Slovenian Mountain Huts: Essential Info for Visitors (original) (raw)

Every summer, we return to the Slovenian Alps to go hiking. We look forward to eating lunch and drinking Pivovarna Union grapefruit Radlers in mountain huts. And we love heading deep into the mountains on multi-day hikes, where we sleep in Slovenian mountain huts along the way.

In Slovenia, hiking and huts go hand-in-hand. If you’re hiking in Slovenia and you’re not visiting mountain huts, you’re doing it wrong.

There are 179 mountain huts (“Dom” and “Koča”) and bivouacs (“Bivak”) in Slovenia. These huts are owned by the Alpine Association of Slovenia (Planinska zveza Slovenije) and operated by local alpine clubs. Anyone can visit, eat, and sleep in mountain huts. However, we strongly encourage you to make reservations for overnight stays (more on that later).

There isn’t a significant difference between a “Dom” and a “Koča,” though Dom huts are usually larger. Dom and Koča huts are fully staffed during the hiking season (late June/early July to late September/early October) and function like mountain inns, offering a comfortable bed as well as food and drinks.

There are also many bivouacs in Slovenia. Bivouacs are small mountaineering shelters for climbers and hikers, who are tackling peak climbs. Bivouacs usually consist of one room with a few bunk beds. These tiny shelters are not staffed. You need to be fully self-sufficient when staying in a bivouac.

For the purpose of this post, we’re going to focus exclusively on staying and eating in managed Slovenian mountain huts (not bivouacs).
Whether you’re planning on hiking Mount Triglav (2-day hike), or hiking the Slovenian Mountain Way / Slovenska Planinska Pot (30+ days), you’ll stay in mountain huts along the way.

Also read our Slovenia hut to hut hiking guide for info on route planning, trail waymarks and signage, and insider tips.

Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih, Julian Alps, Slovenia

Map of Mountain Huts in Slovenia

All Slovenian huts and bivouacs are marked in the map below. To find out if a hut is open, check out this map.

Slovenian Mountain Hut Reservations

Pogačnikov dom na Kriških podih

Pogačnikov dom na Kriških podih

It’s important to make reservations for mountain huts in advance. We recommend booking 3 weeks to 5 months in advance. If your dates are flexible, a few weeks are probably sufficient.

In the last two years, we’re seeing more and more huts on the Alpsonline reservation platform. If a hut can be booked online, the PZS mountain hut landing page links directly to the Alpsonline booking page. Look for the blue button with the following text: “Rezervacija ležišč.”

If the mountain hut isn’t on the Alpsonline platform, contact the hut directly with your arrival date, name, and room preference (if applicable). We always try to email hut managers first. If we don’t get a response in one week, we usually follow-up with a phone call.

To locate a mountain hut’s contact information, head to the Alpine Association of Slovenia (PZS) website.

PZS Slovenian mountain hut page

PZS hut page with link to online Alpsonline reservation platform

If you’re reaching out in winter/early Spring for summer hut reservations, do not expect to get quick confirmations.

Important: Your booking is only valid until 5 pm on the day of arrival. If you’re planning on arriving after 5 pm, please contact the hut warden in advance so they don’t give your bed away.

When making reservations far in advance, some huts will ask you to re-confirm 5 days or 1 week prior to arrival.

Slovenian Mountain Hut Overnight Costs

Blejska koča na Lipanci, Julian Alps, Slovenia

Blejska koča na Lipanci

Costs will vary depending on the category of the mountain hut and the type of room you’re staying in. For example, if you’re staying in a dormitory room, you’ll pay less than if you stay in a room with 2 beds.

Slovenian mountain huts are graded into three categories. Category I huts are more expensive than Category II and III huts, because they are located at higher elevations, and are thus less accessible and harder to service. These huts are usually supplied by helicopters.

Here’s approximately how much it costs to stay one night in a Slovenian mountain hut.

Category 1 Hut Overnight Cost

Room (2 Beds): 38 EUR

Room (3-6 Beds): 36 EUR

Dormitory (7-12 Beds): 30 EUR

Dormitory (more than 12 Beds): 26 EUR

Category 1 Hut Overnight Cost with Alpine Club Membership Discount

Room (2 Beds): 26.60 EUR

Room (3-6 Beds): 25.20 EUR

Dormitory (7-12 Beds): 18 EUR

Dormitory (more than 12 Beds): 15.60 EUR

A tourist tax (~ 2 EUR per person) is also added to the bill.

Alpine Club Member Discounts

Planinski dom pri Krnskih jezerih

Planinski dom pri Krnskih jezerih

The best way to save money on your overnight stay is to be a member of the Slovenian Alpine Association or any UIAA alpine club which participates in the International Reciprocal Agreement on Mountain Huts. For more info on UIAA alpine clubs, read Tips for Hiking in the European Alps.

