Slovenia is certainly one of my favourite nations to go to in Europe, partially as a result of it packs so many numerous landscapes into such a small space. From the Adriatic Sea to hillside vineyards to Moria-esque caves to snow-capped mountains, Slovenia truthfully has all of it!
And in terms of gorgeous surroundings, you possibly can’t actually ask for higher than what yow will discover in Triglav Nationwide Park.
Triglav Nationwide Park is Slovenia’s solely nationwide park, protecting 340 sq. miles within the northwestern a part of the nation. The park is thought for its turquoise rivers, tumbling waterfalls, and dramatic Julian Alps. It will get its identify from from Mount Triglav, the very best peak in Slovenia at 9,396 ft (2,864 meters).
It is comparatively simple to succeed in this nationwide park, too; it is only a 50-minute drive from the capital of Ljubljana, or a 10-minute drive from Lake Bled. So that you positively have to put it in your Slovenia to-do listing!
When to go to Triglav Nationwide Park
Triglav Nationwide Park is each a summer season and winter vacation spot. Throughout the summer season months, you possibly can go mountaineering, swimming, and sightseeing all through the park. And within the winter, snowboarding and different snowsports are attainable.
This publish largely focuses on issues to do in the summertime, nevertheless, as among the greatest issues to do in Triglav Nationwide Park usually are not accessible through the winter months.
High issues to do in Triglav Nationwide Park
When you’re there, listed here are all the perfect issues to do in Triglav Nationwide Park, whether or not you need to get adventurous or simply see some nice views.
1. Hike by means of Vintgar Gorge
Probably the most standard actions in Triglav Nationwide Park is mountaineering by means of Vintgar Gorge. This picturesque gorge near Lake Bled was carved out by the Radovna River, and you’ll stroll by means of it on picket boardwalks.
That is a simple hike (1 mile lengthy) that takes you alongside the turquoise-blue waters of the river gorge, previous small waterfalls and clear swimming pools. It is completely gorge-ous! (Sorry, could not resist the unhealthy pun…)
As a result of Vintgar Gorge is so standard (and in addition solely open from mid-April/early Could by means of early October annually), they do function on a timed ticket foundation. I like to recommend booking a timed ticket very first thing within the morning or later within the afternoon to keep away from among the crowds, particularly if you happen to’re visiting in the summertime.
NOTE: Nowadays, the boardwalks by means of Vintgar Gorge are one-way solely, which means you will have to hike a distinct path again to the trailhead or parking space. The stroll by means of the gorge itself takes 45-60 minutes, and then you definitely’ll need to permit no less than 1.5 hours for the stroll again, on certainly one of two trails. More info here.
2. Watersports at Lake Bohinj
Masking 790 acres, Lake Bohinj is the most important lake in Slovenia. And its location is made additional gorgeous because it’s nestled inside the Julian Alps.
The lake is a well-liked spot to go to Triglav Nationwide Park, and is a superb vacation spot for watersports, together with kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. You’ll be able to hire boats and extra on the southeast finish of the lake, or get tickets for a panoramic boat tour if that is extra your velocity. (Search for “Ladja Bohinj – Ribčev Laz” on the map for the embarkation level.)
You can too stroll a path round Lake Bohinj – be sure you cease to see the Church of St. John the Baptist, and the statue of a legendary Zlatorog, or Goldenhorn deer/ibex. And if you wish to cease for lunch right here, I cherished the views at Restavracija Kramar.
3. Journey the Vogel Cable Automobile
Need to see Lake Bohinj from one other vantage level, or maybe go for a summer season hike? You then need to catch the Vogel Cable Automobile on the southeastern finish of Lake Bohinj. This scenic cable automotive will whisk you up 3,280 ft, to the Vogel Ski Heart.
Throughout the winter, that is clearly a preferred snowboarding spot! However in the summertime, you possibly can trip the cable automotive for wonderful views and entry to alpine mountaineering trails.
You’ll be able to after all simply cease on the high cable automotive station (there is a restaurant the place you possibly can seize a snack or drink), however I like to recommend going even larger on the Orlove Glave chairlift if you happen to do not thoughts heights. This chairlift is free to trip (it is included within the worth of the cable automotive ticket), and takes you even larger up into the mountains.
From the chairlift, you possibly can even see Mount Triglav on clear days!
You will discover mountaineering trails branching off from the chairlift station, together with one which results in the highest of Mount Vogel. Nevertheless, word that that is alpine mountaineering, and you may should be correctly ready! I additionally discovered that there weren’t nice path markings or maps obtainable, so I do not suppose I might advocate mountaineering up right here for rookies.
Tickets for the Vogel Cable Car fluctuate by season, however you possibly can count on to pay between €29.50 and €32 for an grownup return ticket.
