With more than 10,000 kilometers of marked trails, Slovenia is a premier hiking destination in Europe. There’s something for everyone: adrenalin-inducing peak climbs, family-friendly valley walks, and arresting hikes to lakes, waterfalls, and alpine pastures. Luckily, the country’s most beautiful trails see relatively few visitors, as most travelers flock to Lake Bled. 

The most spectacular place to hike in Slovenia is in the Slovenian Alps. The Slovenian Alps make up the south-easternmost part of the Alp chain and the southernmost part of the Southern Limestone Alps. If you’ve visited the Dolomites, you’ll notice that Slovenia’s mountainous landscape is strikingly similar to that of northeastern Italy.

There are three mountain ranges in Slovenia: the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, the Julian Alps, and the Karavanke Alps (Karawanks). We concentrated our time in the former two and will be sharing the absolute best day hikes and hut to hut hiking trails in the Kamnik-Savinja and the Julian Alps. Slovenia’s network of alpine mountain huts makes hut-to-hut hiking an exciting way to explore the many peaks and valleys of the Slovenian mountains. 

Read Next: Slovenia Road Trip Itinerary for Hikers

Triglav National Park Trek, Julian Alps, Slovenia - Best Hikes in Slovenia

Triglav National Park

When to Hike in Slovenia

Before we dive into the best hikes in Slovenia, let’s cover a few important details. Slovenia hiking trails are best tackled between late-June and late-September. However, it’s possible to hike in Slovenia in Spring at lower elevations.

We’ve hiked in Slovenia in May, June, and July. Based on our personal experience, here are a few tips:

Hiking in Slovenia in May

It’s possible to hike in Slovenia in May at lower elevations. Here are some valley trails that are perfect for Spring hiking in Slovenia:

  • Robanov Kot to Robanova Planina, Kamnik-Savinja Alps
  • Logar Valley Trail, Kamnik-Savinja Alps
  • Ravenska kočna Valley Walk (on a road), Kamnik-Savinja Alps
  • Planica to Planinski dom Tamar (Tamar Valley), Julian Alps
  • Triglavska Bistrica Trail, Vrata Valley, Julian Alps
  • Soča Trail (Soška pot), Julian Alps

In May, we encountered a lot of snow on mountain trails, especially above Lake Bohinj. Crampons and hiking poles were tremendously helpful for snowfield crossings. If you’re planning on hiking in Slovenia in Spring, make sure to check this website for trail closures and updates. 

Hiking in Slovenia in June

In June, there will likely be snow at higher elevations, so extra gear might be necessary on high alpine routes. Also, thunderstorms are common in June. They tend to develop in the afternoon, so it’s best to get an early start on the trail. In June, we hiked to prominent peaks in the Karawanks and the Kamnik-Savinja Alps.

Hiking in Slovenia in July

When we hiked in Slovenia in July, conditions were generally excellent. However, afternoon thunderstorms were also quite common. Daytime temperatures hovered between 22°C (71.6°F) and 26°C (78.8°F) in the valleys. 

You’ll find more tips for hiking in Slovenia (waymarks, trail maps, essential gear) at the end of this post.

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Best Hikes in Slovenia

  1. Kamniškem sedlu Mountain Saddle, Kamnik-Savinja Alps (day hike)
  2. Češka Koča Mountain Hut, Kamnik-Savinja Alps (half-day hike)
  3. Traversing Kamnik-Savinja Alps (hut to hut hike)
  4. Martuljek Waterfall, Kranjska Gora (half-day hike)
  5. Seven Lakes Valley, Julian Alps (day hike)
  6. Koča na Planini pri Jezeru Mountain Hut, Julian Alps (day hike)
  7. Traversing Triglav National Park, Julian Alps (hut to hut hike)

All hikes are plotted on an interactive map at the bottom of this post.

