Hiking in the Julian Alps, Slovenia

Viševnik Peak

Trailhead: Rudno Polje (1347 m), Pokljuka
Distance: 3.2 km one-way, 6.4 km return
Difficulty: Easy but steep
Elevation: 703 meters ascending / descending
Time Needed: 1:30 – 2 hours one-way

Viševnik (2050 m) is a mountain peak in the Julian Alps, easily accessible from Pokljuka. This popular summit in the Julian Alps can be done in half a day or less. From the peak, you’ll have a spectacular view of Mount Triglav, Bohinj Valley, the Southern Julian Alps, Mali Draški, and the Rjavina ridge. Hike here early to see the Bohinj Valley awash in the early morning light.

Learn More: Viševnik Hiking Guide

Climbing Mount Triglav

Difficulty: Varies based on the route.
Time Needed: 2 Days (13-14 hours hiking)
Essential Gear: A climbing helmet like this women’s helmet and this men’s helmet.

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, read our Mount Triglav Hiking Guide.

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 up Triglav’s North Face. The easiest approaches are from either Krma Valley or from Pokljuka. 

We hiked to Mount Triglav from Pokljuka and 90% of the hike was actually quite easy. The final 1:30 hours from Dom Planika to the summit involves some scrambling, hiking along a protected climbing route (via ferrata), and highly exposed passages. High alpine hiking experience is a necessity to safely summit mighty Mount Triglav.

Learn More: How to Hike to Mount Triglav the Easy Way

Triglav Lakes Valley

Trailhead: Planina Blato
Destination: Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih (1684 m)
Distance: 7.6 km one-way
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Elevation: 704 m ascending, 166 m descending one-way
Time Needed: 3:30 hours one-way, 7 hours return

Triglav Lakes Valley, also called Seven Lakes Valley, is a wildly enchanting destination in the Julian Alps. As the name suggests, this glacial valley is defined by a string of seven lakes.

There are several different approaches to Triglav Lakes Valley, including the route starting at Koča pri Savici, accessible from Ukanc, and the one starting at Planina Blato, high above Stara Fužina. 

We recommend hiking to Triglav Lakes Valley from Planina Blato. It’s easier and you’ll amble across some of the loveliest alpine pastures above Lake Bohinj, including Planina pri Jezeru, Planina Viševnik, and Planina Ovčarija. 

Learn More: Hiking to Triglav Lakes Valley from Planina Blato

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.
• 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).

Veliko Špičje

Trailhead: Planina Blato
Distance: 27.6 km circuit
Difficulty: challenging
Time Needed: 2 days / 12:30 hours without breaks

This demanding route combines the gorgeous Seven Lakes Valley with the riveting Špičje ridge.

Learn More: Veliko Špičje Ridge Trail

Pogačnikov dom na Kriških podih Mountain Hut

Trailhead: Vršič Pass
Distance: 8.4 km one-way
Difficulty: challenging
Time Needed: 6 hours one-way

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.

We hiked to this mountain hut from Vršič pass on 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, or you can tackle nearby peaks like Stenar (2501 m), Križ (2410 m), and even Škrlatica (2740 m)

For more route options, check out hribi.net.

Bohinj High Alpine Pasture Loop

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 loop
Difficulty: moderate
Elevation: 413 meters ascending / descending
Time Needed: 4:30 hours

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 arrive, you’ll have a birds-eye view of the Lazu mountain pasture dotted with herdsmen 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.

Planica Valley and Dom v Tamarju

Trailhead: Planica Nordic Centre. 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 out-and-back
Difficulty: easy
Elevation: 170 meters ascending / descending
Time Needed: 1 hour one-way, 2 hours return

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 drink and something to eat.

Julian Alps Hut to Hut Hike

Trailhead: Vršič pass
Destination: Lake Bohinj 
Distance: 43.4 km point-to-point
Difficulty: challenging
Time Needed: 4 Days
Essential Gear:

• Grade B/C Hiking Boots like the women’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX / Meindl Schuhe Island Lady or the men’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX
• Hut to Hut Hiking Backpack: The Osprey Kyte 36 (for women) and the Osprey Kestrel 38 (for men).
• Hiking Poles. We love these Black Diamond trail poles.
• 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.

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.

Learn More: Triglav National Park 4-Day Trek

To learn more about staying in Slovenian huts, read How to Visit a Slovenian Mountain Hut and Hut to Hut Hiking in Slovenia.

Slemenova Špica

Trailhead: Vršič pass (1611 m)
Distance: 2.5 km one-way / 5 km return
Difficulty: moderate
Elevation: 300 meters ascending
Time Needed: 3 hrs total

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 Vratica (1799 m) mountain saddle, 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.

Mount Vogel

Trailhead: Vogel Cable Car mountain station (also called Rjava Skala) / Ski Hotel Vogel
Distance: 11.2 km Loop
Difficulty: moderate
Elevation: 732 m ascending / descending
Time Needed: 5 – 6 hrs total

Mount Vogel (1922 m) is a popular hiking destination in the Julian Alps, because of its proximity to Lake Bohinj and its accessibility.  The hike to Vogel begins with a swift cable car ascent to Vogel Ski Resort, where you’ll have dazzling views of Slovenia’s largest lake and the high peaks of the Julian Alps, including Mt Triglav.

Learn More: Hiking to Mount Vogel

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.

Learn More: How to Visit Laghi di Fusine