It isn’t excessive ability that is needed, but rather a strong grip, physical coordination, and acrobatic skills verging on the daring. Thoughts turn to the deeper meanings of existence, which suddenly appear clear, when you stand on a summit. In Summer or Winter, the weather and a stout heart are the factors that determine victory.

Although reaching only modest altitudes, the Julian Alps contain expanses of rock face comparable to any in the European ranges that exceed 4000 metres. Travnik, Spik, Triglav and Mangart are the best known peaks, with towering rock faces of 800 to 1000 metres. The north wall of Triglav, 3 kilometres wide and 1200 metres high, is the third largest in Europe. It contains a climbing route at 1000 metres a.s.l. that poses a constant challenge to those with the courage and ability to tackle it.

Climbers can find more than 25 bolted routes in the nearby tourist centres of the valleys, with more at Bohinjska Bela, Bohinj and Trenta. Climbs on frozen waterfalls are organised every Winter at Mojstrana.

Whereas winter climbing is obviously the right match for the more accomplished alpinists, many other visitors prefer to tackle the frozen falls, which can be found in all the Alpine valleys. The most renowned sites for this particular activity are Log Pod Mangrtom (Bovec) and the Tamar Valley (Kranjska Gora).