Overview
Spend eight days hiking the Julian Alps, guided by a local mountain expert along trails through Triglav National Park, to Lakes Bled and Bohinj as well as the adventure-filled Soca Valley. On this small group tour, the first three days are hiking heaven, with a bit of hardcore hut-to-hut adventures, so that you can experience the Julian Alps in all their grandeur, sunrise to sunset. After that, you spend two days in the adventure capital of Bovec, giving you a chance to either hike or take on another adventure such as rafting or kayaking in the Soca Valley. Starting and finishing in Ljubljana, top and tail the adventure with time in one of Europe’s most elegant capital cities.
Please note: depending on the departure date, the maximum group size is eight or 16 travellers. When there are more than eight people, there are two guides, and two eight-seater minivans for the transfers along the way.
- Ljubljana
- Triglav National Park
- Lake Bled
- Lake Bohinj
- Soca Valley
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Ljubljana
In the afternoon, meet the guide at the hotel in Ljubljana. From there go for a welcome drink on the banks of the Ljubljanica River and get a chance to meet fellow hikers before the guide talks you through all the details of the trip. After this, we recommend taking time to explore Slovenia’s most elegant capital city, with its 11th-century iconic castle complex overlooking the river from Castle Hill.
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Ljubljana (City Hotel Ljubljana or similar)
Day 2: Triglav National Park | 9km
Today is the start of a three day hut-to-hut trek, exploring trails in Triglav National Park, which protects large swathes of the Julian Alps. Start off walking through alpine pastures into the hills near Lake Bohinj. With a traditional pastoral feel on these mountain trails, you can taste and buy fresh cheese and milk at small farms en route. Continue on up mountain passes which then descend to wildflower-filled meadows. You get a view of Slovenia’s highest mountain, Mount Triglav (2,864m) as you head to the first mountain hut of this trek. Climb the neighbouring summit (extra 1h) to get some superb views across the jagged peaks of the Julian Alps in the evening light.
Please note: you stay in mountain huts on days two and three, where luggage transport is not possible. So you need to carry your daypack and any overnight gear that you need until you get to your hotel on day four.
- Accommodation: Vodnik Mountain Hut
- Walking for the day: 9km, ↑900m ↓250m, approx. 6h
- Meals: breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Day 3: Trek to Valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes | 12km
Today is the most challenging day of the trip, through the heart of the Julian Alps. Start with a warm-up walk along a hillside path through a dwarf pine forest. From here a gravel path goes over rocky terrain through alpine scenery to a high mountain pass, with a great view of Mount Triglav. There is an option to take on another summit here (1h ascent and an altitude gain of 250m), at the top of which are rewarding views over the highest summits of the Slovenian, Italian and Austrian Alps. As the gravel path turns downhill, join the Via Alpina Trail and Slovenian Mountain Trail, to Valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes. This is a more relaxed walk along an easy and popular valley taking you to the mountain hut.
- Accommodation: Seven Lakes Mountain Hut
- Walking for the day: 12km, ↑700m ↓750m, approx. 7h
- Meals: breakfast, dinner
Day 4: Trek to Lake Bohinj | 8km
Start the day with a trek across some scree to a mountain saddle between two peaks. There is an opportunity to hike to a summit with great views over Valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes and the Julian Alps. After returning from the summit, leave the highest and most extensive mountain range in Slovenia behind for a while. From here, trek along a limestone pavement surrounded by sinkholes and pine bushes, leading to green forests and alpine pastures. The route follows a dirt path leading to lakeside cabins, before heading on to Bohinj Valley bringing your day to a close with a swim in the crystal clear waters of Lake Bohinj, exploring the town and enjoying a night in a hotel.
- Accommodation: Hotel Jezero or similar at Lake Bohinj
- Walking for the day: 8km, ↑200m ↓800m, approx. 4h
- Meals: breakfast, lunch
Day 5: Lake Bled and Vrsic Mountain Pass | 10km
For the following days, you are transferred by van to various trailheads. The first step is the iconic Lake Bled, where we hike to a popular viewpoint to take in the famous lake, island church and clifftop castle. All with the magnificent Karavanke Alps as a backdrop. Our next quest is a scenic drive on a winding road among the limestone walls leading to Vrsic Mountain Pass. The road was built by Russian prisoners during World War I and makes for a perfect starting point for our next hike along a forest path up to a mountain pass. We then descend to Soca Valley, considered the most biodiverse place in the country with emerald waters, dense forests and the widest variety of outdoor adventures in Slovenia. The outdoor adventure hub of Bovec is where we spend the next two nights.
