Juliana Trail

A long-distance hiking trail

Juliana Trail is a long-distance hiking trail winding around the Julian Alps. It runs for about 270 kilometres and is divided into 16 stages, accounting for about 15 to 20 kilometres per day. The trail runs through some of the most popular tourist spots, such as Bled and Bohinj, but it also introduces hikers to villages that are yet to be touched by tourism. You can start on the trail in whichever direction and in whichever place you choose. You can walk a stage or two, complete the trail in a single hike or spread out your time. There’s lodging at the beginning/end of each stage where you can have a little refreshment and buy some food and drinks. Wherever possible, stages begin and end in a way, so that you can use public transport if necessary.

Juliana takes you over the lonely hills and plateaus where you can encounter numerous animals. It guides you through picturesque villages of Gorenjska (Upper Carniola) and historical places in the Soča Valley. A large part of the trail runs through the Triglav National Park as well as the Baška Grapa Valley where the first Slovenian feature film, On Our Own Land, was shot. You’ll be accompanied by crystal clear rivers along the way, inviting you to rest your feet if they become too tired from walking. While most of the trail is located on the Slovenian side, in Gorenjska (Upper Carniola) and Primorska (Littoral), a part also runs through Italian territory where you can take time to admire the picturesque Lago del Predil.

An interplay between the urban and natural environment

Because of travelling abroad having been made more difficult and because of the circumstances that marked the year 2020, I too hit the Juliana Trail. I embarked on a journey that taught me how important it was to take time for myself and that, as the guide book says, puts originality and simplicity of life back in the spotlight. I decided to start in Kranjska Gora and to complete the trail in 14 days. But since I was still building up the courage for a solo hike, I invited a friend to join me.

Slovenia is best known for its preserved nature. And I experienced much more than that during my hike on the trail. Friendly locals, who gladly take time to chit-chat with travellers, oftentimes made our journey easier with their selfishness and offered us a ride, a piece of advice and sometimes even a double shot. All throughout we were accompanied by birdsong and, of course, good mood. Each day brought something new and no number of hours we’d spent preparing for the journey could prepare us for what Juliana had to offer. And that’s the beauty of the trail. Just as we were walking among grazing cows and sheep for a few minutes, the next moment we found ourselves in the centre of the industrial town of Jesenice. We discovered villages we’d never heard of and at the same time visited landmarks the country is characterised by. This interplay between the urban and natural environment makes it possible to experience everything along the way. By talking to the locals, you get to know their customs and try their food, and the isolation from the most regular and touristy paths helps you experience the authenticity of the place, making you feel like walking in a fairy-tale since there’s preserved nature all around.

Preparing for the hike

We didn’t have much time to prepare for the 14-day hike, due to our study commitments and summer job, let alone for the 10kg backpacks we’d need to carry. And still we managed to walk a distance of more than 30 kilometres in a single day and climb up slopes that always rewarded us with breath-taking view of the landscape. And when, after almost 300 kilometres and two weeks of hiking, we made to the finish line, I kind of wished the trail had been at least about 100 kilometres longer.

The Juliana Trail is well marked with yellow trail signs and markings that include the letters J and A (the Julian Alps). You can find the map and the elevation profile at www.julian-alps.com. The website also includes various tips, descriptions of trail stages and a list of points of interest along the way. You can also buy a physical guide book with some basic trail information. Travellers also share lots of information and experience in the Juliana Trail Facebook group.

The trail isn’t very difficult because the point isn’t to conquer mountain peaks. Preparing for the hike, however, does include spending a lot of time working on what footwear to choose and what to take with you. It’s important to pack proper food that has lots of nutrients and vitamins, boosting your energy, and a pair of well-worn hiking shoes. Your backpack shouldn’t be too heavy, as that’ll only add to the extra strain while walking. You can buy food and drinks on the go each day, and your water bottle can be refilled at various locations using fountains and springs. Your backpack should only carry light sportswear, a medical kit, laundry soap and other personal hygiene items, as well as a pair of flipflops, which you can change into at the end of the day. Also, don’t forget the guide book in either physical or digital form. An anorak can come quite in handy during bad weather. First and foremost, of course, are your will and desire to walk such a trail.

Juliana taught me that, just like on the trail, not everything in life goes as planned. It’s up to us how we respond to that. We discovered some of the best places right when strayed or got lost because there was no signal. Due to the lack of right orientation, we ended up in the middle of the Sava or on the shores of the Soča on more than one occasion, but we took that time to rest and have a snack. That’s why I think there’s nothing wrong in getting lost or straying from the path every now and then. What’s important is that you can stop despite everything and enjoy the things nature offers.