Trek Slovenia's Julian and Karawanke Alps

Trek hut to hut or day hike from villages through the spectacular Julian and Karawanke Alps of Slovenia. These lesser discovered alps of Europe offer challenging mountain summits, ridgeline hikes, alpine lakes, valley views, picturesque villages, mountain huts and great food.

Off the beaten track, Slovenia’s Julian and Karawanke Alps are must-see hiking and trekking destinations. Experience the mountain culture and beauty of mighty peaks, vast forests, colorful meadows, and crystal-clear waters,  all accessible from a network of over 10,000km of marked trails and 175 mountain huts and less touristed than the alps of Italy and Switzerland, but no less lovely. Comfortable huts and homecooked meals along the way make for a pleasant multi-day trek requiring only a daypack.

The Julian Alps straddle the border between Slovenia and Italy. The beauty of the alpine highlands extends above the valleys of the rivers Soča, Sava Dolinka and Sava Bohinjka and includes Lake Bohinj and Lake Bled, forested hills, lowland pastures, stunning mountain ridges and passes, and 150 peaks over 2000m. These places of outstanding natural beauty and remarkable cultural heritage constitute the first UNESCO biosphere in Slovenia.

The Karawanke Alps are located on the border between Slovenia and Austria. It’s a 120km long mountain chain dominated by the highest peak Mt Stol (2236m). Traverse the alpine ridgeline with all-around views of Klagenfurt basin on the Austrian side and the Ljubljana basin on the Slovene side. The northern Austrian side is rocky and precipitous while the Slovenian side is less steep, covered with spruce forests and low bushy pine at lower elevations and meadows higher up.

The Julian and Karawanke Alps of Slovenia are world-class hiking destinations with excellent hut facilities connected by maintained trails. The trails traverse a variety of terrain, from verdant river valleys to alpine lakes to craggy peaks. Many exploration opportunities exist in this low-key, modern, and welcoming country.

  • Suitable Activities: Backpacking, Global Adventures
  • Seasons: June, July, August, September, October
  • Weather: View weather forecast
  • Difficulty: Moderate/Strenuous, Very Strenuous
  • Land Manager: Land Manager Varies
  • Parking Permit Required: see Land Manager
  • Recommended Party Size: 12
  • Maximum Party Size: 12
  • Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 12
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