f his friends he build a little torrent there. The Aljazev Stolp chapel was supposed to be an offering with the aim of securing independence for Slovenia. The priest’s dream came true 100 years later.

Today there is a cigar-shaped shelter made of metal on top of the mountain. It covers Aljazev’s torrent and provides cover for 3-4people in bad weather. During the tourist season there is usually a Triglav National Park clerk on duty who issues and stamps certificates given to those who reach the top. It’s a nice souvenir, as climbing this mountain is not an easy task. The shortest way p Triglav leads through the Kot Valley, the longest and easiest takes one through

The name only appeared in the 16th century, and describes the shape of the mountain seen from the lake Bohinj. From here the main peak (2864m), Little Triglav (2725m) and Rjavec (2568m) seem to form a massive three-peak range.

According to an hold legend the mountain is a gift from God. Moved by the modesty and pride of the Slovenians, who never asked him for everything, he gave them a stretch of land that was not very big, but which was the most beautiful. Triglav, the highest peak of the Julian Alps, towers over their land.

The mountains, mostly limestone, boast many fascinating shapes. Soaring crags, scree cirques and vertical precipices with light-coloured cliffs hang above the sloping valleys. Triglav’s north wall is a massive 3Km long limestone face rising above the Vrata valley and Bistrica river. Some of the cliffs are 1000m high. White rock contrasts with the greenery of the mountain pastures. Limestone soil means lush vegetation. Yellow globeflowers cover the mountain meadows. Here and there are purple monkshoods. Golden orange tiger lilies open their petals and gracefully bow their heads. But the biggest impression is made by the herds of ibex, met quite frequently. They are related to our chamois but have much more striking horns. Although rather tame, if you come across two males they would probably be too busy fighting to notice what’s going on around them. They jump at each other, their horns striking hard. If the horns get entangled they start a bizarre dance, when they circle and push each other. It’s hard to tell whether they’re trying to break free or push their opponent over a precipice. Sounds of battle echo all around.

A popular Slovenian legend tells the story of Zlatorog, a white ibex with golden horns which used to live in a paradise garden at the heart pf the mountains, guarding hidden treasure. Many bold adventures tried to find the place, and eventually an intruder ruined the place’s heavenly peace. The greedy hunter burst into garden and shot its golden-horned guardian. He would have undoubtedly found the treasure if not the miraculous flower that gave the ibex its life back. Wild with anger, the animal pushed him over the cliff, trampled the garden, and left. It’s never been seen since. Today the legendary ibex can be seen on bottles of Slovenian Lasko Beer. The rocky path traversing Triglav’s North face has been named ‘Zlatorogove police’.

The first climbers reached the top of Triglav in 1778, but the north wall stayed unconquered until 1890. Five years later, Jakob Aljaz, an enthusiast of mountain expeditions, composer an Doje paris priest in one, bought the peak of Triglav for 5 gold pieces, and with the help of his friends he build a little torrent there. The Aljazev Stolp chapel was supposed to be an offering with the aim of securing independence for Slovenia. The priest’s dream came true 100 years later.

Today there is a cigar-shaped shelter made of metal on top of the mountain. It covers Aljazev’s torrent and provides cover for 3-4people in bad weather. During the tourist season there is usually a Triglav National Park clerk on duty who issues and stamps certificates given to those who reach the top. It’s a nice souvenir, as climbing this mountain is not an easy task. The shortest way p Triglav leads through the Kot Valley, the longest and easiest takes one through

ed cliffs hang above the sloping valleys. Triglav’s north wall is a massive 3Km long limestone face rising above the Vrata valley and Bistrica river. Some of the cliffs are 1000m high. White rock contrasts with the greenery of the mountain pastures. Limestone soil means lush vegetation. Yellow globeflowers cover the mountain meadows. Here and there are purple monkshoods. Golden orange tiger lilies open their petals and gracefully bow their heads. But the biggest impression is made by the herds of ibex, met quite frequently. They are related to our chamois but have much more striking horns. Although rather tame, if you come across two males they would probably be too busy fighting to notice what’s going on around them. They jump at each other, their horns striking hard. If the horns get entangled they start a bizarre dance, when they circle and push each other. It’s hard to tell whether they’re trying to break free or push their opponent over a precipice. Sounds of battle echo all around.

A popular Slovenian legend tells the story of Zlatorog, a white ibex with golden horns which used to live in a paradise garden at the heart pf the mountains, guarding hidden treasure. Many bold adventures tried to find the place, and eventually an intruder ruined the place’s heavenly peace. The greedy hunter burst into garden and shot its golden-horned guardian. He would have undoubtedly found the treasure if not the miraculous flower that gave the ibex its life back. Wild with anger, the animal pushed him over the cliff, trampled the garden, and left. It’s never been seen since. Today the legendary ibex can be seen on bottles of Slovenian Lasko Beer. The rocky path traversing Triglav’s North face has been named ‘Zlatorogove police’.

The first climbers reached the top of Triglav in 1778, but the north wall stayed unconquered until 1890. Five years later, Jakob Aljaz, an enthusiast of mountain expeditions, composer an Doje paris priest in one, bought the peak of Triglav for 5 gold pieces, and with the help of his friends he build a little torrent there. The Aljazev Stolp chapel was supposed to be an offering with the aim of securing independence for Slovenia. The priest’s dream came true 100 years later.