For example, as members of the Austrian Alpine Club, we receive discounts on all Slovenian mountain huts owned by the PZS.

Payment

Kriških podih, Julian Alps

Kriških podih, Julian Alps

Typically, you’ll pay for your overnight stay as soon as you check-in. If you opted for half board (dinner and breakfast), you’ll pay for that as well. If you choose to eat à la carte, you’ll pay for your food separately.

If you’re staying in a busy/popular hut (especially in the Julian Alps), the check-in and payment process will be very efficient and regimented. There will be strict check-in times, so you can forget about checking in early.

If you’re staying in less-frequented mountain huts, you can expect a more relaxed check-in process.

Payment Options

Some huts accept credit cards. Though, other huts only accept cash (EUR). We always bring sufficient cash to be on the safe side.

Prior to your hike, I would contact the hut to confirm what your payment options are.

Sleeping in a Slovenian Mountain Hut

Koča na Doliču, Julian Alps, Slovenia

Koča na Doliču

Sleeping at Higher Altitudes

If you’re not used to sleeping at higher altitudes, it’s normal to sleep more lightly.

We recommend drinking lots of water and abstaining from alcohol if you have difficulty sleeping.

Rooms

Blejska koča na Lipanci dormitory

Blejska koča na Lipanci dormitory

When thinking of a mountain hut, picture a hostel in the mountains. Rooms are simple and rustic, though always clean.

Usually, you can choose between sleeping in a mattress dormitory, a room with multiple beds (4, 6, 8, 10 beds), and if you’re lucky a room with only 2 beds. When you make your reservation, specify what you want.

All rooms are mixed and not gender-specific.

Bedding

Planinski dom pri Krnskih jezerih Double Room, Julian Alps, Slovenia

Planinski dom pri Krnskih jezerih double room

Bedding, Blankets, and Pillows are always provided. However, you should bring a sleeping bag liner for hygienic purposes. We also bring an inflatable camping pillow as well (it just feels cleaner).

Some mountain huts always provide bedding and will charge a small fee automatically. If you did bring a sleeping bag liner, make sure to show them when you check-in, so they don’t charge you.

Important: Sleeping bags are not allowed.

Shared Bathrooms

Bathrooms are always shared. Though, there’s generally a men’s and a women’s bathroom.

Toilets

Some mountain huts have flush toilets while others only have outdoor drop toilets. Bring your own toilet paper.

Showers

Lower elevation huts may have showers. When you check-in, you can inquire about the shower facilities and pay any necessary fees. Usually, showers are token operated and cost 3-4 EUR for a 3 minute hot shower.

Overnight Essentials

Sleeping Bag Liner like this Sea to Summit Silk-Cotton Blend Travel and Sleeping Bag Liner. More options: Yen’s Mulberry Silk Sleeping Bag Liner, or this Cocoon Cotton TravelSheet.

Passport

House Slippers. We always bring our crocs

Earplugs

E-reader, or Kindle

Eating and Drinking in a Slovenian Mountain Hut

Pogačnikov dom na Kriških podih, Slovenia

Pogačnikov dom na Kriških podih

Overnight Guests: Unless you have very strict dietary restrictions, you should eat breakfast and dinner in the Slovenian mountain huts. It’s not courteous to eat your own food.

That being said: “all visitors may consume the food and drink which they brought themselves, however, in this case, they may be charged a place setting fee” (Mountain Hut Rules).

Drinking Water

Lower-elevation mountain huts have running water. Usually you can drink the tap, unless there’s a sign that says the water isn’t drinkable.

Some mountain huts also have outdoor fountains.

High-altitude huts only have rain water. In these huts, you can purchase bottled water.

Half Board or à la carte

When you check-in (or when you make your reservation), you can choose between paying for:

Half board is probably the most economical way to go.

We tend to pay for our overnight stay and then purchase our food à la carte. That gives us more flexibility because we can eat when we want and eat what we want.

Sometimes, the half board dinner is served at a specific time. When we hiked Mount Triglav, we ate dinner early (à la carte), rested, and then hiked before sunset (when everyone else was eating dinner).

Note: It’s possible that some huts only have a half board option.

Typical Food in a Slovenian Mountain Food

Slovenian hut food is basic but filling. Huts typically serve pot stews, soups, and sausages.

Palačinke marmelada and Štruklji, Dom na Komni, Slovenia

Palačinke marmelada & Štruklji Sirovi

Ham & Eggs, Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih, Slovenia

Ham & Eggs

Ričet and Makaronovo meso, Kosijev dom na Vogarju

Ričet & Makaronovo meso, Kosijev dom na Vogarju

Soups & Stews

Jota – thick stew made with sour cabbage (Sauerkraut) and beans.

