Triglav National Park (Triglavski Narodni Park) is Slovenia’s largest protected area and only national park, covering a surface area of 840 square kilometers. The park encompasses most of the eastern Julian Alps, a spectacular mountain range that forms part of the Southern Limestone Alps (like the Italian Dolomites). Triglav National Park is located in northwestern Slovenia, nestled against the Italian border.
As you explore the park, you’ll encounter crystal-clear rivers, glacier-carved valleys, alpine lakes, high-altitude pastures, roaming ibex, gorges (Vintgar, Mlinarica and Mostnica), and stunning peaks. The focal point of the park is no doubt Mount Triglav (2864 m), Slovenia’s highest mountain.
Triglav National Park is a highlight of any trip to Slovenia. In this guide, we’ll share our tips for visiting the park with a car as well as without one. You’ll learn about when to go, where to stay, where to hike, rules for visiting, various transit options, and recommended gear.
Complete Guide to Visiting Triglav National Park, Slovenia
Triglav National Park Essential Tips
- When to Visit: May – October
- When to Hike: late June – late September
- Where to Stay: Lake Bohinj, Kranjska Gora, Soča Valley
- Entrance Fee: The park is free to visit
- Permits: None needed
- Camping: Camping is only allowed in designated campsites. Wild camping is strictly prohibited.
- Must-See Places: Mount Triglav, Seven Lakes Valley, Lake Bohinj, Bohinj Alpine Pastures, Pokljuka, and Vršič Pass.
- Where to Swim: Lake Bohinj, Lake Jasna, Nadiža River, Soča River, and Idrijca River.
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Triglav National Park Map
Triglav National Park Entrance Fee
There is no fee to enter Triglav National Park. However, there are some natural attractions within the park that have fees.
Tolmin Gorge
The Tolmin Gorge is situated at the southernmost tip of Triglav National Park. An easy circular trail leads through the gorge and takes about 1:30 hours to complete. The cost of entry varies based on the month:
- Adults: 5 – 8 EUR
- Children 7-14 years: 2.50 – 4 EUR
- Students: 4 – 7 EUR
- Seniors: 4 – 7 EUR
- Groups (more than 10 people): 4 – 7 EUR
Vintgar Gorge
Vintgar Gorge is a 1.6 kilometer-long gorge in the eastern part of Triglav National Park, near Bled. The gorge is generally open from May until October. It’s always closed in winter. The exact dates vary each year based on weather conditions. Entry tickets cost:
- Adults: 8 EUR
- Seniors: 7 EUR
- Students: 7 EUR
- Children 6- 15 years: 2 EUR
- Children up to 6 years: 1 EUR
- Pets: 3 EUR
Slap Savica
Slap Savica is a waterfall and the source of the Sava Bohinjka river. The waterfall is easily accessible from Ukanc, the small settlement on the western shores of Lake Bohinj. From Ukanc, you can either hike up to Slap Savica, take the bus (summer only), or drive to Koča pri Savici hut. If you drive, there’s a parking fee
- Cars (3 hours): 4 EUR
- Cars: (all day): 8 EUR
- Motorbikes: 2 EUR
From the Koča pri Savici hut it’s a 15-20 minute walk along a stone pathway to the waterfall. The Savica waterfall entry costs:
- Adults: 3 EUR
- Seniors: 2 EUR
- Students: 2 EUR
- Children: 1.50 EUR
Mostnica Gorge
Mostnica Gorge is a 2-km-long gorge in Voje Valley, accessible from Stara Fužina. Between mid-March and end of October, there’s a fee to enter the gorge:
- Adults: 3 EUR
- Children 7-14 years of age: 1.50 EUR
- Students, Seniors over 65 years of age, Disabled: 2.50 EUR
- Preschool children groups: 1 EUR
When to Visit Triglav National Park
The best time to visit Triglav National Park will vary based on what you want to do. For example, if you want to hike hut to hut, then it’s best to visit in late June, July, August, or September, when the mountain huts are open. If you want to summit Mt. Triglav, we recommend visiting in July, August, or September.
For casual day hiking and visiting popular attractions (gorges, waterfalls, etc…), you can visit Triglav National Park from May until October.
