Slovenia’s Julian Alps: Take a look at this fairy-tale panorama

Nanette DeramusFebruary 11, 2022

47 4 minutes read

Mary Novakovich, CNN

Imagine of Slovenia’s Julian Alps and two visuals typically spring to mind — the fairy-tale sight of Lake Bled and, in case you’re a winter-athletics admirer, the ski slopes of Kranjska Gora.

However this alpine space tucked into Slovenia’s northwestern nook is filled with purely pure miracles, numerous of that are contained throughout the nation’s solely nationwide park, Triglav.

As a result of 2019, it’s been easier to get to know this location because of the event of the Juliana Path.

This 168-mile circuit winds by the foothills of the Julian Alps over 16 ranges, starting and ending in Kranjska Gora. (The path additionally hives off into 4 way more ranges overlaying an additional 37 miles south in direction of Nova Gorica.)

Alongside the way in which, you’ll be addressed to wonderful landscapes of towering peaks, waterfalls, dashing rivers and pristine mountain lakes.

It’s possible to select and select among the many ranges, or cope with oneself to a few months of gradual exploration.

On this article are a number of the journey highlights.

Lake Bled

The poster boy for Slovenia tourism appears to be like like one thing Walt Disney needs he skilled dreamed up.

Glassy turquoise waters encompass a really small island — full with a baroque church established amid pines — and the romance issue goes up a few notches while you arrive there on an everyday picket boat named a pletna.

Loftily perched on a cliff overlooking the lake is Bled Fortress, a medieval fortress that gives even way more romance to the scene.

When not swimming within the lake (properly warmed by thermal springs), website guests can go paddle-boarding or simply wander alongside the four-mile path in regards to the lake, absorbing people incomparable sights.

Tolmin Gorges

On the southern cease of Triglav Nationwide Park, the Tolmin Gorges slice by way of a number of the Juliana Path’s most exceptional environment.

There’s a little one thing nearly primeval about these forested limestone partitions looming across the Tolminka River, with deep inexperienced waters hurrying under alongside the rocks. On the lowest level within the nationwide park, at 590 ft (180 meters) increased than sea quantity, there’s a confluence among the many Tolmin and the Zadlaščica which you’ll be able to accessibility through rocky strategies and picturesque picket bridges.

Lake Bohinj

Slovenia’s premier lake completely gives Lake Bled a function for its revenue within the magnificence stakes.

Sheltered by forested mountains, Lake Bohinj’s blue-green waters are an immensely peaceable place for lazy swims and laid-back once more paddling and kayaking.

Observe the footpath that winds throughout the lake earlier than getting the cable auto that whisks you up additional than 5,000 ft to the Vogel ski resort.

From right here, the sights of Lake Bohinj are fairly wonderful.

Savica Waterfall

Just some of miles to the east of Lake Bohinj is a single of Slovenia’s loveliest natural factors of curiosity and actually value a detour.

Savica Waterfall is the supply of the Sava Bohinjka River, and it thunders by a deep crevasse from a high of 255 ft into unbelievable emerald-green waters.

Get the marked path from Zlatorog Lodge in Ukanc for about an hour proper till you arrive on the rocky actions that information to the waterfall. There’s a café close by for a handy pit give up.

Zelenci Nature Reserve

For those who’re adhering to the Juliana Path in a clockwise route, 1 of the remaining sights you’ll transfer would be the Zelenci Character Reserve.

It’s fairly an arresting sight: a lake of shiny turquoise surrounded by marshy swamps and, previous, the mountains of the Triglav Countrywide Park.

Effervescent beneath are the springs of the supply of the Sava River, providing the lake its jade shade.

Lifted picket walkways direct you through this serene panorama earlier additional than 1,000 species of wildlife, which incorporates sand lizards and the distinctive scarlet grosbeak chook.

Primarily as a result of the abnormal temperature doesn’t dip underneath 41 F (5 C), the waters on no account freeze, even throughout wintertime.

Kranjska Gora

Slovenia’s most effective-known ski resort has all of the prettiness you’ll count on of an alpine village. And when the snow melts, that’s the cue to try its mountain trails on foot or by bicycle.

In a state that has manufactured Tour de France winners, it isn’t shocking that biking is massive firm proper right here. Ski lifts run at some point of the summer time too, offering downhill mountain bikers the prospect to occupation down slim tracks at breakneck tempo.

At shut by Planica — residence to 1 of Europe’s premier ski-leaping facilities — you possibly can fly through the air on the world’s steepest zipline descent.

For one factor gentler, pitch up on the shores of Jasna Lake, two linked synthetic lakes on the confluence of the Velika Pišnica and Mala Pišnica streams.

Soča Valley

Observe the mind-bending twists and turns of the Vršič Go from Jasna Lake and also you obtain the Soča Valley.

Facet of the Juliana Path follows the Soča River, one of the vital stunning in Europe, its impossibly very clear blue-green waters a favourite with kayakers and rafters.

Collectively the way in which are a few of Slovenia’s most spectacular waterfalls, such because the mighty Boka and Kozjak, the latter dropping right into a deep eco-friendly pool of h2o.

While the realm appeals to vigorous web site guests, report buffs will need to uncover the monuments from the Soča (Isonzo) Entrance in the midst of Atmosphere Struggle I.

Strung out alongside a 143-mile route all the way in which to Trieste, the Stroll of Peace is a poignant reminder of the numerous 1000’s who died listed right here in wrestle all via the battle.

Mount Triglav summit

Hikers and climbers trying to find an issue can be tempted to deviate from the Juliana Path and sort out the ascent to the summit of Mount Triglav.

This hulking 9,296-feet limestone peak usually will contain an straight away hold and an excellent stage of conditioning — and it’s value selecting a suggestion.

You possibly can technique the mountain from plenty of instructions, however the two most well-known routes start probably in Lake Bohinj or Lake Bled.

Be prepared for a little bit of scrambling while you get near the summit, which is obtainable solely from June to October.