Even if you are visiting Slovenia only for a few days, there are some hikes you can’t miss !
You will have breathtaking views of the many lakes, gorges and the stunning waterfalls.
So here is my top 5 hikes to do in Slovenia.
- Ojstrica & Mala Osojnica
- Vintgar Gorge
- Savica waterfall
- Tolmin gorge
- Soča River Viewpoint
When coming to Lake Bled, you can of course take the path around the lake, which is a 6km-loop (1,5 hours) offering beautiful views of the lake and of the Church of Mary the Queen standing on a tiny island in the middle of the lake.
But if you are interested in seeing the lake from a higher viewpoint, I definitely recommend following the Ojstrica trail. It is a 15 minutes hike uphill (but fairly easy), offering stunning views like this :
There is another trail in the same area, called Mala Osojnica. This one is slightly longer than Ojstrica (30 minutes), but once at the top you will get panoramic views of the lake, castle, and surrounding mountains.
Another beautiful and easy trail to take is at the Vintgar Gorge. There is a very well maintained 1,6km wooden boardwalk along the Radovna River, which is around one hour. You will be surrounded by waterfalls and limestone cliffs, don’t forget to bring a raincoat as you will get wet with all the waterfalls on the way !.
Entrance fee : 10€
Opening hours : It depends on the season, but usually it is open everyday from 9am to 5-6pm but check on their website beforehand. It closes during winter.
Not far from Lake Bohinj is the Savica Waterfall, a strong and impressive 78-meters high waterfall in Triglav National Park. The hike to get to the cascade is quite short (there are some steps as well), less than 20 minutes, and same on the way back, as it is not a loop. Again, bring a raincoat and a hat, as there is a high chance you will get wet !
Definitely worth it to see such a tremendous waterfall !
Entrance fee : 4€ for adults, 2,5€ for students and seniors
Opening hours : A bit unclear, but usually from 10am to 6pm, and from 7am to 10pm in July and August.
Tolmin Gorge is the lowest point of Triglav National Park and a beautiful gorge with turquoise waters and rocky walls. A loop trail will guide you through to the Devil’s Bridge, Bear’s Head rock formation (see picture 2), and thermal springs, for about 1,5 hours.
Entrance fee : 6€ for adults, 5€ for students and seniors during March, April, October and November. In May, June and September it is 8€ for adults and 6€ for students and seniors. Finally, in July and August it is 10€ for adults and 8€ for students and seniors.
Opening hours : Closed from November to March, otherwise it is open from 9am to at least 5pm, but it depends on the months, for more details check the official website page here.
The Soča River Viewpoint is another great spot in the Slovenian countryside. There is a trail all along the river to enjoy the views and surrounding landscape, and a few suspension bridges add a bit of an adventure to the walk ! The walk takes about an hour and is fairly easy.
If you are looking for more hikes to do during your stay in Slovenia, here are some additional suggestions :
- Velika Planina Alpine Pastures : An easy walk through the beautiful alpine meadows with traditional shepherd huts and stunning mountain views, which takes about 2 hours.
- Pokljuka Plateau : One to two hours long paths, in the forest and prairies.
- Šmarna Gora : A popular local hike with beautiful views over Ljubljana at the summit. The trail is about 45 minutes each way.
- Sečovlje Salina Nature Park : If you visit Piran and have some time on your hands, take a stroll through salt flats at Sečovlje Salina Nature Park.
That’s it for my hikes recommendations in Slovenia !
If you plan of visiting the country, here’s an article detailing everything you need to know before going to Slovenia, and for a detailed itinerary you can check out my ultimate itinerary in Slovenia.
