Climbing Mount Triglav: 2 Day Hike in Slovenia

Do You Need Special Equipment to Climb Mt. Triglav?

A lot of people want to know if you really need a via ferrata kit to climb Mount Triglav from Dom Planika. Everyone, regardless of experience, must wear a climbing helmet like this women’s helmet and this men’s helmet, to protect your head from falling rocks.

In addition, climbing gloves like these Unisex Black Diamond Crag Half-Finger Gloves are very helpful with gripping the cables and protecting your palms from stray wires.

To be on the safe side, we recommend also bringing and wearing the full via ferrata kit which includes the harness and the via ferrata lanyard in addition to the helmet. 

Via Ferrata Kits

• PETZL Via Ferrata Kit-Size K29BB VF1
• PETZL, Kit Via Ferrata Vertigo

Helmets

• Women’s Climbing Helmet: black diamond women’s climbing helmet
• Men’s Climbing Helmet: black diamond men’s climbing helmet

Climbing Harness

• Women’s Climbing Harness: Petzl CORAX LT Women’s Harness
• Women’s Climbing Harness: Black Diamond Women’s Momentum Harness
• Men’s Climbing Harness: Black Diamond Mens Momentum Rock Climbing Harness
• Men’s Climbing Harness: PETZL Corax Climbing Harness

Via Ferrata Lanyard

• Unisex Lanyard with Carabiners: PETZL Scorpio Vertigo via ferrata Lanyard
• Unisex Lanyard with Carabiners: Salewa Ergo Core, Unisex Adult

Did we use it? Starting at Dom Planika, we wore the full kit but we didn’t “clip in” on our way up. On our descent, we clipped in several times. Honestly, we were really happy to have the option, even though we didn’t use it rigorously. 

On route, you will probably encounter other hikers who aren’t wearing the harness and lanyard, because they either have tons of via ferrata climbing experience, or they know the trail really well. 

Hiking Mount Triglav Equipment

• Via Ferrata Kit: Climbing helmet, harness, and via ferrata lanyard
• Cat 4 Sunglasses: Julbo Shield Mountain Sunglasses
• Sturdy Grade B or Grade B/C Hiking Shoes: Women’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX / Meindl Schuhe Island Lady and Men’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX.
• Hiking Poles (helpful for the descent, but not essential): Black Diamond trail poles
• Reusable Water Bottle, or Hydration Reservoir 
• Hut to Hut Hiking Backpack: Women’s Osprey Kyte 36 and Men’s Osprey Kestrel 38
• Headlamps (for sunrise ascent, or sunset descent): Black Diamond Equipment Spot 350 Headlamp

Where to Rent Via Ferrata Equipment

• Pod Skalco (Alpe Rjavina) in Ribčev Laz, Lake Bohinj
• ALPS – Ski Rent & School  (Alpe Rjavina) in Bohinjska Bistrica
• Altitude Activities in Bled
• Kofler Sport in Mojstrana

Mount Triglav 2-Day Hike Packing List

In addition to the items above, also bring:

• Passports. It’s mandatory to present your identity to all accommodations, including mountain huts, in Slovenia. 
• Alpine Club Membership Card. You’ll receive a discount on your overnight stay if you present your card. Learn more about Alpine Clubs in our guide to Hiking in the Alps. 
• Cash, or Credit Card. Dom Planika accepts both. 
• Sleeping Bag Liner (optional) like this one. Bed linen costs 4 EUR. When you check in and pay, make sure to tell the hut staff that you have a sleeping bag liner. Otherwise, they will automatically charge you for bed linen. 
• Sun Lotion 
• Hiking Shorts, or Pants 
• Rain Jacket and Down Jacket 
• Beanie and Sunhat 
• Overnight Clothing and House Slippers: We always bring our Crocs
• Lightweight Camera for hiking: Sony Alpha A6000 mirrorless digital camera
• Backpack Camera Clip: Peak Design Camera Clip

Pokljuka Plateau

If you want to get an early start, we recommend staying on Pokljuka.

Midrange | Hotel Center Pokljuka is located directly at the Rudno Polje trailhead. This is the perfect starting point for the climb to Mount Triglav as well as Visevnik and other destinations in the Julian Alps. The hotel has an on-site restaurant, Finnish sauna (extra fee), and free on-site parking. Guests are usually allowed to leave their cars parked at the hotel, when doing a 2-day hut hike. 

Midrange | Hotel Pokljuka (Šport Hotel Pokljuka) is located on Pokljuka Plateau, a mere 4-minute drive to the Rudno Polje trailhead. Breakfast is included in the room rate and half board is available. 

