Slovenia hiking is the best-kept secret in the mountains of Europe, and it won’t stay that way for long. Picture pale limestone peaks, emerald rivers you can swim in, alpine pastures where the herders sell you cheese, and lakes so blue they look edited.
I fell in love with Slovenia almost instantly. I’ve hiked in Triglav National Park in the fall, followed the Kobarid Historical Trail above the Soča River, and hiked over Monte Matajur from Slovenia into Italy. This guide brings together the best hikes in Slovenia’s Julian Alps, when to go, what the mountain huts are like, and how to get there.
TL;DR: Hiking in Slovenia in 2027
The best hiking in Slovenia is in the Julian Alps and Triglav National Park, Slovenia’s only national park, under Mt. Triglav, 2864 m (9396 ft). The top hikes are the Valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes, the Vršič Pass, the Soča Trail and the trails around Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj.
When to go
July to September for hut-to-hut hiking, when the high mountain huts are open. May to October for valley and lake hikes.
Getting there
From May 12th, 2027, United flies nonstop from Newark to Ljubljana four times a week.
Want it planned for you?
Hike the Julian Alps with Guided Hiking in the Slovenian Alps, the self-guided Mountains & Lakes of Slovenia Hut to Hut Hiking Tour or the self-guided Best of Juliana Trail and Alpe-Adria Trail.
Why Slovenia Is One of the Best Places to Go Hiking in Europe
Slovenia packs a whole mountain range, two famous lakes and one of the most beautiful rivers in Europe into one small country. Almost all of the big hiking is in the Julian Alps, in the northwest corner of the country, where Slovenia meets Italy and Austria.
Triglav National Park covers the heart of the range. Mt. Triglav, 2864 m (9396 ft), is the highest peak in Slovenia and the mountain on the Slovenian flag. Around it you’ll find limestone plateaus, high mountain pastures that are still worked every summer, and the Valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes.
Then there’s the water. The Soča River runs an improbable emerald green from its source below the Vršič Pass, and Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj sit right at the foot of the mountains. On most Slovenia hiking trips, the day ends with a swim.
Love the Dolomites? Why the Julian Alps Are Next
If you love hiking in the Dolomites, Slovenia’s Julian Alps will feel like the next chapter. You get the same pale, jagged limestone walls, the same hut-to-hut hiking with dinner waiting at a mountain hut, and the same wildflower meadows in July.
What the Julian Alps add is water. Turquoise rivers with hanging footbridges, waterfalls at the end of slot canyons, and two big alpine lakes you can swim in after a day on the trail. And because the Julian Alps run right along the Italian border, you can even hike from Slovenia into Italy in a single day, the way I did on Monte Matajur.
The mountain huts have their own character too. Most of the high Slovenian mountain huts can only be resupplied by helicopter, so dinner is simple and hearty: mountain stews, soup, eggs, cheese and something sweet, eaten with the whole range turning pink outside the window.
Fly Nonstop to Slovenia From the US
Getting to Slovenia just got much easier. United starts nonstop flights from Newark to Ljubljana on May 12th, 2027, four times a week on a Boeing 767-400ER, according to Ljubljana Airport. Tickets are already on sale on united.com.
Ljubljana Airport is about 25 minutes from the city and about 30 minutes from Lake Bled. All three of our Slovenia hiking tours start in Ljubljana, so you can land, check in and be hiking in the Julian Alps the next day.
The timing works for every tour, too. The new flights start in time for the summer hiking season: the hut-to-hut season opens in late June, and our first guided departure is July 3rd, 2027.
The 10 Best Hikes in Slovenia’s Julian Alps
These are the best hikes in Slovenia, from big hut-to-hut days in Triglav National Park to river and lake hikes that suit almost anyone. Every one of them is in the Julian Alps, and most of them are on our Slovenia hiking tours.
1. The Valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes in Triglav National Park
The Valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes is the most famous hike in Slovenia, and it earns it. A chain of lakes sits in bare pale stone, with karst formations, fossils in the slabs and flowers that grow nowhere else. Listen for the marmots.
On our Slovenia hut to hut hiking tour, you reach the valley over the Hribarice Plateau: 14 km (8.7 miles) with 700 m (2297 ft) of ascent, about 7 hours, ending at a mountain hut beside Double Lake. Swimming in the lakes isn’t allowed, because the national park protects them.
