HIGH TRAILS OF THE JULIAN ALPS

Explore the heart of Slovenia’s Julian Alps as you follow the high trails staying in traditional

mountain huts. From the serene shores of glacial Lake Bled the route takes you from hut to hut high

into the Triglav National Park and on down to the pristine waters of Lake Bohinj.

Pass medieval castles, churches and traditional mountain villages as you walk across rich mountain

pasture and traverse mountain ridges and passes beneath the sky scraping peaks.

Your trip begins in the picturesque lake side town of Bled overlooked by the imposing medieval Bled Castle.

A warm-up hike explores the surrounding verdant mountain pastures and dense fir forest up onto the

Pokljuka high plateau, getting you ready for the following days exploring the Triglav National Park. Beneath

the rugged summit of Mount Triglav, the highest Slovene peak at 2864m, you will get your first experience

of staying in a traditional alpine hut. Continue toward Dolina Triglavskih Jezer, the Valley of the Triglav

Lakes and Savica Waterfall, where the alpine karst spring water cascades 78m to feed mighty Lake Bohinj

below.

A relaxing walk along the northern shores of Lake Bohinj brings you to the village of Ribecev Laz, where

you can enjoy a taste of home-made honey brandy and borovnica blueberry schnapps. Take a dip in the

crystal clear lake waters or perhaps a cable car ride up to the Vogel high plateau. Your tour ends back at

the pretty Lake Bled, which you can explore further. Slovenia’s Julian Alps, located on the border with

Austria, have always been a cross roads and this is reflected in the rich culture, architecture, music, history

and food of this beguiling region.

• Relaxing on the shores of serene Lake Bled beneath imposing Bled Castle and a backdrop of the Julian Alps.

• Soaking up the views from the mountain ridges and passes.

• Indulging in a glass of heart warming, home made, honey schnapps.

• Awakening to the mountain glow of an alpine sunrise in the realm of soaring eagles.

• The toe dipping charms of crystal clear Lake Bohinj in the heart of Triglav National Park.

DAY 1

SUMMARY

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Accommodation: 1 night 3* hotel, 3 night 4* hotel, 3 nights traditional mountain huts. Meals: 7 breakfasts. Lunch and dinner not included but always available at accommodation or nearby. Half board option available. Baggage Transfer: Door-to-door baggage transfer (not day 3 to day 5 when necessary to carry all overnight requirements— stay in mountain huts). Info pack: Detailed route notes, maps and local information. Welcome meeting: On arrival in Bled.

Transfers: On days 2 and 7 as per itinerary. Emergency support: From our local representa-

tive and office.

Tour: High Trails of the Julian Alps Code: WSlSJA Type: Self-Guided Walking Tour Price: See Website Single Supplement: See Website Dates: July to mid-Sep Walking Days: 8 Days (6 Walking Days) Nights: 7 Nights Start/Finish: Bled / Bled Grade: Moderate to Strenuous

Grade: Easy to Moderate HIGHLIGHTS

Is It For Me? Relax in comfortable lake shore hotel accommoda-tions and explore the rugged mountainous environ-ment of the Julian Alps staying in traditional moun-tain huts nestled beneath the peaks. Traverse mountain passes and experience wonderful alpine walking through meadows, beside lakes and through narrow gorges. Carefully chosen traditional accommodation with local cuisine make this a walk not to be missed!

HIGH TRAILS OF THE JULIAN ALPS

HUT TO HUT IN ALPINE SLOVENIA

Arrive in Bled

Bled is a uniquely picturesque town sitting on the

shores of the glacial Lake Bled and overlooked

by the imposing medieval Bled Castle perched

atop a rocky ridge. Bled is easily accessible by

public transport from Slovenia’s capital,

Ljubljana, just 55km (1hr) away.

On arrival at your hotel you will have a welcome

meeting in the evening (6pm) with our local

representative. They will give you all the

information you need including detailed route

notes, maps and local information and answer

any last minute questions you may have.

