The Best Julian Alps and Soča Valley Hut to Hut
Discover the most beautiful spots of the Julian Alps and the Soča Valley
Explore a paradise for photography, the Seven Lakes Valley
Relax on the banks of the emerald green Soča River
Most scenic part of the Alpe-Adria trail
Sleep in authentic mountain huts
Itinerary
We will start the day by picking you up, and driving to Bohinj where we’ll start our hike. To warm us up, the hiking will be easy-going on the first day. We will walk through high mountain pastures, and see the shepherds’ cottages where they have been producing cheese for centuries, with some still continuing this tradition. We will hike up to the Triglav lakes mountain hut by the beautiful Double lake, eat an authentic Slovenian dinner, and get some rest.
14 km (8,7 mi), 1250 vertical meters up (4100 feet), 100 meters down (330 feet)
Koča pri Triglavskih Jezerih mountain hut
On the second day, we will head along the amazing Triglav Lakes Valley, and see its mesmerizing glacial lakes. Even though we’ll spend the day walking through the valley, the views of the surrounding high peaks will still give us an amazing Alpine experience. We will stop at the Zasavska Lodge at Prehodavci to get something to eat and regain our strength. Then we will descend further down, into the Trenta valley and spend the night there.
14 km (8,7 mi), 360 vertical meters up (1200 feet), 1450 meters down (4750 feet)
House DorMica or similar (depending on availability
We will hike along the most beautiful European river, and the jewel of Slovenia – the Soča river. Apart from the emerald green depths of the Soča and its thrilling river rapids, we will also be able to admire the traditional architecture of the Trenta Valley. We will cross footbridges above Soča’s troughs and gorges. Those brave enough can even jump in the freezing cold water. This is an easy day of hiking, as we will mostly tackle flat terrain. Depending on our agreement, we can even reduce the amount of walking, and have a shuttle ride take us to Lepena, where we will spend the night.
16 km (10 mi), 450 vertical meters up (1500 feet), 360 meters down (1200 feet)
Dom dr. Klementa Juga mountain hut
With our batteries recharged, we will tackle steeper terrain once more. We will hike up to the crystal clear Lake Krn, and stop at the mountain hut there, to get something to eat. Our trail will lead us into the heart of the Komna Plateau, an area full of WWI remnants. This is also where the coldest ever temperature in Slovenia was recorded!
14 km (8,7 mi), 1280 vertical meters up (4200 feet), 510 meters down (1680 feet)
Dom na Komni mountain hut
We will end our tour by descending to Lake Bohinj. On the way, we will see the famous Savica waterfall, which is also the spring of the Sava Bohinjka River. We will continue our hike with a walk along the north shores of Lake Bohinj, which will give us a great opportunity to jump in and go for a rejuvenating swim.
15 km (9,3 mi), 100 vertical meters up (330 feet), 1050 meters down (3500 feet)
Guided
Included in price
Self guided
Included in price
Optional Extras
Description
This hut to hut walking holiday is perfect for those who would like to see the best of the Julian Alps and the Soča Valley. Hike the Triglav National Park and discover the most picturesque part of the Julian Alps, the Seven Lakes Valley.
The tour is designed in a way that makes every day a diverse experience. You will spend two days in the Julian Alps, then a day walking through the Soča Valley, and another two days back in the high mountains. The highlight of the first part is hiking the pristine Seven Lakes Valley, nestled in the heart of the Triglav National Park. Also called the Triglav Lakes Valley, it was the first area protected by the only national park in Slovenia and one of the oldest in Europe.
On the third day, you will descend to the Soča Valley with our most iconic Soča River. It will be a day spent walking past beautiful gorges full of emerald green pools and wooden bridges. For a more relaxing third day, you can also use the help of a shuttle and make it a rest day spent chilling beside the jewels of the emerald Soča River. The last two days take you back to the Julian Alps. The two-day hike across the high-altitude karst plateau of Komna will take you back where you began, to Lake Bohinj. You can therefore extend your holiday by a vacation at our largest lake, either before or after the tour.
Each stage has around 5 to 6 hours of walking, with plenty of time left for taking photos and taking in the beautiful landscapes. Those who have a little extra stamina can also take some detours to peaks close to the planned route with an outstanding panoramic view. This is a hut to hut tour, which means that at the end of each day, you will arrive at an authentic mountain hut, where you will spend the night. Slovenia’s mountains are full of these cosy lodges, making this kind of tour an optimal way of exploring our mountains.
