Trekking the Karawanks (original) (raw)

Day 1: Hike the baron’s secret trail

Get a morning transfer from Bled to the trailhead at WWII concentration camp Memorial Park near Ljubelj mountain pass.

Start by following a well-trodden unmarked trail through a nice forest and past a lovely church of St. Anna. Just before reaching the border with Austria, you will continue on a scenic trail built by the famous baron Born’s family, primarily for hunting purposes of their noble guests. A gravel and rocky trail takes your through a series of short tunnels to the southern slopes of Mt. Begunjscica and to a friendly alpine farm at Prevala Saddle. Take a short break, try fresh dairy products or their famous “štruklji” – cottage cheese dumplings.

From here on, the scenic trail bites into the steep slope and does not level out until you reach the long panoramic ridge which takes you to the summit of Begunjscica, where you’ll be rewarded with astonishing views towards the Julian Alps and the rest of the Karawanks. Descent west and soon spot your mountain hut just below.

If you went for seconds on the “štruklji”, you might prefer to take the easier route out. From the Prevala Saddle, follow a marked trail into a lush forest and enjoy astonishing views all around. Enjoy the serenity and reach a mountain hut at an amazing location with views towards Mt. Triglav and Lake Bled.

Hiking option 1: 8 km / elevation gain +1000 m, -650 m / approx. 6-7 hours, over Mt. Begunjscica
Hiking option 2: 7 km / elevation gain +650 m, -80 m / approx. 4-5 hours, easier route
Overnight: mountain hut (private rooms) with shared bathrooms

Day 2: Through the very heart of Karawanks

Walk over high alpine meadows and plateaus and through moon-like high mountain cirque, with views to the highest peaks of the Karawanks. At first you are hiking on the edge of the tree line and on carpets of lush grass and flower fields, whereas the second part of the trail is on rough rocky terrain with some steeper scree sections.

If you still feel strong enough and the weather serves you, gather strength for a 15 min final ascent to the highest peak of the Karawanks, Mt. Stol. Your reward will be breathtaking vistas all around you, to the Julian Alps and even some profound mountains in the Austrian Alps.

Hiking: 8 km / elevation +1050 m, -550 m / approx. 5-6 hours
Overnight: mountain hut (private rooms) with shared bathrooms

Day 3: The prettiest ridge of the Karawanks

Continue west just below the main ridge of the Karawanks, enjoying views of the Upper Sava Valley and the Julian Alps. You will cross different kinds of typical karst surface to reach the ridge trail that will take you just below Mt. Vajnez. For a proper morning warm-up, make a detour and summit it over its grassy southern slopes.

Follow the ridge trail and walk through pine forest, alpine meadows, past hunter’s cabins, and alpine farms, to amazing spots with stunning views on both sides of the ridgeline. A gentle forest trail will bring you to a popular mountain hut where you spend your last night of the trek.

Hiking: 14 km / elevation +300 m, -890 m / approx. 5-6 hours
Overnight: mountain hut (private rooms) with shared bathrooms

Day 4: Morning colors at Mt. Golica

Beat the alarm clock and do a sun-rise hike to one of the most popular Karawanks peaks among locals, Mt. Golica. At the end of May, its slopes are white – not because of snow, but because of snowy white daffodils. When you reach its summit over a few rocky switchbacks, you will be rewarded again with astonishing views towards the mighty Julian Alps and the High Tauern in Austria. Return to the hut for a well-deserved breakfast and a big cup of coffee.

Descend across the friendly western slopes towards the Rozca Saddle and further down to the pretty village of Planina pod Golico. You will mostly walk along comfortable forest trails and enjoy the views towards the Upper Sava Valley below you. Enjoy this alpine fairy tale, it’s your last day here!

In the afternoon reach Planina pod Golico and get a transfer to Bled.

Hiking: 9 km / elevation +370 m, -1000 m / approx. 4-5 hours