The Julian Alps, Slovenia and Italy - Cities, Mountains, Attractions

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The Julian Alps are one of the mountain ranges in the Alps that are amicably shared between Slovenia and Italy. Two-thirds of it is located on the Slovenian side, in the Triglav National Park. The mountain range covers an area of ​​4,400 km2. Its highest altitude is 2,864 meters at the top of Mount Triglav. The length of the main ridge of the mountain is 126 km. The width of the line is approx. 94 km.

Its' varied countryside includes steep rock walls, deep gorges, barren mountain peaks, and lush alpine valleys. And if that weren’t enough, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls would colour your way here and there. You can easily feel like you are in Tyrol or Carinthia.

Quick Details

Map

1/3 of the range is located in Italy. As most of the mountain belongs to Slovenia,  it is often called a Slovenian range. Here are two maps that show the location of the Julian Alps. On the first, you can see the whole range extending from Italy to Slovenia. On the second map, you will find only the Slovenian part of the mountain range.  

Mountains and peaks

Highest peaks, mountains

The mountain range contains several significant peaks that are well known to hikers. The most popular, of course, is the two-day tour of Triglav, which is also Slovenia's highest point and symbol. The mountain range has two parts:

• Eastside: Slovenia
• Westside: Italy

List of highest peaks

Here are the highest scores in descending order. With a few exceptions, the most prominent peaks are on the main ridge.

Slovenian Alps

Did you know? The Julian Alps is only one of the 3 major Alpine ranges of Slovenia. There are also the Karawanks and the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. We call these three the Slovenian Alps.

Passes, saddles

The Julian Alps have four major passes. The highest is the Mangart saddle at 2,055 meters, followed by the picturesque 1,611 meters at Vršič. Both are popular places for hiking and trekking.

• Mangart saddle, 2,055 meters high
• Vrsic pass, 1,611 meters high
• Predil Pass, 1,156 meters high
• Pontebba Pass, 797 meters high

The highest panoramic road in Slovenia goes into the saddle of Mangart, a popular place for hiking, biking, and cycling. The scenic road is chargeable.

Cities

There are many major towns and resorts in the mountain range. The most popular ski resort on the Italian side is Tarvisio. On the Slovenian side, the nearest town to Ljubljana is Bled, while Bovec and Kranjska Gora are located in the heart of the range.

On the south, there is Lake Bohinj, then to the west of Mt Triglav on the other side are Bovec, Kobarid, and Tolmin. Finally, Kranjska Gora in the north, where skiing is the number one winter program.

• Bled
• Bovec
• Kobarid
• Tolmin
• Kranjska Gora
• Tarvisio (Italy)

Rivers

There are many rivers, lakes, and waterfalls in the Julian Alps. The largest river is the Soca. But hence both branches of the Sava, the Sava Bohinjka and the Sava Dolinka. Less well known is the Radovna River, which forms the Vintgar Gorge.

• Soca River
• Sava river
• Radovna river

Lakes

Its largest lakes are Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj. Both lakes are located on the eastern side of the Alps, closer to Ljubljana. While Lake Bled is a bit busier and more touristy, Bohinj offers more outdoor activities, camping, boating, etc.

The Triglav Lakes region is an alpine hiking area of several lakes. This can be explored on a more difficult, technical (1 v 2 day) tour. Another name for the Triglav Lakes is the Triglav Seven Lakes region. Although there are many more lakes in the area, this name is also used.

Also worth mentioning is Lake Jasna at Kranjska Gora, as well as the nearby Slovenian reserve, Zelenci Park. Both lakes attract thousands of tourists every year. On the western side of Italy lies the charming Fusine Lakes, i.e. Lagho di Fusine.

• Lake Bled
• Lake Bohinj
• Lake Jasna
• Triglav Lake District / Triglav Lakes
• Zelenci Reserve
• Fusine lakes

Waterfalls

If anything, there will be no shortage of waterfalls. The most popular waterfalls are Pericnik Falls on the east, Martuljek in the north, and the Boka, Kozjak, and Virje waterfalls near Italy in the west.

• Sum Waterfall - in the Vintgar Gorge
• Pericnik waterfalls
• Savica falls
• Martuljek waterfall
• Kozjak waterfall
• Boka Falls - the largest waterfall in Slovenia
• Virje waterfall
• Sunik cascade

Plateaus

There are three popular plateaus in the Juliske Alpe. Pokljuka Plateau is the most popular excursion destination near Lake Bohinj. The countryside was rehabilitated a few years ago and the forest that had been cut down over the years was replanted.

Today, everyone knows about the charming alpine chalets - and the excellent dairy products available here. The locals are mainly engaged in animal husbandry, and of course in logging. The Jelovica and Mezakla plateaus are also located here.

• Pokljuka
• Jelovica
• Mežakla

Gorges

In terms of gorges, as well as from waterfalls - there are plenty. The most popular of these is the Vintgar Gorge, formed by the Radovna River. To the west of it, we find the Pokljuka gorge and cave known to few. (The cave system of the mountain range is dwarfed compared to the Slovenian Karst anyway.)

We can also get to the Martuljek waterfalls through the Martuljek gorge. One of the most secluded gorges is Mostnica, known for its rock formation of the Little Elephant.

Approaching the Italian border we find more and more gorges. The best known of these is the Tolmin Strait.

• Vintgar
• Pokljuka
• Mostnica
• Martuljek
• Tolmin
• Susec
• Fratarica
• Kozjak
• Predelica