HIKING TOUR · SMALL GROUP · GUIDED
Best of Julian Alps Hut-to-Hut
3-day hut-to-hut trekking along the highest Slovenian peaks and alpine valleys
Best of Julian Alps Hut-to-Hut, Guided Hiking Trip
- Level 3
- 3 days · 2 nights
- July to September
- Group size: 8 travelers
Most Beautiful Short Trekking in the Julian Alps
TRIGLAV NATIONAL PARK · JULIAN ALPS · LAKE BOHINJ
This Julian Alps hike is a 3-day hut-to-hut hiking adventure through the heart of the Julian Alps. The tour will take you to the most spectacular places and exceptionally beautiful mountains of the Slovenian Alps. We recommend this tour to casual yet fit hikers who are looking for a fun and exciting experience deep in the wilderness.
This circular hike starts and ends at the fabulous Lake Bohinj. Along the way, you will explore lovely alpine pastures with traditional alpine architecture, climb to some of the highest peaks, meet local shepherds, and get to know your fellow hikers. You will sleep in traditional mountain huts and enjoy Slovenian mountain food.
OPTIONAL EXTRA: Climb the summit of Mt. Triglav!
SHARED DEPARTURES: Every Monday from July to September
Prefer a Self-Guided Hut-to-Hut Hike in the Julian Alps? Check this one!
Day 1: Hiking to the Summits of the Julian Alps
The day will start with the guide getting everyone on board in Ljubljana, Bled, and finally Bohinj and driving to the trailhead in the Triglav National Park.
Initially, the forest path will take you through wild forests to charming alpine pastures. Here you’ll enjoy the silence as well as appreciate the chance for a real conversation with your hiking companions.
Further on, the gravel trail leads over mountain passes with great views over alpine valleys enclosed by high mountain walls, from which sharp summits pierce the sky.
After a late lunch at the mountain hut, you’ll finish the day or can extend it for an additional one hour to a nearby summit to soak up the majestic late afternoon views.
If you have a passion for hiking, you’ll surely want to climb Mt Triglav, the highest mountain in Slovenia. If so, you’ll keep hiking for an additional 2 hours, with a 500-meter elevation gain, to the mountain hut just below Triglav summit, where you’ll overnight.
Hiking: 9 km / elevation +900 m, -250 m/ approx. 6 hours Elevation profile.
Overnight: mountain hut with shared rooms (4-12 beds), shared bathroom
Meals included: dinner
Day 2: Trekking Through the Valley of Seven Triglav Lakes
Welcome to the most challenging day of this trip.
The hiking group will hike along the glacial valley towards the Dolic saddle. A few hours later you’ll meet the group who decided to climb the summit of Triglav and then hike on together to the Hribarice mountain plateau, where you’re almost face-to-face with Mt. Triglav. In fact, this is the best view of Slovenia’s highest mountain, so feel free to have a break and just enjoy it. However, if you’re on your happy feet today, you can climb the fantastic Mt. Kanjavec just above Hribarice Plateau, which will add an extra hour and 250 meters of elevation to the tour. Thus keep in mind that later you’ll descend to the Valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes along a rough gravel path, where you’ll appreciate having a firm step.
As the valley passes by, you’ll learn about the geological history of this incredible landscape. By the time you reach the mountain hut, you’ll have seen the most beautiful Triglav Lake, Kidney Lake, and perhaps even have found some fossils in the rocks. Afterward, you will spend the night in a comfortable hut at Double Lake.
Everyone who has arranged to climb the summit of Mount Triglav will meet their IFMGA mountain guide early in the morning at the hut. From there, you’ll hike across the karst plateau and climb the exposed via-ferrata on the ridge of this three-headed mountain. It’ll take you over the summit of Mali (little) Triglav to the top of Slovenia, which Slovenians must climb to be considered a true Slovenian. After experiencing the tradition of becoming one of us, you’ll rejoin the rest of the group, say goodbye to your IFMGA mountain guide, and continue with your hiking guide.
Hiking: 12 km / elevation +700 m, -750 m / approx. 7 hours Elevation profile.
