Alpine Hut-to-hut Hiking
Tour details
- Hiking Slovenia – join us on this epic trek through the heart of the majestic Julian Alps, Slovenia’s prime outdoor playground.
- Exploring Bled, one of Europe’s most scenic spots. The bell tower of the 12th century pilgrimage church rises proudly from a tiny storybook islet in the middle of the lake, guarded by the medieval castle perched high atop a cliff.
- The Triglav Lakes Valley, with its glacial lakes and ponds, is known as one of the most beautiful parts of the Julian Alps.
- Summit 6600 ft / 2000 m+ peaks with incredible views and experience the unspoiled alpine scenery.
- The panoramic Vogel plateau above Bohinj Lake offers magnificent vistas towards the Julian Alps and the Pokljuka plateau.
- Enjoyable walking adventures in pristine nature on scenic, safe and well-maintained hiking trails on flat to rolling and occasionally challenging terrain.
- The emerald-green Soca River – today the river’s pristine waters and beautiful surroundings make it one of Slovenia’s greatest natural treasures.
- Slovenia’s most scenic mountain road through Vrsic Pass, which offers breathtaking views of snow-topped mountain peaks.
- Exploring the charming village of Kranjska Gora.
- Lodging in charmingly rustic mountain huts with hot showers and comfortable nights in double or triple rooms, depending on availability.
- Experiencing the highland cheese-making culture, marveling at wildflowers and catching a glimpse of the magnificent and rare Alpine ibex.
- From late June to September.
· 6 nights accommodation in mountain huts
· 7 breakfasts
Itinerary
| Day 1 | Start in Bled - hike Pokljuka plateau - Vodnik hut |
| Day 2 | Hike Vodnik hut - Triglav Lakes hut |
| Day 3 | Hike Triglav Lakes Valley loop |
| Day 4 | Hike Triglav Lakes hut - Komna hut |
| Day 5 | Hike Komna hut - Krn Lakes hut |
| Day 6 | Hike Krn Lakes hut - Soca Valley trail - Vrsic pass |
| Day 7 | Hike Vrsic pass - Sleme mountain - Kranjska Gora village - transfer to Ljubljana |
| Possible extension of your stay in Kranjska Gora. |
Detailed itinerary
DAY 1 Bled – Pokljuka plateau – Vodnik hut (5961ft / 1817m)
Wooden shepherds’ cottages that look like something straight out of the Grimm’s Hansel and Gretel fairy tale.
Walk – moderate, 4-5 hours, 5mi (8km), altitude gain 2050ft (625m)
(optional extra loop to Tosc adds 1.5 hours, 1.7mi/2.8km, 1250ft/379m)
We meet in Bled (or optional in Ljubljana), one of Europe’s most scenic spots. Bled’s picture-perfect setting sets the tone for your visit in Slovenia. The bell tower of a 12th-century pilgrimage church rises proudly from a tiny storybook islet in the middle of the lake, guarded by the medieval castle perched high atop the cliffs. You can choose to spend the night before the start of the tour here or in the vibrant capital city of Ljubljana.
In the morning we first meet for a brief orientation and then an organised shuttle will take you to Pokljuka plateau, located at the foothills of the Julian Alps, to start your tour with a short warm-up hike. The hike starts at Rudno polje, where the Biathlon World Cup takes place every year. You continue on forest trails, passing green meadows with grazing cattle. Pause to take a photo of the wooden shepherds’ cottages that look like something straight out of a fairy tale and try some traditional apple strudel. Walking along the mountain ridges by Mt. Triglav you’ll enjoy some of the most dramatic views in these parts of the Alps. The night is spent just beneath these towering giants.
Accommodation in mountain hut Vodnikov dom.
DAY 2 Vodnik hut – Seven Triglav Lakes hut (5521ft / 1683m)
The crystal clear waters of the largest of the seven lakes.
Walk – moderate to challenging, 6-7 hours, 8mi (13km), altitude gain 2270 ft (694m)
Today you’ll hike further into the heart of the Julian Alps. Passing the Hribarice mountain pass (7781ft/2358m), you enter into one of the most beautiful high-altitude alpine valleys at the foothills of Mt. Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak. Colorful alpine flowers carpet the valley floor – Zois bellflower, Carniolan Lily, Erica, Gentian … With some luck you can even spot the elusive Edelweiss. Stop for lunch at a mountain hut along the trail and see if you can spot the untamed chamois sunbathing on the bare Karst rocks. Beautiful hike traversing the Triglav Lakes Valley on mountain trails with 6600ft/2000m peaks on your left, the vast green mountain plateau of Komna on your right and the trail snaking past the seven small lakes that give the valley its name. Tonight you spend a night in the Triglav Lakes Valley right by one of the lakes. End the day with a warm cup of herbal tea and a hearty mountain barley soup with sausage.