Overnight: Bled, 4 star hotel.

DAY 2

Walk to Pokljuka

A short morning transfer brings you to the

starting point for today’s walk, across the heights

of the Pokljuka plateau (1280m). This warm up

hike leads you over verdant mountain pastures

filled with alpine flowers and up through silent fir

forests. Arriving at the traditional Lipanska Hut

your afforded panoramic views over the plateau

and Carniola Plain beyond with the summits of

the Kamnik Alps rising into the clear blue skies.

This is the perfect place to indulge in traditional

Slovene stove cooked hiker’s lunch of local

organic produce and herbal tea.

In the afternoon the route provides views far

across the Karawanke and Bohinj mountain

ranges bringing you to Pokljuka, home to famed

winter biathalon competitions, and the perfect

base for your night amidst the mountain

landscape.

Walk: 11km, 620m ascent, 6hrs

Overnight: Pokljuka, 3 star hotel.

Note: Following your night in Pokljuka it is

necessary to pack what you need to carry

with you for the next 3 nights in the

mountains. Your main bags will be taken on

for your arrival in Lake Bohinj on Day 6.

DAY 3

Walk to Planika hut (Mount Triglav)

Following breakfast you are ready to tackle the

next stage of the walk, deep into the heart of the

Triglav National Park and the Julian Alps. The

trail slowly ascends to Vodnikov Dom hut, an

ideal place to stop for lunch and to admire the

view across to Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s highest

mountain at 2864m.

The final destination for today is the Planika hut,

situated right beneath Mount Triglav on its

southern slopes. If you can tear your self away

from the alpine views which stretch all the way to

the Karawanke and the Kamnik Alps on the

horizon, you are free to explore the delights of

the Planika hut, your accommodation for the

night. Enjoy a sumptuous meal in the restaurant

or a warming drink at the bar before settling

down to sleep in the shadow of Triglav’s snow

capped summit.

Walk: 11km, 1100m ascent, 7hrs

Overnight: Planika hut, mountain hut (dormitory

accommodation).

Planika hut to allow you to make the ascent and

may be booked as an option.

DAY 4

Walk to Koča pri Triglavskih Jezerih hut

Awake for sunrise and you will be rewarded with

the changing colours of the snow capped peaks.

After a hearty breakfast you commence your

walk across the Hribarice Pass (2358m). You are

now in the realm of the sure footed chamois and

fearless mountain goats that inhabit the sheer

rocky slopes beneath patrolling golden eagles.

Breathe in the crisp, clear air as you walk

beneath the surrounding peaks and take a break

to admire the beauty of one of the Triglav

National Park’s seven lakes, Zeleno Jezro, or

Green Lake. The name derives from the high

algae content which gives the lake an emerald

hue. As you walk onward the view unfolds across

the Dolina Triglavskih Jezer, the Valley of the

Triglav Lakes.

A welcome rest awaits you at the Koca pri

Triglavskih Jezerih hut. Here you may relax, rest

your feet, and enjoy the views of the Bohinj

Mountains to the south.

Walk: 11km, 700m descent, 6hrs

Overnight: Koča pri Triglavskih Jezerih hut,

mountain hut (dormitory accommodation).

DAY 5

Walk to Black Lake & Komna Hut

Walking west, you will reach Blakc Lake - the

lowest lying lake in the Triglav Lakes Valley. It is

named forits location in a basin in the middle of

the forest, which stretches right to the edge of

the Komarca rock face. It is the warmest of the

Triglav lakes.

Your day on the trail ends at the traditional

Komna hut, situated right on the Komna Plateau

and offering superb views of Lake Bohinj.

Walk: 8.5km, 340m ascent, 500m descent, 5-6

hrs

Overnight: Komna hut, mountain hut (dormitory

accommodation).

