Hiking the Juliana Trail in Slovenia is the focus of Episode 244 of the World Vegan Travel Podcast.
In Part 1, Brighde and Seb traveled from Trieste to Lake Bled. They explored the lake, visited Vintgar Gorge, and stocked up on vegan food for the trail.
Now, their hiking adventure finally begins.
Part 2 follows them from Lake Bled to the Pokljuka Plateau. They then descend toward Lake Bohinj before continuing to Bohinjska Bistrica.
The route offers peaceful forests, alpine meadows, traditional villages, and beautiful mountain views. However, a severe European heatwave makes every stage more difficult.
Starting the Juliana Trail at Lake Bled
Brighde and Seb woke early at their hotel in Lake Bled.
They packed lunch, extra clothing, rain jackets, and cold vegan supplies into their daypacks. Their larger bags were moved to the next hotel by a luggage-transfer company.
This meant they could enjoy a multi-day hike without carrying everything on their backs.
The first stage normally begins beside Lake Bled. It then climbs toward Goreljek on the Pokljuka Plateau.
The full route covers about 21 kilometers and gains roughly 800 meters in elevation.
Making a smart decision during the heatwave
The first seven kilometers followed exposed asphalt roads.
Because the morning was already extremely hot, Brighde and Seb chose to skip this section by taxi. The driver took them to the village of Krnica for €20.
This allowed them to save their energy for the steep mountain climb.
It may not have been the traditional way to complete the stage. However, it was a sensible decision during such intense heat.
Hiking through Pokljuka Gorge
The real climb began soon after they left Krnica.
The narrow trail entered Pokljuka Gorge and passed through a natural limestone cave tunnel called Pokljuška luknja.
They walked beneath large rock arches and natural stone windows. After leaving the gorge, the route became easier.
The trail then continued through the pine and spruce forests of Triglav National Park.
Their peaceful lunch stop did not go quite as planned. The meadow was filled with cows, cow pats, and a large number of flies.
Brighde and Seb quickly ate their sandwiches and continued walking.
Vegan food at Hotel Pokljuka
They reached Hotel Pokljuka in Goreljek at around 3 p.m.
The hotel sits about 1,250 meters above sea level. It is also used by professional winter athletes and biathletes for altitude training.
Brighde and Seb expected the restaurant to offer very few vegan choices. Instead, they found several clearly marked plant-based dishes.
They ordered vegan pretzel buns filled with grilled tofu, crispy onions, and sauerkraut. They also enjoyed French fries and a cold Aperol Spritz on the terrace.
Finding an intentional vegan meal on a remote alpine plateau was a welcome surprise.
The long descent toward Lake Bohinj
The next morning, Brighde and Seb began the descent from the Pokljuka Plateau.
This section of the Juliana Trail covers about 22 kilometers. It drops from the high forested plateau into the glacial basin of Bohinj.
The heatwave remained intense, and the long downhill sections placed a great deal of pressure on their legs and knees.
By the end of the day, they had completed an incredible 38,352 steps.
The heat and friction were so severe that Brighde’s smartwatch caused a blister on her arm.
Alpine pastures and Slovenian villages
As they descended, the thick forests opened into rolling alpine pastures.
They walked past sheep, wooden barns, traditional churches, and distinctive Slovenian hayracks known as toplarji.
Brighde also used a lightweight travel umbrella to create shade while walking. It helped block the direct sun and made the heat easier to manage.
After pushing through an extra section of trail, they finally reached Hotel Bohinj beside Lake Bohinj.
Reaching Lake Bohinj
Lake Bohinj offered a very different atmosphere from Lake Bled.
The lake sits inside a dramatic glacial valley surrounded by the Julian Alps. It feels quieter, wilder, and less developed than Lake Bled.
Hotel Bohinj became their comfortable base for two nights.
After the long descent, Brighde was too tired to search for a restaurant. Instead, she made a simple dinner with salad, chickpeas, vinaigrette, and vegan yogurt.
It was an easy and practical plant-based meal after a demanding day on the trail.
A rest day beside Lake Bohinj
Brighde and Seb did not set an alarm on their rest day.
After more than nine hours of sleep, they enjoyed a vegan-friendly hotel breakfast. The choices included overnight oats with soy milk, vegan lemon cake, fresh fruit, local bread, and jam.
Later, they found a casual lunch using HappyCow. Brighde ordered a rice bowl with vegetables and soy curls, while Seb chose a wrap with similar ingredients.
The highlight of the day was swimming in the cool water of Lake Bohinj.
The glacial water offered welcome relief from the heatwave and helped them recover before returning to the trail.
Walking to Bohinjska Bistrica
The following morning brought a major change in the weather.
The heatwave finally began to break, and the cooler air made walking much more comfortable.
The route from Lake Bohinj to Bohinjska Bistrica was easier than the previous stages. It followed quiet roads, sidewalks, dirt tracks, and open alpine meadows.
They reached the Bohinj Eco Hotel after about two and a half hours.
More vegan food in Bohinjska Bistrica
While waiting for their hotel room, Brighde and Seb visited Gostišče Tripič for lunch.
Brighde was pleased to discover an entire menu page with vegan choices.
She ordered vegetables wrapped in crisp filo pastry and served with a rich mushroom sauce. Seb chose French fries.
They later spent time swimming at the nearby Bohinj Aquapark & Wellness.
A thunderstorm passed over the mountains while they rested at the hotel. When they went outside again, the air felt cool, fresh, and clean.
The long summer heatwave was finally over
Looking ahead to Part 3
With the heatwave finally broken, Brighde and Seb are ready to continue deeper into Slovenia for the final part of their journey.
In Part 3, the route shifts from long hiking days to a mix of mountain travel, river valleys, historic sites, and the final push toward the end of the trail. Expect the turquoise waters of the Soča River, dramatic alpine scenery, and a well-earned celebration in Ljubljana.
Follow along for the conclusion of their three-part Slovenian adventure.
Learn More About What is Discussed on the Podcast
- Beginning the Juliana Trail at Lake Bled
- Using luggage transfers during a multi-day hike
- Taking a tactical taxi shortcut during a heatwave
- Hiking through Pokljuka Gorge
- Finding vegan food at a remote mountain hotel
- Completing more than 38,000 steps in one day
- Descending from the Pokljuka Plateau to Lake Bohinj
- Swimming in the cool water of Lake Bohinj
- Finding vegan meals along the trail
- Walking from Lake Bohinj to Bohinjska Bistrica
- Hotel Bohinj beside Lake Bohinj
- Gostišče Tripič
- Bohinj Aquapark & Wellness
- HappyCow
- Hotel Pokljuka in Goreljek
Other World Vegan Travel Content Connected With This Episode
- Vegan Travel in Slovenia | Trieste to Lake Bled | Part 1
- 5 Smart Travel Essentials I Never Travel Without
- Exploring Slovenia: A Vegan Travel Guide | Klemen Godec
- Teahouse Trekking in Nepal’s Mountains as a Vegan
- Vegan Croatia by Superyacht | Our First Yacht Voyage
- Vegan Italy Hotel | Paradiso Pure Living in the Dolomites
