Julian Alps Lakes and Mountains

The Julian Alps lie at the eastern extremity of the main European alpine chain, straddling the border between Italy and north western Slovenia. Characterised by striking limestone peaks rising above blue lakes and alpine meadows dotted with tiny villages of traditional architecture, this area with its many varied trails is perfect for a hotel-based, moderately-paced walking holiday. Our base for this walking holiday is the pretty lakeside town of Bled with its iconic island church. In a series of day walks, we will explore the Karavanke Mountains on the border of Austria with its network of tunnels, the hidden valleys and waterfalls of the Martuljak Mountains and the beautiful forested Pokljuka plateau where shepherds and cow herders carry on a traditional way of life unhurried and unchanged for centuries. A highlight of the week is a two-day walk in the Triglav National Park where we make use of a cable car to get high into the Julian Alps and stay overnight in a mountain hut, stunningly located on the east-viewing ridge of the Komna Plateau overlooking Lake Bohinj. This classic ‘Lakes and Mountains' walking holiday is the perfect introduction to moderate alpine hiking in a spectacular setting and with all the comforts of a hotel base.

This is a hotel based walking week at the heart of the Julian Alps. On each day's walk we follow good and well-marked trails. The average distance covered each day is around 10 to 15 kilometres (6 - 9 miles) with up to 500 metres of ascent and descent. We would expect to be walking for 5 to 6 hours at a moderate pace with time to stop and take in the scenery. During the holiday we spend one night in a mountain hut at 1520 metres using a cable car to gain the majority of this elevation.