Slovenia isn’t short of natural beauty, there are mountains, alpine lakes, gorges, clear rivers and waterfalls. During our road trip in Slovenia one place that really stood out was Triglav National Park with its stunning Lake Bohinj and multiple hikes all around.
We’re not sure how it happened but somehow we turned into a National Park couple. Honestly we did not see it coming because we started as a music festival couple. Triglav National Park was our seventh National Park in the Balkans and was Karma’s second National Park. At the time of the visit, she was around 8 months old.
Hiking Trails in Triglav National Park, Slovenia
[toc]
The Soča Trail
Soča Trail, Triglav National Park, Slovenia
This 25km trail has a TON of things to see. It is an excellent choice for families or solo hiking enthusiasts alike. The Soča Trail (or Soška pot as it is known locally) follows the picturesque turquoise alpine river of the same name from Trenta to Bovec. This is definitely one of Europe’s hidden gems.
It takes an estimated seven hours to hike the whole Soča trail but if you are limited on time, you can choose a section of the river that interests you the most and spend the day at the amenities surrounding it. This is why the Soča trail is a bucket list worthy item for adventurous families.
There are maps and information boards sprinkled around the trail to guide you on all of the attractions that are located in your area of the river.
Mostnica Gorge Trail
Mostnica Gorge train, Triglav National Park, Slovenia
If you are looking for a scenic and relaxing trail, head towards Mostnica Gorge. This relatively short 2 hour hike will take you on a mild trip through Voje Valley to Mostnica Falls. Consider taking this hike in autumn as it is especially beautiful due to the leaves changing colour from green to their warmer hues.
This hike can be started at Stara Fužina near Lake Bohinj and has a handful of detours to customize your visit to the Mostnica Gorge. Voje Valley itself is a glorious example of the natural beauty of Slovenia and you can continue on through to view the 21m waterfall.
A lot of people also highly recommend a stop at the Voje Waterfall Alpine Hut to have a short rest and refuel on delicious local dishes before retracing your steps back home.
Triglavska Bistrica River Trail, Triglav National Park
The Triglavska Bistrica Trail is another mellow hiking trail that allows you to tour the breathtaking alpine terrain of Triglav National Park. The path lies parallel to the Triglavska Bistrica River and leads you from the Slovenian Alpine Museum to the Vrata Valley.
A trip to the Vrata Valley is not one that you want to miss. The trail up to Triglav from the Vrata Valley is a challenge but that doesn’t mean you have to skip a hike through this magnificent karst plain, which is possibly the most stunning plain in Slovenia.
Tolmin Gorges of Tolminka River
Tolmin Gorge, Triglav National Park Hiking Trails, Slovenia
While in Triglav National Park, a visit to the natural wonder or the Tolmin Gorges is a must. The short circuit around the canyon allows visitors to safely view some of Trigalv’s most unique sites. Some say that Dante’s Inferno was influenced by a visit to the area around Tolminka River and there is even a cave that you can stop at that is named after him.
Tolmin Gorges Hiking trail, Triglav National Park, Slovenia
Tolmin Gorge is often compared to other canyons such as the Vintgar Gorge near Bled. Much like other sites in Triglav and the charming Lake Bohinj, the Tolmin Gorges are often much less crowded. Giving you and your family more space to discover all the secrets that they hold.
Goreljek Bog Nature Trail
The Pokljuka forests are a protected wetland that is located atop a karst plateau in Triglav. This area draws visitors to it due to its incredible scenery which has resulted in some serious damage to the bog itself. You can now hike the trail that has been made in order to protect the ecosystem in these parts.
Goreljek bog is now the site of a trail that lets you experience this environment without risking more damage to the rest of the boglands that are in Triglav National Park. The short, 1km, circular trail is equipped with sturdy passages and information boards in order to educate its passengers about the peat boglands and the factors that put them in danger.
If you are looking for a breezy hike with sublime views, then you should consider taking the Planica Tamar trail. Expect a pleasant, gravel-laid trail to take you through a remarkable glacial u-shaped valley.
Throughout the trail, you will find information boards depicting the process in which the Planica was created. In the Pleistocene Period; which ended almost 12,000 years ago; they believe that a slow-moving glacier carved out the valley that you can now see today.
Mount Triglav Hiking Trails
Mount Triglav, Triglav National Park, Slovenia
There are many ways to go about hiking the highest peak of the Julian Alps and the namesake of Triglav National Park. Each route ranges in difficulty level and offers their own unique journey to the peak of Mt. Triglav.
Most of these trails can be reached by connecting with a few of the other routes that we have already spoken about. This makes it easy to link your hiking trails and make the most out of your trip to Triglav.
Climbing Mount Triglav is not a task that should be taken lightly, so please make sure to choose the best trail for your abilities and timeframe. All of these generally include needing to stay the night at a mountain hut or dom, which we speak a bit more about later on.
The trail led from Krma Valley is the most popular trail and arguably the most undemanding way to get to the top of Triglav. It takes an average of 14 hours to reach the summit which should be split into two days. This hike is recommended for travellers wanting to hike with their family or those that are less experienced hikers.
You will need very basic technical equipment which you can rent on site and is used to ensure your safety when traversing the via ferrata to the peak. Climbing Triglav from Krma Valley is also a first choice for those wanting to ascend the mountain in the wintertime due to its low technicality which means that choosing this trail is one of the safest and ideal for any time of year.
Climbing Triglav from Vrata Valley
The Mountains above Vrata Valley, Slovenia
From the easiest to the hardest Triglav mountain trail, the route from Vrata Valley is not for the faint of heart. The Vrata Valley trail is deemed the most difficult due to the steep ascension and the task of navigating a 1500 m via ferrata.
