20 Best Hikes in Slovenia: Day Hikes + Hut to Hut Hiking (original) (raw)

With more than 10,000 kilometers of marked trails, Slovenia is undoubtedly a premier hiking destination in Europe. There’s something for everyone: adrenalin-inducing peak climbs, family-friendly valley walks, and arresting hikes to lakes, waterfalls, and alpine pastures.

The most spectacular place to hike in Slovenia is in the Slovenian Alps. The Slovenian Alps make up the south-easternmost part of the European Alp chain and the southernmost part of the Southern Limestone Alps.

If you’ve visited the Dolomites, you’ll notice that Slovenia’s mountainous landscape is strikingly similar to that of northeastern Italy.

There are three significant mountain ranges in Slovenia: the Julian Alps, the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, and the Karavanke Alps (Karawanks).

The Julian Alps, home to Slovenia’s highest peaks, is the most famous range and attracts the most visitors each year. This is the heart of Triglav National Park. It’s also the most accessible mountain range, as there are daily buses that connect Ljubljana and Lake Bled to the main gateways of the Julian Alps like Lake Bohinj and Kranjska Gora.

The Kamnik-Savinja Alps are equally spectacular, yet often overlooked. The most well-known hiking destinations in the Kamnik Alps are probably Logar Valley and Velika Planina.

The Karawanks are the least visited range among international hikers, as most trailheads are only accessible by car. Though not as dramatic as the other Slovenian mountains, the Karawanks are nonetheless great for more offbeat adventures.

In this guide to the best hiking trails in Slovenia, hikes are ordered from easiest to the most challenging, starting with flat valley trails and ending with challenging hut-to-hut hiking routes.

Hiking in Slovenia, Julian Alps, Triglav National Park

Best Hikes in Slovenia Map

In the map below, we’ve plotted all the best day hikes in Slovenia. To see a map of the Slovenia hut to hut hikes, please take a look at these hiking guides: Triglav Trek and Kamnik Trek. The Triglav summit hike (2 days needed) is outlined below.

1. Vintgar Gorge, Julian Alps

Vintgar Gorge Boardwalk Path, Slovenia

Vintgar Gorge is a narrow river gorge wedged between the hills of Hom (843 meters) and Boršt (931 meters) in Triglav National Park.

Located only 4 km northwest of Lake Bled, Vintgar Gorge is often called the “Bled Gorge.”

A safe and secure pathway made up of boardwalks and bridges leads through the 1.6 km-long gorge. Beneath the steep walls of the gorge, the trail crisscrosses the rapids and pools of the Radovna River.

The Vintgar Gorge trail starts at the P1 car park in Pondhom village and ends at the Šum river waterfall.

At the end of the trail, you can return to the gorge entrance along the “Green Trail Vintgar – Sv. Katarina,” or along the shorter “Red Trail Vintgar – Blejska Dobrava.”

We hiked the red circuit trail, which took just about 2 hours to complete in total.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Vintgar Gorge P1 Car Park

Distance | 4.9 km circuit

Time Needed | 1:50 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 249 meters

Difficulty | Easy

Minimum Elevation | 521 meters

Maximum Elevation | 674 meters

Where to Stay in Bled | Guesthouse Marko (budget), Old Parish House (midrange), or Hotel Starkl (midrange)

Learn More: Vintgar Gorge

2. Robanov Kot Valley Walk, Kamnik-Savinja Alps

Robanov Kot to Robanov Planina Walk, Easy Slovenia Walks

Robanov Kot is a glacial valley that neighbors Logarska Dolina in the Solčavsko Region of Northern Slovenia. The valley is named after Kmetija Roban Farmstead, which has been in operation for 800 years.

To start this lovely walk, either park at Turistična kmetija Govc -Vršnik or continue another 400 meters to the final parking area at Kmetija Roban in Robanov Kot valley.

From Roban Farm, follow the wide gravel trail for 3.3 km to the Robanova planina mountain pasture. Always continue straight towards the head of the valley, ignoring some of the diverging paths.

In summer, this trail is verdant and lush, lined with a myriad of wildflowers. During our walk, we saw Sternberg’s Carnations (Dianthus Sternbergii) and Common spotted-orchids (Dactylorhiza fuchsii).

About 30 minutes into the hike, you’ll walk by a large fenced-in pasture and a traditional stable made of stone and wood.

You may encounter cattle on the hiking trail. Please keep a safe distance and do not disturb, pet, or feed the animals. Also, make sure your dog is on a leash. In our guide to visiting the Alps in summer, you’ll learn more about alpine pasture safety.

Continue following the wide path to Robanova planina mountain pasture, located at the foot of Ojstrica (2350), an arrowhead-shaped mountain that dominates the ridgeline. The wide mountain pasture is also home to an alpine dairy, which is only open in July and August.

