Trek the High Peaks of the Julian Alps
A week-long hut to hut hike with the option to summit Slovenia’s highest peak
Duration
7 nights
Annual Leave
5 days off work
Group Size
Up to 12 people
Season
July-Sept
Location
Slovenia
Meeting Point
Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, Slovenia
Classic Accommodation
Hotel · Mountain hut
Customer Reviews
4.0
Difficulty
Moderate
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Summit Mt Triglav (2863m), Bovški Gamsovec (2392m) and Mt Krn (2244m), eyes open for golden eagles, griffon vultures, marmots and Alpine ibex
Traverse the high mountain passes of Kranjska Gora, through deep gorges and along the banks of Soča Valley's turquoise rivers
Jump into the crystal clear waters of Lake Bled for an exhilarating and celebratory post-trek dip
Day 1
Welcome to Kranjska Gora
Check into your hotel in the small alpine village of Kranjska Gora, near the Italian border. If you have time, wander around the stunning Lake Jasna, or stretch your legs on the trails of the Zelenci Nature Reserve. Meet up with your team and guide early evening and head out for dinner to hear more about the week ahead.
Day 2
Planica to Vršič Mountain Pass via Tamar Valley
Hiking
After a quick transfer to the trailhead at Planica, it's time to lace up and get ready for a steady incline type of day. You’ll climb 1000m as you trek through deep ravines and scale the rocky mountain walls to Slemenova Špica, before spending the night in the Poštarski dom na Vršiču mountain hut, your first taste of Slovenian mountain-side sleeping.
Day 3
Vršič to Pogačnik Mountain Hut
Hiking
Up and out early today as you head off along the scenic Vršič pass, leading across the mountain slopes and along the Planja Saddle to Kriški Podi hut. You’ll pass three alpine lakes, each deep turquoise in colour and a favoured spot of the mighty Alpine ibex, eyes peeled and fingers crossed for a sighting.
Day 4
On the doorstep of Triglav
Hiking
Time to bag a summit as you head off along the trail, slowly making your way to the very top of Mt. Bovški Gamsovec (2391m). This craggy peak is one of the most underrated mountains in the Julian Alps, often forgotten in favour of its bigger sister, Mt Triglav (2863m). The views from the top stretch all the way to the famous north wall of Triglav, a good chance for you to weigh up the challenge ahead.
Day 5
The big one
Hiking
It's the big leg test today as you tackle the highest mountain in Slovenia, Mt Triglav (2863m). Those summiting will get decked out with helmets and via-ferrata gear early doors and take on the 3-4 hour round trip, traversing ladders and using fixed ropes all the way to the summit for 365 degrees views of the Triglav National Park. For those not keen, or without a head for heights, you can enjoy breakfast and some chilled time before the group get back. The rest of the day follows the most beautiful route in all of the Alps, through the Triglav Lakes Valley to the fairytale-esque mountain hut of Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih.
Day 6
To Lake Krn and beyond
Hiking
Today’s route takes you past Black Lake as you ascend the Bogatin Saddle, past former Italian military barracks built in the 1930s. It’s downhill from here, all the way to Lake Krn, the largest alpine lake in the Slovenian mountains and the perfect place to grab a sundowner.
Day 7
The final summit: Mt Krn (2244m)
Hiking
Your last full day in the mountains today as you take on the summit of the spectacular Mt. Krn (2244m). Steeped in history, this mountain played an important role in WW1 and tunnels and bunkers can still be seen. Once reaching the summit you can see all the way to the coast (not a bad spot for a picnic), before descending through the Tolmin Gorge, a natural pathway carved into the rock by the mighty Tolminka River. You'll sleep in a hotel tonight, time for a shower maybe!
Day 8
Tolmin to Bled
Today you'll hop on a train south and head to Bled. The lake is a popular swim spot in the summer and the lakeside beaches are perfect to kick back and reflect on your stomp across the Alps before heading to the airport for your flight home.
Included
Guides
Expert, local, English speaking mountain guides
Accommodation
2 nights in a hotel, 5 nights in mountain huts
Meals
All breakfasts and 5 dinners
Transfers
To and from the airport and everything in-between
Equipment
All your via-ferrata equipment
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Travel insurance
Some meals as described
Personal expenses
Visas where required
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 8
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Food in Slovenia is very diverse, with plenty of influence from neighbouring countries, but you can also find lots of international cuisine in Bled. The mountain huts serve simple, hearty food, including meat or veggie stew, goulash, sausage, ham and eggs, polenta, bread with honey, wine, beer, tea and Turkish coffee. Packed lunches can be purchased each day for approx 10Euros or a sit-down meal for 10-15Euros.