Today there is a cigar-shaped shelter made of metal on top of the mountain. It covers Aljazev’s torrent and provides cover for 3-4people in bad weather. During the tourist season there is usually a Triglav National Park clerk on duty who issues and stamps certificates given to those who reach the top. It’s a nice souvenir, as climbing this mountain is not an easy task. The shortest way p Triglav leads through the Kot Valley, the longest and easiest takes one through

fighting to notice what’s going on around them. They jump at each other, their horns striking hard. If the horns get entangled they start a bizarre dance, when they circle and push each other. It’s hard to tell whether they’re trying to break free or push their opponent over a precipice. Sounds of battle echo all around.

A popular Slovenian legend tells the story of Zlatorog, a white ibex with golden horns which used to live in a paradise garden at the heart pf the mountains, guarding hidden treasure. Many bold adventures tried to find the place, and eventually an intruder ruined the place’s heavenly peace. The greedy hunter burst into garden and shot its golden-horned guardian. He would have undoubtedly found the treasure if not the miraculous flower that gave the ibex its life back. Wild with anger, the animal pushed him over the cliff, trampled the garden, and left. It’s never been seen since. Today the legendary ibex can be seen on bottles of Slovenian Lasko Beer. The rocky path traversing Triglav’s North face has been named ‘Zlatorogove police’.

The first climbers reached the top of Triglav in 1778, but the north wall stayed unconquered until 1890. Five years later, Jakob Aljaz, an enthusiast of mountain expeditions, composer an Doje paris priest in one, bought the peak of Triglav for 5 gold pieces, and with the help of his friends he build a little torrent there. The Aljazev Stolp chapel was supposed to be an offering with the aim of securing independence for Slovenia. The priest’s dream came true 100 years later.

Today there is a cigar-shaped shelter made of metal on top of the mountain. It covers Aljazev’s torrent and provides cover for 3-4people in bad weather. During the tourist season there is usually a Triglav National Park clerk on duty who issues and stamps certificates given to those who reach the top. It’s a nice souvenir, as climbing this mountain is not an easy task. The shortest way p Triglav leads through the Kot Valley, the longest and easiest takes one through

orned guardian. He would have undoubtedly found the treasure if not the miraculous flower that gave the ibex its life back. Wild with anger, the animal pushed him over the cliff, trampled the garden, and left. It’s never been seen since. Today the legendary ibex can be seen on bottles of Slovenian Lasko Beer. The rocky path traversing Triglav’s North face has been named ‘Zlatorogove police’.

The first climbers reached the top of Triglav in 1778, but the north wall stayed unconquered until 1890. Five years later, Jakob Aljaz, an enthusiast of mountain expeditions, composer an Doje paris priest in one, bought the peak of Triglav for 5 gold pieces, and with the help of his friends he build a little torrent there. The Aljazev Stolp chapel was supposed to be an offering with the aim of securing independence for Slovenia. The priest’s dream came true 100 years later.

Today there is a cigar-shaped shelter made of metal on top of the mountain. It covers Aljazev’s torrent and provides cover for 3-4people in bad weather. During the tourist season there is usually a Triglav National Park clerk on duty who issues and stamps certificates given to those who reach the top. It’s a nice souvenir, as climbing this mountain is not an easy task. The shortest way p Triglav leads through the Kot Valley, the longest and easiest takes one through

f his friends he build a little torrent there. The Aljazev Stolp chapel was supposed to be an offering with the aim of securing independence for Slovenia. The priest’s dream came true 100 years later.

Today there is a cigar-shaped shelter made of metal on top of the mountain. It covers Aljazev’s torrent and provides cover for 3-4people in bad weather. During the tourist season there is usually a Triglav National Park clerk on duty who issues and stamps certificates given to those who reach the top. It’s a nice souvenir, as climbing this mountain is not an easy task. The shortest way p Triglav leads through the Kot Valley, the longest and easiest takes one through the Krma Valley, and the most picturesque leads from the Bistrica Valley through Plemenice. Near the top there are no easy routes left to choose. You can only reach the main peak with a via ferrata “iron way”, using the permanent railings. Helmets are useful and on the most difficult trail’s it’s a good idea to come equipped with a safety rope and know at least the basics of how to use it. One of the most popular starting points is Mojstrana, a rather busy tourist resort. The trails that start there are full of people. A nicer but longer route leads from Kranijska Gora or Bohini. If you make them the starting and end points of your journey respectively, it will take you 4-5 days to complete the hike.

Regardless of where you begin, you have to keep in mind that the trail is long and step. Reaching the top of Triglav will probably take few days. It’s the best to spend the night before attacking the mountain lodges: the highest up are the Triglavski Dom (2515m), Dom Planika (2401m) and Trzaska ko a na Dolicu (2151m).

The Julian Alps are built of limestone. Water is scarce. There are also problem with transporting supplies. Spending the night and eating at a lodge is quite expensive. A slice of bread at the Triglavski Dom costs 1.5 euros! More o less the same for a 0.5L bottle of water. Although there is usually a cheaper shed whit beds by the main building, tourists are accommodated first of all in the more expensive rooms. Camping is prohibited altogether. There are Also huts for professional climbers, but they are unlikely to accept ordinary tourists. What’s more, they are quite a long way from Triglav itself, and occupied practically non stop by mountaineers.

On the journey through the Julian Alps a stop at Bohinj Lake is a must. The name refers to the legend about God giving land as gift to the Slovenian people (Bohinjsko means divine). The waters of the lake reflect the mountains. But mount Triglav itself can only be seen from one place, from a place behind the church in the village of Ribcev Laz. So it comes as no surprise that this is where a monument to the first mountaineers was erected, as a testament of their achievement. Just take the direction he give to enjoy the view of and then climb the holy mountain of Slovenia.