The Julian Alps: the back story

Bled and Bohinj lie at the foot of Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain and national symbol. Beyond the Vršič pass, the emerald Soča runs down to Kobarid and a kitchen with three MICHELIN stars.

Bled’s island and castle

Lake Bled holds Slovenia’s only natural island, and pletna boats rowed standing up carry visitors out to its church, where 99 steps lead to the wishing bell. The castle, first recorded in 1011, watches from a cliff 130 metres above. Four kilometres away, wooden walkways follow the Radovna through Vintgar Gorge, open to visitors since 1893.

Bohinj and the mountain

Lake Bohinj, Slovenia’s largest permanent lake, fills a glacial valley inside Triglav National Park. At its western end the Savica falls about 78 metres, the setting for Prešeren’s Baptism on the Savica, and the Vogel cable car rises to about 1,500 metres for the view to Triglav. At 2,864 metres, the mountain is a two-day climb with nights in huts.

Over Vršič to the Soča

From Kranjska Gora, a road of 50 numbered hairpins crosses the 1,611-metre Vršič pass to the Trenta valley. On the far side the Soča runs emerald green to Bovec, the base for rafting and kayaking, and on to Kobarid, where chef Ana Roš holds three MICHELIN stars at Hiša Franko.

Bled Castle, first mentioned in 1011, stands on a cliff 130 metres above the lake.

Our advice: book Vintgar Gorge tickets online in season and arrive early.