Triglav National Park is the only national park in Slovenia and also home to its highest peak and namesake, Mt Triglav (2,864 m). It makes the perfect addition to your Slovenia itinerary as there is something for everyone.
There are three mountain ranges in Slovenia that belong to the Alps; Julian Alps, the Kamnik and Savinja Alps, and the Karavanke Alps. In Triglav National Park you will find the Julian Alps with hundreds of 2000m+ peaks and the source of the Soča and Sava Rivers.
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How to get to Triglav National Park
The easiest way to get to Triglav National Park is to drive. From Ljubljana it takes approximately 1 hour 20 minutes to Lake Bohinj. Do note that you will need to drive through Bled which can be very crowded in the summer.
Buses run from most locations around Slovenia to various locations around Triglav National Park. Check here for the timetable and rates.
How to get around Triglav National Park
Driving is allowed in Triglav National Park. The main routes go to Lake Bohinj, around the eastern border of the park, and Vršič Pass which cuts through the park and connects to Bovec.
Read: 13 Things You Should Know BEFORE Driving in Slovenia
Some parts of the roads can be unpaved, incredibly narrow, and especially steep and without guardrails so drive with caution and check that yu have good tires.
During the summer months there is a Hop-On Hop-Off route that goes from Bohinj to Pokljuka free of charge. Check here for the timetable.
Important Information
- Picking wild flowers is prohibited.
- Flying drones in the park is prohibited.
- Wild camping is illegal. Mountain huts can be booked here.
- Leave no trace. (aka don’t litter)
- Swimming or other recreational activties is not allowed in the Alpine lakes.
Things to Do in Triglav National Park
Mount Triglav
Mount Triglav is the pride and joy of Slovenia. Its namesake refers to its three peaks (in Slovene tri=three glava=head). On Slovenia’s national flag you will see this depicted in the crest.
It is said that to be a true Slovene, one must reach the peak of Triglav at least once in their life. Every year thousands of people trek to the top. At the peak you will find Aljaž Tower, put there in 1895 by mountaineer Jakob Aljaž.
The hike to Mt. Triglav cannot be done in one day. It is typical to hike to the mountain hut near the top (approximately 6 hours of hiking), rest overnight, then reach the peak in the morning and hike back down (6-8 hours).
If you have never done a serious hike before then this one is not for you. If you are not familiar with via ferratas or even own hiking sticks, then this is definitely not for you. If you are unsure then I suggest hiring a mountain guide to assess your situation and guide you to the top.
Alternatively, for something very special, you can ride in a small plane and fly around the peak of Triglav. I’ve done it myself and it was an incredible experience that I highly recommend.
Important info
Hiking level: difficult
Time: 2 days
Length: depends which route (25km)
Elevation gain: depends which route (1630m)
Best times: July, August or September
Don’t forget: arrange your overnight stay at Dom Planika pod Triglavom
Savica Waterfall (Slap Savica)
One of the most popular activities for visitors to Triglav National Park is Savica Waterfall. It is also the largest (78m), and arguably the most beautiful, waterfall in Slovenia. Savica Waterfall is unique because the water seems to appear out of nowhere but actually is fed from a water source inside the mountain.
If traveling by car there is a parking lot near Koča pri Savici and Planinski dom Savica (Ukanc 102, 4265 Bohinjsko jezero). There is a 3 EUR fee for entrance.
This hike is more suited to beginners and families and takes about 20 minutes to reach the waterfall from the parking lot. At the end there is a viewing platform which allows you to see the waterfall from a safe distance. I do advise to wear shoes with good grip as it can be wet and slippery on the platform.
While this hike is fairly easy there are hundreds of stairs on the pathway. This can be of issue for those with questionable knees.
During the summer months this hike can be very crowded so I advise to do this activity as soon as you can in the morning.
Important info
Hiking level: Easy
Time: 40-45 minutes (entire route)
Length: 1.6km
Elevation gain: 126m
Cost: 3 EUR
Don’t forget: good shoes and a camera
Lake Bohinj (Bohinjsko jezero)
If you are visiting Triglav National Park, chances are you will encounter Lake Bohinj, my personal favorite. It is a glacial lake fed by Črno jezero via the Savica Bohinjka. Lake Bohinj is full of outdoor activities such as swimming, boat riding, wind surfing, or even a hike around the lake.
There is a marked trail around Lake Bohinj that is 12 km long. The hike can take as little as 3 hours depending on your pace or as long as 5 hours if there are frequent stops.
Highlights of Lake Bohinj
- Cross country ski at Nordic Center Polje
- Try the zipline at Vogel
- Take a swim in the fresh alpine water of Lake Bled
Vintgar Gorge (Soteska Vintgar)
Vintgar Gorge (or Bled Gorge) is just 4km from Bled and is located just inside Triglav National Park. At the end of the gorge is Šum Waterfall, the largest river waterfall in Slovenia. Vintgar Gorge is 1600m long and 250m deep. There is a constructed walkway that travels above the gorge that will lead you through to the Šum Waterfall.
Due to current precautions, the route is now modified into circular routes which adds more time than previously reported. Do note that this is a very popular tourist spot and it can get crowded during the summer months.
Check the official site for opening hours, hiking routes, and parking.