Look for accommodation in Pokljuka.

Ribčev Laz, Lake Bohinj

Ribčev Laz is the main hub at Lake Bohinj, with a direct bus connection to Lake Bled and onward to Ljubljana. Here, you’ll find a cluster of eateries, grocery stores, and boat rental shops. 

Budget | Hostel pod Voglom is located along the southern shore of Lake Bohinj. This budget-friendly accommodation offers simple twin, single rooms, triple, and quadruple rooms. Bathrooms are either private, or shared. From the hostel, it’s a 20 minute walk (1.8 km) to Ribčev Laz, the closest village (restaurants, shops, etc…). You can rent kayaks, SUPs, and bicycles on-site. 

Midrange | Apartments and rooms Cerkovnik is located in Ribčev Laz, a mere 10-minute walk to the lakeshore (1 km). This sparking clean accommodation offers double and triple rooms as well as well-equipped apartments. Breakfast is available for an additional fee. On-site parking is free. 

Luxury | The newly renovated Hotel Bohinj is located in the center of Ribčev Laz, only a few meters from Lake Bohinj. Designed to impress as much as to pay homage to the region’s cultural heritage, Hotel Bohinj is the most striking hotel in the Bohinj region.

All rooms have air-conditioning. Guests are treated to a healthy and delicious breakfast buffet. You can also enjoy dinner at the hotel and indulge in a wellness package.

Look for accommodation in Ribčev Laz.

Stara Fužina, Lake Bohinj

If you want to combine this hike with lakeside goodness and afternoon dips in Lake Bohinj, consider staying in Stara Fužina. It takes 35 minutes to drive from Stara Fužina to Rudno Polje via Bohinjska Bistrica.

There’s a slightly shorter route through Srednja Vas v Bohinju, but this route was closed for construction during our stay. Use the Promet website to check for current road conditions.

Midrange | Ideal for families, the top-rated Pr `Agotnik apartmaji sobe Bohinj offers spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments with fully-equipped kitchens, and washing machines. 

Midrange-Luxury | Hotel Majerca is a lovely boutique hotel with an on-site restaurant in Stara Fužina. The restaurant extends onto a grassy lawn, with views of farmland backed by the Julian Alps. It’s wonderful to start and end your day here. The al fresco breakfast is phenomenal. 

Midrange-Luxury | Apartmaji Triglav is a stylish aparthotel in Stara Fužina with an on-site restaurant and bar and spa and wellness center. Rooms are clean, modern, and feature balconies, kitchenettes and seating areas. Guests particularly love the mountain views and the hotel’s proximity to hiking trails and the lake. Breakfast is included. 

Look for accommodation in Stara Fužina.

Lake Bled

Lake Bled is the other obvious place to stay before hiking to Mount Triglav from Pokljuka. We’re more partial to Lake Bohinj, but the drive is easier and faster from Lake Bled.

Budget | Guesthouse Marko offers clean, simple double rooms with shared kitchen facilities and free on-site parking. The guesthouse is only a 4-minute walk to the lakeshore of Lake Bled. 

Midrange | The warm and welcoming Jazz B&B is a bed and breakfast with twin, double, and family rooms. A wonderful breakfast is included. This top-rated B&B is a 10-minute walk to the lakeshore. 

Luxury | Adora Luxury Hotel is a lakeside villa with a gorgeous regal interior. Boasting unbeatable views of Lake Bled, lavishly-furnished rooms, and a romantic terrace, this romantic accommodation is the ultimate place to stay for a special occasion. 

Look for accommodation in Bled.

How to Get to the Rudno Polje, Pokljuka, Trailhead

The ascent route from Pokljuka to Triglav starts at Rudno Polje, where there’s a large parking lot, Hotel Center Pokljuka, the Biathlon Stadium Pokljuka, and the Pokljuka Barracks. 

Drive to Rudno Polje

Most people drive here. From Lake Bled, it’s a 25-minute drive.

From Lake Bohinj (Stara Fužina), it’s a 35-minute drive. There’s a slightly shorter route through Srednja Vas v Bohinju, but this route was closed for construction during our trip. Use the Promet website to check for current road conditions. 

Take a Bus to Rudno Polje

In the summer season, there’s a hop-on hop-off bus from Lake Bohinj to Rudno Polje. Take the earliest possible bus (there are only three per day). 

