska Bistrica, the administrative centre of the region. Your route brings you along a series of unpaved roads and paths, crossing the broad Dobrava meadows with lovely vistas of the open green landscape.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Bohinjska Bistrica
Distance: 2-3 hours, 11km, 105m of ascent, 152m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Crossing the Vrh Bače Pass

Make the most of today’s breakfast– a nice long day of hiking awaits! Head out onto a trail that leads through the Vrh Bače Pass. Old military paths and strategic fortifications can be seen on this route, which provides stunning alpine vistas at every turn.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Podbrdo
Distance: 7-8 ½ hours, 13.5km, 770m of ascent, 785m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9 Through the Baška Valley

A lovely day of hiking through the higher reaches of the Baška grapa, a 30-kilometre valley that rises on either side of the Bača River. Pass through dreamlike tiny villages perched upon its slopes, hidden away from travellers who take the main roads and railways through the valley’s lower flanks.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Grahovo ob Bači
Distance: 5-6 hours, 17.2km, 1110m of ascent, 1208m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 Stories of the Soča River

Continue through the lower reaches of the valley today as you head towards the nearby Soča Valley and its breathtaking river. Its beautiful blue-green colour is unreal! The storybook town of Most an Soči makes an excellent visit, boasting a rich history dating back to prehistoric times. Your overnight location is just up the river from here.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Tolmin
Distance: 6-7 hours, 20.2km, 856m of ascent, 969m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11 Walking the Sunny Side of the River

It’s a flat and easy walk today along the valley floor. Your route is entirely (as the locals say) on the “sunny side” of the Soča River. Stroll through a number of picturesque villages until you reach Kobarid, where a WWI battle was famously documented by Ernest Hemingway in A Farewell to Arms.
Overnight Location: Lodge in Kobarid
Distance: 3-4 hours, 16.1km, 126m of ascent, 78m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 A River Runs Through It

Today’s hike continues along the Soča River, passing through the settlements of Kobarid and Trnovo. Explore the rugged features of the gorge which the water cuts through. This stretch shows the river at its wildest and most dramatic!
Overnight Location: Lodge in Bovec
Distance: 6-7 hours, 20.4km, 412m of ascent, 198m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13 Surrounded by Mountains

This shorter hike brings you to Log pod Mangartom, one of Slovenia’s most scenic little settlements. Home to a handful of tiny villages and hamlets, this area is surrounded by no less than 15 mountains with over 2,000m of elevation to their name. You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into another world!
Overnight Location: Lodge in Log pod Mangartom
Distance: 3-4 hours, 11.3km, 340m of ascent, 151m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 14 An Italian Overnight

Conquer a final mountain pass on today’s hike, which takes you up and over the Predil Pass into Italy. Spot the monument of a dying lion erected in remembrance of Austrian soldiers lost during the Napoleonic wars. Descend into the town of Tarvisio for a quick taste of Italy!
Overnight Location: Lodge in Tarvisio
Distance: 4-5 ½ hours, 17.6km, 664m of ascent, 558m of descent
Meals: Breakfast

Day 15 Return to Kranjska Gora

After a tasty Italian breakfast, head back on the trail for your return trip to Kranjska Gora, completing the loop. Pass through numerous charming villages and alpine centres before saying goodbye to the brilliant Julian Alps.

Depart the region via your own arrangements, or book your own accommodation to spend the night before departing the next day.
Overnight Location: None
Distance: 4-5 ½ hours, 19km, 181m of ascent, 129m of descent
Meals: Breakfast