Hiking in the Julian Alps, Slovenia

Viševnik Peak

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 top, 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

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

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, 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

Difficulty: Varies based on the route.
Time Needed: 2 Days (13-14 hours hiking)

Triglav Lakes Valley

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

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

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).

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: 8.1 km one-way / 16 km return
Difficulty: challenging
Elevation: 1450 meters ascending
Time Needed: 4 hours one-way / 7:30 – 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, or you can tackle nearby peaks like Stenar (2501 m), Križ (2410 m), and even Škrlatica (2740 m)

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

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 drink and something to eat.

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 total
Difficulty: easy
Elevation: 170 meters ascending / descending
Time Needed: 1 hour one-way / 2 hours return

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 return
Difficulty: moderate
Elevation: 300 meters ascending
Time Needed: 3 hrs total

Mount Vogel

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.

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

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