If you visit in May and early June, your hiking options will be limited, due to snow. However, you can still enjoy the park’s many valleys, gorges, and waterfalls.
Traveling with a car
One of the popular drives in Triglav National Park is from Kranjska Gora to Soča Valley via the Vršič Pass. The Vršič Pass is open in summer only.
If you’re visiting during the shoulder seasons (Spring and Fall), check the Promet website to see if the road is open. When we visited in mid-May, the road was still closed due to snowfall.
If you’re planning on visiting Lake Bohinj, here’s some info regarding parking and park & ride options.
Road Trip Inspiration: Here’s our 2 week road trip itinerary, which will guide you to our favorite places in Triglav National Park.
Traveling without a car
If you’re visiting Triglav National Park without a car, then we recommend coming in summer (late June until early September), when summer buses are operating. In the next section, we’ll outline what your transit options are.
Getting around Triglav National Park without a car
You definitely don’t need a car to visit Triglav National Park. The key is to pick the right base and visit at the right time. There are several seasonal buses that only operate during peak summer season. These buses connect villages to popular trailheads and attractions.
We recommend staying in:
- Lake Bohinj
- Kranjska Gora
- Bovec, Soča Valley
Lake Bohinj Summer Transit
Lake Bohinj has a really great free summer transit system. This website outlines all the Lake Bohinj bus lines and timetables. These summer buses start running in late June or in early July. And, they stop running in late September. Here are some bus lines that are really helpful for hikers:
- Bohinjsko Jezero to Vogar-Blato. This is a really important connection because it gets you to the Planina Blato-Vogar crossroads (marked on the map). From here, you can hike to the Planina Blato trailhead, the starting point of the Seven Lakes Valley hike as well as multiple others. By starting your hikes here, you’ll save a lot of time and energy.
- Hop-On Hop-Off Pokljuka. From the Rudno Polje trailhead on Pokljuka, you can hike to Viševnik, Vodnikov Dom, and even Mount Triglav (with an overnight in Dom Planika pod Triglavom).
Related: Lake Bohinj Travel Guide
Kranjska Gora Summer Transit
If you stay in Kranjska Gora, there’s a summer bus that connects Kranjska Gora to the Soča Valley via Vršič Pass.
Various hikes (Slemenova Špica) and via ferrata climbs (Mt. Mala Mojstrovka and Prisank) start at Vršič Pass.
You can walk, or take a bus from Kranjska Gora to the small town of Gozd Martuljek. From here, it’s a lovely hike to the Martuljek Waterfalls. You can read more about this hike in our Kranjska Gora Summer Guide.
Bovec Summer Transit
In summer, you can take the Vršič Pass bus to Bovec and other destinations in Soča Valley. From Bovec, you can hike along the famous Soča Trail, a 25-km hiking path between Bovec and the source of the Soča river. For many, this is the most beautiful section of the Alpe Adria long-distance hiking trail.
Bovec is a great base for anyone who wants to go river rafting and canyoning.
Triglav National Park Hiking Trails
Easy Day Hikes
- Slap Savica*
- The Soča Trail*
- Triglavska Bistrica Trail*
- Planica to Tamar mountain hut (learn more: Best Hikes in Slovenia)
- Martuljek Waterfalls* (learn more: Kranjska Gora guide)
- Slemenova Špica* (learn more: Kranjska Gora guide)
- Viševnik*
Moderate Day Hikes
- Seven Lakes Valley*
- Lake Bohinj Alpine Pastures* (learn more: Best Hikes in the Julian Alps)
- Mount Vogel*
Difficult Day Hikes
2-Day Hikes
Multi-day treks
*accessible with public transit in high season.
Recommended Hiking Guide: The Julian Alps of Slovenia: Mountain Walks and Short Treks
Our Favorite Places to Visit in Triglav National Park
- Mount Triglav
- Bohinj Alpine Pastures
- Seven Lakes Valley
- Lake Bohinj
- Pokljuka
- Vršič Pass
1. Mount Triglav
Mount Triglav is the highest mountain in the Julian Alps and in Slovenia. Adoring the Slovenian flag, Triglav is more than just a mountain. It’s the reigning symbol of the Slovene nation.