Robanova planina is an ideal picnic location, but if you didn’t pack your lunch, eat a traditional Slovenian feast at Govc -Vršnik, after your hike. Govc Farm is one of our favorite places to eat in Slovenia. We’ve eaten here at least six times, and it never disappoints.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Kmetija Roban (Roban Farm) in Robanov Kot

Distance | 7.8 km out-and-back

Time Needed | 2 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 236 meters

Difficulty | Easy

Minimum Elevation | 660 meters

Maximum Elevation | 897 meters

Accessible by Public Transit | No

Where to Stay in Solcava | Boutique rooms Pri Rogovilcu (budget), Turistična kmetija Govc -Vršnik (midrange), or Hotel Plesnik Logarska Dolina (luxury)

3. Planica Valley Walk to Planinski Dom Tamar (Planica Pot Po Dolini), Julian Alps

The valley walk to Planinski Dom Tamar begins at the Planica Nordic Centre, a nordic skiing complex in Planica Valley in the Julian Alps. Annual ski jumping competitions take place here in winter. Planica is only a 10-minute drive from Kranjska Gora.

Near the parking lot, you’ll see an infoboard with a map of the Planica Valley Trail (Planica Pot Po Dolini in Slovenian) and several trail signs. Follow trail 9 towards Tamar.

The wide gravel path leads through the upper Planica glacial valley through beech and pine forest.

As you progress, you’ll see info boards explaining various geological occurrences. There are also carved tree trunks that create visual pathways to various peaks in the Julian Alps.

There are some splendid mountain views along the way.

The Planinski Dom Tamar (1108 m) hut stands in clearing, below the impressive peaks of Velika Mojstrovka, Travnik, Šit, and Jalovec.

At the Planinski Dom Tamar mountain hut, you can order a drink and something to eat. The hut is open all year.

Return by the same path.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Planica Nordic Centre paid car park

Distance | 7 km out-and-back

Time Needed | 2 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 170 meters

Difficulty | Easy

Minimum Elevation | 954 meters

Maximum Elevation | 1110 meters

Accessible by Public Transit | No

Where to Stay in Kranjska Gora | Pri Marusi (budget), Hotel Vandot (midrange), or Milka Boutique Hotel (luxury)

4. Peričnik Waterfall

Upper Peričnik Waterfall Overhang, Triglav National Park, Slovenia

Pericnik Waterfall (Slap Peričnik in Slovenian) is a waterfall in Vrata Valley, a glacial side valley of the Upper Sava Valley.

Though the waterfall is visible from the Vrata Valley road, we recommend hiking the circuit trail to both the lower and upper falls. The whole hike is only 1.1 km and takes no more than one hour to complete.

From Kranjska Gora, drive to Mojstrana and follow the Vrata Valley road to Koča pri Peričniku (26 minutes). In high season, there are shuttle buses which link Mojstrana to Koča pri Peričniku. Find out more on kranjska-gora.si.

From the Koča pri Peričniku hut, it takes 15 minutes to hike up a steep forest trail to the Lower Peričnik Waterfall.

The trail leads behind the plunging waterfall through a natural gallery to the other side.

The circuit path continues to a signed junction. Here, you can detour to the Upper Peričnik Waterfall, following a well-maintained and secured path.

After hiking up to the upper waterfall, return to the signed junction and complete the circuit back down to the Koča pri Peričniku hut.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Koča pri Peričniku, Vrata Valley

Distance | 1.1 km circuit

Time Needed | 1 hour

Elevation Gain/Loss | 164 meters

Difficulty | Moderate

Minimum Elevation | 757 meters

Maximum Elevation | 880 meters

Where to Stay in Mojstrana | Hostel Lukna (budget), or Mountain View Glamping (midrange)

Learn More: How to Get to Peričnik Waterfall

5. Slemenova Špica, Julian Alps

Slemenova Špica (1909 m) is a grassy hill in the Julian Alps, easily accessible from Vršič pass.

Vršič pass is the highest road pass in Slovenia and connects Kranjska Gora with Bovec. You can either drive here or take a bus (high season only). In high season, buses leave every 1-2 hours. Check the bus schedule here.

A number of hiking trails and via ferrata routes start at Vršič pass, including the moderate trail to Slemenova Špica and our Triglav National Park Hut-to-Hut Hike.

From Vršič pass, follow signs towards Sleme. After 30 minutes, you’ll reach the Vratica mountain saddle (1799 m), where the trail divides. Take the right path. After another 30 minutes, you’ll reach another junction, where you need to head left.

After ascending for another 15 minutes, turn right. This trail brings you to a high grassy pasture just below the summit of Slemenova Špica.

Set amidst the limestone peaks of the Julian Alps, this panoramic hill is a lovely place for a picnic.

Return by the same trail.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Vršič pass

Destination | Slemenova Špica

Distance | 6 km out-and-back

Time Needed | 2:45 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 507 meters

Difficulty | Moderate

Minimum Elevation | 1611 meters

Maximum Elevation | 1911 meters

Accessible by Public Transit | Yes

Where to Stay in Kranjska Gora | Erjavčeva koča @ Vršič pass (budget), Hotel Vandot (midrange), or Milka Boutique Hotel (luxury)

6. Koča na Planini pri Jezeru, Julian Alps

Planina pri Jezeru, Julian Alps, Slovenia

Koča na Planini pri Jezeru is a mountain hut on an alpine pasture set above an alpine lake and surrounded by rustic wooden huts and spruce trees. It’s a fairy-tale-like scene that makes you want to linger, milk a cow, and travel back in time.

