Slovenia and the Julian Alps

After dropping Doug & Laura off at the Split Airport, we drove north five hours into Slovenia.  We're spending a week visiting several places, with the bulk of our time in the mountains of northern Slovenia called the Julian Alps.  Our first two days have been in the alpine town of Stara Fužina next to Lake Bohinj.  It's a small village with narrow streets and perhaps 40-50 houses.

Mostnica Waterfall

We've done longer hikes each day totaling a combined 13.5 miles.  The first hike was up Mostnica Gorge to the Mostnica waterfall.  This was a great hike through the forest along the gorge formed by the crystal-clear Mostnica River.  The middle part of the trail then opened up into the Voje Valley, a beautiful U-shaped opening between the mountains with small homes and vacation huts.

Voje Valley

Our second hike was a complete circumnavigation of Lake Bohinj.  The first half of this hike was along the shoreline with wonderful views of the turquoise water and mountains. The second half was further from the shoreline separated from the lake by the main road. It was not nearly as picturesque but fortunately shady the whole way.  Europe has been experiencing a severe heat wave for the past week, and even though we're in the Alps, temperatures have astonishingly reached 90+ degrees each day.

Lake Bohinj

Stara Fužina has been a great base the past few days.  It lies within the country's sole national park, Triglav National Park, named for Slovenia's tallest peak. Tomorrow, we're off to the Soča Valley, also part of the national park in the northwestern corner of Slovenia.  During our drive, we'll pass where Slovenia, Italy, and Austria meet at a single point in the mountains.  We hope to make that a pit stop.