2. Velo Polje and the Hribarice Plateau, Hut to Hut Under Mt. Triglav
Velo Polje is a working alpine pasture with a small cheese dairy right under Mt. Triglav. The hike in follows single trails along the mountainsides, then crosses the southern slopes of Mt. Tosc with a view all the way to the peaks above the Soča River: 11 km (6.8 miles) and 650 m (2133 ft) of ascent.
The next morning, the Hribarice Plateau is the highest ground of the week, pale stone and sinkholes known as the lunar surface. Look up for ibex and down for edelweiss.
3. The Pokljuka Plateau Above Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj
The Pokljuka Plateau is where our Julian Alps hut to hut hike enters Triglav National Park. You hike up through spruce and larch forest to mountain meadows where the herders sell fresh dairy, then out into the open for a view over the basins of Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj and the Karavanke range: 9 km (5.6 miles) and 730 m (2395 ft) of ascent.
4. The Vršič Pass From Kranjska Gora
Hiking over the Vršič Pass is one of the most memorable days in the Julian Alps. From Kranjska Gora, the trail climbs into an amphitheater of limestone peaks: 11 km (6.8 miles) and 750 m (2461 ft) of ascent to a mountain hut.
The next morning you follow the old military road built in 1915 by Russian prisoners of war, past the wooden Russian chapel raised by the survivors, then drop to the source of the Soča River in the Trenta valley. It’s the start of our Juliana Trail and Alpe-Adria Trail hiking tour.
5. The Soča Trail to Bovec
The Soča Trail follows the river through rapids, narrow gorges and sudden canyons, crossing on hanging footbridges that bounce a little as you go. It’s 13 km (8 miles) with only 200 m (656 ft) of ascent, so it’s one of the easiest of the best hikes in Slovenia, and one of the prettiest. The brave swim.
6. Kozjak Waterfall and the Kobarid Historical Trail
Kozjak Waterfall is a 15 m (49 ft) fall at the end of a narrow slot canyon, and it looks like a film set. From there the trail continues into Kobarid, where the Kobarid Historical Trail tells the story of the Soča front in World War I. It was the best tour experience I’ve ever had, and I’m not usually a history person.
7. Monte Matajur: Hike From Slovenia Into Italy
Can’t decide between hiking in Slovenia and Italy? Hike both. Monte Matajur, 1642 m (5387 ft), sits right on the border, with open views over the Julian Alps to the Adriatic Sea. I hiked it from the Slovenian side in the fall, about 800 m (2625 ft) up from a village south of Kobarid, and down into Italy: two countries and a summit in 9.5 km (5.9 miles).
8. Mt. Mangart, the Highest Peak Above the Soča Valley
Mt. Mangart is the third-highest peak in Slovenia and the highest in the Soča Valley. You drive up the highest mountain road in the country, then hike a steep, rocky trail with handrails and rope aids on the taller steps: 8 km (5 miles) and 650 m (2133 ft) of ascent, for 360-degree views into Italy and Austria. It’s an optional day on our guided Slovenia hiking tour.
9. Lake Bohinj, Slovenia’s Largest Lake
Lake Bohinj is Slovenia’s largest permanent lake, sitting at the closed end of its own valley inside Triglav National Park. The classic way in is down from the Seven Triglav Lakes, through alpine pastures dotted with herders’ cabins: 16 km (9.9 miles) and 1600 m (5249 ft) of descent, so bring poles. Then get in the lake. It’s the best swim in the country.
10. Lake Bled, the Pokljuka Gorge and the Vintgar Gorge
Lake Bled genuinely looks like the photographs. Hike up to one of the viewpoints above the lake for the shot that lines up the island church, the clifftop castle and the Karavanke range behind. The Vintgar Gorge is the best short hike here, on wooden galleries pinned to the rock above the river.
The best way to arrive is on foot: across the forests of the Pokljuka Plateau and down through the narrow Pokljuka Gorge to the lake, 20 km (12.4 miles) and 950 m (3117 ft) of descent on the Juliana Trail.
What about Mt. Triglav? The summit of Mt. Triglav is a cabled via ferrata climb, not a hike. On our hut to hut tour it’s an optional add-on with an IFMGA mountain guide.
Get your legs ready for hiking in Slovenia
TL;DR: Our free 6-week training plan builds you up for big Julian Alps days like the Valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes, even if you live somewhere flat.
