Slovenian Highlands

Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive in Kranjska Gora

Arrive in Kranjska Gora and, having checked in to your hotel, explore this little town, and decide on your supper restaurant.

Day 2 - Lake Jasna Circuit

A day of two mountain huts (in the right season) and a Russian chapel with a poignant history. First, a ‘trim track’ to start the day (just in case…) at the start of an easy walk to Jasna Lake. Never far from the Pišnica river, ascend gently to first one and then another hut before a final climb up to the Ruska Kapelica, built by Russian POWs in the first world war to honour those compatriots who died building the Vršič pass road. Return partly by the same route. (Medium: 4¼ hrs walking (allow 6 hrs), 16½ km (10½ miles), CUSs 560m)

Alternative: just walk as far as Lake Jasna, or spend time exploring the town.  You could also hire a bike, visit the source of the Sava river, the ski jumps in Planica even cycle to Laghi di Fusine in nearby Italy … lots of hire options in the town.

Day 3 - Kranjska Gora to Mojstrana

Firstly into the hills to the east of Kranjska Gora with a steep climb to wake you up. Then after a walk which contours through the woods and a possible coffee stop at a mountain hut only reachable on foot, a descent to Gozd Martuljek and the potential of seeing a waterfall up close before an afternoon bus on to Mojstrana.  (Easy-medium: 2½ hrs walking (allow 3¼ hrs), 7½ km (4½ miles), CUSs 310m. Add 3 km for waterfall walk, 1hr, CUSs 100m.)

Alternative: bus all the way.

Day 4 - Triglav and the Bistrica Trail

Take a bus (taxi included out of season) up to the car park below the Aljazev Dom and explore as far as you feel comfortable (perhaps to the foot of the north face of Triglav, the Slovenian national mountain), before returning to the Dom (for refreshment?) and heading down the picturesque Bistrica Trail. The path takes in Alpine beech forest, fascinating geological formations and the 100m-high Peričnik Waterfall before finishing with a visit to, we suggest, the Slovenian Alpine Museum in Mojstrana. (Medium hard: 4½ hrs walking (allow 6 hrs), 16 km (10 miles), CUSs 660m)

Alternative: Omit the Peričnik Waterfall climb up and down, saving 1km/120m CUSs, still with an opportunity to detour to the foot of the falls;
OR stay in Mojstrana for the day – perhaps hire a bike via our luggage transferor (based in the village), spend time at the Alpine Museum.

Day 5 - Mojstrana to Planina pod Golico

A longish day but a relatively easy one, as the climbing for the first two and a half hours is at a shallow gradient along a vehicle track. Over three-quarters of the day uses the same track, so navigation is very easy. After the village of Dovje the track ascends through woodland, with lovely views at the start, though only occasionally thereafter. On a hot day the trees are a relief. You come out again into the open at the 3:40 mark, and from then the scenery is varied. After the village of Dovski Rovt the track becomes a lovely path to the outskirts of Planina Pod Golico, though prepare yourself for a tough climb to the village and a long walk on the road (about 1 km) to your next accommodation. (Medium-hard: 4½ hrs (allow 6 hrs), 16 km (10 miles), CUSs 875m)

Alternative: Lift with the luggage as far as Plavski Rovt (no charge if you wait for the transfer; €40 payable to driver for bespoke timing). From Plavski Rovt: 1 hr, 2¾ km, CUS 200m.

Day 6 - Golica circuit

After a lift to avoid some of today’s climbing, you ascend to just below a mountain hut. Then traverse the hillside below Golica on a lovely mountain path before a long climb on the border between Slovenia and Austria. Arrive at the walk’s high point and admire far-reaching views to the Julian Alps one way, and Austria the other. Finally, descend via a mountain hut (open in season) and return to your accommodation for a hearty and deserved meal.  (Medium-hard: 4¾ hrs walking (allow 6¼ hrs), 9¼ km (6 miles), CUSs 800m)

Alternative: From the drop-off point, a there-and-back walk to and past the hut to the top of Golica, then descending through the forest to your accommodation.

Day 7 - Planina pod Golico to Bled

A few hours final leg-stretch to bring you down from the foothills of the Julian Alps to a charming hut in the forest for an early lunch. Then a lift to beautiful Lake Bled and your next accommodation. (Medium: 2½ hrs walking (allow 3¼ hrs), 6½ km (4 miles), CUSs 450m)

Alternative: Lift all the way – supplement may apply.

Day 8 - Bled circuits

A choice of walking today: you could take a bus to the spectacular Vintgar Gorge and walk back through the woods and past St Catherine’s Church into town; you could do a circuit of the lake, climbing steeply to an amazing viewpoint if you wish … or you could just explore the town.

Vintgar Gorge: Easy: 3hrs (allow 4hrs), 11½km (7miles), CUSs 275m. Alternative option: walk as far as the return bus point and take the bus back to Bled. 50mins, 2¾km (1¾ miles), CUSs 80m

Lake Bled Circuit, if done in full: Medium: 2½hrs walking (allow 3¼hrs), 7½km (4½miles), CUSs 400m.  Shorter options possible, missing a steep climb and/or a visit to the Castle.