10 Best Hiking Trails In Slovenia

1. Mount Visevnik in the Julian Alps

Mount Visevnik is a popular trekking spot within the Triglav National Park. Trekkers can choose to do an end-to-end trek from Rudno Polje or choose to do a loop around the mountain. The 11.8-km (7.33-mi) trail takes around five hours to complete. The trail can be accessed around the year but will have snow during the winter months. The most popular months for undertaking the trail are between March and October.

The trek begins near Pokljuka Sports Complex, near where you park, and you can just follow the signs to Mount Visevnik. The scenic trail passes through a larch and dwarf pine forest before you reach a plateau. From here the path narrows until you reach the summit. At the summit, you would have climbed to a height of 2,050 m (6,725.72 ft) and will be rewarded with panoramic views.

Mount Visevnik in the Julian Alps

Address: Triglav National Park

2. Velika Planina in Kamnik-Savinja Alps

Velika Planina is an alpine pasture and a plateau and a must-visit site where you can explore the herdsmen village. The best time to visit Velika Planina is during the spring and summer seasons when the plateau is blooming with vibrant flowers and you can see the herdsmen in action.

It takes approximately 3 hours to trek to the plateau from Stahovica. Trekkers can choose to spend the night in the town or drive down early from either Kamnik or Ljubljana. The trail is well-marked and is a mix of gravel roads and narrow paths between ridges. The trail is approximately 9 km (5.59 mi) one way, and if you are too tired, ride the cable car for your return journey.

At the meadow, take a breather and enjoy a packed picnic, or you could try a traditional herdsmen lunch. Visit the Chapel of Snow Mary and stop by the Cave Veternica before making your return journey.

Velika Planina in Kamnik-Savinja Alps

Address: Stahovica

Website: Velika Planina in Kamnik-Savinja Alps

3. Mount Golica in Karawanke Alps

Close to the Austrian border, Mount Golica is sure to offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience. May and June are popular months for a trek up to the summit as the fields are flush with blooming wild daffodils. It takes around 4 hours to complete the 10-km (6.21-mi) trek. While many trekkers stop at Koča na Golici, a popular rest house on the trail, you should try to go all the way up to the peak, which will take an additional 40 minutes. Lunch and washroom facilities are available at the lodge.

The most popular path begins from the village of Planina pod Golico but it takes an indirect route against the daffodil fields. However, there are divergent routes branching off from the main trail that you can follow along the way that will take you through the daffodil fields.

Mount Golica in Karawanke Alps

Address: Planina pod Golico

4. Seven Lakes Valley

Seven Lakes Valley offers numerous small and large alpine lakes. The trail leading to the valley can be accessed from within the Triglav National Park, and it can be undertaken as a day trek or a multi-day ‘hut to hut’ trek. You can begin the day trek from Planina Blato, which is the easier start point, or you can follow the more challenging trail leading from Savica Waterfall.

The Planina Blato route is approximately 7.6 km (4.72 mi) one way and takes between 3-4 hours to trek one way. Along the way, you will run into numerous rest huts, and you should stop by Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih for a delicious lunch before continuing forward. The trail passes through Planina Ovcarija and Stapce Pass, which is the highest spot on the trail.

Seven Lakes Valley

Address: Triglav National Park

5. Lovrenc Lakes

A trek to Lovrenc Lakes follows a route that leads trekkers to Lovrenška moor in the Maribor Pohorje Hills. The lakes are nestled between the Rogla Ski Resort and Ribniško Pohorje Ski Resort, with the former being the starting point of the trek. You can visit anywhere between 11 to 22 lakes that are surrounded by unique plant life such as round-leaved sundew.

Some of the lakes have wooden boards laid out by its shores that allow trekkers to safely get close to and admire the water bodies. The trail offers an easy 8.6-km (5.34-mi) trek that takes anywhere around 3.5 hours to complete.