1. Kamniškem sedlu Hike, Kamnik-Savinja Alps 

Day Hike

Kamniška koča na Kamniškem sedlu, Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Best Hikes in Slovenia

Kamniška koča na Kamniškem sedlu (Kamnik Saddle)

Kamniškem sedlu is a picturesque mountain saddle in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, situated between Mount Brana and Mount Planjava. Just below the saddle, there’s a koča (mountain hut) that serves food and refreshments. We loved this hike in Slovenia because the mountain views from the saddle are spectacular. With panoramic views of the Kamnik Alps, Logar Valley, and the most perfectly situated mountain hut below, you’ll rejoice that you don’t have to share this special place with very many people.

The hike to the Kamnik saddle begins at the mountain hut Dom v Kamniški Bistrici, a 20-minute drive from the town Kamnik, or a 1.5-hour drive from Ljubljana. The trailhead is also accessible by public transit. 

This hike takes 3.5 hours one-way. While the trail isn’t technically difficult, it is continuously uphill. The trail begins steeply and ascends through the forest via a narrow path. Simply follow the trail markers, which are red circles with white centers (like a “target”).

After 2 hours, you’ll pass the shelter Pastirji. Soon after, the trail enters a wide-open meadow and you’ll see Mount Brana and Mount Planjava. The trail ascends steadily to the saddle between Brana and Planjava. With every step, the views of the limestone mountains become increasingly more impressive.

After a well-earned lunch and Radler at Kamniška koča na Kamniški sedlu (1864 m), you can extend your hike to the summit of Mount Brana (2253 m). This difficult 45-minute climb to the summit is assisted with fixed cables and ropes and requires scrambling and use of both hands. Wear a helmet like this women’s helmet, or this men’s helmet.

To return to the trailhead, simply follow the same trail down. If you want to extend the hike, you can spend the night at Kamnik Saddle and hike the next day to Turska Gora (2251 m) and Cojzova koča na Kokrskem sedlu (1793 m). This is a very challenging hike. To learn more about this route, read Stage 2 of our Kamnik-Savinja Alps Hike.

2. Češka koča Hike, Kamnik-Savinja Alps

Day Hike

Češka koča na Spodnjih Ravneh, Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Best Hikes in Slovenia

Češka koča na Spodnjih Ravneh (the Czech Hut)

Češka koča na Spodnjih Ravneh (“The Czech Hut”) is a charming mountain hut located in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Constructed in 1900, this rustic wooden hut is perched high above the Ravenska kočna valley and surrounded by the Kamnik mountains.

Češka koča (1,543 m) is a moderate half-day hike from the village of Jezersko, which is a 40-minute drive from Kranj. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Zgornje Jezersko, we suggest this stylish hotel or this farm stay.

We highly recommend hiking up here in the morning and eating lunch at the hut. Though their menu is limited to only a few items, their food is hearty and delicious.

 

Makekova Kočna to Češka koča ascent route

There are several ascent routes to Češka koča. If you want to hike directly from Zgornje Jezersko village, you can follow the Makekova Kočna route to the hut (2 hours one-way, 617 meters ascending). From the town center, cross the Jezernica river and follow the road and look for a trail leading to the left towards Makekov Marof (Turistični kmetiji Makek). 

 

Ravenska Kočna to Češka koča ascent route

Alternatively, you can drive deep into the Ravenska Kočna valley to the parking lot located here: 46°23′05.31″N 14°32′11.61″E (46.384809, 14.536558). From the parking area, trails branch out in three directions. We hiked up to Češka koča via  Štularjeva planina (alpine pasture), which is the trail on the right. This route takes 1:30 hours and you ascend 562 meters.

3. Kamnik-Savinja Alps Traverse

Hut to Hut Hike

Spremova pot , Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Best Hikes in Slovenia

Spremova pot

  • Mountain Range: Kamnik – Savinja Alps
  • Trailhead: Dom v Kamniški Bistrici (600 m)
  • Destination: Zgornje Jezersko (943 m)
  • Difficulty: Challenging
  • Time Needed: 4 Days
  • Where to Stay: Mountain huts along the route. Stay in Kamniška Bistrica or Kamnik before the trek. Stay in Zgornje Jezersko after the trek.

