Pokljuka is an alpine plateau located in Triglav National Park, high above Lake Bohinj and Lake Bled in Slovenia.
Blissfully rural and tucked away from Slovenia’s tourist attractions, Pokljuka is a perfect destination to relax and slow down.
Traditional farming villages and mountain pastures dot the plateau in storybook fashion. Unlike so many other dreamy places in Europe, Pokljuka’s beauty isn’t cheaply mass-marketed.
It seems to be wholly unaware of its assets – making it of course much more attractive to visit.
Given the remoteness of this region, you’ll definitely need a car to explore the forested karst plateau of Pokljuka.
Top Things to Do in Pokljuka
- Planina Zajamniki
- Vodnikov Lookout, Koprivnik v Bohinju
- Podjelje
- Viševnik
- Debela Peč
This post links to products and services we love, which we may make a small commission from, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our blog!! – Sabrina and Kati
Pokljuka Map
1. Hike, or Bike to Planina Zajamniki Mountain Pasture
Planina Zajamniki is a “too-beautiful-to-be-real” alpine pasture on Pokljuka. Over two dozen shingle-covered wooden cottages stretch out linearly across the open pasture.
Traditionally, these wooden huts were the summer residences of dairy farmers and herdsmen tending to their cattle. In summer, it’s possible to purchase dairy products from the cottages.
With the Julian Alps as a backdrop, it’s hard to compete with this place. It’s perfect!
How to get to Planina Zajamniki
You can mountain bike, hike, cross-country ski to Planina Zajamniki (1313 m). Here are the GPS Coordinates of Planina Zajamniki: 46.31152, 13.93716.
Hike to Planina Zajamniki
If you want to hike to Planina Zajamniki, head to Rudno Polje. It takes 2 hours to reach Planina Zajamniki on foot.
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).
If you look at a tourist map, it looks like there’s a shorter trail leading from Podjelje to Planina Zajamniki.
We actually parked at the end of the road in Podjelje, where the trail to Javornica and Zajamniki starts. However, it felt like we were parking on private property.
So, after meeting the farm property’s friendly guard dog, we decided to leave.
Bike to Planina Zajamniki
If you’re interested in mountain biking, here’s a biking route to Planina Zajamniki from Stara Fužina village near Lake Bohinj. You can also bike from Rudno Polje on Pokljuka Plateau.
Drive to Planina Zajamniki
You can drive directly to the alpine pasture via Goreljek.
An unpaved road leads from Goreljek to Zajamniki, passing through Planina Jelje, Planina Konjska Dolina and Planina na Peceh. It’s a 15-20 minute drive (6.9 km) from the main road in Goreljek.
Note: There’s no designated parking area near Zajamniki. Simply find a place to park on the gravel road, and then walk down to the alpine pasture.
2. Walk to the Vodnikov Lookout from Koprivnik v Bohinju
Koprivnik is a settlement on Pokljuka plateau. The focal point of the town is a white church, which is a convenient place to park your car.
From the church in Koprivnik, you can take a 20-minute walk along path 11a to the scenic viewpoint: Vodnikov razglednik (Vodnikov Lookout). You’ll see a wooden signpost indicating the direction of Vodnikov razglednik near the church.
As you walk through the hamlet, you’ll pass traditional hayrack barns (Kozolec) scattered across the surrounding fields. These permanent wooden structures are used to dry hay and straw.
The Vodnikov lookout delivers an epic view of Lake Bohinj, the Upper Bohinj Valley, and the Julian Alps. You’ll see the peaks of Vogel, Meja, Vrh nad škrbino, Tolminski Kuk among many others.
3. Visit Podjelje
Podjelje is a high-elevation settlement on Pokljuka. As you drive through Podjelje, you’ll see idyllic farmhouses positioned on sloping pastures.
Time stands still.
The views of the Julian Alps are absolutely stunning from here. There’s a trail that connects Podjelje to Javornica and Planina Zajamniki.
However, there’s no good place to park. When you arrive at the road end (where the trail begins), you’re basically on someone’s private property (at least it feels that way).
4. Hike to Viševnik (2050 m)
A popular Pokljuka trail to consider is Rudno Polje to Viševnik. It takes 1:30 – 2 hrs (one-way) along a well-marked path to reach the summit of Viševnik.
The elevation gain is 703 m, so it’s rather steep.
Viševnik is considered one of the most accessible high peaks in the Julian Alps. We think this is a must-do hike when exploring Pokljuka.
Rudno Polje is also the trailhead for this southern Mount Triglav ascent route.
Learn More: Viševnik Hiking Guide
5. Hike to Debela Peč (2015 m)
Debela Peč is another mountain in the Julian Alps. It’s situated on the northern edge of the Pokljuka plateau.
You can find all the possible routes to Debela Peč here.
A popular starting point is Rudno Polje. The trail leads to the mountain pasture Planina Lipanca, where you’ll find the mountain hut Blejska koča.
It takes 1 h 45 min to hike to Blejska koča na Lipanci from Rudno Polje. From Lipanca pasture it’s another 1 hr 15 min to Debela Peč peak.
Where to Stay in Pokljuka
Midrange | We stayed at Alpine Homestead (former: Turistična kmetija Ročnjek), which is located in Gorjuše on the edge of Pokljuka Plateau. We loved that it was remote, yet well-connected to Bohinj and Bled. It felt like a secret – one that you simply don’t stumble upon.
Compared to other tourist farms in Slovenia, Alpine Homestead is a bit overpriced. If you’re planning on doing a lot of hiking in Pokljuka, it makes sense to stay closer to the Rudno Polje trailhead.
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.
Read Next: Where to stay in Slovenia in Summer
If you thought this post was helpful, follow us on Instagram @moonhoneytravelers
Plan Your Trip to Slovenia:
There is 1 comment on this post
Thank you for your luscious travel blog! You go to places that I seek, and that gives me guidance for my second trip to Slovenia this Sept.
"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome dangerous, leading to the most amazing view" Edward Abbey