Lovrenc Lakes

Address: Rogla Ski Resort

Website: Lovrenc Lakes

6. Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica, Lake Bled

Lake Bled and its surrounding areas are one of the top tourist sites in Slovenia. For a truly unique perspective, include a hike to Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica viewpoints on your visit to the region. The 4.7-km (2.92-mi) looping trail near Lake Bled takes trekkers to the summit of these two peaks near the lake.

The well-marked trail begins from the parking lot at Bled Jezero train station and has trekkers following a forest path. Ojstrica summit can be reached within a 20-minute climb, though the climb will be steep. However, the views you can enjoy from the top of the 611 m (2,004.59 ft) hill surely make up for it. It takes around 45 minutes to climb Mala Osojnica, and if you’re up for more adventure, you can advance to Velika Osojnica.

Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica, Lake Bled

Address: Bled Jezero Railway Station

Website: Ojstrica and Mala Osojnica

7. Mount Vogel in Lake Bohinj

A hike up to Mount Vogel offers some of the best views of Lake Bohinj, the largest lake in Slovenia. Trekkers can opt for an easy trek route where they first ride a cable car to Vogel Ski Resort, and then follow a 1.4-km (0.87-mi) looped trail. Informational boards are placed along the route and provide an overview of the region and its history. This route is suitable for families traveling with children.

The longer 11.1-km (6.90-mi) looped trail takes hikers first to Mount Sija followed by Mount Rodica (optional) and ending at Mount Vogel. Your return route will take you through Planina Zadnji Vogel where you can rest and enjoy a simple lunch before returning to the resort.

Hike to Mount Vogel

Address: Vogel Ski Resort, Ukanc

Website: Mount Vogel in Lake Bohinj

8. The Logar Valley Trail

This scenic trail is not only easy but allows trekkers to experience various landscapes of Slovenia. The trek begins at Logar Farm and takes visitors through lush meadows and past gurgling streams to reach Rinka Waterfall. The trail is 7 km (4.35 mi) one way and can be accessed from numerous spots around the valley. Depending on your pace, it can take around 3 hours one way, but you can extend it into a day trip if you want to stop and explore the attractions.

The trail passes through Logar Valley Landscape Park, where you can stop to admire century-old Logar linden trees and cottages.

The Logar Valley Trail

Address: Logar Farm

Website: The Logar Valley Trail

9. The Soča Trail

This trail is a part of the 640-km (397.68-mi) Alpe-Adria Trail that goes through Slovenia, Austria, and Italy. The Soča Trail is a shorter 25-km (15.53-mi) one-way hike that takes hikers through the Triglav National Park along the Soča River. The hike begins at the source of the river and ends in the town of Bovec.

The best way to reach the source is via an early morning bus from Bovec. It is not recommended to trek from the town to the source as it would be an uphill climb. This is a moderate-level trek and does require a basic level of fitness to complete. Make sure to stop and admire the waters of the river, and you can even take a quick dip to cool off.

The Soča Trail

Address: Bovec

10. Rog Hiking Trail

The Rog or Roška trail is a looped trail that measures about 60 km (37.28 mi) and begins from Lake Kočevje. This trail was designed by forester Anton Prelesnik and is marked by bear paw prints on trees. The trail is divided into three sections of roughly 20 km (12.43 mi) each and is usually completed over the course of three days. The simple forest huts along the way can be used to rest and spend the night.

This multi-day trek allows visitors a chance to explore the pristine Pugled-Žiben Forest Reserve. Since you will be deep in the forest, you are not likely to encounter many trekkers and it is advisable to take a guide along with you if you are not familiar with the area. The trail offers a difficult trek and is only recommended for experienced trekkers.

Rog Hiking Trail

Address: Lake Kočevje

Add hiking in Slovenia to your bucket list

Slovenia is an underrated Central European country that will be fun to explore. The country is home to verdant forests and pristine lakes which can easily be explored on foot. For details on the best hiking spots in the country, refer to the above list of the best hiking trails in Slovenia.