Hiking to the summit of Triglav is a thrill. There are various ascent routes, ranging from difficult to very challenging. We’ve outlined the easiest ascent route from Pokljuka Plateau in our Climbing Triglav Guide.
Other ascent routes:
- Prag Route from Vrata valley
- Tominšek Route from Vrata Valley
- Bamberg from Luknja Pass (experts only)
- Krma Valley
Learn more about these routes: The Julian Alps of Slovenia: Mountain Walks and Short Treks
No matter which route you take, you’ll need two days for this hike, with an overnight in a mountain hut.
To reach Triglav, you have to climb a via ferrata route. This is only suitable for hikers who have experience hiking along secured routes in the mountains.
Essential Gear for Climbing Triglav:
- Climbing Helmet: women’s helmet and a men’s helmet
- Via Ferrata Harness: PETZL Corax Climbing Harness
- Via Ferrata Lanyard: PETZL Scorpio Lanyard with Carabiners and Energy Absorber
- Hiking Backpack: Osprey Kyte 36 (for women) and Osprey Kestrel 38 (for men).
- Grade B/C Hiking Boots: Hanwag Tatra II GTX or Meindl Schuhe Island Lady (for women) and Hanwag Tatra II GTX (for men).
- Cat 4 Polarized Sunglasses: Julbo Shield Mountain Sunglasses
- Climbing Gloves (optional but highly recommended): Black Diamond Half-Finger Gloves
2. Bohinj Alpine Pastures
High above Bohinj Valley, evidence of alpine dairy farming is still present. In fact, some dairy farms are still active, producing homemade cheese and other dairy products.
The Bohinj alpine pastures dotted with rustic herdsmen huts make for a great hiking destination. When you stumble upon a planina, it feels like you’ve uncovered a secret fairy tale world.
We recommend driving (12 EUR Toll), or taking the bus up to Planina Blato from Stara Fužina, Lake Bohinj. From here, hike the forest trail to Planina v. Lazu (1560 m) and then continue to the Pri Jezeru pasture and the Koča na Planini pri Jezeru mountain hut (1453 m). You can grab a bite to eat here, before returning to Blato, or descending to Stara Fužina via Kosijev dom na Vogarju (1054 m). This 9.3 km circuit takes about 4 hours.
If you want to learn more about alpine farming, you can visit the Alpine Dairy Farming Museum in Stara Fužina.
3. Seven 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: Triglav Lakes Valley Day Hike
If you’re an experienced hiker with no fear of heights, we recommend hiking this 2-day Triglav Lakes Valley route: Veliko Špičje Ridge Trail.
4. Lake Bohinj
Lake Bohinj is the largest permanent lake in Slovenia.
Kati and I have a summer tradition of hiking in the Julian Alps during the day and then retreating to the shores of Bohinj in the late afternoon. Dipping into crystal-clear Bohinj after a long hike in the mountains is summer at its very best.
Lake Bohinj is a great place for swimming because the use of motor-driven vessels is prohibited.
However, you can also kayak, stand-up-paddleboard, or row in the lake. “Navigation is permitted for sport rowing boats with a maximum length of 8 meters.” Click here to learn more about boating regulations on Bohinj.
For swimming and water-sports, we recommend staying in a place like Hiša Erlah where you can borrow their SUP and kayaks for free.
Lake Bohinj is also the starting point for many hikes in Triglav National Park:
- Rodica
- Mount Vogel
- Komna Plateau
- Savica Waterfall
- Seven Lakes Valley
- Mostnica Gorge
Learn More: Lake Bohinj Travel Guide
5. Pokljuka Plateau
Pokljuka is an alpine plateau in Triglav National Park, located high above Lake Bohinj and Lake Bled. Blissfully rural and tucked away from Slovenia’s tourist attractions, Pokljuka is a perfect destination for slow travel. Traditional alpine pastures dot the plateau in storybook fashion.
When visiting Pokljuka, we recommend biking to Planina Zajamniki, a truly enchanting mountain pasture defined by a string of rustic wooden huts. Read our Pokljuka travel guide to find out how to get here.