The hut serves traditional Slovenian soups and stews. This is one of the best hikes in Slovenia because it’s tucked away from mainstream sites in an almost hidden wonderland of forest, rustic huts, and serene lakes.

To reach Koča na Planini pri Jezeru, you can start the hike in Stara Fužina, Lake Bohinj, or Planina Blato (shorter option). There’s a toll road that leads from Stara Fužina to Planina Blato. So if you have a car, this will trim a huge chunk of the hike (recommended).

If you start in Stara Fužina, you’ll hike through Planina Spodnji Vogar, which is another high alpine pasture. The hike should take 3-3:30 hours one-way.

There’s a mountain hut at Vogar pasture called Kosijev dom na Vogarj. Stop here for a break.

From the hut, make sure to detour a few minutes to a lookout point of Lake Bohinj. From Vogar, the trail continues for another 10 minutes and intersects with an asphalt road.

Hike up this road for 10 minutes and look for a trail leading off to the left. Follow signs to Koča na Planini pri Jezeru.

Tip | If you started in Planina Blato, we recommend extending your hike to Planina Lazu from Koča na Planini pri Jezeru. You can descend from Lazu to Deno Polje and then circuit back to Koča na Planini pri Jezeru.

Trail Stats

Trailhead |Planina Blato (1,147 m), above Stara Fužina, Lake Bohinj. There’s a toll fee to drive from Stara Fužina to Planina Blato.

Distance |5.2 km out-and-back

Time Needed | 2 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 327 meters

Difficulty |Easy-Moderate

Minimum Elevation | 1141 meters

Maximum Elevation | 1469 meters

Accessible by Public Transit | Yes, in high season only. More info here.

Where to Stay at Lake Bohinj | Residence Novak Bohinj (midrange), Hotel Majerca (luxury), or Hotel Bohinj (luxury)

7. Lake Bled Viewpoints: Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica, Julian Alps

Mala Osojnica Viewpoint Hike, Lake Bled, Slovenia

Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica are two forested hills, which rise above Lake Bled’s western shore. These hills serve up the most postcard-perfect views of Lake Bled.

Starting at the Velika Zaka Car Park, follow the boardwalk along the lake to the Mala Osojnica trailhead. The forest trail leads steeply up the hill in zigzags. After hiking up the sloping ladder, you’ll soon arrive at the Mala Osojnica viewpoint, rimmed with a fence.

From here, there’s a bird’s-eye view of oval-shaped Bled Island, dominated by the Church of the Assumption. Beyond the island, you’ll see the medieval Bled Castle, perched on a cliff. The magical scene is enhanced by the Karawanks, the long mountain chain, which straddles the Slovenian-Austrian border.

The hike continues through forest to the Ojstrica viewpoint, marked with a bench, and then descends back to the lakeshore.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Parkirišče Velika Zaka / Camping Bled

Distance | 3.7 km circuit

Time Needed | 1:15 – 1:30 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 224 meters

Difficulty | Moderate

Minimum Elevation | 479 meters

Maximum Elevation | 678 meters

Where to Stay in Bled | Guesthouse Marko (budget), Old Parish House (midrange), or Hotel Starkl (midrange)

Learn More: Mala Osojnica and Ojstrica Viewpoints Hike

8. Martuljek Waterfalls and Gorge, Julian Alps

Upper Martuljek Waterfall Pool, Slovenia

The Martuljek Waterfalls are two waterfalls under the Špik Mountain in the Julian Alps in Slovenia.

The hike to the Martuljek Waterfalls begins in Gozd Martuljek, a village between Kranjska Gora and Mojstrana.

From Triangel Boutique Hotel, the trail leads south to the enchanting Martuljek gorge and then ascends to the Lower Martuljek Waterfall viewpoint.

The hike continues to the Brunarica Pri Ingotu hut, which is open seasonally.

You can extend the hike to the Upper Martuljek Waterfall (1 hour). As you climb up a thick beech forest, you’ll encounter a few secured sections along the way. The final stretch to the Upper Martuljek Waterfall pool requires some scrambling, which is entirely optional.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Gozd Martuljek (near Kranjska Gora)

Distance | 7.8 km out-and back (to Slap Martuljek II)

Time Needed | 3:15 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 545 meters

Difficulty | Moderate

Minimum Elevation | 745 meters

Maximum Elevation | 1213 meters

Accessible by Public Transit | Yes

Where to Stay in Gozd Martuljek | Rute Hotel and Apartments (budget), Špik Alpine Resort (midrange), or Triangel Boutique Hotel (luxury)

Learn More: Martuljek Waterfalls Trail Guide

9. Seven Lakes Valley, Julian Alps

Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih, Triglav National Park, Seven Lakes Valley, Slovenia | Moon & Honey Travel

Seven Lakes Valley, also known as Triglav Lakes Valley, is one of the most enchanting destinations in the Julian Alps and one of the best day hikes in Slovenia. The valley contains a string of seven lakes, each uniquely beautiful.

There are several different approaches to Triglav Lakes Valley, including the route starting at Koča pri Savici, accessible from Ukanc – a village on the western end of Lake Bohinj – and the one starting at Planina Blato, high above Stara Fužina.

