Walking in Slovenia’s Julian Alps
We first discovered
Slovenia’s Julian Alps on a weeks Spring break in May / June 2011. Since then we have spent a further 5
weeks getting to know the area in some depth.
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| Lake Bohinj |
The Julian Alps are
believed to be named after Julius Caesar and are the highest mountains in
Slovenia with at Triglav 2864m the highest summit. The Slovene people are
rightly proud of their mountaineering heritage and the national flag has
Triglav represented on it. There is a “saying” in Slovenia that you are only a
true Slovene if you have climbed Triglav.
As an alpine nation,
its mountains are not as high as those in neighbouring countries but they are
equally spectacular. There is an extensive network of mountain huts throughout
its mountains making it quite possible to stay for longer periods high up
without having to keep descending to a valley base each evening.
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| Martagon Lilly |
Our first trip was in
the spring of 2011. Too early to
access the high paths and summits because the high mountains were full of snow.
We were able to walk to the summer pastures on the low alps where the cows were
being taken up to from the villages and the wild spring flowers were very
impressive. We were surprised at the warm weather, though the proximity to the Mediterranean
generally gives a warmer and more stable climate than the western alps.
The second trip we
made was for two weeks in August 2011.
The paths and mountains were now mostly clear of snow and we were able
to explore the extensive network of paths and huts in the high mountains.
Especially memorable was seeing both Edelweiss and the rare, endemic, Zoiss
Bellflower.
We returned again for
two weeks in 2013, this time leading walking holidays for Mountain House Holidays. We led two, week long holidays and were able to take our clients to
the summit of Triglav. We became true Slovenes!
In September, 2014 we
had the privilege to return once more leading a hut to hut walking holiday for
Mountain House Holidays. Memorable on this trip was the accordion playing that
we experienced at all of the huts we stayed at.
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| Pogacnikov Dom |
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| Zoiss Bellflower |
Situated less than an
hours drive from Ljubiana Airport, the Julian Alps are very accessible. There
are flights from both London Stanstead and Luton airports. We have found car
hire quite cheap though there are taxi’s and mini-bus taxi’s available. By
booking them in advance these also work out quite cheaply.
If you are planning to
visit in springtime, there are lots of flowers out in late May and early June.
An ideal base would be around Lake Bohinj. There are plenty of hotels, guest
houses and hostels here to suit all. Hostel 13 in Studor offers good clean
basic self catering accommodation. Hotel Starre offers good hotel
accommodation.
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| Edleweiss |
For summer hut to hut
trips you need a start and end point. The Aljazev Dom at the head of the valley
above the village of Mojstrana has a massive “wow” factor that it overlooks the
mighty north face of Triglav. This is one of the few huts that has showers and
you can get a taxi or drive to within about 400m of the hut. We have also left
bags here with our clean travelling clothes to return to on several occasions.
If you want a guided
itinerary, Mountain House Holidays will help you sort out a suitable itinerary
and provide you with a qualified International Mountain Leader who has knowledge of these beautiful mountains.
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| Chamois |