PRO TIP: If you need an ideal picture of Lake Bohinj from above, you will need to snap it from the higher cable automotive platform *earlier than* you head contained in the constructing. There unusually are not any nice viewpoints as soon as you permit this platform. Do it whenever you exit the cable automotive on the trip up!
4. Go to a waterfall (or two)
There are fairly a couple of notable waterfalls in Triglav Nationwide Park, a number of of which you’ll hike to – and even hike behind! (Enjoyable truth: the Slovene phrase for “waterfall” is “slap,” which is additional enjoyable.)
The three hottest waterfalls in Triglav Nationwide Park are:
- Pericnik Waterfall – Situated within the northern a part of the park, Slap Peričnik is comparatively near the Vintgar Gorge and Lake Bled. You’ll be able to hike as much as and proper behind the higher cascade of this waterfall; the path is reasonably steep however simple to comply with. The entire hike will take you 30-60 minutes if you happen to go behind the falls. (The waterfall is free, however you will have to pay for parking.)
- Savica Waterfall – Close to Lake Bohinj, Slap Savica is one other standard waterfall that flows down a rock wall into a reasonably pool. The hike is barely difficult with some steep sections and steps, and can take 30-60 minutes to finish. (You will have to pay for each parking and an entry price right here.)
- Kozjak Waterfall – One other stunning waterfall to go to is Slap Kozjak, which is a tall column waterfall that falls right into a turquoise pool in a bit of canyon. It is *technically* simply exterior of Triglav Nationwide Park, however I am together with it anyway. The hike to this waterfall is comparatively simple alongside a river (and consists of strolling over a bridge with wonderful views), and takes about 40 minutes round-trip. In the event you’re courageous sufficient, you possibly can even swim within the Soča River – however it’s normally very chilly! (There is a small entrance price to pay when you get near the waterfall.)
5. Go rafting on the Soca River
In the event you’re trying to get adventurous in Triglav Nationwide Park past mountaineering, you need to positively go rafting on the Soča River.
On my first journey to Slovenia, I booked the Emerald River Adventure, which is a enjoyable full-day tour that features whitewater rafting on the Soča River (in addition to some hikes and waterfalls). Whereas all the day tour is great, rafting on the Gatorade-blue river was positively the best half!
The rafting is not notably technical (the most important rapids are solely Grade 3 out of 5), however the surroundings is completely gorgeous.
6. Hike to the supply of the Soča
This was included within the Emerald River Journey tour I did, however it’s also possible to do it by yourself! The hike to the “supply” of the Soča River (the Izvir Soče) is positioned within the northern a part of Triglav Nationwide Park, and is comparatively brief (about half-hour round-trip) however distinctive.
The hike follows a small tributary river to a cave spring, and the final part of it’s arrange like a through ferrata, with cables and iron ladder-style steps that will help you skirt round rock faces. It isn’t a hike for everybody – and also you NEED good footwear for it – however it’s enjoyable if you’re ready and take it gradual.
7. Drive over the Vrsic Move
The Vršič Move is the very best mountain move in Triglav Nationwide Move, winding by means of the Julian Alps and providing up some really breathtaking views.
The move is at an altitude of over 5,200 ft, and you may attain it through a winding mountain highway with greater than 50 hairpin turns – which means this drive just isn’t for the faint of coronary heart! It is value it although.
I drove as much as the move from Kranjska Gora, after which went again the identical manner. There are a number of viewpoints and mountaineering trailheads on the way in which up, after which a parking space and extra mountaineering trails on the highest level of the Vršič Move.
In the summertime, it’s also possible to cease on the restaurant on the Tičar Lodge for a drink or meal with nice views proper on the high of the move.
Word: This highway particularly may be very standard with bike riders and common cyclists, so you will need to be additional cautious as you are taking these hairpin turns. Go gradual, and look out for bikes of all sizes and shapes!
8. Cease on the Russian Chapel
On the highway from the Vršič Move again to Kranjska Gora, you possibly can cease to see the Russian Chapel, a picturesque picket church with a barely darkish historical past.
The Vršič Move was constructed throughout World Battle I, largely utilizing the pressured labor of Russian and different Slavic prisoners of battle. Those self same prisoners constructed the Russian Chapel devoted to St. Vladimir in 1915.
Now, the church serves as a battle memorial and was declared a monument of nationwide significance in Slovenia in 2015. You’ll be able to’t go inside it, however it’s value a cease for a photograph.
Word: There is a car parking zone for the chapel simply throughout the highway, however it sits on a type of bends, so be very cautious whenever you go to cross it!
9. See Lake Jasna
Not removed from the city of Kranjska Gora within the northwest nook of Triglav Nationwide Park is one other stunning little lake value visiting: Lake Jasna. That is truly a man-made lake and it isn’t huge (you possibly can stroll round it in lower than half an hour), however it’s within the excellent place to be surrounded by dramatic Julian Alps views.