Pokljuka is also a great place to start a number of Julian Alps hikes. From the Rudno Polje trailhead, we hiked to Viševnik and Mount Triglav.
6. Vršič Pass
The Vršič Pass (1611 meters) is the highest paved mountain pass in Slovenia. The serpentine mountain pass road connects Kranjska Gora with the Trenta Valley. There are 50 total hairpin turns, with 24 on the Kranjska Gora side and 26 on the Trenta side.
The high-mountain road across Vršič Pass is known as the Russian Road because it was originally built by Russian prisoners of war during WWI who were used as laborers in the road’s construction. The road was designed by the Austria-Hungarians to better supply the Isonzo Front.
Today, Vršič Pass is a fantastic place to start hikes to surrounding peaks. We started our multi-day trek across Triglav National Park at Vršič Pass.
The pass is only open in summer. If you’re visiting during the shoulder seasons (Spring and Fall), check the Promet website to see if the road is open.
If you’re visiting without a car, there’s a summer bus line to the pass: Kranjska Gora – Vršič Pass – Bovec. Click here for the timetable.
Best Base for Exploring Triglav National Park
Lake Bohinj
We recommend staying in the villages of Stara Fužina, Ribčev Laz or Ukanc. You can also stay in Bohinjska Bistrica, which is a bit further away, but well-connected to the lake by transit.
Lake Bohinj Campsites
- Camp Zlatorog
Budget-Friendly Accommodation around Lake Bohinj
- Hostel and Apartment Ceklin Simon in Stara Fužina
- Hostel pod Voglom in Ribčev Laz
- House Budkovič in Bohinjska Bistrica
Midrange Accommodation around Lake Bohinj
- Old Mill House in Stara Fužina
- Penzion Rožič in Ribčev Laz
- Chalet Apartments ALPIK in Ukanc
- Guesthouse Resje in Bohinjska Bistrica
Luxury Accommodation around Lake Bohinj
- Hotel Bohinj in Ribčev Laz
- Hotel Majerca in Stara Fužina
- Apartmaji Triglav in Stara Fužina
- Sunrose 7 – Heritage Boutique Hotel in Bohinjska Bistrica
- Hiša Erlah in Ukanc
Kranjska Gora
Kranjska Gora is the best base for exploring the Northern Julian Alps. You can also stay in nearby Gozd Martuljek or Mojstrana.
Budget-Friendly Accommodation around Kranjska Gora
- Apartments Smolej in Kranjska Gora
- Hostel Lukna in Mojstrana
- Planinska Koca na Gozdu near Vršič Pass
Midrange Accommodation around Kranjska Gora
- Apartments and Rooms Kaja in Kranjka Gora
- Guesthouse Veranda in Mojstrana
Luxury Accommodation around Kranjska Gora
- Jasna Chalet Resort in Kranjka Gora
- Mountain View Glamping in Mojstana
Soča Valley
We recommend staying in Bovec or Kobarid when visiting the Soča Valley.
Budget-Friendly Accommodation in the Soča Valley
- Adrenaline Check Camping in Bovec
- Premium Hostel Kobarid in Kobarid
Midrange Accommodation in the Soča Valley
- Hotel Sanje ob Soči in Bovec
- Apartments Pri nas in Kobarid
Luxury Accommodation in the Soča Valley
- Boutique Hotel Dobra Vila Bovec in Bovec
- ecoHouse FURLAN – Apartment PINJA in Kobarid
Rules for Visiting Triglav National Park
“As a unique area of protected nature in the Alps, the Triglav National Park’s priority objectives are conservation of ecosystems and natural processes, natural assets, diversity of habitats, plant and animal species, landscape quality and landscape diversity” (source).
- Respect the habitats of animals and plants.
- Camping and bivouacking outside designated areas is not permitted. Wild camping is illegal.
- Take all garbage back with you down to the valley.
- Triglav National Park trails are allowed only for hiking, not for mountain biking.
- Bathing in mountain lakes is strictly prohibited.
- Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, are restricted. You need a permit. Learn more here.
Learn more: Code of Conduct
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