We recommend hiking to Triglav Lakes Valley from Planina Blato, which is the easier approach.

On route to Seven Lakes, you’ll hike across some of the loveliest alpine pastures in the Julian Alps, including Planina pri Jezeru, Planina Viševnik, and Planina Ovčarija.

From the Štapce saddle (1851 m), you’ll descend to Dvojno Jezero (Double Lake), where the Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih (Triglav Lakes Hut) is happily situated.

Grab lunch here, or continue another 45 minutes to Veliko jezero (aka Jezero Ledvicah, or Kidney Lake), the largest lake in the Seven Lakes Valley. On a sunny day, this kidney-shaped lake dazzles resplendently with its deep teal and royal blue tones.

If you want to extend this hike, you can either overnight in the Triglav Lakes Hut, or hike all the way to the mountain hut Zasavska koča na Prehodavcih and spend the night there. Experienced hikers can tackle the Veliko Špičje summit and ridge and descend the Seven Lakes Valley the next day.

Trail Stats

Trailhead |Planina Blato (1147 m), above Stara Fužina

Distance | 15.2 km circuit

Time Needed | 6 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 1051 meters

Difficulty | Moderate

Minimum Elevation | 1146 meters

Maximum Elevation | 1857 meters

Accessible by Public Transit | Yes, in high season only. More info here.

Where to Stay at Lake Bohinj | Residence Novak Bohinj (midrange), Hotel Majerca (luxury), or Hotel Bohinj (luxury)

Learn More: Hiking to Seven Lakes Valley from Planina Blato

10. Češka koča, Kamnik-Savinja Alps

Češka koča na Spodnjih Ravneh, Hiking Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Slovenia, 4 Day Hiking Tour | Moon & Honey Travel

Češka koča na Spodnjih Ravneh (“The Czech Hut”) is a charming mountain hut located in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Constructed in 1900, this rustic wooden hut is perched high above the Ravenska kočna valley and surrounded by the Kamnik mountains.

Češka koča (1543 m) is a moderate half-day hike from the village of Jezersko, which is a 40-minute drive from Kranj.

We highly recommend hiking up here in the morning and eating lunch at the hut. Though their menu is limited to only a few items, their food is hearty and delicious.

Makekova Kočna to Češka koča ascent route

There are several ascent routes to Češka koča. If you want to hike directly from Zgornje Jezersko village, you can follow the Makekova Kočna route to the hut (2 hours one-way, 617 meters ascending).

From the town center, cross the Jezernica river and follow the road and look for a trail leading to the left towards Makekov Marof (Turistični kmetiji Makek).

Ravenska Kočna to Češka koča ascent route

Alternatively, you can drive deep into the Ravenska Kočna valley to the parking lot located here: Google Maps.

From the parking area, trails branch out in three directions. We hiked up to Češka koča via Štularjeva planina (alpine pasture), which is the trail on the right. This route takes 1:30 hours and you ascend 562 meters.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Zgornje Jezersko.Ravenska Kočna Valley (shorter route), or Makekova Kočna (longer route)

Destination | Češka koča na Spodnjih Ravneh (1543 m)

Difficulty |Moderate

Accessible by Public Transit | Yes

Where to Stay in Zgornje Jezersko |Cvet gora – Camping, Glamping and Accommodations (budget), Tourist farm Šenkova domačija (midrange) or Boutique hotel Vila Planinka (luxury)

11. Viševnik Peak, Julian Alps

Viševnik Peak, Best Hikes in Slovenia

Viševnik (2050 m) is a mountain peak in the Julian Alps, easily accessible from Pokljuka Plateau.

This popular summit in the Julian Alps delivers one of the best views of Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain, along with Mali Draški, the Rjavina ridge, and the Southern Julian Alps.

If you can hike here for sunrise, you won’t regret it.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Rudno Polje (1347 m), Pokljuka

Distance | 6.4 km out-and-back

Time Needed | 3 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 678 meters

Difficulty | Moderate

Accessible by Public Transit | Yes. In summer, there’s a hop-on-hop-off bus to Rudno Polje from Lake Bohinj.

Where to Stay on Pokljuka | Hotel Pokljuka (midrange), or Hotel Center Pokljuka (midrange)

Where to Stay in Bled | Guesthouse Marko (budget), Old Parish House (midrange), or Hotel Starkl (midrange)

Learn More: Viševnik Trail Guide

12. Debela Peč & Brda, Julian Alps

Debela Pec and Brda Hike, Slovenia

Debela peč (2014 m) and Brda (2009) are two panoramic peaks along the Lipanca Ridge, between Krma Valley and Pokljuka plateau in the Julian Alps.

The hike begins at the Medvedova konta car park and ascends to the Planina Lipanca mountain pasture, home to the managed Blejska koča na Lipanci.

From the Lipanca mountain pasture, it’s a steady ascent through larch forest to the Brda and Debela peč summits.

From the ridge, views extend across Krma Valley to the impressive Rjavina mountain wall. You can even see Kanjavec and Triglav.

