The Julian Alps (, , , , ) are a mountain range of the Southern Limestone Alps that stretches from northeastern Italy to Slovenia, where they rise to 2,864 m at Mount Triglav, the highest peak in Slovenia. A large part of the Julian Alps is included in Triglav National Park. The second highest peak of the range, the 2,755m high Jôf di Montasio, lies in Italy.

The Julian Alps cover an estimated 4,400km2 (of which 1,542km2 lies in Italy). They are located between the Sava Valley and Canale Valley. They are divided into the Eastern and Western Julian Alps.

Name

The Julian Alps were known in antiquity as Alpes Iuliae, and also attested as Alpes Julianae AD 670, Alpis Julia 734, and Alpes Iulias in 1090. Like the municipium of Forum Julii (now Cividale del Friuli) at the foot of the mountains, the range was named after Julius Caesar of the gens Julia, perhaps due to a road built by Julius Caesar and completed by Augustus.

Eastern Julian Alps

There are many peaks in the Eastern Julian Alps over 2,000m high, and they are mainly parts of ridges. The most prominent peaks are visible by their height and size. There are high plateaus on the eastern border, such as Pokljuka, Mežakla, and Jelovica.

The main peaks by height are the following:

• Triglav – the highest mountain and on the coat of arms of Slovenia

• Škrlatica

• Mangart

• Jalovec

• Razor

• Kanjavec

• Prisojnik

• Rjavina

• Prestreljenik

• Špik

• Tosc

• Krn

Western Julian Alps

The Western Julian Alps cover a much smaller area, and are located mainly in Italy. Only the Kanin group lies in part in Slovenia. The main peaks by height are:

• Jôf di Montasio ()

• Jôf Fuart ()

• High Mount Kanin ()

• Jôf di Miezegnot ()

Passes

Important passes of the Julian Alps are:

• The Vršič Pass, 1,611 m (5,826 feet), links the Sava and Soča valleys. It is the highest mountain road pass in Slovenia.

• The Predil Pass (links Villach via Tarvisio and Bovec to Gorizia), paved road 1,156 m (3,792 feet)

• The Pontebba Pass (links Villach via Tarvisio and Pontebba to Udine), railway, paved road, 797 m (2,615 feet)

See also

• Italian Julian Alps

• Triglav Lakes Valley

• List of mountains in Slovenia

• Slovenian Mountain Hiking Trail

References

Bibliography

External links

• Julian Alps on Hiking Trail

• Julian Alps on SummitPost

• Julian Alps in Slovenia (All information about it)