Overnight: mountain hut with shared rooms (4-12 beds), shared bathroom
Meals included: breakfast, dinner
Day 3: Hiking the Alpine Pastures above Bohinj
Today you will leave the highest peaks behind and enter the land of alpine pastures. But first, you’ll hike to an amazing lookout point. On the top, you’ll enjoy incredible views across the Valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes and even the mountains above Lake Bohinj.
As soon as you’re back on the saddle, well-trodden trails will take you along the shepherds’ highlands, where alpine dairy farming is still alive. Thus you might be able to try some fresh homemade dairy products before reaching the van.
After a short stop and a refreshing swim at Lake Bohinj, your guide will take you back to Bled or Ljubljana. Expect to be there around 6.00 PM.
Hiking: 8 km / elevation +200 m, -800 m / approx. 4 hours Elevation profile.
Overnight: /
Meals included: breakfast
Every Monday from July to September
BOOK NOW or GO PRIVATE anytime from July to September.
Inclusions
- 3 guided days with a licensed English-speaking hiking guide.
- 2 nights with dinner and breakfast in a mountain hut. Private rooms with 2-4 beds per room. Shared bathrooms.
- Transfer from Ljubljana, Bled, or Bohinj to the start of the hike.
- Transfer from the end of the hike to Bohinj, Bled, or Ljubljana.
- Organization, 24-hour holiday service & support.
Exclusions
- Arriving to and from Ljubljana, Bled, or Bohinj.
- Drinks.
- Meals not specified in the Inclusions.
- Travel insurance.
- Guide gratuities.
- Personal expenses.
- Other services not specified in the Inclusions.
Optional
- Guided hike to Mt. Triglav: 360 € per trip with 1-4 hikers
Activity Level 3 – MODERATE hiking
Expect to walk 5-7 hours per day, with 10-15 km (6-10 miles) in distance and up to 1000 m (3300 ft) of elevation gain on the hardest day. It might not sound much, but so far no one has ever said that it was too easy. Therefore you must be in reasonable shape and have some hiking experience to fully enjoy this tour.
What are the trails like?
The trails are uneven, sometimes rocky, narrow, and with loose gravel. Moreover, you will need to overcome several steep sections on the uphills as well as on the downhills. On some days you will hike partly in the shade of a forest, on others above the treeline, but mostly without any shelter along the way.
Our Best of Julian Alps Hut-to-Hut hiking tour can only be done when the mountain huts in the central Julian Alps are open. They usually open in the last week of June and remain open until late September. The first half of July and September generally see few fellow hikers. August is the peak month and the trails & huts are busy. The temperatures in September start decreasing, especially when the sun sets.
What is the weather usually like?
Weather can change a lot. On the highest peaks, it can snow even in summer (although it is not very common). If the weather is nice it can be very hot. Even above 30 deg C (90 deg F), which is a must for sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat (for shade)! If the weather is bad and windy you will need really warm clothes. Be prepared for temperatures as low as 0 deg C and 32 deg F. This does not mean you have to bring a thick down jacket and thermal pants, but just keep in mind that it can get cold and unpleasant. Check our recommended packing list.
We also recommend having a thin (lightweight) layer to cover your arms, legs, and the back of your neck to prevent sunburns.
Of course, don’t forget your swimsuit and a small towel! Lakes and rivers are calling for a refreshing swim!
Essential read: our Best time to hike in Slovenia blog post.
You will spend two nights in typical Slovenian mountain huts.
What are the mountain huts like?
The huts in the Slovenian Alps are quite basic, but they offer everything a hiker needs: food, drinks, and accommodation. Most of the huts are accessible only by helicopter (no roads). Thus food supply is limited, so expect simple menus of mountain food like different stews (vegetable or with meat), pasta, and sausages. They also sell chocolate, soft drinks, water, beer etc. The usual breakfast would be eggs, ham, cheese, butter, jam…
The huts we use on this hiking tour have normal flush toilets, running (drinking) water, and sometimes even hot showers.
Expect to share a room, toilets, bathrooms, or washrooms. Rooms are from 4 to 12 beds.
