Mountains and Lakes Hut-to-Hut (original) (raw)

Day 1: Hills and parks of Ljubljana

Arrive in Ljubljana. Explore the city on foot, but crawl Ljubljana’s lush parks, historic trails and nearby hills by bike to feel its vibe. Even if you’re not a fan of urban life, you’ll love countless churches, parks, monuments and architectural buildings within the old town. Walk over the three bridges, the food market and the tree-lined road to finally reach the castle hill with the best panorama of Ljubljana. Its oldest part is just below the Ljubljana castle, whereas the newer part is nestled across the numerous bridges over the Ljubljanica River, from the Dragon Bridge to the Cobbler’s Bridge. By the waterfront alongside both riverbanks are many terrace cafes, where you can enjoy some of the best coffee and finest wines in the country with the best view of the castle.

Immerse yourself in the city life, hike some of the nearby hills where the locals jog their afternoons away or enjoy the traditional street theatre or summer festivals illuminated at night, all within walking distance of your overnight location.

Overnight: 3* hotel in Ljubljana

Day 2: Hike the Pokljuka Plateau lookout ridge

In the morning you’ll be taken from Ljubljana to the trailhead on the Pokljuka Plateau in the Triglav National Park – your starting point for the long days of hiking through the heart of the Julian Alps, past beautiful mountains and lakes, from one refuge to the next.

Lonely, but well-trodden trails with a gentle incline lead past secluded mountain meadows above Pokljuka, where you can visit local shepherds and sample some of their exceptionally tasty, freshly-made dairy products. Further on you’ll hike in the pristine landscape of the Julian Alps, where you’ll have amazing panoramas at hand. A 360 view gives the Krma Valley, the valley of the Lakes Bled and Bohinj, as well as the Karavanke and Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the mountains above Bohinj.

You’ll unload your backpack at the hut where you’ll spend the night and go chase the lookouts along the numerous summits on the ridge above the hut, with several ascend and descend options to match your fitness level best.

Hiking: 9 km / elevation gain +730 m, -400 m / approx. 5 hours (+ optional extensions)
Overnight: mountain hut with shared rooms 1/20 and shared washroom
Transfer: 1 hour

Day 3: Hike to the central Julian Alps

This morning you’ll navigate west, towards the Central Julian Alps and spend most of the day hiking single trails along the mountainsides. You’ll be surrounded by majestic mountains, limestone walls, serene meadows, with numerous side trip options to nearby peaks with the perfect view of Mt. Triglav, jagged ridges and valleys.

Just before reaching the Vodnik mountain hut on Velo polje, you’ll hike the most fascinating part of the tour. It stretches across the southern slopes of Mount Tosc and offers views all the way to the mountains rising above the Soca river.

If standing on Mt. Triglav, the highest mountain in Slovenia is one of the bullet points from your bucket list, hike for additional 2 hours and 500 elevation meters to a mountain hut just below the summit and rest your hiking boots for the night there.

Hiking: 11 km / elevation +650 m, -400 m / approx. 5 hours
Overnight: mountain hut with private or shared rooms 1/2, 1/4, 1/6 and 1/10 and shared washroom

Day 4: Hike the Seven Triglav Lakes Valley

From a cosy mountain hut underneath Mt. Triglav, right in the heart of the Julian Alps.
The path below Triglav leads across the alpine pasture Velo Polje, with a small cheese dairy. It is the last in the Bohinj’s cheese tour, nestled under the stunning summit of Miselj Vrh. From here on you’ll walk on rocks and gravel on barren alpine terrain, perhaps even spot edelweiss flowers or a herd of alpine ibexes. You’ll cross the ‘lunar surface’ of the Hribarice Plateau, descend the Valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes along the pleasantly undulating trail with beautiful but small lakes. Note that going in is considered an offence. Thus rather put your feet up and enjoy the sinkholes and karrens with other karstic formations instead.

Everyone who is committed to conquering Slovenia’s highest summit, 2864 meters (9,400 ft) above sea level, will meet an IFMGA mountain guide early in the morning at the mountain hut. All geared up, you’ll tackle the via-ferrata route to the top safely with a guide. After admiring the stunning & uninterrupted views and an obligatory selfie, descend back to the easier terrain, part with your guide and continue in direction of Seven Triglav Lakes Valley on your own.

Reach the hut for the night next to Double Lake, where you’ll enjoy a well-deserved beer (or schnapps).

Hiking: 14 km / elevation +700 m, -750 m / approx. 7 hours (+ optional side trip)
Overnight: mountain hut with private or shared rooms 1/2, 1/4, and 1/6 and shared washroom

Day 5: Hike the mountain pastures above Bohinj

Begin the day with a breath of fresh air over an early morning coffee on the shore of the Double Lake, to savour the little silent moments one can only experience here. Later on, you’ll leave the gravel trails and limestone paths behind for the greener alpine pastures, where you’ll meet hikers coming from Lake Bohinj to enjoy their share of the mountain food and idyllic huts, farms and grazing livestock.

After a long descent, you will reach Lake Bohinj – an absolute jewel and a gift of nature, located at the end of a dead-end valley within the Triglav National Park. At its beach, it is finally time for a well deserved, refreshing summer swim in the most beautiful Slovenian lake.

Lake Bohinj and its surroundings are perfect for paddling, biking, hiking, rock climbing horseback riding or chilling in a hammock. If you wish to spend a couple of relaxing days on this hiking trip in this alpine paradise inform us to arrange it for you.

To continue to Lake Bled, hop on the bus and spend your last two nights there.

Hiking: 16 km / elevation +755 m, -1600 m / approx. 6 hours
Overnight: 3* hotel or local guesthouse in Bled
Transfer: local bus, hourly departures, duration: 40 min

Day 6: Explore the legends of Lake Bled

Spend the day as you fancy. Yet note that you’ll wake up just a few steps away from one of the most picturesque continental lakes in the World, which is Slovenia’s main attraction, the very Lake Bled. Thus here, an early start is best to explore its most popular highlights, such as Bled Castle and Bled Island. Whereas any time in the day is great for sports activities like hiking and biking.

Not to miss out, opt for a nice bike ride through small countryside villages, a walk through the famous Vintgar Gorge and a stunning viewpoint above the lake to notice the island’s church. The legend has it that a widow consecrated a new bell to the church in memory of her adored husband, but it was dropped into the lake. If you’d like to tackle it, swim, row or stand-up paddle to the island. Leave before dark though, as only the fairies can dance the night away here.

In the evening enjoy the town’s colourful lighting and explore numerous choices for a gourmet dinner, as some of the country’s finest restaurants are located here.

Overnight: 3* hotel or local guesthouse in Bled

Day 7: Thank you and welcome back

After a hearty breakfast, your hut-to-hut hiking adventure in the Julian Alps ends. Before leaving Slovenia, steal the last moment for a peaceful morning swim in Lake Bled to keep you warm at heart until next time.