If you love hiking hut to hut and are an experienced alpine hiker, traversing the Kamnik-Savinja Alps is an unforgettable experience and arguably the best hike in Slovenia. We created a custom 4-day hiking route in which we started in Kamniška Bistrica and ended in Zgornje Jezersko. This route contains via ferrata segments, aka assisted climbing routes. You’ll definitely need a via ferrata kit (helmet is essential) and polarized glasses with UV400 protection for safety. Here’s a quick overview of the hike:

  • Day 1: Kamniška Bistrica – Kamniška koča na Kamniškem sedlu
  • Day 2: Kamniška koča na Kamniškem sedlu – Cojzova koča na Kokrskem sedlu
  • Day 3: Cojzova koča na Kokrskem sedlu – Češka koča na Spodnjih Ravneh
  • Day 4: Češka koča na Spodnjih Ravneh – Zgornje Jezersko

Want to learn more about this hike? Read our Kamnik-Savinja Alps Hiking Route. This guide covers each day of the trek in depth. It also tells you how to prepare (e.g. making reservations for mountains huts), how to save money on accommodation and what essential items to pack to make your hut to hut hiking trip in Slovenia a success.

4. Martuljek Waterfall, Kranjska Gora 

Half-Day Hike

  • Mountain Range: Julian Alps
  • Trailhead: Gozd Martuljek
  • Destination: Martuljek waterfalls and Brunarica pri Ingotu
  • Distance: 2.6 km one-way to Brunarica pri Ingotu. 4.1 km one-way to Slap Martuljek II.
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Altitude Difference: 190 m / 470 m
  • Time Needed: 1 hour one-way to Brunarica pri Ingotu. 2.5 hours one-way to Slap Martuljek II.
  • Where to Stay: Kranjska Gora

Hiking to Martuljek waterfalls (Slap Martuljek in Slovenian) is a wonderful half-day excursion, suitable for the whole family. If you have a copy of the Cicerone Walking Guide: Julian Alps of Slovenia, this hike is listed as Walk 4.

To reach the waterfall trailhead, you can take a 10-minute bus ride from Kranjska Gora to the small town Gozd Martuljek. Check the bus schedule here. Alternatively, you can walk an hour to Gozd Martuljek. The walk follows path #5 along the Sava Dolinka River.

As you approach Gozd Martuljek, look for a dirt road leading off to the right. You’ll walk across open meadows for about 5 minutes before walking under an old stone railway bridge. From the meadow, you’ll have splendid views of the Julian Alps.

Next, you’ll pass a charcoal burning site with information boards about the history of the industry. Right after the site, the trail splits. Take the left trail. The trail passes by a man-made waterfall and then enters an enchanting gorge with steep walls.

You’ll hike through the Martuljek Gorge. and then ascend to a nice viewing area of the lower Martuljek falls (spodnji slap). Continue on the path until you reach a junction with a wide gravel road. Turn left and head in the direction of Brunarica pri Ingotu (there are signs). Brunarica pri Ingotu is a mountain hut that’s situated on a meadow and surrounded by dairy cows. It’s one of those places out of a storybook. Stop here for a homemade stew, a drink, or simply the mountain view.

Next, you can either continue the journey for another hour to the upper Martuljek waterfall (zgornji), or return back to Gozd Martuljek. We didn’t hike up to the upper falls, however, we read that the hike requires a bit of scrambling.

