Hiking in the Julian Alps, Slovenia

Pogačnikov dom na Kriških podih Mountain Hut

Pogačnikov dom na Kriških podih (2050 m) is a mountain hut with mindblowing views of Trenta Valley. Positioned on the karst plateau of Kriških podih, this stunning hiking destination is all about limestone peaks, small alpine lakes and, if you’re lucky, ibex. This is a challenging ascent, as the total altitude gain is 1450 meters. You’ll wind up steep hairpins as you gain elevation. Shortly before reaching the mountain hut, you’ll pass by the alpine lake Spodnje Kriško jezero, which is one of three lakes on Kriških podih.

Trailhead: Bend 50 on the Vršič pass road (close to Trenta village) / Zadnjica
Distance: 16 km total
Difficulty: challenging
Altitude Difference: 1450 m
Time Needed: 4 hours one-way / 7.5 -8 hours total

You can also hike to Kriških podih from Vršič pass (8.4 km, 6 hours). For details, read Day 2 of our Triglav National Park Hut to Hut Hike. If you approach Kriških podih this way, it’s best to overnight in the hut. The next day, you can descend to Trenta Valley.

Triglav Lakes Valley

Triglav Lakes Valley, aka Seven Lakes Valley, is a wildly enchanting destination in the Julian Alps. As the name suggests, the valley is defined by a string of seven lakes. You can hike to the Seven Lakes Valley from Koča pri Savici mountain hut (653 m), a mountain hut that’s accessible by car from Ukanc on Lake Bohinj. Koča pri Savici is also the trailhead to the waterfall Slap Savica (20-min walk one-way). Note: there’s a 3 EUR fee to see the waterfall.

The first lake you’ll pass in the Triglav Lakes Valley is Črno jezero (1294 m), or Black Lake. Next, you’ll continue to Triglav Lakes Hut (Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih), which is situated between the lakes Dvojno Jezero and Močivec. Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih makes for a good lunch stop and day hike destination.

Trailhead: Koča pri Savici mountain hut (653 m)
Destination: Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih (1684 m)
Distance: 6.2 km one-way
Difficulty: moderately difficult
Altitude Difference: 1031 m
Time Needed: 3.5 hours one-way

If you want to extend this hike, here are a few options:

• Continue hiking up the valley to the lake Veliko jezero (Jezero Ledvicah), 1831 m. This will take 1- 1.5 hours (2.7 km) one-way.
• From Veliko Jezero, you can continue hiking up the Triglav Lake Valley to the mountain hut Zasavska koča na Prehodavcih (2071 m). This will take an additional one hour (2.8 km).
• If you want to overnight in the Seven Lakes Valley, you can either spend the night in Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih (1684 m) or Zasavska koča na Prehodavcih (2071 m).

Stara Fužina to Seven Lakes Valley – High Alpine Pasture Route

This 7-hour thru-hike can be done in either direction, but it’s only recommended as part of a two-day hike in the Julian Alps. So if you followed the route to Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih (outlined above) and stayed the night there, you could take this route back to Lake Bohinj the following day. We’ve outlined this route in great detail on Day 5 of our Hut to Hut Hike across Triglav National Park. Or, you can start in Stara Fužina and end your day at the Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih mountain hut.

From Stara Fužina, hike 1.5 hours (2.5 km) to Planina Spodnji Vogar (1050 m). From here, continue ascending 2 hrs 15 min (4 km) to the beautiful alpine pasture and mountain hut Koča na Planini pri Jezeru (1453 m). This is an ideal spot for lunch. From the lakeside mountain hut, continue for 40 min to Bregarjevo zavetišče na planini Viševnik. The final stretch (4.3 km) brings you to the Triglav lakes Hut in nearly 2 hours.

Trailhead: Stara Fužina, Lake Bohinj – near the Toll Booth Parking Lot
Destination: Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih, Seven Lakes Valley
Distance: 12 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Altitude Difference: 1300 m
Time Needed: 7 hours

Bohinj High Alpine Pasture Loop

This romantic loop trail in the Julian Alps delivers fairy-tale-like scenes that seem too magical to be real. There is some work involved though. We recommend starting in Planina Blato, which is accessible from Stara Fužina via a toll road. From Planina Blato, follow signs to Planina v Lazu. You’ll find the clearest trailhead and signage, just down the road from the parking area at Planina Blato (which you passed driving up).