Slovenia Hiking Tours: Guided or Self-Guided in the Julian Alps
Want to hike the best of Slovenia without planning a thing? We have three Slovenia hiking tours for 2027, one guided and two self-guided, and all three start in Ljubljana and hike in Triglav National Park.
All three are run on the ground by our Slovenian partner, a Ljubljana-based operator. You book and pay them directly, and they’ll answer your questions and look after your booking. Every tour comes with our free custom training plan, valued at €300.
| Slovenia hiking tour | Guided Hiking in the Slovenian Alps | Mountains & Lakes of Slovenia Hut to Hut Hiking Tour (Self-Guided) | Best of Juliana Trail and Alpe-Adria Trail, Slovenia (Self-Guided) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Guided, no more than 8 hikers | Self-guided, GPS tracks and route notes on your phone | Self-guided, GPS tracks and route notes on your phone |
| Length | 8 days, 6 hiking days | 7 days, 4 hiking days | 8 days, 6 hiking days |
| Total hiking | 56 km (35 miles), 3,400 m (11,155 ft) of ascent | 50 km (31 miles), 2,835 m (9,300 ft) of ascent | 86 km (53 miles), 2,490 m (8,170 ft) of ascent |
| Grade | Challenging | Challenging | Moderate |
| Where you sleep | 5 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels, 2 in Slovenian mountain huts | 3 nights in Slovenian mountain huts, 3 in hotels or guesthouses | 6 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels and guesthouses, 1 in a mountain hut |
| Season | 7 departures, July 3rd to September 18th, 2027 | Any start date, late June to late September | Any start date, May to October |
| Price per person | €1990 (2027 price) | €1010 (2026 price, 2027 prices out in November) | €1450 (2026 price, 2027 prices out in November) |
Pick Guided Hiking in the Slovenian Alps if you’d love a Slovenian guide and to share the trail with hikers from around the world, in a group of no more than 8. Pick the Mountains & Lakes of Slovenia Hut to Hut Hiking Tour if you want three nights in Slovenian mountain huts at your own pace. Pick the Best of Juliana Trail and Alpe-Adria Trail if you want a hotel bed six nights out of seven and your bag moved every day.
When Is the Best Time for Hiking in Slovenia?
The best time for hiking in Slovenia’s high Julian Alps is July to September. The high mountain huts in central Triglav National Park open in the last week of June and close in late September, and without them there’s no hut-to-hut crossing.
Early July has the longest days and the flowers out. Late July has the warmest lake and river water. August is the peak month, with the most settled weather and the liveliest mountain huts. September is our pick, with clear air, quiet trails and long golden afternoons.
Lower down, the hiking season is longer. The Juliana Trail and the Soča Valley hike well from May to October, and fall is magical: I hiked Triglav National Park in the fall, with frost on the trees in the morning and bright orange ferns above Lake Bohinj.
What Are the Mountain Huts in Slovenia Like?
Slovenian mountain huts are one of the highlights of hiking in Slovenia, and a real glimpse into mountain life. Most rooms are shared, from 2 to 20 beds depending on the mountain hut, with shared washrooms. Some mountain huts, like the Vodnik hut on Velo Polje, also have private rooms.
You don’t need a sleeping bag in the mountain huts on our tours, because blankets and single-use sheets are provided, but a lightweight liner is worth its 200 grams (7 oz). Vegetarian and vegan options exist, and if you eat gluten free, bring a few snacks of your own. For more, see our guide to staying in a mountain hut.
How Hard Is Hiking in Slovenia’s Julian Alps?
Hiking in Slovenia can be as gentle or as big as you like. River and lake hikes like the Soča Trail gain only a few hundred meters, while a hut-to-hut day in Triglav National Park climbs 650 to 900 m (2133 to 2953 ft) on rocky limestone trail.
Our Juliana Trail tour is graded Moderate, with 86 km (53 miles) over 6 hiking days. The hut to hut tour and the guided tour are graded Challenging, mostly because of the terrain rather than the distance. If you can hike 5 to 7 hours with a daypack, and you train for it, you’ll love it.
Hiking in Slovenia FAQs
Is Slovenia good for hiking?
Yes, Slovenia is very good for hiking, and its Julian Alps are some of the most beautiful mountains in Europe. Triglav National Park, Slovenia’s only national park, surrounds Mt. Triglav, 2864 m (9396 ft), with hut-to-hut trails, the Valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes, the emerald Soča River and Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj. Monkeys and Mountains has three Slovenia hiking tours: Guided Hiking in the Slovenian Alps, the Mountains & Lakes of Slovenia Hut to Hut Hiking Tour and the Best of Juliana Trail and Alpe-Adria Trail.
