The Kamnik Saddle (Kamniško Sedlo) is the mountain saddle between Mount Brana (2253 m) and Mount Planjava (2394 m) in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps in Slovenia. This is one of the most visually spectacular places in the Kamnik Alps and a very popular day hiking destination among locals.
Situated just below the grassy saddle, you’ll find the Kamnik Saddle Lodge (Kamniška koča na Kamniškem sedlu). This mountain hut is a great place to stay when planning a multi-day hike through the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. It’s also a nice place to rest, eat, and drink during your day hike.
For many, the Kamnik Saddle is the starting point for hikes to the surrounding peaks. When you get to the Kamnik Saddle, you can continue to Brana (1 hour), or Planjava (2 hours). Helmets are absolutely essential if you plan to summit either peak.
Recently, we hiked from Logar Valley to the Kamnik Saddle and then up to Planjava. This ascent took 4:30 hours. This is a serious hiking route, which requires concentration and a head for heights. To tackle the summit, you should be comfortable navigating difficult, highly exposed footpaths, and scree.
Logar Valley to Kamnik Saddle and Planjava Hiking Guide
- Trailhead: Parking lot at the end of the Logar Valley Road at Koča pod Slapom Rinka mountain hut. This is where you start the hike to Rinka waterfall as well. There’s no fee to park here.
- Destination: Kamnik Saddle and Planjava (Optional)
- Type of Hike: Out-and-back
- Distance: 6.5 one-way / 13 km return (8.2 km return to Kamnik Saddle)
- Elevation Gain / Loss: 1746 m ascending / descending (929 m ascending / descending to Kamnik Saddle)
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Time Needed: 4:30 hours one-way (9:30 hours – 10 hours total)
- Route: Logar Valley road end parking lot (930 m) – Slap Rinka – Okrešlj (1396 m) – Kamniško Sedlo / Kamniška koča na Kamniškem sedlu (1864 m) – Planjava (2392 m)
- Where to Stay: Lenar Farm in Logar Valley. Look for accommodation in Logar Valley.
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Logar Valley to Kamnik Saddle and Planjava Hiking Trail Map
Kamnik Saddle Ascent Routes
The Kamnik Saddle is accessible from both Logar Valley and Kamniška Bistrica.
- Logar Valley to Kamnik Saddle (2:30 hours, Difficult). You should have a helmet and climbing gloves for this ascent route. There are some difficult passages that require the use of both hands and alpine hiking experience. If you want to summit Brana, or Planjava, this is the better approach to the Kamnik Saddle, because it’s faster.
- Kamniška Bistrica to Kamnik Saddle (3:45 hours, Moderate). This is the easier route. You don’t need any special gear to get to the Saddle. However, if you want to extend your hike to Brana, Planjava, or Turska Gora, you do need a climbing helmet. If you want to hike this way, read Day 1 of our Kamnik-Savinja Alps Trek.
Integrate this hike into your Slovenia Itinerary
Essential Gear for Hiking to Planjava
- Climbing Helmet like this women’s helmet and this men’s helmet,
- Climbing Gloves (optional, but highly recommended) like these black diamond half-finger gloves
- Hiking Poles. We love these Black Diamond trail poles.
- Sturdy Hiking Shoes like the women’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX / Meindl Schuhe Island Lady or the men’s Hanwag Tatra II GTX.
- Polarized Cat 4 Sunglasses
- Water
When To Hike to Planjava
Late June – Late September, when the trail should be clear of snow. We also recommend getting an early start (6 am latest), to avoid the midday heat and possible thunderstorms, which often develop in the afternoon.
Read Next: Best Hikes in Slovenia
How to Get to the Kamnik Saddle Trailhead in Logar Valley
To reach the trailhead, drive to Logar Valley in the Solčavsko region of Northern Slovenia. To enter the valley, you first have to pay an entrance fee.
- Passenger Car: 7 EUR
- Van: 8 EUR
- Bus: 30 EUR
- Motorcycle: 5 EUR
- Bicycle/Foot: Free
Continue driving to the very end of the valley. There’s a parking area at the end of the road. The trail starts here.
Kamnik Saddle and Planjava Route Description
The Logarska Dolina ascent route to Planjava can be broken up into 3 sections.
- Logar Valley – Okrešelj (1 hour) – moderate
- Okrešelj – Kamnik Saddle (1:30 hours) – difficult
- Kamnik Saddle – Planjava (1:45 – 2 hours) – very difficult
Logar Valley to Okrešelj (1 hour)
Okrešelj is a glacial cirque high above Logarska Dolina. Starting at the end of the valley road, you’ll ascend past Slap Rinka waterfall, steeply along the Savinja River, and ultimately through the forest to Okrešelj.
Follow signs to Dom na Okrešlju (also called Frischaufov dom na Okrešlju). Note: this mountain hut on the Okrešlj cirque burned down in 2019. The hut is now a construction zone (summer 2020).
Okrešelj to Kamnik Saddle (1:30 hours)
From the meadow at Okrešelj, head left. Follow signs to Kamniško sedlo (signed 1:30 hrs).
At first, the trail continues to gently ascend through the forest. Above the timberline, the trail crosses scree slopes, ushering you to a rock wall. Until this point, the hike is fairly easy. Keep your eyes out for “ the Monk,” a natural rock sculpture located in the scree slopes above you on the right side.
With helmets on and collapsed hiking poles, continue climbing up the wall. There are some steel cables and climbing aids to help you ascend safely. Though exposed, this is only moderately difficult. Because of the loose rocky terrain, be aware of falling rocks. The views of Mrzla gora (“Cold Mountain”) are outstanding as you gain elevation.
Ultimately, the path levels out and you walk horizontally across a scree slope to the grassy Kamnik Saddle. Hike to the mountain hut, just below the ridge.
Kamnik Saddle to Planjava (2 hours)
From Kamniška koča (Kamnik Saddle Lodge), continue towards Planjava. First, you’ll hike across a scree slope along a level path. Looking behind you, you’ll see Brana, Turksa Gora, the Rinka Peaks and the Kamniška Bistrica trail to the Kamnik Saddle.
When you start the “climbing” section, use the steel cables and pegs as handholds for stabilization and safety. The trail continues up loose scree to the grassy southern slopes of Planjava. As you continue, the trail gets actually easier and technically less demanding.
About 10 minutes before reaching the summit, there’s a signed intersection (1:20 hrs to Korošica / 2 hrs to Ojstrica). Continue to the top and enjoy the views of Ojstrica, Korošica, Logar Valley, and the surrounding peaks.
We descended by the same route.
We grabbed lunch at the Kamnik Saddle Lodge and then hiked back down to Logar Valley.
Where to Stay in Logar Valley
Lenar Farm
We highly recommend staying in Lenar Farm, a historic farmstead in Logar Valley. Here, you’ll start your day with a delicious breakfast and equally delicious views. This family-run farm stay feels like your home away from home. People return here year after year to relax and soak up the peace of Logarska Dolina for a few days.
Look for accommodation in Logar Valley.
Related: Where to Stay in Slovenia in Summer
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