Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Slovenian Tourist Board and Slovenia Outdoors, we were organized a study tour for National Geographic Travel from June 12 to June 15 in the Karavanke Mountains. The tour was successful, hosting renowned journalist Duncan Craig and photographer Francesco Lastrucci.
The tour began at Ljubelj Pass and followed the stunning Karavanke ridge. We ascended past Zelenica to the summit of Begunjščica, which stands at 2,042 meters and visited the iconic Roblek Lodge. Our first night was spent in a hut on Zelenica.
On the second day, we climbed Stol, the highest peak in the Karavanke range. We enjoyed an outstanding overnight stay at Prešeren’s hut, where the caretakers’ hospitality was exceptional.
The third day took us along a remarkable ridge between Stol and Golica. Covering over 14 kilometres, we were rewarded with breathtaking views of the Julian Alps to the southeast and Austria’s Carinthia to the north. We spent the night in a hut on Golica, surrounded by the serene beauty of the mountains.
On the fourth day, we concluded our journey by decending from Golica to Planina pod Golico, followed by a transfer to the charming Hotel Ribno in Bled.
Throughout the journey, we were captivated by the journalist’s and photographer’s careful attention to the unique experiences of the trail. They were particularly fascinated by the warm hospitality in the mountain huts, the traditional Knafelč trail markings, folk songs like “Na Golico” and “Na Roblek,” and the rich Slovenian cultural heritage that was intricately woven into every part of the experience.
Read the full article on National Geographic