What is the best hike in Slovenia?
The best hike in Slovenia is the Valley of the Seven Triglav Lakes in Triglav National Park. On the Mountains & Lakes of Slovenia Hut to Hut Hiking Tour, you reach it over the Hribarice Plateau: 14 km (8.7 miles) with 700 m (2297 ft) of ascent, about 7 hours, ending at a mountain hut beside Double Lake. Guided Hiking in the Slovenian Alps crosses the same valley with a Slovenian guide.
Can you fly nonstop from the US to Slovenia?
Yes, you can fly nonstop from the US to Slovenia from May 12th, 2027, when United starts nonstop flights from Newark to Ljubljana four times a week. Ljubljana Airport is about 25 minutes from the city, where all three Monkeys and Mountains Slovenia hiking tours start: Guided Hiking in the Slovenian Alps, the Mountains & Lakes of Slovenia Hut to Hut Hiking Tour and the Best of Juliana Trail and Alpe-Adria Trail.
Is hiking in Slovenia like hiking in the Dolomites?
Yes, hiking in Slovenia is a lot like hiking in the Dolomites: pale, jagged limestone peaks, wildflower meadows and hut-to-hut trails with dinner at a mountain hut. Slovenia’s Julian Alps add turquoise rivers and two big alpine lakes you can swim in, Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj. And the trails are much less busy than in the Dolomites, so you get more quiet time on the trail. The Mountains & Lakes of Slovenia Hut to Hut Hiking Tour crosses the high Julian Alps under Mt. Triglav, 2864 m (9396 ft), with 3 nights in Slovenian mountain huts.
What month is best for hiking in Slovenia’s Julian Alps?
The best month for hiking in Slovenia’s Julian Alps is September, with clear air and quiet trails, and the whole season for hut-to-hut hiking runs from late June to late September, while the high mountain huts are open. Guided Hiking in the Slovenian Alps has seven departures from July 3rd to September 18th, 2027. Lower trails like the Juliana Trail hike well from May to October, which is the season for the Best of Juliana Trail and Alpe-Adria Trail.
Do you need a guide to hike in Slovenia?
No, you don’t need a guide to hike in Slovenia’s Julian Alps. On the self-guided Mountains & Lakes of Slovenia Hut to Hut Hiking Tour and Best of Juliana Trail and Alpe-Adria Trail, you hike with GPS tracks and route notes on your phone. If you’d rather not navigate at all, Guided Hiking in the Slovenian Alps has a Slovenian guide every hiking day and no more than 8 hikers. The cabled via ferrata to the summit of Mt. Triglav is different: on the hut to hut tour it’s an optional add-on with an IFMGA mountain guide.
How many days do you need for hiking in Slovenia?
For hiking in Slovenia’s Julian Alps, 7 or 8 days is enough to see the best of it. The Mountains & Lakes of Slovenia Hut to Hut Hiking Tour is 7 days with 4 hiking days, 50 km (31 miles) through Triglav National Park. The Best of Juliana Trail and Alpe-Adria Trail and Guided Hiking in the Slovenian Alps are both 8 days with 6 hiking days, 86 km (53 miles) and 56 km (35 miles).
Is hiking in Slovenia good for beginners?
Yes, hiking in Slovenia is good for beginners on the river and lake trails. The Soča Trail to Bovec is 13 km (8 miles) with only 200 m (656 ft) of ascent, and the Best of Juliana Trail and Alpe-Adria Trail is graded Moderate, with hotels on six of its seven nights. The high hut-to-hut routes in Triglav National Park are graded Challenging, because of the rocky limestone terrain.
Plan Your Slovenia Hiking Trip for 2027
With nonstop flights from Newark from May 12th, 2027, there’s never been an easier year to go hiking in Slovenia. Pick the tour that fits how you like to hike, or let our free Hike Finder match you in minutes.
Still deciding where to hike next year? Browse all of our hiking tours in Europe, our guide to the best hikes in Europe and our favorite hut to hut hikes in the mountains of Europe. And if you’re curious about history, don’t miss the secret Franja Partisan Hospital, one of the highlights of my own trip to Slovenia.