Everything You Need to Know If You Want to Go Hiking around the Slovenian Mountains
1. Equipment, Equipment, Equipment…
There is lots of talk about equipment and how important it is. Not without reason! Every summer, countless naive visitors venture into to the mountains wearing nothing but flip-flops and inappropriate clothing, and without taking any snacks or drinks with them. Makes sure you don’t do the same and check if you have all of the following before leaving home:
- thick socks,
- quick-drying clothing,
- a thick T-shirt or a windbreaker,
- gloves,
- a cap or a hat,
- sunblock,
- a non-alcoholic beverage,
- some snacks,
- an appropriate route map or directions,
- first aid.
2. Check the Weather!
The best time to visit the Slovenian mountains is during the summer, between June and October. In Slovenia, the weather forecast is available on the website of the Slovenian Environment Agency, where you check the forecast maps on the following link: http://meteo.arso.gov.si/met/sl/weather/bulletin/mountain. On the page’s bottom toolbar, you can choose different places and check the ten-day forecast.
Also, make sure you start your hike early enough, i.e. during the summer early enough to avoid the afternoon heat, and during the rest of the year when it starts getting light.
3. Holidays in the Mountains
The website https://en.pzs.si/koce.php lists the locations of mountain huts and unmanned shelters around Slovenia. If you want to spend the holidays with your family in the mountains, make sure you do not forget to book the huts in advance, as they are often filled to capacity as a result of countless numbers of hikers. Some basic price-related info: a room for two people in the mountains costs between 22 and 27 euros a day, and a dorm room between 18 and 23 euros.
4. What about When Your Trip Involves Children?
If you are thinking of heading into the mountains with children, you can choose one of the destinations listed below. They are less demanding, yet equally picturesque.
Visit the Dom na Slivnici mountain hut and take a walk around Lake Cerknica.
Visit the Turnova koča mountain hut by taking the gently sloping footpath from the village of Podgorje.
Go on a hike from the Vršič Pass to the Slemenova Špica mountain.
Visit the Pokljuka Plateau and hike to the Lipanca alpine meadow.
Go to the Velika Planina mountain plateau and discover the joys of Alpine dairy farmers’ life.
5. Slovenia’s Most Beautiful Views
One of the most popular stopovers for Slovenian hikers is the Vogar mountain, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of Lake Bohinj. Another option is a hike along the trail that boasts the most beautiful views in Slovenia, the so-called Solčava Panoramic Road, which begins in the village of Solčava and ends at the Bukovec agritourism farm, a farm located at the highest altitude of all farms in Slovenia. Some information about the panoramic road can be found here: http://www.solcavska-panoramska-cesta.si/en/.
Useful Phone Numbers:
In the event of an accident, contact the Slovenian Mountain Rescue Service on 112 or the police on 113 as soon as possible.