Day Route Km

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Arrive in Bled Walk to Pokljuka Walk to Planika hut (Mt. Triglav) Walk to Koča pri Triglavskih Jezerih hut Walk to Black Lake Walk to Lake Bohinj Transfer to Bled (local walks)

11

11 11

8.5 18

Total Distance 59.5

DETAILED ITINERARY

HIGH TRAILS OF THE JULIAN ALPS

HUT TO HUT IN ALPINE SLOVENIA

DAY 6

Walk to Lake Bohinj

After breakfast a relaxing walk takes you to the

Savica waterfall, an alpine karst spring which

cascades 78m into serene Lake Bohinj. This is

the largest lake in Slovenia and the jewel in the

heart of the Triglav National Park. Legend says

that God gave the humble citizens of the lake the

most beautiful part of Slovenia and the location

surrounded by the Julian Alps is indeed sublime.

Take a walk along the northern shores to the

small settlement of Ribčev Laz, sit back and

relax with a glass of borovnica blueberry

schnapps, coupled with a dish of wind cured

karst prosciutto ham.

Walk: 18km, 1200m descent, 5-6hrs

Overnight: Lake Bohinj, 4 star hotel.

Note: You are reunited with your main bags on

arrival at your Lake Bohinj accommodation.

DAY 7

Transfer to Bled (local walks)

Your day starts with a transfer to Lake Bled

where you have much opportunity to undertake

local walks. Especially recommended is the walk

to the Vintgar Gorge carved 150m deep into the

mountain strata by the turbulent Radovna River.

Here you may negotiate the 1600m wooden

walkway that leads you to the Sum Waterfall.

Heading east from here, you may follow well

marked trails in the direction of Bled, allowing

you to visit the 15th century pilgrimage Church of

St Catherine. From here it is approximately 4km

back to Lake Bled.

For a more leisurely stroll you may wish walk

around the shores of the lake. Traditional

wooden barges called Pletna ply their trade to a

small island that is the location of the Assumption

of Mary Pilgrimage Church, itself sitting on the

site of a temple of Ziva, the Slavic goddess of

love and fertility.

Whatever your choice of walk there is no better

way to finish your day than with a welcome

vanilla and cream kremna rezina pastry while

overlooking the lake.

Overnight: Bled, 4 star hotel.

DAY 8

Onward Travel

Your adventure finishes after breakfast, though

you may wish to add further nights to enjoy the

many attractions that Bled has to offer.

Additional Nights and Extensions

You can add additional nights at any point

before, during of after the walk.

Grade & Terrain

This walk is graded moderate to strenuous and

includes daily walks of between 10 and 18 km

and ascents of up to 1100m following footpaths,

tracks and mountain paths. Some of the ascents

and descents are steep and can be exposed so

require a good head for heights and sure

footedness in places. This region does get a lot

of snowfall over the winter period and there may

still be some snow left early in the walk season.

You should have a good level of walking fitness

to get the most from this holiday. The itinerary

would not be suitable for anyone under the age

of 15.

Navigation

We supply you with turn by turn route notes and

detailed maps so you will have no problem

following the route each day. You will be walking

in the high mountains and the ability to navigate

with a map and compass in the event of bad

weather is recommended.

Accommodation

We specifically select your accommodation to

ensure that you enjoy every minute of your stay

in Slovenia. You will stay for 4 nights in

traditional hotels (3 & 4 star) and 3 nights in

mountain huts. The hotels offer comfortable

rooms with en suite bathrooms while the

mountain huts offer accommodation in a

dormitory setting with linen included. All the

properties provide a warm welcome to walkers,

traditional hospitality and delicious local food. .

Single Rooms

If you require single rooms within your party we

would be happy to accommodate you although

there is a single room supplement payable.

Single rooms are not available in mountain huts.

Solo Walkers

This holiday is not available for solo walkers due

to the remote alpine nature of the walk.

Meals

A delicious breakfast is included each morning.