Related: How to spend a day in Kranjska Gora

5. Seven Lakes Valley, Julian Alps

Day Hike, or 2-Day Hike

Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih, Triglav National Park, Seven Lakes Valley, Best Hiking Trails in Slovenia

Seven Lakes Valley, Julian Alps

  • Mountain Range: Julian Alps
  • Trailhead: Koča pri Savici mountain hut (653 m)
  • Destination: Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih (1,684 m)
  • Distance: 6.2 km one-way
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Altitude Difference: 1,031 m
  • Time Needed: 3.5 hours one-way
  • Where to Stay: Ukanc

Triglav Lakes Valley is one of the most enchanting destinations in the Julian Alps and one of the best day hikes in Slovenia. The valley contains a string of seven lakes, each uniquely beautiful.

The Triglav Lakes Valley trail begins at the mountain hut Koča pri Savici, close to Lake Bohinj. From the hut, you can visit the popular Slap Savica waterfall (3 EUR fee) before making your way to the Triglav Lakes Hut (Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih), 1685 m. It takes 3 hours and 15 minutes to reach Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih. 

The first lake you’ll pass is Črno jezero (Black Lake). Continue ascending to Dvojno Jezero (Double Lake). Here, you can grab lunch at the Triglav Lakes Hut. For most day hikers, this is their final destination in the Triglav Lakes Valley.

If you’re fully energized, you can continue hiking up the Seven Lakes Valley for 1:00 – 1:30  hours to Veliko jezero (aka Jezero Ledvicah, or Kidney Lake), 1831 m. This deep-teal lake is a good turning around point if you’re hiking here in one-day.

If you have 2 days, you can either overnight in the Triglav Lakes Hut, or hike all the way to the mountain hut Zasavska koča na Prehodavcih and spend the night there. If you have a copy of the Cicerone Walking Guide: Julian Alps of Slovenia, this hike is listed as Walk 30.

For those staying around Lake Bohinj, we recommend this guest house in Ukanc.

6. Koča na Planini pri Jezeru, Julian Alps

Day Hike

Koča na Planini pri Jezeru, Triglav National Park Trek, Julian Alps, Best Hikes in Slovenia

  • Mountain Range: Julian Alps
  • Trailhead: Planina Blato (1,147 m). There’s a 12 EUR toll fee to drive from Stara Fužina to Planina Blato.
  • Destination: Koča na Planini pri Jezeru (1,453 m)
  • Distance: 2.3 km one-way
  • Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
  • Altitude Difference: 306 m
  • Time Needed: 1.5 hours one-way
  • Where to Stay: Stara Fužina or Ribčev Laz

Koča na Planini pri Jezeru is a mountain hut situated above an alpine lake and surrounded by rustic wooden huts and spruce trees. It’s a fairy-tale-like scene that makes you want to linger, milk a cow, and travel back in time. The hut serves traditional Slovenian soups and stews. This is one of the best hikes in Slovenia because it’s tucked away from mainstream sites in an almost hidden wonderland of forest, rustic huts, and serene lakes.

To reach Koča na Planini pri Jezeru, you can start the hike in Stara Fužina, or Planina Blato (shorter option). There’s a toll road that leads from Stara Fužina to Planina Blato. So if you have a car, this will trim a huge chunk of the hike (recommended). Note: there’s a 12 EUR toll to drive from Stara Fužina to Planina Blato. We recommend staying in this brand new hotel in Ribčev Laz before and after the hike. 

If you start in Stara Fužina, you’ll hike through Planina Spodnji Vogar, which is a high alpine pasture. The hike should take 3-3.5 hours one-way. There’s a mountain hut at Vogar pasture called Kosijev dom na Vogarj. Stop here for a break. From the hut, make sure to detour a few minutes to a lookout point of Lake Bohinj. From Vogar, the trail continues for another 10 minutes and intersects with an asphalt road. Hike up this road for 10 minutes and look for a trail leading off to the left. Follow signs to Koča na Planini pri Jezeru.

After a bite to eat at the beautiful Koča na Planini pri Jezeru, you can take an alternative route back to Vogar via Planine Vodični vrh. Planine Vodični vrh is another high alpine pasture with a collection of rustic huts. Though we wanted to take this route to Vogar, we couldn’t because the trail was closed. Hopefully, it’ll be open in the future.