This is a must-do hike if you’re staying in Bled, Bohinj, or Pokljuka.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Medvedova konta Car Park

Distance | 8.7 km out-and-back

Time Needed | 3:45 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 624 meters

Difficulty | Moderate

Minimum Elevation | 1432 meters

Maximum Elevation | 2014 meters

Where to Stay on Pokljuka | Hotel Pokljuka (midrange), or Hotel Center Pokljuka (midrange)

Where to Stay in Bled: Guesthouse Marko (budget), Old Parish House (midrange), or Hotel Starkl (midrange)

Learn More: Debela peč & Brda Trail Guide

13. Mount Vogel, Julian Alps

Mount Vogel Day Hike, Julian Alps, Slovenia

Mount Vogel (1922 m) is a mountain in the Southern Julian Alps and one of the many summits along the South Bohinj Ridge.

The hike to Vogel begins with a swift cable car ascent to the Vogel Ski Resort, where you’ll have dazzling views of Lake Bohinj and the highest peaks of the Julian Alps, including Mount Triglav.

Given the accessibility of this peak, the trail to Mount Vogel is swarming with hikers during the day. We recommend hiking this trail as early as possible.

Trail Stats

Cableway Ascent/Descent | Vogel Cable Car in Ukanc, Lake Bohinj

Trailhead | Vogel Cable Car mountain station

Distance |11.2 km circuit

Time Needed | 5 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 732 meters

Difficulty |Moderately Difficult

Accessible by Public Transit | Yes

Where to Stay in Ukanc | Apartments Ukanc (midrange), Bohinj Apartments Goldhorn Kingdom (midrange), orHiša Erlah (midrange-luxury)

Full Trail Description: Mount Vogel Trail Guide

14. Logar Valley to Kamniško Sedlo and Planjava Hike, Kamnik-Savinja Alps

Kamniška koča na Kamniškem sedlu, Hiking Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Slovenia | Moon & Honey Travel

Kamniško sedlo is a picturesque mountain saddle between Mount Brana and Mount Planjava in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Just below the saddle, there’s a managed koča (mountain hut) that serves food and refreshments.

With panoramic views of the Kamnik Alps, Logar Valley, and the most perfectly situated mountain hut below, you’ll rejoice that you don’t have to share this special place with very many people.

The first time we hiked to the Kamnik Saddle, we started at Kamniška Bistrica. A more interesting, albeit more difficult approach, begins in Logar Valley. We highly recommend the Logar Valley ascent route for experienced hikers.

From the saddle, you can continue to the summit of Brana, or Planjava.

We recommend wearing a climbing helmet.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Parking lot at the end of the Logar Valley Road

Destination | Kamnik Saddle / Kamniška koča na Kamniški sedlu (1864 m) and Planjava (optional)

Distance |13 km out-and-back

Difficulty |Difficult

Elevation Gain/Loss | 1420 meters

Time Needed | 9:30 hours – 10 hours with Planjava ascent

Difficulty | Challenging

Accessible by Public Transit |No

Where to Stay in Solcava | Guesthouse Planinski Dom Majerhold (budget), Farm Stay “Alpine Dreams” (budget-midrange), or Turistična kmetija Čerček (budget-midrange)

Where to Stay in Logar Valley | Hotel Plesnik (luxury)

Learn More: Logar Valley to the Kamnik Saddle

15. Logar Valley to Ledinski Vrh, Kamnik-Savinja Alps

Ledinski Vrh, Logar Valley, Slovenia

Ledinski Vrh (2108 m) is an approachable peak in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, located on the border between Austria and Slovenia. On the Slovenian-side, you can hike to Ledinski Vrh from both Jezersko and Logar Valley.

The route from Logar Valley begins at the Slap Rinka waterfall. You’ll ascend to the Okrešelj glacial cirque and then over the Savinjsko Sedlo mountain saddle.

This is a strenuous full-day excursion for hikers who are confident navigating scree fields and steep, rocky trails.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Parking lot at the end of the Logar Valley Road at Koča pod Slapom Rinka mountain hut.

Distance | 9.6 km out-and-back

Time Needed | 6:30 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 1085 meters

Difficulty | Difficult

Accessible by Public Transit | No

Where to Stay in Solcava | Guesthouse Planinski Dom Majerhold (budget), Farm Stay “Alpine Dreams” (budget-midrange), or Turistična kmetija Čerček (budget-midrange)

Where to Stay in Logar Valley | Hotel Plesnik (luxury)

Learn More: Ledinski Vrh Trail Guide

16. Košutnikov Turn, Karawanks

Dolga Njiva to Košutnikov Turn Hike, Karawanks, Slovenia

Košutnikov Turn (Koschutnikturm) is the highest summit along the Košuta ridge in the Karawanks mountain range. It’s somewhat of a journey to reach the trailhead, so you’ll likely only be sharing the trail with a few locals.

The circuit trail to Košutnikov Turn starts at Planina Dolga Njiva, an alpine dairy on the slopes of Košuta ridge. After you complete the hike, we recommend eating lunch here.

