Triglav National Park and its wonders

Slovenia is the home of a small corner of the Alps Mountain Range, also called the Julian Alps, where they rise to 2,864m at Mount Triglav, the highest peak in Slovenia. A large part of them is included in the National Triglav park, which was our aim for this summer. There are two ways you could travel through this gorgeous piece of nature - either by backpacking from hut to hut, or, as in our case, making one of the lovely small villages your headquarters and exploring the region. We stayed at a sweet Airbnb in Srednja vas v Bohinju. This was a real relax for the soul. The view to the mountains is amazing, the village is really quite and a perfect starting point to whichever place you want to visit.

The first waterfall

On the first day we visited the Martuljek Waterfalls. There is a free parking almost at the beginning of the path. I specifically mention that it was free, because, as we found out later, it could be a real chance to find a cheap parking lot, let alone a free one. From there, take the bike alley for 2min and then at the first sign turn left. Follow the yellow signs with "1.2.Slap" (slap meaning waterfall). Getting to the first one was relatively easy. The harder part is getting to the second one, as the path becomes steeper and more slippery at some sections. The last about 100m are a bit rocky, with the path becoming more narrow, but there are enough metal ropes to help your way up and down.

But once you get there though, you will immediately forget all that was before. The cascades grab all your senses. The water falls down so loud, that you'll need to scream in order to hear someone. The view to every step of the waterfall is as if someone's pouring champagne in a pyramidal glasses. There is one last small section, leading to the very top of the waterfall. It could be a little challenging for some, but it offers an indescribable top view. The place was packed with children and dogs, so do not hesitate get the whole family. Halfway between the two waterfalls there is a place to stop and have something to drink or eat. It's called Brunarica pri Ignotu, the path to it is well marked, there's wonderful view with tasty with homemade traditional cuisine. The whole trip from the parking lot, with all the pictures and stops to take a breath, then back to the parking lot took us around 3- 3.5 hours.                                                                                                                                                                         

On our way back, we made a stop at the magnificent Lake Bled. This is probably the most famous lake in Slovenia and it is no wonder why. With its crystal clear blue water, peaceful green surrounding and plenty fun activities, it is the perfect destination for your Slovenian trip. You could the whole walk around the lake for about an hour. But, in reality, it might take you much longer, because you could take an incredible photo at every step. It just has no bad side! 

Lake Bled

On the next day we decided to do something more challenging. The Valley of Seven Lakes met this criterion perfectly. It is a grand alpine valley above the tree line, with multiple lakes and a trail for hiking and backpacking. There are several different approaches but the Planina Blato is the easiest one. Drive to, following signs for Planina Blato, take a ticket at the entrance of the Triglav National Park and follow the Serpentine road for about 8km. Do not lose this ticket, as you'll need it on the exit afterwards. The toll fee for this road is 12€ and the machine accepts both cash and credit cards. You could park your car either on the side of the road or at a small parking lot at the end of this road. 

GPX of The Seven Lakes Valley hike

This is where the hiking trail begins. Follow signs for Planina pri Jezeru. We took the path right behind the sign, splashing through the tractor train/deep marks in the wet soil. It's a little nasty but fun, jumping in zig-zag, trying to find the less deep mud. You'll need to follow signs for Koca na plani pri Jezeru. This is actually the first big hut along this path, which is situated on a lovely pasture, above a sweet small lake

Once at this hut, look at the red signs, because you have two options here: either go left and up (which is in my opinion the more difficult one and leads to Koca pri Bregajevo Zavetisce) or continue straight. Both ways lead to a fork road, which also gives you two possible routs. Continue left, down the trail (which on the sign should say Koca pri Triglavski Jezerih Preki Provod, which means Short Way to the second hut) and you'll have a better easier road. The right one is steeper and more technical. 

Fork road signs

Trail signs at 
Koca na plani pri Jezeru

From here you'll only need to follow the white and red circle marks and you'll make it to the amazing Double lake and the second hut - Koca pri Triglavski Jezerih. The trail continues right behind it, taking you to the next lake. In about an hour or two you'll get to the last hut of the 7 valleys trail - Zasavska koča na Prehodavcih - where you can see the rest of the lakes. We didn't make it to it, because we started late and decided to go back before it was dark. The way back was pretty easy, mostly descending. Only the first 1km was ascend with climbing via steep, narrow way with metal ropes at some places, but after that was mostly downwards. 
We loved this path very much and I'm sure you will too. Just make sure to take enough water and food with you and good hiking boots for the wet slippery parts.

Straight from...

On our third day we decided to do something not so demanding. We needed a slow day after the long hike at the Seven Lakes Valley and right before our two-day adventure to Mount Triglav. So the Vintgar Gorge seemed like the perfect solution. I had my doubts that it was a little bit overrated, but I was totally wrong. This place is a real life fairy tail wonderland.

...a fairy tale story.

Getting there is pretty easy, as there are plenty of signs, leading you to the numerous parking lots, which cost only 5€ for the whole day. There is also an entrance fee, which is 10€. Once inside though, you forget about the outside world.
The trail leads through wooden walkways and bridges, called Zumer Galleries, after Jacob Zumer major of Gorje and the person who discovered this gorge, together with the cartographer Lertgetporer. The gorge is 1.6km long, ending with the tallest waterfall in Slovenia : the Sum waterfall, 13m high. Bear in mind though: your ticket is good only to the small kiosk at the end of the wooden way. Once you are out you can't go back the same way. But in order to see the waterfall, you have to go out, go behind the kiosk turn left and find yourself at the perfect spot for a photo. Good news: many people don't go down there (probably they don't know about this waterfall?) so, probably you'll have your chance for a good photo without crowds of tourists. Then you need to go up to the kiosk stand again and decide which way back to take. St. Katherina is longer but easier with great views to the valleys. The other one is half time faster but steeper.

                   Šum Waterfall

Those are only a few of the many adventures you can take in the region. Our adventure didn't end here, of course, and yours shouldn't either. Pack your best shoes, a map, your good mood and start exploring this beautiful gem in the crown of the Alpine World.