The most significant hiking trail in the Julian Alps is the Slovenian Mountain Hiking Trail, which is 614km long and encompasses several mountain ranges, as well as linking up with the Alpe Adria Trail that extends from the Austrian Alps all the way to the Italian coast at Muggia.
Created to encourage tourism into new areas, and relieve pressure on hotspots like Bled, the Juliana Trail is a long-distance circular route that goes around the national park. The total distance is over 300km, but it’s split into 20 sections so walkers can stop off in different places for food or a place to stay. The landscapes are stunning, though be aware there are some sections on asphalt and dirt roads.
Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces clashed frequently in this region during World War I, and a 320km route, the ‘Walk of Peace’, goes from the Julian Alps to the Adriatic coast via monuments, museums, battlegrounds and trenches.
The Soca Trail, part of the Alpe-Adria Trail, is a 25km route following the Soca River from its source to the town of Bovec. It can be completed in one very long day, but most people prefer to split it into two.
Other trails start from villages like Gozd Martuljek and lead through the Martuljek Gorge, where waterfalls and shepherd huts offer views over the classic Toblerone-shaped Mount Spik (2,472m). Some walks are flat, such as the 12km circular around Lake Bohinj. Even though you’re at fairly low altitude down in the valley, you’re still surrounded by mountains.
Nothing beats a local, knowledgeable guide
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Julian Alps walking vacations designed by local experts
“Nothing beats a local, knowledgeable guide who is actually more of a hiking companion.” Domen Strle is the lead guide for our partner Slotrips Unique Adventures and knows what he is talking about when it comes to walking in this region. “Hiking is a national sport for Slovenians – everyone hikes in the summer,” Domen goes on. “I myself wanted to be a guide from a young age.”
Hiking in the Julian Alps is gaining in popularity, and that can sometimes bring problems, especially when people underestimate the mountains. The weather can be unpredictable at high elevations, and it’s vital to be prepared with the right clothing and footwear. For instance, Mount Triglav is often described as easily achievable, but for the last two hours to the summit you’re on a ridgeline and very exposed to the elements. Traveling with a guide from the area or following a self-guided itinerary that has been designed by people who know the mountains well, is an excellent way to walk this kind of terrain.
The real beauty of Slovenia
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“People shouldn’t rush their time here,” says Domen. “We don’t only have very varied landscapes, but also very different cultures from one region to another, and cuisine as well. I think this is the real beauty of Slovenia”.
Up in the mountains you can taste, or even learn how to make, the creamy, pear-shaped cheeses known as trnic, which shepherds traditionally made as gifts for their beloveds. You may bump into beekeepers, too. With one in every 200 Slovenians keeping bees that’s a lot of honey to try.
Rural communities are shrinking throughout Europe, as people who are starved of employment opportunities move to more urban areas. The Julian Alps are no exception, but Domen reports that things have begun to improve, with guiding jobs becoming more available as the region earns a reputation for walking.
Other avenues of employment are also opening up. “People are returning, young people especially. They are continuing traditions like shepherding, herding cattle into mountain pastures. But the difference now is they are no longer just making cheese for themselves but selling it to tourists or showing them how to make it. They are embracing experiential tourism.”
