Juliana Trail is a 267km (166 miles) long circular hiking trail that traverses the natural wonders of Slovenia. Divided into 16 walking stages, it takes you across the valleys of the Julian Alps and connects some of Slovenia’s most beautiful spots. Each stage is about 17.5 km long and gives you a chance to interact with the locals and learn about the life, traditions, and gastronomy below the mighty peaks of the Julian Alps. This part of the trail takes you along river Sava and to some of the most magical places under the blue Slovenian skies. Crystal clear lakes of Bled and Bohinj, as well as the picturesque little villages along the way, will leave you breathless. Discover the magical world of the Alps from another perspective and explore the wonderful nature of Slovenia.
This week-long Juliana Trail hike takes you through 85 km of Slovenian natural wonders and historical sites. You’ll walk through the valleys of the Julian Alps, verdant forests, and historic and picturesque Alpine villages. Slovenia is a hidden gem of Europe with picturesque mountain ranges, crystal lakes like Bled and Bohinj, and wild gorges boasting spectacular wildlife. Discover the magical world from another perspective with a local guide, try out local gastronomy, visit natural treasures, and enjoy panoramic views.
Meet your guides in Jesenice, where you will spend the first night. Jesenice is well-known for its tradition of steel production and for the white narcissus flowers which in the springtime cover the slopes of the surrounding Alpine peaks. Situated at the heart of the Julian Alps on the border with Austria, Jesenice deserves a visit for its historic centre, the old Kos Manor and for its historic foundries, which today are housed in the Vecchia Sava museum complex.
The first stage of the trail takes you along the Upper Sava Valley at the foot of the Karawanks mountain range and the Triglav National Park. Follow the path through meadows, pastures and rural villages, over the beautiful Dobravsko polje lowlands, and along the Žirovnica Cultural Heritage Path, before reaching the villages at the foot of Mt. Stol. Along the way, time permitting, visit the old Janša apiary. Enjoy a spectacular panoramic view over the Upper Sava Valley, the Julian Alps and Mt Triglav from Sveti Peter hills. Descend into Begunje na Gorenjskem where you’ll spend the night.
DISTANCE: 16,2 km
ELEVATION: + 435 m; – 431 m
WALKING HOURS: 4.30 h
Today’s part of the thrail is mostly flat, and takes you from Begunje through several villages before reaching the town of Radovljica, the cultural capital of the Julian Alps. Visit the old historic centre of this pleasant medieval town famous for its long-standing tradition of honey production and its renowned chocolate festival. Follow old fisherman’s paths along Sava until you reach the confluence of two Alpine rivers – Sava Dolinka and Sava Bohinjka. The endpoint of today’s stage is in Bled, famous for the crystal-clear lake, the picturesque church on the little island, and the medieval castle perched on a rocky spur against the backdrop of some of the highest peaks of the Julian Alps.
DISTANCE: 15 km
ELEVATION: + 95 m; – 159 m
WALKING HOURS: 3.45 h (stops excluded)
Today will be quite demanding, but extremely rewarding! From Lake Bled, the itinerary takes you to the wild Pokljuka gorge, a natural monument protected by Triglav National Park. Pass through the tunnels under the natural bridge, and reach the mouth of Pokljuka, a picturesque natural grotto (cave). As you continue to the Pokljuka plateau, the largest forested surface in Triglav Park, you’ll cross verdant pastures and typical wooden cabins still inhabited by shepherds. Today’s hike finishes in the town of Goreljek, where you’ll be lulled to sleep by the tranquil forests.
DISTANCE: 21 km
ELEVATION: + 866 m; – 91 m
WALKING HOURS: 6.45 h (stops excluded)
After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to get back on the road in search of another adventure. Pass through the Pokljuka forests and the Goreljek peat bog before you before you descend towards the Bohinj Valley. Enjoy spectacular views along the way and discover landscapes dotted with traditional Slovenian haylofts and verdant pastures which in summer come to life with beautiful Alpine flowers. At the end of the day, you’ll reach Lake Bohinj, the biggest natural lake in Slovenia, where you’ll spend the night.
DISTANCE: 21,6 km
ELEVATION: + 280 m; – 1.005 m
WALKING HOURS: 5 h (stops excluded)
Your last day on the trail is a particularly short one to give you time to stop and enjoy the atmosphere of Lake Bohinj. Relax, submerge yourself in its crystal-clear waters and enjoy a peaceful walk along the easy paths that surround it. From Lake Bohinj, the path winds it way along the Bohinj lower valley, passing pleasant Alpine villages and the green meadows of Dobrava, from where you can enjoy spectacular views over Mt. Triglav and the surrounding peaks. Following the course of the crystalline Bistrica River to the town of Bohinjska Bistrica, the administrative centre of the valley and the endpoint of today’s stage.
DISTANCE: 11 km
ELEVATION: + 103 m; – 151 m
WALKING HOURS: 2.30 h (stops excluded)
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and take a connecting train back to Jesenice (the starting point of the trail). Take a stroll around the charming historical centre of Bohinjska Bistrica, an important tourist destination, and the Bohinj Water Park, where you can round off your wonderful adventure.
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, guides and the communities they’re travelling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Slovenia, please refer to the official Slovenian Ministry of the Interior websites.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
This week-long hiking adventure is ideal for hikers with excellent fitness and mobility. The hike is 85km (53 miles) long – you can expect about 3 hours of walking on average with up to +310 meters (1020 ft) in elevation per day. Keep in mind, the weather in summer can be very hot and you’ll also be packing a daypack filled with water and other things you’ll need throughout the day.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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Group sizes and prices:
Hiking can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Jesenice, most people fly into Venice Marco Polo International Airport, 3 hours away. From there, you can rent a car or take a train to Jesenice. Other options include flying directly into Ljubljana Airport (1 hour away) or to Graz Airport (2 hours away).
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ability of the group.
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