Taking a bus gives you more flexibility in terms of your “return” route. You could, for example, descend to Lake Bohinj via the Seven Lakes Valley, or through the high alpine pastures of Bohinj, after hiking to Triglav.

Where to Park at Rudno Polje

The official parking lot at Rudno Polje on Pokljuka is located across from the barracks and close to Hotel Center Pokljuka (Google Maps). You won’t miss it. 

It costs 5 EUR / day to park here (cash only), and you need exact change to pay for parking at the machine. This is where we parked and left our car overnight. 

However…. Locals park closer to the trailhead…

From Rudno Polje, the hike begins on a macadam forest road, between the hotel and the barracks (it’s very obvious). You’ll initially follow this road for 1.2 km.

Locals drive 1.2 km to the actual hiking trailhead, parking on the side of the road here: Google Maps. We have no idea if this is officially permitted, especially for overnight parking, but a lot of people park here.

From the parking lot at Rudno Polje, follow the macadam forest road for about 7 minutes to the bottom of a ski lift. Straight ahead, you’ll see a red trail sign on a tree, pointing you left to Studorski preval saddle (1:30 hrs), Vodnikov dom mountain hut (3 hrs), and Triglav (6 hours). 

Turn left, and continue on the macadam road for another 10-15 minutes until you see another red trail sign, steering you right onto a forest trail.

The trail sign states again: Studorski preval (1:30 hrs), Vodnikov dom (3 hrs), and Triglav (6 hours). People park on the side of the road right here. 

Follow this shady forest trail for an hour. As you ascend, the undulating path offers coverage from the hot sun and is altogether very pleasant. Through the trees, you’ll see the alpine pasture Planina Konjščica below on your left. 

As you gain elevation, spruce gives way to larch, and you’ll see a magical display of wildflowers (in early summer) along the trail. Keep your eyes out for the Carniolan lilies, which look like orange globe ornaments. 

When you reach a large green meadow at Jezerce basin, turn left. The sign says 1:45 hrs to Vodnikov Dom. Though flat at first, the trail quickly ascends once again, zigzagging up scree to Studorski preval (1892), the saddle between Ablanca (2004) and Veliki Draški vrh (2243 m). 

From the saddle (signed 1:30 hrs to Vodnikov dom), the trail initially descends 60 meters. When it levels out, you’ll be hiking on a spectacular wildflower-lined balcony trail along the slopes of Tosc.

On your left, the Bohinj Valley and the Southern Julian Alps stretching out boundlessly. Behind you, Ablanca looks mighty radiant. 

A footpath will eventually branch off to the right to the Tosc summit. However, you’ll stay on the balcony trail, continuing to horizontally cross the southern slopes of Tosc.

The trail “turns a corner” and Triglav comes into focus for the first time. The larches and wildflowers are particularly lovely here. 

When the trail forks, take the right trail. The other trails lead to Voje valley, Planina Velo Polje, and Dolic mountain hut. From this point, it’s a mere 890 meters to Vodnikov Dom.

As you approach the hut, you’ll see the Velo Polje Planina below and hear a chorus of cowbells rising from the pasture. 

Located on the western slopes of Tosc and above Velo Polje, picture-perfect Vodnikov Dom invites you to linger for a while. 

Grab a bite to eat here, before continuing your hike. Their ričet (bean and barley soup) was quite good. 

Just below the hut, there’s a water spring (free drinking water). Fill up all your bottles (or hydration reservoir), so that you don’t have to buy bottled water at Dom Planika. 

Also, you can already see Dom Planika on a plateau just below Triglav. 

The trail from Vodnikov Dom to Dom Planika continues on the other side of the hut. Noticeably more “high alpine,” the trail is indeed “rockier,” characterized by loose rock and scree. There are some secured sections with steel cables and pegs. Nothing presents any difficulty (in dry conditions). 

After an hour, you’ll reach an intersection at Konjsko sedlo (2019 m). Take the left trail to Dom Planika (signed 1 hour). The right trail leads to Triglavski Dom (1:30 hrs) and Dom Valentina Staniča (3 hrs). 

As you steadily ascend, look back and you’ll see Viševnik peeking out between Veliki Draški vrh and Mali Draški vrh. The grade isn’t severe, but we were tired as we made that final push to the hut.

Check-in to Dom Planika

Now that you arrived at Dom Planika, the first thing you should do is check into the hut. Check-in is possible after 3 pm. Present your identity (passport), alpine membership card (if you have one), and your name (reservation).

Let them know if you have a sleeping bag liner with you. Otherwise, they’ll automatically charge you for bed linen (4 EUR). 