Accommodation in mountain hut Koca pri Triglavskih jezerih.
DAY 3 Alpine meadows loop and Mount Ticarica (6834ft / 2071m)
Blooming meadows with Mt. Ticarica in the distance.
Walk – moderate, 6 hours, 6.8mi (10km), 1500ft (480m)
(optional Mt.Ticarica loop adds 0.9mi/1.5km and 660ft/200m)
You’ll wake up surrounded by the serenity of the mountains. Enjoy a short walk along a small lake surrounded by larch forest and start ascending, eventually reaching the tree line and continuing your hike on limestone rock. Reaching the peak of Mt. Ticarica (6834ft/2071m), a majestic view opens up as the Triglav Lakes Valley unfurls beneath us and Mt. Krn looms in the distance. Hiking through alpine meadows is the best way to get a feel for the traditional herding lifestyle that still exists in this region, with shepherds spending whole summers looking after their animals in the mountains and making great local dairy products. Explore the shepherds’ traditional way of life and stop for lunch to taste the local delicacies, such as ricotta cheese, hearty mountain soup with vegetables, homemade tea and honey brandy. With some luck the shepherds might also expand the bellows of their accordions and play some traditional alpine tunes.
Accommodation in mountain hut Koca pri Triglavskih jezerih.
DAY 4 Seven Triglav Lakes hut – Komna hut (4986ft / 1520m)
Happy hikers with amazing views in the heart of Julian Alps.
Walk – moderate, 4-5 hours, 4.4mi (7.1km), altitude gain 820ft (250m)
Today you’ll hike along the ridge of the Komna plateau, with craggy limestone rocks to the right and spectacular views towards the glacial Bohinj Lake to the left. After the morning hike we reach Komna plateau on the dramatic western side of the lake. This is the mythical home of Zlatorog (“Goldenhorn”), an ibex buck with golden horns who holds the keys to a golden treasure and lives in these mountains according to local legend. This area is known to the locals as the “Kingdom of the Goldenhorn”. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon in the tranquility of nature or opt for some more hiking on the nearby alpine meadows of Planina Govnjac. Perhaps try a goulash stew with polenta tonight.
Accommodation in mountain hut Dom na Komni.
DAY 5 Komna hut – Krn Lakes hut (4543ft / 1385m)
Today’s hike will take you to Krn lake and picturesque views in the heart of Julian Alps.
Walk – easy to moderate, 4 hours, 5.6mi (9km), descent 660ft (200m)
(optional extra loop to Mt. Lanzevica, adds 2 hours, 2.5mi/4km and 660ft/200m)
Today you’ll traverse to the southwestern Julian Alps, where the Mediterranean influence can be noticed in local heritage, cuisine and culture. You will be hiking on trails where Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops fought at the Isonzo Front during World War I, setting the scene for Ernest Hemingway’s novel A Farewell to Arms. Following an old trading route past shacks that served as makeshift hospitals during the war brings the region’s recent history to life. This remote area is home to beautiful mountain flowers and highland pastures. The cattle grazing in this pristine highland environment produces uniquely delicious goat and sheep cheese – make sure to stop by a shepherd’s cottage and try it! You can opt for an additional round-trip hike to Mt. Lanzevica or descend to Lake Krn and rest your weary feet on the sunny shores of the lake.
Accommodation in mountain hut Planinski dom pri Krnskih jezerih.
DAY 6 Krn Lakes hut – Soca Valley – Vrsic pass
The emerald Soca river is considered to be one of the most beautiful and pure Alpine rivers.
Walk – moderate, 6-7 hours, 7.2mi (11.7km), altitude gain 420ft (130m), descent 3460ft (1050m)
This morning you’ll descend towards Lepena Valley, where the confluence of two rivers created the stunning gorge of Sunikov vodni gaj. In this nature’s playground small waterfalls fill ponds and small lakes along a rustic forest trail. Time to try some well-deserved local specialties of the Soca Valley, such as compe (pronounced “chompeah”), freshwater trout and dumplings filled with fresh cheese or minced meat. After lunch you’ll hike upstream the Soca River. The waters of this emerald beauty are an adventure paradise for white-water rafting and kayaking aficionados, yet its serene setting and deep turquoise color seduces every romantic soul. You can hike all the way up to Vrsic pass (5316ft / 1611m), or cover some distance by taking a local bus on one of the most beautiful mountain roads in Europe (our representative will lay out all the options for you at your welcome meeting). Its hairpin turns are offering astonishing views of exquisite alpine scenery. This winding mountain road, following the twists and turns of an earlier trading route, was built for military purposes by Russian prisoners of war during the First World War. The border between Italy and Yugoslavia used to run through Vrsic Pass and nowadays the road sets the bar of endurance for eager road cyclists. We spend the night surrounded by the looming peaks of Mojstrovka and Prisojnik and enjoy the traditional highland dinner of jota, a stew made of sauerkraut, brown beans, potatoes and sausage.
