Julian Alps

The mountains of Triglav National Park in northwest Slovenia, with Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj and the emerald Soča Valley.

The Julian Alps are the southeastern branch of the Alps, lying mainly in northwestern Slovenia, with their western end reaching into Friuli in Italy. At their heart is Triglav National Park, Slovenia's only national park, whose highest peak, Mount Triglav (2,864 m), is a national symbol of Slovenia. Highlights: the island church and clifftop castle of Lake Bled, and nearby Vintgar Gorge; the wilder, quieter Lake Bohinj and Savica Waterfall; the Vršič Pass road with its 50 hairpin bends; the emerald waters of the Soča Valley, where Bovec offers rafting, canyoning and paragliding, plus the Kobarid WWI Museum; Kranjska Gora and Lake Jasna; and Lago di Fusine on the Italian side. Classic itinerary: base yourself in Ljubljana or Bled, spend 2 days on Bled and Bohinj, then cross the Vršič Pass to the Soča Valley and stay 1–2 nights in Bovec, for 4–5 days in total; it can be extended to Istria or Plitvice Lakes. Getting around: the bus from Ljubljana to Bled takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, and buses run between Lake Bohinj and Bled; the Soča Valley and the pass require a car or a tour. Bled is congested and parking is hard in summer, so arrive early; hiking Mount Triglav requires via ferrata experience or a guide.

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