Experience the enchanting Julian Alps of Slovenia, where limestone peaks tower above emerald valleys, sparkling alpine lakes, and wildflower meadows. Highlights include classic valley walks, dramatic high-mountain routes, and rewarding ascents to iconic summits such as Triglav, Jalovec, and Mangart, as well as tranquil trails around Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj. Discover a landscape shaped by nature and tradition, with picturesque mountain huts, historic sites, and the vibrant blue waters of the Soca River.

Ideal for walkers of all abilities, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook presents 40 graded routes, including 37 day walks and 3 multi-day treks, exploring every corner of the Julian Alps. Routes are organised around the main walking centres of Kranjska Gora, Bohinj, Bovec, Bled, and Kobarid, each offering a mix of accessible strolls and challenging adventures.

• Walks are clearly graded by length and difficulty (1–4), making it easy to choose the perfect day in the mountains, whether you seek a gentle woodland path or a demanding via ferrata.
• Explore celebrated Julian Alps destinations, including Triglav National Park, Triglav lakes, the Soca valley, and the picturesque lakes of Bled and Bohinj. Routes range from 4km (2 miles) to 24km (15 miles) day walks and 18–34km (11–21 miles) multi-day treks, with walking times from 2 to 11 hours.
• The Julian Alps are best enjoyed between mid-June and late September, when trails are mostly snow-free and the mountain wildflowers are in bloom.
• Features 1:50,000 maps and free downloadable GPX tracks for every walk, ensuring straightforward navigation and confident route-finding across varied terrain. Each route description includes an at-a-glance information box with distance, ascent, grade, start and finish points, public transport, and refreshment options, perfect for planning your Julian Alps adventure.
• Practical advice covers essential planning, equipment, travel, public transport, mountain safety, and accommodation in mountain huts and villages, as well as food and drink, from fresh homemade soups (such as rich mushroom juha) and Soca river trout to buckwheat dishes, sweet or savoury štruklji (dumplings), and delicious local cakes and pastries like gibanica and potica.

Plan your adventure in the Julian Alps with the definitive Cicerone guidebook and discover a region of dazzling variety, where every trail leads to a new vista and the spirit of Slovenian mountain adventure welcomes you at every turn.

Julian Alps – Slovenia: Quick Facts

Location: Julian Alps, northwest Slovenia
Number of routes: 40 walks (37 day walks, 3 multi-day treks)
Distance: Day walks 4–24 km (2–15 miles); Multi-day treks 18–34 km (11–21 miles)
Duration: 2–11 hours per day walk; 2 days per trek
Areas covered: Kranjska Gora, Bohinj, Bovec, Bled, Kobarid
Route type: Well-marked footpaths, forest trails, high-mountain routes, and protected via ferrata sections
Difficulty: Easy valley walks to demanding summit ascents (graded 1–4)
Terrain: Limestone peaks, alpine meadows, forests, lakes, rivers, gorges, traditional pastures
Navigation: 1:50,000 maps, detailed route descriptions, free downloadable GPX tracks
Best season: Mid-June to late September
Highlights: Triglav (2864m), Jalovec, Mangart, Triglav lakes, Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, Soča river, World War 1 sites, mountain huts, panoramic viewpoints
Equipment: Sturdy walking footwear, mountain clothing, and via ferrata kit (for protected routes)
Accommodation: Mountain huts, village guesthouses, tourist centres, and traditional alpine inns
 

Author Highlight

"The main bulk of the Julian Alps lies within the borders of Slovenia, in the north-west corner of the country, with a small part of the range extending into Italy. The name was known in Roman times and is thought to be linked to the imperial Roman family of Julian. Slovenia has been called ‘Europe in miniature’ because this tiny country, only about half the size of Switzerland, really does have a bit of everything – coast, caves, plains and rivers – as well as some truly magnificent mountain scenery, which is the focus of this book.” 

- Roberto Lombardo, author of Walking the Julian Alps of Slovenia

Preface

Map key

Mountain safety

Route summary table

Introduction

Geology and landscape

Triglav National Park

Long-distance routes

The walking terrain

Climate and weather

Wildlife and flowers

When to go

Getting there

Getting around

Areas and bases

Accommodation

Food and drink

Money and shopping

Communications

Health and hazards

Language

Maps

Waymarking and navigation

Equipment

Using this guide

GPX tracks

1 Kranjska Gora

Walk 1 Zelenci

Walk 2 Peč (Tromeja)

Walk 3 Slap Martuljek (Martuljek waterfall)

Walk 4 Vitranc and Ciprnik

Walk 5 Slemenova špica

Walk 6 Tamar and Planica

Walk 7 Mala Mojstrovka

Walk 8 Vrata valley

Walk 9 Jerebikovec

Walk 10           Prisank

Walk 11           Jalovec

Walk 12           Špik

2 Bohinj

Walk 13           Tour of Lake Bohinj

Walk 14           Korita Mostnice

Walk 15           Pršivec

Walk 16           Vogel

Walk 17           Črna prst

Walk 18           Spodnje Bohinjske Gore (Lower Bohinj mountains)

Walk 19           Bogatin and Mahavšček

Walk 20           Triglav Lakes valley and Veliko Špičje

Walk 21           Triglav – the southern approach

Walk 22           Kanjavec

3 Bovec

Walk 23           Kluže

Walk 24           Svinjak

Walk 25           Izvir Glijuna and Slap Virje

Walk 26           Visoki Kanin

Walk 27           Soča Trail

Walk 28           Pogačnikov dom and Kriški podi

Walk 29           Križ, Stenar and Bovški Gamsovec

Walk 30           Krn

Walk 31           Mangart

4 Bled

Walk 32           Tour of Lake Bled and Osojnica

Walk 33           Vintgar gorge

Walk 34           Galetovec

Walk 35           Debela peč, Brda and Lipanski vrh

Walk 36           Viševnik

5 Kobarid

Walk 37           Drežniški kot

Walk 38           Krasji vrh

Walk 39           Stol

Walk 40           Matajur

Appendix A     Useful contacts

Appendix B     Language notes

Seasons

From July to September when the snow has melted, huts are open and public transport is frequent. Low-altitude routes from May to October in good years.

Centres

The routes are described from five bases, all of which have tourist infrastructure: Kranjska Gora, Bohinj, Bovec, Bled and Kobarid.

Difficulty

Some routes are valley walks, which almost anyone can do, while others are high mountain routes requiring mountaineering experience and a head for heights. Peaks are snow-free by early July in normal summers so ice-axe and crampons are not usually needed, and difficult sections are mostly covered by via ferrata style protection. Self-belaying (via ferrata) kit and a helmet are recommended. The book has a grading system from 1 (easy) to 4 (serious).

Must See

The Julian Alps - Triglav, Jalovec, Mangart, the Triglav lakes, the lower Bohinj mountains, Špik, Krn; Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj and their surroundings; Vintgar gorge; World War I mountain battlefields of the Soča front and the Kobarid Museum; the Vršič pass; the emerald-green Soča River; limestone formations, alpine flowers, wildlife.

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