Accommodation in one of the mountain huts at Vrsic pass.
DAY 7 Vrsic pass – Mount Sleme (6269ft / 1911m) – Kranjska Gora – Ljubljana
Small alpine lakes at Sleme peak.
Walk – moderate, 4-5 hours, 5.6mi (9km), altitude gain 1300ft (400m)
From Vrsic Pass you’ll do a morning hike to Sleme peak where you can enjoy a picnic lunch with sweeping views of the Julian Alps. In the afternoon descend to Kranjska Gora, a ski resort that hosts the annual FIS Ski World Cup, only a step away from the Italian and Austrian border.
Transfer to Ljubljana. Or opt to extend your tour another night in Kranjska Gora and try various culinary delicacies that blend the traditions and tastes of the three neighboring countries into a unique gastronomy.
Notes:
- accommodation in the huts are dormitory style (2/4/6 beds in a bedroom, shared bathrooms), some huts offer showers, all huts offers dinner – please contact us for more information.
Read – Why Alpine hut-to-hut hiking should be your next comfortable adventure.
Read about hiking in Slovenia.
More about Triglav National park, Slovenia’s prime outdoor playground.
Trip impressions
Thea O., Denmark
Ed B., Doug H. & Anthony H., Massachusetts, USA
Stacy G. & David T., Arizona, USA
Lesley E., Calgary, Canada
Jonathan B., Miami, USA
Michael C. with a group of friends, New York, USA
Eric G., Washington, USA
Ting S., Malaysia
Tan S. with a group of friends, Singapore
Eloise K. and Mary S., North Carolina, USA
Heather & Adam L., Florida, USA
Hanna D., Queensland, Australia
Troy, California, USA
Diane B., USA
Neal and Janet, Virginia USA
Info
Frequently asked questions
A mountain hut is a building located high in the mountains, generally accessible only by foot, intended to provide food and shelter to mountaineers, climbers and hikers. Let us also give you a bit of background information about mountain huts in Slovenia. The first mountain hut built in Slovenia was Koča na Podih, under Mt Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak. It was built in 1871 and in use only for 5 years. Therefore we say that the oldest mountain hut in Slovenia is Koča na Klemenči jami (1208 m) at Klemenškova plain bellow Ojstrica mountain, located in Kamnik – Savinja Alps, above Logar Valley. Local alpine club in 1954 remodelled an older shepherd’s home, dating from 1832. The hut still operates today.
Mountain huts in Slovenia are regulated by Alpine Association of Slovenia and operated by local Alpine Clubs. One need to keep in mind that the primary purpose of a mountain hut, is to provide shelter and basic food. Therefore, lodging is Slovenian mountain huts is simple, yet clean and with welcoming warm-hearted staff.
When is the best time to do hut to hut hiking in Slovenia?
Best time for hiking in Slovenian mountains is from the end of June till the end of September. Before/after this period you can encounter snow on the trails in high Alps and there’s a higher chance of rain. Also, majority of the mountain huts are closed before/after this time.
What are the huts like?
Our huts are simple, but clean. Some may be in very remote areas, hard to access (some only with a helicopter) and may be poorly staffed, while others may have better connections to the valley and a lot of staff and can therefore prepare meals and drinks and offer various services.
What are bathrooms and restrooms like? Are there hot showers available?
It depends from hut to hut, its location and water supply. All huts have in-house shared bathrooms (no private rooms with bathroom). Some huts offer warm showers, whilst others may only have a simple washroom, where you can refresh yourself. Restrooms are normally inside the hut, but that is not always the case in our Alps. Please contact us if you have specific questions.
What type lodging (sleeping areas) is there?
All huts offer dormitory style sleeping (multiple beds in one room). Some also offer private rooms (double/triple/quadruple), yet these are very limited and are on “first come, first serve” basis. When you book with us, there is a higher chance that you will get a private room, as they really go fast.
Although huts do offer disposable sheets (extra cost), we highly recommend to bring your own personal sleeping bag liner as those are usually a lot more comfortable and don’t take a lot of space in your backpack.
NOTE: Due to Covid-19 all Slovenian huts are restricted in offering any shared style of accommodation. Therefore dormitories will be treated as private rooms and will be on “first come, first serve” basis, as other private rooms. Therefore, total number of beds at mountain huts will be much lower than usually. We strongly advise you to book with us SOON, to make sure that there will be a bed waiting for you at the end of the hike.
Do they offer any food and drinks?