Though only 4:30 hours, the hike is somewhat demanding. You need a good head for heights as you scramble to the summit and descend along narrow paths back to the mountain pasture.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Parking area below Planina Dolga Njiva, 35 min drive from Tržič

Distance | 8.1 km circuit

Time Needed | 4:30 hours

Elevation Gain/Loss | 840 meters

Difficulty | Moderately Difficult

Accessible by Public Transit | No

Where to Stay in Tržič | Apartma Jelendol (midrange),or Glamping Mountain Fairy Tale (luxury glamping)

Learn more: Košutnikov Turn Trail Guide

17. Mount Triglav Summit Hike, Julian Alps

Mount Triglav, Slovenian Alps, Slovenia

The Pokljuka ascent route to Mount Triglav is said to be the easiest and possibly the most scenic. However, the final 1:30 hours to the peak requires scrambling and hiking along a protected climbing route (via ferrata).

We thoroughly enjoyed this hike, and we’ve outlined everything you need to know about this route in our Triglav hiking guide.

Having high alpine hiking and some via ferrata experience is essential for safely summiting Triglav independently.

Climb Mount Triglav with a IFMGA-Licensed Mountain Guide

If you’ve never hiked a via ferrata route, but are keen on climbing Triglav, definitely hire a certified hiking guide.

We recommend booking this 3-day guided Best of the Julian Alps Hut-to-Hut with Slotrips, a local and trustworthy hiking tour operator. During the booking process, make sure to add the Triglav summit climb.

During this trek, an IFMGA-licensed guide will lead you up to the summit and provide all necessary via ferrata equipment.

Additional benefits of booking this trek include pick-ups and drop-offs from Ljubljana, Bled, and Bohinj, guaranteed departure dates on Mondays between July and September, and a more interesting circular route which includes Seven Lakes Valley.

Good to Know | If you’re traveling with someone who doesn’t want to do the via ferrata climb to Triglav, they don’t have to. The group divides and then reconvenes, post-summit. The Slotrips hiking guide stays with the non-summit group and bypasses Triglav, while the summit guide leads the summit-group up to Triglav. So, this trip caters to everyone.

More options | You can also add a guided Triglav summit to these longer self-guided hiking tours: Mountains and Lakes Hut-to-Hut, Triglav National Park Adventure, or Crossing the Julian Alps.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Rudno Polje, Pokljuka

Distance | 25.8 km out-and-back

Time Needed | 2 Days

Difficulty |Challenging

Accessible by Public Transit | Yes. In summer, there’s a hop-on-hop-off bus to Rudno Polje from Lake Bohinj.

Where to Stay along the route | Dom Planika. Wild camping is strictly prohibited.

Where to Stay before/after the trek | Hotel Pokljuka (midrange), or Hotel Center Pokljuka (midrange) on Pokljuka

18. Veliko Špičje, Julian Alps

Veliko Špičje Ridge Hike, Slovenia

Veliko Špičje (2398 m), also called Lepo Špičje, is the highest point on the Špičje ridge, which rises between the deep Trenta Valley and the high Seven Lakes Valley (aka Triglav Lakes Valley) in Triglav National Park.

This adventurous 2-day tour combines the Špičje ridge with the Seven Lakes Valley, starting and ending at Planina Blato.

Day 1 ends at Zasavska koča na Prehodavcih, a mountain hut on the Prehodavci Pass. To learn more about staying in huts, read Slovenian Mountain Huts and Hut to Hut Hiking in Slovenia.

Trail Stats

Trailhead | Planina Blato

Distance | 27.6 km circuit

Time Needed | 2 Days, 12:30 hours (without breaks)

Difficulty | Challenging

Accessible by Public Transit |Yes, in high season only. More info here.

Where to stay along the route | Zasavska koča na Prehodavcih. Wild camping is strictly prohibited.

Where to Stay | Hostel pod Voglom (budget), Apartments and rooms Cerkovnik (midrange), or Hotel Bohinj (luxury) in Ribčev Laz, Lake Bohinj.

Learn More: Veliko Špičje Trail Guide

19. Triglav National Park Traverse, Julian Alps

Hiking to the summit of Kanjavec, Julian Alps, Triglav National Park, Slovenia | Moon & Honey Travel

Triglav National Park is Slovenia’s one and only National Park. The park territory corresponds to the Eastern Julian Alps and can be accessed from Kranjska Gora, Trenta, Kobarid, Bovec, Pokljuka, Ukanc, Stara Fužina, and other towns. It’s free to enter the park, and you don’t need to acquire any permits.

There’s so much to see and experience in Triglav National Park and there’s no better way to do it than traversing the park in a few days.

There are 35 mountain huts (koča, planinska koča) in Triglav National Park, so it’s easy to plan a multi-day hike across the park. Slovenian mountain huts offer private and dormitory-style rooms and serve warm food and drinks.

If you’re looking for an epic 4-day trek, check out our Triglav National Park hut-to-hut hike. This route starts at Vršič Pass (close to Kranjska Gora) and ends in Stara Fužina, Lake Bohinj.

Hiking hut to hut in the Julian Alps was an unforgettable experience. Major highlights of our route included summitting Bovški Gamsovec and Kanjavec, seeing Mount Triglav from multiple angles, observing Ibex, overnighting on the alpine plateau of Kriških podih, hiking down the Seven Lakes Valley, the views from Luknja pass, and the fairy tale alpine pasture around Koča na Planini pri Jezeru

If you’re trying to decide which best hike in Slovenia to tackle, choose this one.