Related: Julian Alps Hiking Guide

7. Triglav National Park Traverse, Julian Alps

Hut to Hut Hike

Hiking to the summit of Kanjavec, Julian Alps, Triglav National Park, Slovenia | Moon & Honey Travel

  • Mountain Range: Julian Alps
  • Trailhead: Vršič Pass
  • Destination: Lake Bohinj
  • Difficulty: Challenging
  • Time Needed: 4 – 5 Days
  • Where to Stay: Mountain huts along the route. Wild camping is strictly prohibited. Stay in Kranjska Gora before the trek. Stay in Stara Fužina after the trek.

Triglav National Park is Slovenia’s one and only National Park. The park territory corresponds to the Eastern Julian Alps and can be accessed from Kranjska Gora, Trenta, Kobarid, Bovec, Pokljuka, Ukanc, Stara Fužina, and other towns. It’s free to enter the park, and you don’t need to acquire any permits.

There’s so much to see and experience in Triglav National Park and there’s no better way to do it than traversing the park in a few days. There are 35 mountain huts (koča, planinska koča) in Triglav National Park, so it’s easy to plan a multi-day hike across the park. Slovenian mountain huts offer private and dormitory-style rooms and serve warm food and drinks.

If you’re looking for an epic 4-5 day trek, check out our Triglav National Park hut-to-hut hike. This route starts at Vršič Pass (close to Kranjska Gora) and ends in Stara Fužina, Lake Bohinj. 

Hiking hut to hut in the Julian Alps was an unforgettable experience. Major highlights of our route included:

  • Summitting Bovški Gamsovec and Kanjavec
  • Seeing Mount Triglav from multiple angles
  • Observing Ibex
  • Overnighting on the alpine plateau of Kriških podih
  • Hiking down the Seven Lakes Valley
  • The views from Luknja pass
  • The fairy tale alpine pasture around Koča na Planini pri Jezeru

If you’re trying to decide which best hike in Slovenia to tackle, choose this one.

Best Hikes in Slovenia Map

In the map below, we’ve plotted all the best day hikes in Slovenia. To see a map of the hut to hut Slovenia hikes, please take a look at these hiking guides: Triglav Trek and Kamnik Trek. We also outlined the Triglav summit hike (2 days needed) in the map below.

Helpful Tips For Hiking in Slovenia

  • Buy Trail Maps. Though Slovenia hiking trails are mostly well-marked and easy-to-follow, paper trail maps are absolutely essential for route planning. We recommend buying Sidarta and Planinska Zveza Slovenije (Alpine Association of Slovenia) trail maps. 
  • Follow the Waymarks. Slovenian hiking trails are marked with the Knafelc waymark, which is a red circle with a white center (like a target).
  • Wear a Helmet. If you’re hiking in high alpine environments, you’ll likely encounter secured pathways. Many of these passages don’t require a full via ferrata kit, but some do. Please check with locals for advice on specific trails. Helmets, however, are always essential when hiking at high elevations in Slovenia. We recommend this women’s climbing helmet and this men’s climbing helmet. Also, half-finger gloves make hiking assisted climbing routes a whole lot easier (e.g. better grasp on steel cables).
  • Get Hiking Insurance. For peace of mind on the trail, make sure you have hiking travel insurance. When you have World Nomads insurance, you’ll get emergency medical insurance, emergency medical transportation, gear protection (in case of theft, loss, or damage), and trip protection (in case of cancellation). Learn more here.
  • Call 112 (European Emergency Number) if you have an emergency. The dispatcher will connect you with the local mountain rescue team. 
  • Check for Trail Closures  – This map indicates which Slovenian hiking trails are closed. The site is maintained by the Alpine Association of Slovenia.

Read Next: Slovenian Alps Hiking Guide

Slovenia Hiking Resources

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