Huts daily prepare a variety of food you can choose from. From breakfast, lunch and dinner. Meals are generally simple and hearty. Breakfast, for example, would be tea (or coffee), bread with butter and honey, or scrambled eggs, or ham & cheese sandwich. For lunch and dinner they’ll often times prepare traditional Slovenian stews, like ričet (vegetable barley soup) or jota (turnip, beans and potatoes). For desert sirovi štruklji (cheese dumplings) or jabolčni štrudelj (apple strudel).
Can I pay with credit card?
No. Huts only accept cash. Official Slovenian currency is EURO. You can withdraw money at any ATM in the towns, cities before the start of your hike.
Is there wifi?
No. Please keep in mind also that most huts may have poor phone signal also. Therefore your “data plan” most likely will not work. You will be able to dial emergency number (112 in Slovenia) if needed, but other that that, it can be challenging. Text messages are more likely to get through. It’s time to hike and enjoy the nature and talk to fellow travellers.
How far apart are the huts?
This really depends on the area where you are hiking. However, on average, the huts on our Hut-to-hut itinerary are 4 – 5 hours of walking apart one from the other, some of them even 6 – 7 hours of walking apart.
If I decide to do a self guided hike in Slovenian mountains, what service, information and materials do I get if I book the trip with you (TrekTrek)?
First, we’ll make sure, that we understand your interests. Whether it is a pre-existing trip that we offer online that you like, or a custom itinerary that we would plan out with you individually, according to your fitness level, time of visit and your preferences.
At the time of booking, we provide you with outlined itinerary and arrange all lodging and private transfers for you. We also send you a suggested reading list, so you can start visualising some of the hikes and day-dreaming about your next adventure (this is allowed even during Covid times). A month out before the start of your trip, we will send you additional trip information and a suggested packing list, so you can start preparing for your upcoming hiking vacation.
Upon arrival to Slovenia, you will meet with our representative for a trip orientation meeting and you get also a complete trip dossier, topographic and other maps of Slovenia and hiking area, and GPX routes (that you can import into your gps device – our guide can help you with that). What has worked best in the past on our self-guided trips, was the use of maps and navigation devices. A gps track is easy to follow and at the same time you can track the distance & elevation of your hike. Gps tracks can be uploaded to your personal navigation device or even smart phone (we advise you to bring an external portable power bank with a minimum of 10000mAh). You can ask all last-minute questions or anything else that comes to mind at the time.
What is the easiest way to come to Slovenia?
Slovenia is in the heart of Europe and easily accessible by car, train or flight. You can fly into Ljubljana airport (20 min drive to Ljubljana city and 20 min drive to Bled Lake) or other nearby airports, like Venice (2.5 hours drive to Ljubljana), Trieste (1.5 hours to Ljubljana), Zagreb (1.5 hours to Ljubljana), or Vienna (3.5 hours to Ljubljana).
Where can I check the weather forecast?
At the mountain hut feel free to ask a hut-keeper about the most updated weather forecast.
Also feel free to check the current weather forecast at the following links:
Ljubljana: https://www.yr.no/place/Slovenia/Ljubljana/Ljubljana/
Triglav National Park (Julian Alps): https://www.yr.no/place/Slovenia/Bohinj/Triglav_Nacionalni_Park/
Bovec, Soca Valley: https://www.yr.no/place/Slovenia/Bovec/Bovec/
Bohinj Lake: https://www.yr.no/place/Slovenia/Bohinj/Lake_Bohinj/?spr=eng
You can also check some live webcams here:
Bohinj Lake: https://www.whatsupcams.com/sl/webcams/slovenija-sl/gorenjska-sl/bohinj-sl/bohinjsko-jezero-ribcev-laz/
Kranjska Gora: https://www.whatsupcams.com/sl/webcams/slovenija-sl/gorenjska-sl/kranjska-gora-sl/smucisce-kranjska-gora-mojca-rozle/
Price
INCLUDED:
- Transfer on Day 1 to the start of the hike from Ljubljana (or Bled) to Rudno polje,
- Transfer on Day 7 at the end of the trip from Kranjska Gora to Ljubljana,
- Luggage transfer to the end of the hike (luggage transfer between huts is not possible),
- 6 overnight in mountain huts (dormitory style) surrounded by Alpine peaks,
- Meals included: All breakfasts at huts,
- Supporting materials for self-guided trip,
- Organization of the trip,
- Welcome meeting,
- 24/7 phone support,
- VAT.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Transport to and from Slovenia,
- Snacks, lunches, dinners, all drinks,
- Medical expenses, personal expenses and optional activities, insurance of any kind.
Optional extras:
- Airport pick up/drop off (can be arranged),
- Pre & post nights not mentioned in the program,
- Single room supplement,
- Transfers not mentioned in the program,
- Extra activities not mentioned in the program,
- Hiking poles can be rented upon request.
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