This is a question we get all the time. To answer, it is essential to know exactly which trails you will be taking.

A general rule is “Every time you are hiking under a rocky wall, put on a helmet.”

The Slovenian Alps are made of limestone which increase the chances of falling rocks. Additionally, our mountains are home to chamois. These animals love steep, rocky terrain, exactly the kind you can find above numerous section of mountain trails. The sight of chamois above your trail is definitely a beautiful sight…until you are running away from the falling rocks, triggered by them.

Animals are not the only reason for falling rocks, you also need to be aware of hikers above you. Skilled hikers know how to hike/climb to reduce the chances of triggering rocks to a minimum. Inexperienced hikers don’t. Popular trails such as Mount Triglav are attempted by all types of hikers, therefore you need to be extra careful.

Do I need a helmet for Mount Triglav?

A short answer is Yes. The majority of hikers attempting to hike Mount Triglav wear a helmet, with an exception of a few irresponsible ones. No matter how experienced you are, you should always wear a helmet.

Planning a multi-day hike in a country you have never visited before is rarely easy. Insufficient, false and out of date information found on the internet can make planning the itinerary very stressful.

Self-guided hiking

Some hikers prefer to hike alone, without the company of a mountain guide. This means you have to come up with an itinerary yourself. Prepare it carefully and your hiking holidays will be enjoyable and stress-free.

Start by considering the length, difficulty and location of the hike. This should be done with the help of a detailed hiking map (at least 1:50 000). Please bear in mind that distance on the map varies depending on terrain. Some sections can be covered quickly while others take much longer. Probably the most important thing to consider is the technical difficulty of the hike. It is often hard to grasp the difficulty before you actually arrive at the surprisingly tough section.

If your hike takes place in the Alps or any other mountain regions with strong seasonal influence, time your hike wisely. In Slovenia, most mountain huts open after June 15^th. If the previous winter was generous with snow, winter equipment, such as crampons and ice axes, are required even in early July.

When your itinerary is completed, it is time to book your accommodation. In summer months, some mountain huts are fully booked several months in advance. Private rooms especially are always in high demand. Please bear in mind that some mountain huts do not accept reservations until after their opening in June.

Before you start the actual hike, closely follow the weather forecast for your specific region.

Guided hiking

Relaxing and stress-free is the best description for a guided hiking tour. Hiking guides in Slovenia are reliable and highly skilled as they have to undertake several years of training to obtain a licence. In most cases, you will be hiring the guide yourself. If you are a solo traveller, it is sometimes possible to join a group of hikers. You should contact the guide a few months in advance and tell him/her about your requirements. Rates usually start at 200€/day, excluding accommodation and food.

Combination of guided and self-guided hiking

Are you looking for an easy 5-day hut-to-hut hike in the Julian Alps, but you would still like to include Mount Triglav? It is definitely possible to combine a self-guided hike with a guided hike/climb. Many less experienced hikers opt for this combination. One way to do it is to meet with your guide at one of the mountain huts during your hike and tackle only the most challenging sections with the help of your guide. Most mountain guides will be happy to accommodate your requirements and meet at the place that is convenient for you.

We specialise in bespoke self-guided hiking itineraries. Please contact us and let us know your requirements. If you are searching for a reputable mountain guide, we will be happy to recommend one.

Triglav Lakes Valley – called also the Seven Lakes Valley is one of the Julian Alps’ best gems. It gained popularity in the 19th century and the first mountain hut was built back in 1880! The government at the time protected the valley in 1924, which is considered the year of the first national park in Slovenia. Although it is called the Seven Lakes Valley, there are actually more than seven lakes, some of them not much bigger than a pond.

How many days should one spend in the Triglav Lakes Valley?

If this is your first trip to the Valley, you will have the best experience when spending two or three days exploring its’ beauty. It can be done in one day, but allow at least 10 -12 hours for a return hike. A three-day hike can be beautifully combined with surrounding areas, such as high-mountain pastures above the lake Bohinj.
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Triglav Lodge at Kredarica

Triglav mountain is Slovenia’s national symbol and therefore on the bucket list of most Slovenians. Well-prepared hikers are able to climb it in one day, but most of the first-timer hikers rather choose to do it in two days. Triglav can be climbed using numerous trails, so it’s up to you to choose the trail that suits you best. The hardest routes start in the Vrata Valley, while the easiest are the ones from the South.

Triglav Lodge at Kredarica (Triglavski dom na Kredarici, 2515m) – 1 hour to the top of Triglav

Triglav Lodge is the closest hut to the top of Mount Triglav. It is also the biggest and most known hut in the Julian Alps and accommodates more than 340 hikers in rooms and dormitories.

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Have you heard of crowds on the Triglav mountain? Or have you climbed the Triglav yourself and it let you down? There’s always an alternative. Let us present you a great one!

Škrlatica Mountain

At 2740m above the sea level it’s the second highest mountain in Slovenia. Trust us, if Triglav is the King of the mountains, then Škrlatica is definitely the Queen. An impressive one!

Škrlatica doesn’t know crowds of unexperienced hikers like Triglav and it’s definitely not suitable for anyone. The approach is long and tiring. Before reaching the higher, steeper parts of your hike, you’re facing at least 4 hours of moderate/challenging hiking. Anyway, the views are spectacular! Want to hear the best part? The nearest mountain hut is hours away! This makes Škrlatica suitable only for experienced hikers, which puts an extra value to your hike.
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Snowshoeing is one of most relaxing winter activities. Untouched snow and serene wilderness, where you have the whole world all to yourself.
Yes, snowshoeing does have a special charm.

If you’re thinking of snowshoeing, you’re probably asking yourself many questions. Where to go, when and how?

When to go

Usually from November until March, but it all depends on the snow conditions. If you’re looking for the best snowshoeing experience, you should go soon after a snowfall, (well, not a real massive one!) ideally if the snow is dry. Snowshoeing in a wet snow might be much tougher than you imagine.

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Kamniška Bistrica valley offers a wide variety of different hikes and climbs. Some of the trails are very popular and some hidden from the crowds.

Zeleniške Špice ridge traverse is definitely among the hidden gems. The most beautiful ridge traverse in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, some say even in all the Slovenian Alps! Looking at the ridge from a distance, it seems wild and unapproachable. However, the closer you get, the more you want to admire its beauty.

However, Zeleniške Špice ridge traverse is not suitable for everyone. If you’re not an experienced hiker, choose another peak, trust me! It’s somehow reserved for alpinists and very experienced mountaineers who feel comfortable to climb II+ (UIAA) without a rope. 

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After more than a month without hiking, I was really looking forward to having a few days off to visit the Julian Alps! The weather forecast for the whole Slovenia was just perfect, so I started preparing the itinerary.

Later I got a phone call from a friend, suggesting we should go for a proper climb, instead of just hiking. I had not been climbing for a while but it was hard to say no to alpinism! My eyes were upon the highest Slovenian mountains, so we agreed to climb the South Ridge of Škrlatica (UIAA IV-/III, 350m). The approach was very long and tiring (3-4hrs), so we decided to depart a day before the climb, reach the bivouac and spend the night there. 

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