Aljaz Zupan
Slotrips guide
A passion born in mountain summer camps nurtured through adolescence and enhanced by different courses brought me to the point of making my hobby a profession. With like-minded friends, I had spent many fun days and starry nights tramping the mountains. Therefore I love spending every day in nature, where I eagerly share my knowledge about Slovenia. So if you wish to experience a fun hike, taste some amazing food, perhaps just spend a few days outdoors, or enjoy a debate over a beer, you can count on me! When I’m not in the mountains, you will find me working on various non-profit projects, or maybe sleeping…
“Our 3-day hike exceeded all of my expectations!
It was well planned, along a challenging trail with spectacular scenery. Along the way we passed through alpine pastures and even got to same cheeses that were made right on the mountainside. We stayed in mountain huts both nights, where we were comfortable and well fed. Our guide was interesting and always made sure we were safe. Miha was easy to communicate with over email, always responding to messages quickly. I appreciated that we were picked up and dropped off at our hotel. And the price of the trip was very affordable. I would love to do this hike again and would recommend it to everyone!”
Lenny
from USA
How big are the groups?
Our shared group departures are limited to 8 hikers + 1 guide. Please contact us for bigger private groups.
What to bring for this walking tour?
Check our recommended packing list.
What if the weather is too bad to do the three-day hike?
We reserve the right to cancel the trip if we think the weather is not appropriate to run the tour safely. We will know this 2 days before the start date. It happens approximately once per year that we have to cancel the hiking trip. In this case, you get a full refund.
Do I need a sleeping bag?
Not necessarily. The huts provide blankets and one-time-use paper sheets. However, we highly recommend bringing a lightweight cotton sleeping liner (travel sheet), because you’ll sleep better on it and avoid making unnecessary waste and help preserve some trees.
Is luggage transfer between the mountain huts possible?
No. You will need to carry your belongings throughout the entire hiking tour. Yet your main luggage will be stored at the hotel in which you’ll stay after the hiking tour.
Can I swim in the Triglav lakes?
No! The lakes are fairly small, especially during the summer drought. The water in and outflow is super small and the water barely changes. The lakes’ micro-ecosystem is very fragile and we must not endanger it with our sweat, sunscreen etc. Moreover, it is considered an offence by the Triglav National Park organisation.
Do the mountain huts provide vegetarian/vegan meals?
Food in mountain huts is quite basic. There are options for vegans and vegetarians, but the selection is very limited. If you have any special dietary restrictions or needs, we recommend bringing your own snacks and treats.
How is the optional extra climb to Mt. Triglav?
Climbing Mt. Triglav is an optional addition to this hiking tour. The summit can be very crowded during summer, especially on weekends. The last 300 vertical metres (1.5 hours) of the ascent and descent is a Via-Ferrata. It is secured with steel hand lines and stemples, yet very exposed in some sections. Even though an experienced mountaineer may not even notice the exposure, the less experienced will definitely feel in need of guidance. The IFMGA licensed mountain guide will take care of your safety and provide all necessary equipment and professional guidance, which is essential when the weather is not perfect. The guide will meet you below the ridge, where the climbing part begins and part with you upon return. Before and after the summit climb you are hiking on your own. Have a look at this video for a better understanding of the terrain.
Price
345 € per person
Need to make some changes to the itinerary?
Why Hike in Slovenia With Slotrips?
Because we care! We love Slovenia, we breathe the great outdoors and are passionate about delivering authentic, fun & immersive hiking holidays in Slovenia. You can count on us!
Guaranteed departures
All shared trip departures are confirmed at a fixed price. No minimum number required.
Small groups
1:8 guide to traveler ratio ensures that everyone gets the personalized attention and care they need.
The guides
Genuinely friendly, passionate experts, well-traveled globetrotters, and knowledgeable locals. We will proudly show you our homeland: Slovenia.
Great value
Slotrips hiking tours are designed and run in-house. With no middle-men or big overhead costs, you are truly getting the most for your money.
GO BESPOKE
Maximize your travel time and value for money, with a tailor-made walking holiday in Slovenia covering every aspect of your wishes, needs and interests.
