There is a new hiking route in Slovenia that you must explore. It is made for culture buffs and food lovers. It is called the Juliana Trail and is a 167-mile round around the great Julian Alps. The aim is to attract visitors to these lesser-traveled areas of the Triglav National Park. There are no dehydrated foods or even tents here. The farmers here produce potent schnapps and pungent cheese, and the cattle graze freely. This beginner-friendly route has been broken into 16 stages. It mostly has flat stretches. The entire trip takes 10-16 days. Here are the journey’s highlights.
Stage 1-3: Sava Dolinka River
Start your journey in Kranjska Gora, a ski town, which is five miles away from Italy’s border. It is close to Hotel Kotnik, the place where you will find the best and oldest pizzeria in the region, Pizzeria Pino. As you hike through the grassy riverbanks to Mojstrana Town, trekkers have to option to reroute to summit Triglav. It is the highest peak (9,396 feet) in Slovenia. Stay the night in a guesthouse.
Stages 4–7: The Lakes
The lakes here are a major attraction and have some of the most beautiful views in the entire world. For the night, you could consider staying at Vila Prešeren. Its restaurant is known for serving delicate dishes as well as Slovenian wines, while you enjoy the lakefront view. The next morning, pass by Vintgar Gorge, which is a route next to cliffsides above Radovna River. Also, stop by Vodnik Viewpoint and dairy farms on the Bohinj trail.
Stages 8–10: Baška Grapa Valley
Once you near the hillsides overlooking Bača River, you will see lesser-known villages that are isolated. You will also come across abandoned bunkers from the WWII era near Vrh Bače pass, Podbrdo Village, and great views of Soča and Bača rivers.
Stages 11–16: Soča River
This is the final stretch. You will pass by many important WWI battle sites, Fort Hermann, a cliff-top that is 100 years old near Bovec, and Javorca Memorial Church, which was built by the Austro-Hungarian soldiers. Eventually, this trail dips towards Italy’s border. You will then reach Tarvisio Village and finish at Kranjska Gora. And, that is a full 167-mile loop around the Julian Alps.