You’ll be able to take pictures on the well-known Chamois statue on the northern finish of the lake, take pleasure in a drink or meal at one of many eating places there, and even go for a swim – however know that these clear waters aren’t normally very heat!
Close to the parking space for Lake Jasna, it’s also possible to comply with a path that results in a bit of suspension bridge over the Pišnice Gorge and a few small waterfalls. Value it for a fast picture!
10. Get sporty in Kranjska Gora
Throughout the winter months, you possibly can go snowboarding within the little alpine city of Kranjska Gora. And in the summertime, the ski slopes are used for different sports activities. You are able to do some downhill and mountain biking at Bike Park Kranjska Gora or Ski Kranjska Gora. Ski Kranjska Gora additionally opens up a summer season “toboggan” run (like an alpine curler coaster, with particular person automobiles on a rail), which is enjoyable and family-friendly.
You can too wander round Kranjska Gora, which is only a actually cute alpine city. (And sure, it is technically positioned simply exterior the borders of Triglav Nationwide Park, however it’s one of many most important park bases so I am together with it!)
11. Go to Planica Nordic Centre
The Planica Nordic Centre is a large sports activities complicated with a wide range of actions, positioned simply exterior the northern fringe of Triglav Nationwide Park. Within the winter, Planica is a coaching middle for snowboarding, with ski leaping hills and intensive cross-country snowboarding trails.
Throughout the summer season, although, you possibly can take pleasure in a 1,856-foot zipline, or strive different actions like disc golf, a chairlift trip, or perhaps a wind tunnel skydiving simulation. Find more info here on all of the actions they provide.
Bonus: Border Tripoint (AT/IT/SLO)
Not removed from Kranjska Gora, you are able to do one thing tremendous distinctive and stand on the border of three nations: Slovenia, Austria, and Italy! Once more, that is exterior of the borders of the nationwide park, however shut sufficient that I need to point out it.
Marked on Google Maps as Border Tripoint (AT/IT/SLO), it is a quiet vacationer vacation spot that provides scenic views throughout all three nations. Many individuals hike up right here, however it’s also possible to drive principally all the way in which as much as the location on a gravel highway from the Slovenian facet.
There is a tripoint marker on the border – and, enjoyable truth, representatives from all three nations meet right here annually in September to rejoice the friendship between the nations.
Bonus: Journey the automotive prepare
One other distinctive factor you possibly can expertise simply exterior the boundary of Triglav Nationwide Park (this time to the south) is the trip a car-carrying prepare from Most na Soči to Bohinjska Bistrica (or vice versa).
A automotive prepare works the way in which you’d count on: you drive your automotive onto a prepare, and trip the prepare by means of the mountains. The trip takes about 35 minutes – however if you happen to drove your automotive the identical distance, it could take about 1.5 hours. I’ve achieved this earlier than, and it is a distinctive expertise!
You’ll be able to see ticket costs for the automotive prepare here, however word that you simply can’t pre-book tickets; simply present up early (no less than half-hour early in the summertime) for the time you need to trip.
How lengthy do you want in Triglav Nationwide Park?
You’ll be able to see lots in Triglav Nationwide Park in simply at some point (the Emerald River Adventure tour covers loads of the issues listed right here!), however if you wish to hit all the pieces on this listing, you will need to dedicate 2-3 days to the nationwide park.
Extra Slovenia posts you may like:
The place to remain in Triglav Nationwide Park
Slovenia is sort of a small nation, so you possibly can simply get to Triglav Nationwide Park from locations like Ljubljana or Lake Bled if you happen to do not need to e-book separate lodging.
In the event you DO need to keep in or no less than nearer to the park, nevertheless, your greatest choices are the realm round Lake Bohinj and Kranjska Gora.
Round Lake Bohinj, my high picks are:
- Hotel Bohinj – High-rated and newly renovated, with mountain views and a spa.
- Art Hotel Kristal – An alpine-style lodge set again from the lake with a great restaurant.
- Vila Park – A comfy B&B choice on the different finish of the lake, in Ukanc.
And in Kranjska Gora, my high picks are:
- Garni Hotel Miklic – High-rated alpine-style lodge with free parking and a very good breakfast.
- Skipass Hotel – A beautiful boutique lodge choice in Kranjska Gora.
For a reasonably small nationwide park in a small nation, Triglav Nationwide Park has so many distinctive issues to do and see! I completely love this nationwide park, and suppose you’ll, too!
Who’s able to plan a visit to Triglav Nationwide Park?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Harmful Enterprise Journey Weblog. She has traveled to greater than 60 nations on 6 continents from her house base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by means of the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares ideas based mostly on her private experiences and locations she’s truly traveled!