Do you need help packing? Read our personal hut to hut hiking packing list.

How to Book the Triglav Traverse

Over the years, we’ve received 101 questions about the Triglav National Park Traverse (4-day hut-to-hut hike) in Slovenia.

Hikers ask us about luggage storage, route extensions, GPX tracks and hiking apps, Mount Triglav summit integration, certified mountain guides, via ferrata rental equipment (for the Triglav summit add-on).

We’re thrilled to inform you that the local hiking tour operator, Slotrips, will manage all of this for you.

Their self-guided Crossing the Julian Alps hiking tour follows the same route, but starts in Planica near Kranjska Gora, thus adding one day to the trek.

They book all your mountain hut overnights as well as your hotel accommodations in Ljubljana (before the trek) and in Bled (after the trek). Additionally, they transfer you from Ljubljana to the trailhead (far better than 3 buses), store your extra luggage while you’re trekking, give you GPS tracks (uploaded to a hiking app) for easy navigation, and provide 24 hour support.

And perhaps the most compelling reason to book this self-guided tour is that you have the option to add on Mount Triglav summit with a IFMGA licensed mountain guide. Your guide will also bring you all necessary via ferrata equipment, so you neither have to rent, nor carry the extra equipment with you.

Trail Stats

Starting Point | Vršič Pass

Ending Point |Lake Bohinj

Time Needed | 4 Days

Difficulty | Challenging

Accessible by Public Transit | Yes

Where to Stay along the route | Mountain huts. Wild camping is strictly prohibited.

Where to Stay before the trek | Pri Marusi (budget), Hotel Vandot (midrange), or Milka Boutique Hotel (luxury) in Kranjska Gora.

Where to Stay after the trek | Apartments and rooms Cerkovnik (midrange), Hotel Majerca (luxury), or Hotel Bohinj (luxury) at Lake Bohinj.

20. Kamnik-Savinja Alps Traverse

Spremova pot, Hiking Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Slovenia, 4 Day Hiking Tour | Moon & Honey Travel

Spremova pot

If you love hiking hut to hut and are a highly-experienced alpine hiker, traversing the Kamnik-Savinja Alps is an unforgettable experience and arguably the best hike in Slovenia.

We created a custom 4-day hiking route in which we started in Kamniška Bistrica and ended in Zgornje Jezersko.

This route contains many secured sections long highly exposed paths. A climbing helmet is essential. Many may be more comfortable with a via ferrata kit.

Kamnik-Savinja Alps Hut-to-Hut Route:

Want to learn more about this hike? Read our Kamnik-Savinja Alps Hiking Route. This guide covers each day of the trek in depth.

It also tells you how to prepare (e.g. making reservations for mountains huts), how to save money on accommodation, and what essential items to pack to make your hut to hut hiking trip in Slovenia a success.

Trail Stats

Starting Point |Dom v Kamniški Bistrici (600 m)

Ending Point | Zgornje Jezersko (943 m)

Time Needed | 4 Days

Difficulty |Challenging

Accessible by Public Transit | Yes

Where to Stay along the route | Mountain huts. Wild camping is strictly prohibited.

Where to Stay before the trek | Guest House Kraljev Hrib (budget), U Konc Glamping (midrange), or Skalca Tinyhouse (midrange) in Kamniška Bistrica.

Where to Stay after the trek | Cvet gora – Camping, Glamping and Accommodations (budget), Tourist farm Šenkova domačija (midrange) or Boutique hotel Vila Planinka (luxury) in Zgornje Jezersko.

Helpful Tips For Hiking in Slovenia

Vodnikov Dom to Dom Planika hiking trail, Julian Alps, Slovenia

  1. Buy Paper Trail Maps. Though Slovenia hiking trails are mostly well-marked and easy-to-follow, paper trail maps are absolutely essential for route planning. We recommend buying Sidarta and Planinska Zveza Slovenije (Alpine Association of Slovenia) trail maps.

2. Follow the Waymarks. Slovenian hiking trails are marked with the Knafelc waymark, which is a red circle with a white center (like a target).

3. Check for Trail Closures – This map indicates which Slovenian hiking trails are closed. The site is maintained by the Alpine Association of Slovenia.

4. Wear a Helmet. If you’re hiking in high alpine environments, you’ll likely encounter secured pathways. Many of these passages don’t require a full via ferrata kit, but some do. Please check with locals for advice on specific trails. Helmets, however, are always essential when hiking at high elevations in Slovenia. We recommend this women’s climbing helmet and this men’s climbing helmet. Also, half-finger gloves make hiking assisted climbing routes a whole lot easier (e.g. better grasp on steel cables).

5. Call 112 (European Emergency Number) if you have an emergency. The dispatcher will connect you with the local mountain rescue team.

6. Use hribi.net to learn more about specific Slovenian mountain huts, peaks, and trail connections. This site is a reliable source of information for all things hiking and mountaineering in the Slovenian Alps.