After paying for your stay (I’ll explain your three options later in this guide), settle in and drop off your stuff in your room. There are no shoes allowed in the sleeping area, so slip on your sandals first.

Triglav Via Ferrata

From Dom Planika, it’s a 463-meter ascent to Mount Triglav. Look for the red trail sign pointing you to Triglav čez Mali Triglav, which means Triglav over Mali Triglav. 

Much of the trail is exposed, so hike cautiously and take care. When you reach the ridge, you’ll join the trail from Triglavski Dom. 

From Mali Triglav (2725), you’ll hike along a very narrow ridge path to the summit of Triglav. It’s like hiking from a giant’s shoulder to the top of their head. Luckily, this stone giant doesn’t move. 

Below, on your right, you’ll see Triglavski Dom on Kredarica plateau. On both sides of the secured path, the slopes drop vertically. It’s thrilling, but also harrowing at times. The final climb to the summit is very well secured.

When you reach the peak, you’ll feel like you entered heaven. Enjoy the summit, and descend via the same route.

How hard is it to climb Triglav?

Your level of experience and fitness will determine how difficult the Triglav Via Ferrata is. Though we hike more than the average person, Kati and I aren’t climbers and haven’t done very many via ferrata routes.

For us, the hike wasn’t as difficult as we anticipated. However, descending is always harder for both of us. There were a few places that I (Sabrina) found tricky when we came down. 

Why we hiked to Mount Triglav on Day 1

It’s entirely up to you whether you want to hike up to Triglav on day 1, or day 2.

After eating dinner (à la carte, not half board) and relaxing for a good 1:30 hours, we decided to continue to the peak. We were motivated to summit on day 1 because the weather forecast predicted a thunderstorm the next day, and we didn’t want to rush.

We also knew that the trail wouldn’t be very busy, given our late start, which we prefer.

We started the hike at 6:00 pm in early July on a full moon. Given the long summer day, we had another 3 hours of light to work with.

We witnessed the sunset on our way down from Triglav to Mali Triglav and it was sensational. Because of the full moon, it wasn’t pitch black. However, we still needed our headlamps to safely guide us in the last 30 minutes. 

Recommended Headlamp: Black Diamond Equipment Spot 350 Headlamp

Dom Planika was a nice hut. Run by a lovely group of young people, we felt quite welcome here. The food was mediocre, but we didn’t have high expectations. 

Reservation

Make a reservation online via alpsonline, or by either calling Dom Planika directly or by emailing the hut: [email protected]. If you email the hut, you’ll get a confirmation, and they’ll send you a price list. 

• Confirm your reservation 3-5 days prior to your arrival.
• Arrive before 5 pm. Your reservation is only valid until 5 pm on the day of your arrival. After 5 pm, your reservation no longer holds. If you plan on arriving later than 5 pm, notify the hut in advance.

Rooms

When you make a reservation, you can choose whether you want a room for 2, room for 4-6, or dormitory. 

Payment

You can pay in cash, or by credit card.

Important Times

• Check-in: Starts at 3 pm
• Half board dinner: 6 pm – 8 pm / If you didn’t opt for half-board, you can order dinner anytime until 9 pm. 
• Half board breakfast: 6 am – 9 am
• Check-out (the time you need to be out of your room): 9 am

Drinking-Water

There’s no running water in the hut. You can buy bottled water for 4.50 EUR. We recommend filling up your water at the spring/fountain at Vodnikov dom.

Overnight Stay, Bed and Breakfast, or Half Board

• When you make your reservation (and when you check-in), you’re asked if you want to pay for just your overnight stay, B&B, or Half Board (includes breakfast and dinner). 
• We decided to book “overnight stay” only because we wanted maximum flexibility. We didn’t want to be tied down to a certain dinner, or breakfast time. It worked well for us because we could eat dinner at 5 pm, ordering a la carte, before climbing to Triglav. And we woke up for sunrise and hiked down to Vodnikov dom for breakfast. 

Prices

• Alpine Membership discounts apply.
• Dormitory Bed + Linen: 15 EUR (with alpine membership) – 22 EUR (without membership)
• Bed in a room for 2 people + Linen: 23.95 EUR (with alpine membership) – 32.50 EUR (without membership). 

Storage

• If you need to store your stuff in the hut, while you’re hiking to Triglav, they have a special luggage room. 
• You can leave your extra gear and clothing in your room / bed from 3 pm until 9 am. Keep your valuables with you at all times.