Most requirements including vegetarian and vegan diets can be accommodated.
What is the accommodation like?
Kranjska Gora & Tomlin
You will spend the first and the last night in comfortable 3-4 star hotels in Kranjska Gora & Tomlin. The exact place will be communicated prior to departure but is likely to be Hotel Miklič in Kranjska Gora and Hotel Dvorec in Tolmin or a hotel of similar standard. You will stay in twin-share en-suite rooms.
On the trek
You’ll be staying in various mountain huts along the trail. The huts are basic but comfortable, with dormitory-style bunks, electricity, water, central heating and a restaurant serving a range of foods. Beds are equipped with pillows, sheets and blankets. You will have a private room for your group only.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. This is only available for the nights in the hotels at the start and end of the trek, there are no private room available in the mountain huts. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Ljubljana Airport
16:00 on Day 1
Ends
Bled, Ljubljana centre or Ljubljana Airport
Afternoon on Day 8
Transfers
Your host will meet everyone at Ljubljana Airport at 4 pm ready for the 1-hour group transfer to Kranjska Gora, which is around a 45-minute drive. You can also meet up with your host on Day 1 in Bled if you are already in Slovenia.
On Day 8 you can either be dropped off in Bled, Ljubljana city centre or at the airport. If you are flying on from Ljubljana on Day 8, we recommend you book any flight that departs after 4pm. If you arrive or depart outside these times, private transfers can be arranged - see Optional Extras for prices. Slovenia is a small country and the bus network is extensive so can also be utilised for transfers.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Ljubljana from major airports across the UK and Europe, with plenty of connection options for those heading to Slovenia from outside Europe.
Ljubljana and Bled are accessible by train via various routes across Europe. A popular and easy route from Western Europe is via Munich. You can travel by rail from there to Slovenia's capital, through beautiful Austrian scenery on daytime services or on a sleeper train from Munich-Ljubljana.
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What do I need to bring?
Bags
- 1 backpack 30-40ltrs
Clothes
- Hiking boots (worn-in)
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Breathable wicking layers
- Fleece jacket or similar
- Buff or neck scarf
- Lightweight gloves
- Warm hat
- Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts
- T-shirts, underwear & socks
- Swimwear
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Something to sleep in
- Sandals for the huts
Other
Universal travel plug adapter
Power bank or solar charger
Passports (and visas)
Travel insurance documents
Earplugs
Suncream
Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
Toilet kit (toilet paper, biodegradable bags to carry paper out to dispose of)
Alcohol hand-gel
Reusable water bottles (x1.5 litres total)
Biodegradable wet-wipes
Energy bars and snacks
Optional Private Room Upgrade x 2 nights
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade x 2 nights
…
Single room in Bled
Payable Before Departure
Single room in Bled
… Per Night
Twin/Double room in Bled
Payable Before Departure
Twin/Double room in Bled
… Per Night
Bled to Ljubljana Private Transfer
Payable Before Departure
Bled to Ljubljana Private Transfer
…
Ljubljana to Kranjska Gora Private Transfer
Payable Before Departure
Ljubljana to Kranjska Gora Private Transfer
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Overall positive with a good group of people and great scenery.
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 171kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
The hike is of moderate difficulty, suitable for fairly fit hikers who are comfortable walking for up to 8 hours a day. No previous via ferrata experience is required. The terrain is often unsteady but you will stop for regular breaks and the days are long in the summer. You will be carrying your own bags so some practice here is key if you're not used to trekking with a spare set of clothes and water.
Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Summer weather is usually pretty good - often pushing 30°C on the Slovenian plains, although as you get higher up into the mountains it can of course drop and could be just 10°C on Triglav. It often drops below freezing at night, and snow may persist in nooks and crannies throughout the year. Weather on the mountain is highly variable, bringing unexpected wind, rain and snow.
Yes! There is no vehicle access to the trail so you will be carrying all you need for the week in the mountains - the key is to pack lightly! We suggest only packing an extra set of hiking clothes, something to wear in the evenings and any toiletries. You will be carrying enough water for the day each day so this should be factored into your weight consideration.
Of course. You can leave any excess luggage with your host at the beginning of the trek and be reunited with it at the end of the week in Bled.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.
TRIP DEPARTURE DATES
Go private and split the bill with ease.
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