The tour can be guided or self-guided, and in both methods, some basic level of hiking knowledge is needed. The walking is a little more demanding than in other walking tours since most of it is on non-flat terrain of high mountains. The paths are often rocky or full of loose stones, so it’s good to have a basic sense of where to put your foot down to not slip. Also, don’t forget about proper footwear and clothing. If you need any help when packing, our guides are here to help.
NOTE: Due to high demand and limited availability of accommodations in Soča Valley, this tour requires a very early booking, 6-9 months in advance. For later bookings, the price can vary.
Map
Accommodations
Koča pri Triglavskih Jezerih
Koča pri Triglavskih Jezerih offers a unique stay by the Double Lake in the Triglav Lakes Valley, popular for its alpine scenery and hiking trails, accommodating 200 guests in the heart of the Julian Alps.
House DorMica
House DorMica in Trenta offers a tranquil escape with apartments featuring stunning mountain views, modern amenities, and outdoor activities, earning a high rating from guests for its location and facilities.
Dom dr. Klementa Juga
Dom Klementa Juga v Lepeni, located at the serene end of the Lepena valley, is named after the Slovenian alpinist Klement Jug, offering accommodation for 40 visitors and serving as a crucial starting point for excursions into the Julian Alps’ Krn mountain group.
Dom na Komni
Dom na Komni is a year-round hut on the Komna plateau, offering breathtaking views over Bohinj Lake and serving as a base for various hiking and ski-touring activities in the Julian Alps.
Start planning today!
Things to know
Our guided walking tours are led by UIMLA or IMFGA internationally licensed guides who have completed many years of training to make your walking holidays both safe and enjoyable. They are enthusiastic individuals who are ready to share their passion for Slovenia and its rich culture and nature with you, and make your walking holiday one to remember.
We are always looking for the perfect fit for you. We use a few different accommodation providers that fit our standards but they are subjected to availability, especially in the high season. We can also adjust the holiday, keeping in mind your preferences and budget and can always find a more suitable solution for your taste.
We recommend booking as early as possible. Slovenian mountain huts are very popular and get booked up several weeks in advance, especially on weekends. If your booking is late, we will try our best to find a suitable alternative. Sometimes, last-minute spots open up. However, we cannot guarantee a free spot.
All of the huts offer vegetarian options and usually at least one vegan option. Still, kitchens high up are basic, so don’t expect too many choices. Huts generally serve authentic meals like stews, soups, and sausages. If you have strict dietary restrictions, consider bringing your own food as they can’t make a special meal per request.
If you want to, sure! We are well aware that some people love to stay in groups while others prefer some more alone time on their trip. We wanted to give you the opportunity to do things your way. It is your holiday, after all! As long as you respect the group timings and locations designated by your guide, please feel free to customize your itinerary and create your own adventure!
Depending on the tour, some of our tours go through high mountains and there is still snow in spring (sometimes as late as early June) and autumn (sometimes as early as October). Other tours don’t go as high and are suitable for spring and autumn as well as summer. Read more about hiking seasons in Slovenia.
Most of the tours can be done even in light rain, as long as you dress accordingly. It is not unusual in the summer that there are afternoon thunderstorms, so early starts are advisable. If the weather looks really bad, we will try to reschedule or propose an alternative tour.
Some of our tours are hut-to-hut tours, with overnights in authentic mountain huts. Try to pack light, only take what you really need. You need your passport or ID for check-in, and some cash is advisable if the internet is down. Bring your sleeping liner and earplugs for the night, and toothbrush and body wipes for hygiene. You don’t need slippers, they are in the hut already.
The tour is suitable for most with basic hiking experience and reasonable fitness level. There are around 5-7 hours of hiking per day with breaks and backpacks not too heavy. The trails are sometimes narrow and uneven with some loose and rocky sections, but without exposure and technical difficulties. The third day can be shortened significantly with a short shuttle.
It is important that your clothes are comfortable. It is recommended that you also have some warmer and windproof clothing with you in the case of temperatures dropping or cold wind. You can always leave excess clothes in the van after consulting with our guide.