Overview
The Julian Alps are the most easterly extension of the great Alpine Range, stretching from North-East Italy into Slovenia through the Triglav National Park. The jagged limestone peaks offer some of Europe’s best scenery and walking, with Mount Triglav (the highest in Slovenia) at the centre of the range and the glacial lakes of Bohinj and Bled far below. Our Lakes and Valleys of Slovenian Alps walking holiday will take you to the famous Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj on an unforgettable mountain tour through a dreamlike, picturesque landscape. You will walk through thick green forests and lush meadows of wildflowers.
This easy to moderate walking tour is suitable for walkers of average fitness, families, groups of friends and highly recommended for photography enthusiasts.
- Walk through the heart of Triglav National Park
- Postcard views of the Bled lake and the mountains from your Bled hotel
- Kranjska Gora
- Vintgar Gorge
- Take a refreshing swim in Lake Bohinj
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kranjska Gora
Arrive at Ljubljana Airport and take either a public or a private transfer to your hotel at Kranjska Gora. The famous ski resort of Kranjska Gora is the starting point for this tour. It is most famous for hosting the annual World Cup Slalom every January, but it is hushed and idyllic in summer. You will spend your first night here in the shadows of the mighty Western Julian Alps. Meet our representative, who will brief you on the walks and give you the maps and the documentation needed for your trip.
- Accommodation: Hotel Miklic or similar
Day 2: Jasna Valley | 17km
Your warm-up walk will take you via a trail to the end of Jasna Valley. Emerging at the other end is the glorious mountain vista of the Prisank and Razor Mountains. You can have a simple warm lunch at Krnica hut. Upon return, you can visit the Russian Chapel, a touching monument dedicated to Russian POVs’ who died during WW1 while building the military road over Vršič Pass.
- Accommodation: Hotel Miklic or similar
- Walking for the day: 17km, 5-6h, ↑460m
Day 3: Three Countries Border Point | 18km
This walk takes you along forest and mountain meadows to the summit of Mt. Peč (1508m) and the triple border point where the borders of Slovenia, Italy and Austria meet. At the top, you can soak up the dramatic views across the Julian and Carnian Alps, with the Hohe Tauern, the highest alpine range in Austria, forming a picturesque background. The trail then descends through the valley to the source of the mighty Sava River, the longest in Slovenia, back to Kranjska Gora. Ten-minute morning car transfer from the hotel to trailhead included.
- Accommodation: Hotel Miklic or similar
- Walking for the day: 18km, 6h, ↑520m, ↓730m
Day 4: Radovina Valley, Vintgar Gorge and Lake Bled | 14km
You will be transferred through the lush green Radovna Valley, amid soaring mountain peaks, to the trailhead where the Radovna River has carved the 150 m deep Vintgar Gorge (Note you need to secure your entrance tickets for the Vintgar Gorge here well in advance). The trail leads along a wooden walkway through the gorge and onwards to the world-famous Bled Lake via the lovely Katarina Church viewpoint.
- Accommodation: 4-star Triglav Hotel or a similar
- Walking for the day: 14km, 4h, ↑210m, ↓320m
Day 5: Bled Panoramic Walks | up to 15km
Today you will take a leisurely stroll around Bled, a famous town on the shore of the beautiful glacial lake, with its medieval castle standing guard over the picturesque island church from the edge of the lakeside cliff. For the best photos and views of the lake, church and castle and Karavanke mountain range, ascend to Straža hill. A hike around the lake takes about 1 hour. You can reach the famous island church on the lake by a unique boat called “Pletna”, or visit Bled Castle and its museum inside. The museum hosts an interesting exhibition on the history of the castle. End the day with the local speciality – the cream cake “Kremšnita” – in one of the great little tea shops beside the lake.
- Accommodation: 4-star Triglav Hotel or similar
- Walking for the day: depends on the walking route chosen, up to 15km, 5h, ↑520m
Day 6: Down to Lake Bohinj | 14km
You will be driven by car up to the Pokljuka Plateau, where you will begin your hike across mountain pastures and rustic farmhouses to a viewing point into the beautiful Bohinj Valley. As you descend, you can stop at the little historic village of Studor and see how local people lived 150 years ago. Your final destination is Lake Bohinj, a real gem in the heart of the Triglav National Park and the small settlement of Ribcev Laz.
- Accommodation: Kristal Hotel (family hotel) or a similar
- Walking for the day: 14km, 4h, ↑30m, ↓830m
Day 7: Around Lake Bohinj and to Savica Waterfall | 21km
Spend the day strolling around this beautiful, tranquil lake sitting in the shadows of the immense mountains of the Julian Alps. Weather permitting, you can swim in its crystal clear water. Try the delicious Bohinj trout. At the western end of the lake is a short trail up to Savica Waterfall, which feeds the lake. Then you can take the cable car up to the 1,532m high Vogel Mountain for a spectacular view of Mount Triglav, the highest peak in the Julian Alps. Spend the evening in one of the cosy village pubs and try the local homemade honey brandy.
- Accommodation: Kristal Hotel (family hotel) or a similar
- Walking for the day: 21km, 6h, ↑330m
Day 8: Departure
Return home or individual stay extension.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in 3 and/or 4-star hotels (7 nights). We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Click to view default hotels


















Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide you the exact accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. In towns, each hotel has its own restaurant where you can taste international or Slovenian meals or you can also try Slovenian cuisine in local restaurants.
Difficulty and terrain
Suitable for walkers of average fitness. Days 2 and 3 include longer walks of a moderate grade. The average walking distance is 13 km per day, while the total elevation gain is up to 2,000m, and the average daily elevation gain is up to 300m (read more about difficulty grades). You will walk on hiking trails with sometimes rocky terrain. We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available between early April and early October. The best months for hiking are August and September. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your holiday on any date in the season – so please indicate desired starting date when booking.
Climate is mostly of a mountain and alpine character, 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.
Last-minute bookings with departure within 21 days available upon request. A supplement of 10% of the tour price will be applicable.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Recommended arrival and departure airport: Ljubljana
By train or bus
Transfers from Ljubljana to Kranjska Gora and from Bohinj to Ljubljana are very easy by public transport.
For up-to-date bus schedules, please check https://www.ap-ljubljana.si/en/. Travel time is about 2h to Kranjska Gora and 1.5h from Bohinjska Bistrica.
The nearest train station is in Jesenice, where buses take you to Kranjska Gora 20km away from Jesenice, a half an hour trip. For up-to-date train schedules, please check https://www.slo-zeleznice.si/en/.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 overnights in hand-picked 3 and 4-star hotels
- 7 breakfasts
- Detailed holiday information pack including route description and maps in electronic form (sent digitally; printed documents available at extra cost)
- GPS tracks
- Luggage transport between hotels (one piece per person, max 23kg, dimensions X+Y+Z ->158cm)
- Private transfers on days 3, 4 and 6
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Private airport transfers
- An extra piece of luggage for transfers
- Extra nights before, during and after the holiday
- Printed information package in English, including route notes and maps, delivered upon arrival – at a supplement
Gallery