Again, it is recommended that you take the hike in two days with a night spent in a comfortable dom to help you regain the energy to take on the second day. The average time that it takes to get to the top of Mount Triglav is approximately 16 hours.
The hard work and stamina that you would put into this trail wouldn’t be for nothing as the Vrata Valley is one of the most impressive and picturesque valleys in Slovenia.
Most people know this as the Valley of the Seven Lakes and often travel on this route just to see the gorgeous emerald pools. This path extends off of the trail to the Savica Waterfall which we have spoken about in our post about Lake Bohinj.
As far as using this trail to get to the Mount Triglav’s summit, it is great for those wanting a longer, more scenic hike. Many travelers choose to hike through Blato Meadow in order to get those epic views throughout the adventure with a variety of different terrain the more elevated you go.
Climbing Triglav from the Valley of the Seven lakes is no easy feat and takes up to 19 hours to complete. It is recommended to split this hike into two days and even three if you are wanting to really take you time to appreciate the natural wonders that this hiking trail has in store.
Climbing Triglav from Zadnjica Valley
Zadnjica Valley, Slovenia
Taking the route starting from Zadnjica Valley is considered an excellent choice for beginner hikers. This trail is easy strolling until the last hour which can be a bit intense but safe for any level. It is much shorter than the others, taking only about 10 hours to complete.
This trail is loaded with some incredible views of the Zadnjica Valley. History buffs however, will also enjoy learning about some of the paths on this trail that were built during the first World War.
Once again, despite it being such a short journey, it is recommended to rest at one of the mountain huts along your way so that you can have the best possible experience on this hike.
There are numerous epic mountain biking trails around Triglav but very few cycling routes. This might be the result of Triglav being the epicenter of the mountainous Julian Alps but there are a couple of trips worth checking out for any cycling enthusiasts.
Radovna Cycle Route
The Radovna Cycle Route is proudly named the first route in Triglav National Park. It spans a total of 16km one way and ranges in terrain as you travel through the Radovna Valley. This route also allows you to reach and connect to the Krma Valley.
Planning a trip on the Radovna Cycle route is a perfect plan for a day during a family vacation. You can stop in Radovna for lunch and effortlessly bike the trail, enjoying the magnificent landscapes around Triglav.
Bohinj Cycle Route
There are many cycling routes around Lake Bohinj but the most popular one takes you from Bohinjska Bistrica alongside the Sava River to Stara Fužina and furthermore to Srednja vas. This 11km trail offers a diverse track that is easy enough for a family and an enjoyable trail to follow to do some sightseeing around Lake Bohinj.
Camping in Triglav National Park
A caravan parked next to Lake Bohinj in Slovenia
You might think it would be a fun time to camp in the wild while exploring all the trails that Triglav National Park has to offer. Wild camping is actually forbidden in an effort to preserve the natural beauty of the park but you do have a few other options.
Camp Bohinj Zlatorog
Small pier at Camp Zlatorog Bohinj – Lake Bohinj, Slovenia
The first option is to camp in a campsite around Lake Bohinj. We camped at Camp Zlatorog Bohinj and had such a great experience there because you get to camp next to one of the most beautiful lakes in Europe. At the site, they have spots set up for trailers and vans like we had or tent camping if you would prefer. They also have clean facilities, a restaurant, and even a park for children to safely play at.
Many of the trails around Lake Bohinj are accessible from Camp Zlatorog Bohinj, specifically being a great starting point for Savica Waterfalls, the Mostnica Gorge, and the Valley of the Seven Lakes Trail.
While this doesn’t necessarily include camping, it is an option if you find yourself stuck on a trail within the park during sunset. There are multiple huts (or doms) scattered around Triglav National Park where you can stop at to take a break, grab a warm coffee and shower, and even rest for the night.
Some people have reported being able to sleep in their sleeping bag outside the huts but do this at your own discretion. We recommend either pre-booking a bed in one of the huts or staying in a mandated camping area.
Hiking Safety while in Triglav National Park
A lot of these tips are no-brainers but we want to reiterate the importance of safe practices while hiking the incredible trails in and around Triglav National Park. The last thing you want is to have your vacation ruined because you might not have been aware of a few of these things.
Check the weather
Most of the trails are closed or not recommended to visit during the colder season that occurs from December to February. You also want to be aware of any rain that might create a hazardous hiking experience and pack accordingly to the change in temperatures as you ascend to the peaks.
Be cautious about the trails you are taking
Make sure you are staying on well-known, established trails. Going off the beaten path is fun but in Triglav, it can be incredibly dangerous the more elevated you are. Along with this, ensure you have all the proper equipment you may need for your hike. Climbing shoes are a must but some more advanced trails may also require a specific amount of hiking and climbing gear to assist you.
Think smart about your health
There are numerous exhilarating trails around Triglav National Park with a range of difficulties. Be honest with yourself about how mentally and physically capable you are and choose a trail on par with your capacity. Equip yourself with a sufficient amount of water for yourself, especially in the warmer months.
Did follow our hiking recommendations for Triglav National Park?
Tag @drifterplanet on Instagram and hashtag it #drifterplanet. We will be happy to share your journey with our audience.
PS: Drifter Planet contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we will earn a little commission at no extra cost to you. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Namaste, Guten Tag!
I'm Sonal from India, living in Germany and exploring Europe. I've been writing about my travels since 2015. I often travel alone (and sometimes with family of 3).
I love European city breaks, nature, adventure, hiking to viewpoints, Yoga, and road trips. I have a think for creating the most amazing travel itineraries and in-depth destination guides which will help you make the most of your trip.