Most accommodations are happy to provide a

packed lunch - this should be requested on

arrival. Or you can pick up lunch in the villages or

mountain huts along the trail. If you choose the

half board option dinner is included (only

available at hotels) or alternatively you can eat at

the hotel or a local restaurant each night.

Baggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred between your

accommodation as per your itinerary. On days 3,

4,5 and 6 when you walking to and from the

mountain huts it is necessary to carry a day pack

containing all your overnight requirements. After

your main bags are collected in Pokljuka you are

reunited with them when you arrive at your

accommodation in Lake Bohinj. We ask you to

limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per

person.

Equipment

Your information pack has a detailed equipment

list which includes standard walking gear such as

good walking boots or shoes, warm and

waterproof clothes and a day pack.

Getting to / from Bled

By Air - Bled is located just 55km from

TRIP INFORMATION

HIGH TRAILS OF THE JULIAN ALPS

HUT TO HUT IN ALPINE SLOVENIA

Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana. Many low cost

airlines fly into Ljubljana Airport including

Easyjet, Wizz Air, and Flybe.

From the airport: We would recommend

booking our optional airport transfer service from

Ljubljana Airport to Bled as this is the quickest

option (~1hr).

Alternatively take the airport bus to Ljubljana

(45mins) and a connecting bus or train service to

Bled (2 hours total).

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of booking with us that you have

suitable travel insurance that covers you for

cancellation, curtailment, illness or injury. It is

always advisable to book insurance as soon as

you confirm your holiday.

Price

Please refer to our website for up to date prices.

Availability and Time of Year

This walking holiday is available to start on any

date from early July until mid September.

The best months for walking are in the summer

months between July and September when the

wild flowers are in still in bloom, the weather is

usually fair and the higher alpine trails are mostly

clear of snow. It should be noted however that

the weather in the mountains is changeable and

therefore you should be well prepared for all

weather conditions including the occasional

thunderstorm. There can also occasionally still

be some snow in the early season.

Included

• Accommodation for 3 nights in comfortable 4*

hotels (Bled - day 1 and day 7, Lake Bohinj - day 6).

• Accommodation for 1 night in comfortable 3* hotel (Pokljuka - day 2).

• Accommodation for 3 nights in traditional alpine huts in dormitory style rooms (Linen included).

• 7 Breakfasts.

• Luggage transport as per itinerary: Necessary to carry a day pack containing all overnight requirements for days 3, 4 and 5.

• Welcome meeting and briefing on evening of day 1 (6pm).

• Detailed route descriptions with maps and a pre departure information pack.

• 24-hour assistance by phone.

• Transfers on days 2 and 7 as per itinerary.

Excluded

• Flights and transfers to first / from last accommodation.

• Travel Insurance.

• Lunches, dinners & snacks.

• Entrance fees.

• Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.

• Any items not specifically mentioned in the program.

Optional Extras

• Half board (4 dinners - only in hotels)

• Single room supplement if applicable.

• Airport transfers (from/to Ljubjlana airport).

• Additional nights during the holiday.

• Upgrade to 3* hotel on day 5.

When you are ready to book you can do so

securely online at www.macsadventure.com or

by phone on +44 (0) 141 530 8886

Financial Security

Book with Confidence. We are a member of ABTA which means you have the benefit of ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct. We

provide full financial protection for your money.

ABTA Member Statement

Macs Adventure Holidays is a Member of ABTA.

ABTA and ABTA. Members help holidaymakers

to get the most from their travel and assist when

things don’t go according to plan. We are obliged

to maintain a high standard

of service to you by ABTA’s

Code of Conduct. For more

information on ABTA, the Code of Conduct and

the arbitration scheme available to you if you

have a complaint, contact ABTA, 30 Park Street,

London SE1 9EQ, tel 020 3117 0581

www.abta.com

TRAVEL INFORMATION PRICE AND AVAILABILITY HOW TO BOOK

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HIGH TRAILS OF THE JULIAN ALPS

HUT TO HUT IN ALPINE SLOVENIA