Jota s klobaso – cabbage stew with sausage.

Jota s mesom – cabbage stew with meat.

Ričet – barley stew made with beans.

Ričet s klobaso – barley stew with sausage.

Ričet s mesom – barley stew with meat. We ate a delicious Ričet at Jarški dom na Mali planini, a mountain hut on Mali Planina (close to Velika Planina).

Pasulj – bean stew

Gobova Juha – mushroom soup

Zelenjavna Juha – vegetable soup

Golaž – goulash

Savory Dishes

Kranjska klobasa – Carniolan sausage, a sausage made with pork meat and bacon and spiced with salt, pepper, and garlic.

Ajdovi Žganci – buckwheat spoon bread, or buckwheat porridge, served with pork cracklings. Try it at Dolga Njiva.

Kislo Zelje – Sauerkraut

Makaronovo meso – macaroni with minced meat/bolognese sauce

Štruklji

Štruklji is a dough roll (or dumpling) made with various fillings. It can be served savory, or sweet. For the best blueberry Štruklji, hike to Kofce mountain hut.

Štruklji Sirovi – cheese filling

Štruklji Borovničevi – blueberry filling

Desserts

Jabolčni zavitek – apple strudel

Palačinke čokolada – crepes with chocolate

Palačinke marmelada – crepes with jam

Nonalcoholic Drinks

Fanta, Coca Cola

Jabolčni sok – apple juice

Water – still or sparkling

Alcoholic Drinks

Pivovarna Laško – Beer

Union – Beer

Union Radler – grapefruit juice and beer

Vino – wine, available by the glass ( ,1 L) or by the liter.

Borovničke – blueberry Liqueur

Hot Drinks

Čaj – Tea

Kava – Coffee. Most huts serve Turkish-style coffee. Only a few huts have espresso machines.

Kava z mlekom – Coffee with milk

Kakav – Cacao

Slovenian Mountain Hut Etiquette

Upon arrival, write your name in the mountain hut logbook.

Only enter the sleeping quarters after you have formally checked in.

Take off your hiking boots before entering the sleeping quarters. There’s always a storage area for shoes near the hut entrance. Bring crocs, so you have something comfortable to wear in the huts.

Take all your trash with you. Do not leave garbage in the huts. Trash should be disposed of responsibly in the valleys.

Quiet hours are from 10 PM until 5 AM. If you get up earlier, do not disturb others.

Smoking is forbidden inside the hut.

It’s forbidden to cook and/or eat inside the sleeping quarters.

Dogs and other animals are not allowed to enter mountain huts.

You can find all the hut rules here.

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Slovenia Trip Planning Essentials

Use our Slovenia Travel Guide to plan an unforgettable trip.

When to Visit Slovenia

Summer and Fall Seasons. The best time to travel to Slovenia is between May and October.

The best time to hike in the Slovenian Alps is between June and October. For hut-to-hut hiking, we recommend planning your trek between early July and mid-September.

Winter Season. For skiing and winter activities, the best time to visit Slovenia is between mid/late December and March.

Car Rental

It’s possible to visit Slovenia without a car if you want to concentrate your time in Ljubljana, Lake Bled, and Lake Bohinj.

When we visited without a car, we planned two linear hut to hut hikes.

Unless you’re trekking, we recommend renting a car, because many places are simply not accessible with transit. For example, there are no buses to Logar Valley, Vrata Valley, the Košuta mountain pastures, and the Debela Pec trailhead.

Check out our itineraries for road trip inspiration:

Use the intuitive Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform to search for and book car rentals. This easy-to-use booking platform compares car rental deals from 500+ trusted providers, so that you can choose the best option for your trip.

Tip: If you can only drive automatic transmission cars, as opposed to manual transmission cars (stick shift), book your car rental as early as possible.

Check car rental rates here.

Where to Stay

We’ve summarized our favorite destinations and accommodations in Best Paces to Stay in Slovenia, including Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, Logar Valley, Kranjka Gora, and Kobarid.

Top Things to Do

Slovenia Packing List

Guidebooks

Hiking Gear

Outdoor Photography Gear

Slovenia Hiking Guides

Slovenia is heaven on earth for hikers. We recommend allocating sufficient time to discover both the Julian Alps and the Kamnik Savinja Alps.

In Best Hikes in Slovenia, we’ve summarized the most thrilling day hikes and multi-day hikes across the Slovenian Alps, ranked by difficulty.

If you’re interested in hut-to-hut hiking, read our guide to Slovenian Mountain Huts and Hut-to-Hut Hiking in Slovenia.

Visiting and Staying in Slovenia Mountain Huts, Slovenia

Moon & Honey Travel is an independent blog created by two passionate hikers. We are able to provide free content to you, because of ads and affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Happy travels and happy trails, Sabrina and Kati