The forested trail to Planina v. Lazu (1560 m) isn’t remarkable. But as soon as you arrive, all that hard work will have been worth it. It takes almost 2 hours (3.6 km) to ascend the 480 meters to the ridge above this splendid high alpine pasture. When you’ll arrive, you’ll have an almost birds-eye view of Lazu dotted with herdmen huts.

The trail continues through the wooden huts and slowly down to Koča na Planini pri Jezeru (1453 m), which takes one hour. This is the same mountain hut described in the above hike. From here, it’s another hour back to Planina Blato.

Trailhead: Planina Blato (1147 m). There’s a 12 EUR toll fee to drive from Stara Fužina to Planina Blato.
Destinations: Planina v Lazu (1560 m) and Koča na Planini pri Jezeru (1453 m)
Distance: 9.3 km total
Difficulty: moderate
Altitude Difference: 413 m
Time Needed: 4.5 hours total

Planica Valley and Dom v Tamarju

This easy walk through Planica Valley to the mountain hut Planinski dom Tamar (aka Dom v Tamarju) is something for everyone. As you hike along a wide path through the valley, 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. At the mountain hut, you can order a beverage or drink and enjoy the peaceful mountain setting.

Trailhead: Planica Nordic Centre. Note: there’s a 2.50 EUR fee to park at Planica Nordic Center.
Destination: Planinski dom Tamar
Distance: 3.8 km one-way / 7.6 km total
Difficulty: Easy
Altitude Difference: 170 m
Time Needed: 1 hr one-way / 2 hours total

Julian Alps Hut to Hut Hike

This 4-day hut to hut hike across the Julian Alps is a custom route we put together. It strings together many of the hikes outlined above in one really epic trek. You can read all about this hike in our Triglav Hut to Hut Hiking Guide. At the end of the guide, you’ll find several variations for longer and shorter treks in the Julian Alps.

Trailhead: Vršič pass
Distance: 40 km
Difficulty: challenging
Time Needed: 4 – 5 Days

If you need help figuring out what to bring for a hut to hut hike in Slovenia, read our personal hut to hut hiking packing list.

Slemenova Špica

Slemenova Špica (1911 m) is an alpine pasture and lookout point set amidst the dramatic Julian Alps. From Vršič pass, follow signs towards Sleme. After 30 minutes, you’ll reach the saddle Vratica (1799 m), where the trail splits. To hike to Sleme, head right (45 minutes). After another 30 min, you’ll reach a junction. You’ll see a path to the right signed Grlo that heads to the Tamar mountain hut. Stay to the left. Keep your eyes peeled for another trail intersection. You’ll want to head right. If you continue on the main trail, you’ll end up at the Slatnica saddle. When you arrive in the high grassy meadow of Slemenova Špica, you’ll have panoramic views of the Southern Limestone Alps.

Trailhead: Vršič pass (1611 m)
Distance: 2.5 km one-way, 5 km total
Difficulty: moderate
Altitude Difference: 300 m
Time Needed: 3 hrs total

Climbing Mount Triglav

Mount Triglav (2,864 m), the highest peak in the Julian Alps, is a bucket-list hike for every Slovenian hiker. If you’re planning on hiking to the summit, you’ll definitely need a via ferrata kit. There are several possible ascension routes. We recommend using Cicerone’s The Julian Alps of Slovenia to figure out which approach works best for you. The hardest route (for experts only) is the Bamberg route along Triglav’s North Face. The easiest approach is from the Krma Valley.

Difficulty: challenging
Time Needed: 2 – 3 days

Planina Zajamniki

Planina Zajamniki (1280 m) is an alpine pasture located on Pokljuka, a karst plateau in the Julian Alps. To reach this picture-perfect destination, head to Rudno Polje.  Rudno Polje is also the trailhead to Debela Peč and Viševnik. It’s a 2-hour hike to the high alpine pasture. After parking at Rudno Polje, walk to Planina Uskovnica (approx. 1 hour) and then continue in the direction of Planina Praprotnica to Planina Zajamniki (another hour).

Read more about Pokljuka: Hidden Wonders of Pokljuka

Trailhead: Rudno Polje (1347 m)
Distance: 4.4 km one-way
Difficulty: moderate
Altitude Difference: 67 m
Time Needed: 2 hours one-way / 4 hours total

Fusine Lakes

If you venture to the Italian-side of the Julian Alps, definitely visit the striking Fusine Lakes (Laghi di Fusine), which are a short drive from Kranjska Gora. You can drive directly to the Upper Lake, park and walk around both lakes. This is a splendid way to spend half a day.

Read More: How to Visit Laghi di Fusine