- Accommodation: Hotel Mangart Bovec or similar in Bovec
- Walking for the day: 10km, ↑650m ↓650m, approx. 5h
- Meals: breakfast, lunch
Day 6: Soca Valley adventures | 8km
We have various adventurous options today, including a short hike to Mount Mangart, the third highest peak in Slovenia at 2,679m, or you can take on some kayaking, rafting, zip-lining and canyoning. If you opt for the trek, you start early so that you can take on the 5h trek up to the summit, using rope aids at certain points to ascend steep terrain. After the descent, the group gets together over a delicious local lunch. In the afternoon you still have enough time for some outdoor adventures, have a massage or explore the town.
- Accommodation: Hotel Mangart Bovec or similar in Bovec
- Walking for the day: 8km, ↑650m ↓650m, approx. 5h
- Meals: breakfast, lunch
Day 7: Juliana Trail and Vipava Valley wine region | 9km
Start the day with a circular walk on the Juliana Trail, which is part of the Soca Trail and follows the Soca River. After lunch we leave Bovec and drive to the rolling hills of Vipava Valley, one of the country’s most charming wine regions. One of the local producers host us in his wine cellar for a final dinner, where we uncork the finest local varieties and toast to new friendships and an amazing adventure.
- Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Ljubljana (City hotel Ljubljana or similar)
- Walking for the day: 9km, ↑300m ↓300m, approx. 2.5h
- Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 8: Departure
- Meals: breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Five nights in three-star hotels (all in private en-suite double/twin rooms), and two nights in mountain huts (mixed-gender dorm rooms, shared facilities). Hotels been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- City hotel Ljubljana
- Vodnik Mountain Hut
- Seven lakes mountain hut
- Hotel Jezero Bohinj
- Hotel Mangart Bovec
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Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
As listed in the itinerary. breakfast is included on each morning, as well as a packed lunch on each walking day. Two dinners are included while staying in mountain huts, and for the other dinners, there are plenty of local restaurants that we can recommend.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is rated moderate to strenuous and is therefore appropriate for experienced hikers. Average walking distance is 10-12km per day, and average daily elevation gain is 600-700m (read more about difficulty grades). The guide will choose the most suitable routes. However, for you to enjoy the holiday to the maximum, previous experience in alpine terrain is recommended.
When to go
We offer a number of guaranteed departure dates in July, August and September – you can see them by clicking on the See Dates and prices link above. Private dates for individual groups can be organised upon request.
Climate is mostly mountain and alpine, cold and moist influenced by high altitudes. Snow cover in valleys and peaks persists from 180 to 250 days of a year. Windy weather is typical, and during summer afternoon storms are usual. The average temperature in July is 15C.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Ljubljana Airport (LJU).
By train or bus
Transfers to/from airports
Getting to and from Ljubljana airport to the city centre is easy, as there are a regular buses and many taxi options on the spot. We can also organise a private transfer.
Inclusions
Included
- 5 nights in 3-star hotels, double or twin en-suite rooms
- 2 nights on a half-board basis in mountain huts*, with mixed-gender dormitories (four to 10 beds per room) and shared facilities
- Final dinner in a wine cellar
- English-speaking hiking guide
- All transfers listed in the itinerary, starting and ending in Ljubljana
- Welcome meeting over a drink in Ljubljana
- Meals as listed in the itinerary
* Please note: you stay in mountain huts on days two and three, where luggage transport is not possible. So you need to carry your daypack and any overnight gear that you need until you get to your hotel on day four.
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Meals not specified in the itinerary
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Meals not specified in the Inclusions
- Personal expenses
- Guide tips
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- Where members of the group require a room of their own, and when this is available, there is a supplemental charge.
- Private transfers to/from airport
- Extra nights before/after the trip