7. Rent a car. Public transit in Slovenia is very good. Buses connect Ljubljana with many hiking destinations across Slovenia. However, some places like Logar Valley and trailheads can only be accessed with a car. We recommend using the Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform to search for and book car rentals in Slovenia.

Use our 2-week Slovenia road trip and 5-day Slovenia road trip for trip inspiration. These itineraries are stuffed with our favorite day hikes in the Slovenian Alps.

7. Join a Guided Hiking Tour. Hiking in Slovenia is more challenging than most destinations in the European Alps, because of the rugged terrain.

We don’t recommend solo hiking in Slovenia. It’s too risky. If you’re a solo traveler, or a hiker with limited alpine hiking experience, we highly recommend joining a guided hiking tour.

Slotrips is a local hiking tour operator that specializes in both guided, and self-guided hiking tours in the Slovenian Alps.

We particularly love this company, because it’s founded and led by local experts who really care about crafting the most unforgettable trips for all of their guests. Here are their most popular guided small group tours: Best Walks in Slovenia, Discover the Slovenian Alps, and Best of the Julian Alps Hut-to-Hut.

If you’re visiting Slovenian in May, or October,check out this private 3-day Best of Alpe-Adria Trail guided hiking tour.

When to Hike in Slovenia

Bled Hut, Blejska koča na Lipanci, Julian Alps, Slovenia

Slovenia hiking trails are best tackled between late June and late September.

However, it’s possible to hike in Slovenia in Spring at lower elevations.

We’ve hiked in Slovenia in May, June, July, and October. Based on our personal experience, here are a few tips:

May

It’s possible to hike in Slovenia in May at lower elevations.

One of the best trails to hike in May is the Alpe Adria trail (Slovenian Stages). Consider booking this private, 3-day guided Best of Alpe-Adria Trail hiking tour, or these self-guided hiking tours: 4-day Alpe Adria Trail Adventure or 8-day Best of Alpe-Adria and Juliana Trail.

In May, we encountered a lot of snow on mountain trails, especially above Lake Bohinj.

Microspikes and hiking poles were tremendously helpful for snowfield crossings. If you’re planning on hiking in Slovenia in spring, make sure to check this website for trail closures and updates.

Here are some valley trails that are perfect for casual spring hiking in Slovenia:

June

In June, there will likely be snow at higher elevations, so extra gear might be necessary on high alpine routes.

Also, thunderstorms are common in June. They tend to develop in the afternoon, so it’s best to get an early start on the trail.

In June, we hiked to prominent peaks in the Karawanks and the Kamnik-Savinja Alps.

July

When we hiked in Slovenia in July, conditions were generally excellent. However, afternoon thunderstorms were also quite common. Daytime temperatures hovered between 22°C (71.6°F) and 26°C (78.8°F) in the valleys.

One of the highlights of hiking in Slovenia in early Summer (late June – July) is the wonderful display of wildflowers.

Trails are lined with Carniolan lilies, forget-me-not flowers, wolf’s bane, alpenrose, enzian, foxgloves, globe flowers, round-headed rampion, and countless others. Starting in mid-July, Edelweiss begin to bloom on high plateaus and peaks across the Slovenian Alps.

October

October means shorter days, crisp temperatures, gorgeous fall colors, rain, and possibly snow. When we visited Slovenia in October, we experienced a range of weather. We summarized the highlights of our trip in October in Slovenia.

Essential Gear

Hiking in Slovenia: best day hikes and hut to hut hiking trails

Julian Alps

Hiking Gear

Day Pack: Osprey Tempest 30 Women’s Backpack / Osprey Talon 33 Men’s Backpack

Hut to Hut Hiking Backpack: Women’s Osprey Kyte 36 / Men’s Osprey Kestrel 38

Grade B/C high-cut hiking boots: Meindl Schuhe Island Lady (Kati’s Boots), Women’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX (Sabrina’s Boots), Men’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX (men’s equivalent)

Hiking Socks: Smartwool women’s Performance Hike Full Cushion Crew / Smartwool Men’s Performance Hike Full Cushion Crew

CAT 4 Sunglasses: Julbo Shield Mountain Sunglasses

Hiking Poles:Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles

Reusable Water Bottle: Ion Leakproof 32 oz Water Bottle

Hiking Accessories

Climbing Gloves: Black Diamond Half Finger Gloves

Headlamp: Black Diamond Equipment Spot 350 Headlamp

Microspikes: CAMP USA Inc Chainsen Pro

Special Equipment

The Julian Alps and Kamnik Alps are prone to rockfall. You need a helmet for tackling any high-altitude trails or peak climbs.

Women’s Climbing Helmet: black diamond women’s climbing helmet

Men’s Climbing Helmet: black diamond men’s climbing helmet

Unisex Climbing Gloves: Black Diamond Crag Half-Finger Gloves

Outdoor Photography Gear

Camera Body: Sony Alpha a6400

Mid-range Zoom Lens: Tamron 17-70mm 2.8 Di III-A VC RXD

Wide angle Zoom Lens: Sony – E 10-18mm F4 OSS Wide-angle Zoom Lens

Backpack Camera Clip: Peak Design Camera Clip

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