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Triglav & the Julian Alps: the back story
The back story
Photo Credit
Image courtesy of © Krzysztof Golik · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia CommonsAbout Triglav & the Julian Alps: the back story
Triglav, at 2,864 metres, is Slovenia’s highest mountain, and its three-headed outline is on the national flag and coat of arms. Around it, the Julian Alps form Triglav National Park, a world of limestone peaks, glacial lakes and turquoise rivers.
The national mountain
Triglav means “three heads”. On its summit stands the Aljaž Tower, a small metal shelter put up in 1895 by the priest Jakob Aljaž, who bought the summit to keep it in Slovenian hands.
Triglav National Park
Protection began in 1924 around the Seven Triglav Lakes Valley; the national park took its present form in 1981 and covers about 840 square kilometres, around 4 per cent of the country.
Every Slovenian, the saying goes, should climb Triglav at least once.
The Vršič pass
The road over the Vršič pass, at 1,611 metres the highest in Slovenia, climbs in 50 hairpins from Kranjska Gora to the Trenta valley. It was built during the First World War by prisoners of war, and the Russian Chapel on the north side remembers those who died.
The Soča valley
On the far side flows the Soča, an astonishing emerald-green river, a magnet for rafting and kayaking around Bovec. Further south, Kobarid has a museum of the First World War front, and Hiša Franko, holder of three MICHELIN stars in the 2026 guide.
Walking and safety
Climbing Triglav is a serious mountain route with fixed cables, best done with a guide unless you are experienced. Easier walks abound: the Seven Lakes Valley, the Vrata valley below the north face, Lake Jasna and the gorges.
Our advice: drive the Vršič pass between June and October (it closes in winter), stop at the Russian Chapel and the Soča source, and spend a night in the Soča valley. If you want to climb Triglav, hire a licensed guide and book huts well ahead.
Why it's on our list
- The national mountain
- Triglav National Park
- The Vršič pass
- The Soča valley
- Walking and safety
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Triglav & the Julian Alps: the back story before you go.