Hiking Mt Golica in Slovenia (1.836 m)
Golica is a popular hiking trail during spring in Slovenia because it is famous for its endless field of daffodils.
But, what most guides fail to mention is that this hike is also incredible even after the flower fields are gone.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know for hiking Mt Golica in Slovenia.
Golica Hike Stats
- Duration: 2h 20m each way
- Elevation gain: 855 m
- Starting point: Planina pod Golico β check parking here
- Difficulty: Easy and marked trail
- Infrastructure: There is a mountain hut that offers food, drinks, and toilets
- Best time to hike: In May for the daffodil flowers, great all summer until September
Starting point for hiking Mt Golica
There are several different hiking trails you can take to reach Mt Golica. The most accessible path is the one that starts at Planina pod Golico.
You can park your car here and then just follow the signs towards Golica.
This parking lot is free but not very big. During the spring season in May, it can quickly get full, especially on the weekends. We recommend coming early in the morning, if possible.
If the parking lot is full, the best option is to park in public spots along the village of Planina pod Golico and walk up the road to the start of the trail.
Another popular starting point is in the village of JavorniΕ‘ki Rovt. This is a good option if you will be hiking Mt Golica in May to see the daffodils because you will go through more fields on this trail.
If you want to see other route options for hiking to Mt Golica, you can check Hike Uno.
Best time of the year to hike Mt Golica
The Golica hike is very popular in spring because this is when the daffodil flowers are in full bloom. These flowers usually bloom for around 1 month only, which is what makes this seasone extra special.
The daffodils usually bloom during the month of May and early June, but the exact period of the flowers may change from year to year depending on the weather conditions.
The daffodil flower fields make the Golica hike extra special because they cover the hills in endless white flower fields. It almost looks like snow, it’s beautiful!
However, I would say that you can do this hike from May to the end of September/start of October. We were there in August this year and the mountain views were still stunning, even without the flower fields!
Mt Golica has 1.836 m so it sometimes has snow until April. The hike may still be accessible in October/early November, but it depends on the weather conditions.
The Golica mountain hut is usually open from April to September.
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Golica Hike – The trail
If you will be hiking to Mt Golica from Planina pod Golico, you can expect an easy-to-follow trail. It gets steep at times, but the trail is not technically challenging.
Once you park your car, follow the road a few meters up ahead until you see the signs pointing towards the forest for the start of the trail. The starting point is well-marked so you won’t miss it.
For the first few meters, you will follow the river and pass by BaΕ‘ar Waterfall. The start of the trail goes through the forest so it is quite fresh even during the summer. You will cross a mountain road but continue uphill until you reach the bottom station of the cable car (see below).
Hiking Gear recommendation
Check out our favorite hiking gear and essentials which we always bring with us.
From here, there is another stretch of forest trail until you spot a small house called Majotova Bajta. The Golica Mountain Hut is right above it, and the views open up to give you a clear sight of the top of the mountain range.
The hut is located 40 minutes from the top of Mt Golica. This last stretch of the trail gets steep through rocky terrain. Once you reach the top, you will follow the electric fence that marks the sheep pasture fields.
This is the best part of the Golica Hike, where you can see Austria on one side and Slovenia on the other. On clear days, you will have a full view of the Julian Alps and can even spot Mt Triglav at a distance.
Detailed map of the hike
Where to stay near Golica?
The closest town to the start of the Golica Hike is Jesenice. However, I would recommend staying in Bled or Kranjska Gora instead because these are cities with better infrastructure for tourism.
The starting point of the trail is only a 30min drive from Bled, 34min from Kranjska Gora or 1h from Ljubljana.
Accommodations we recommend in Bled:
- Ribno Alpine Hotel: The first zero-waste hotel in Slovenia! What I like about this place is that it is located in a quieter area, but still easily reachable for all the hiking and exploring around Bled and Bohinj.
- Garden Village Lake Bled: My favorite glamping place near Lake Bled. This place is a dream, with incredible treehouses.
Read also: Best places to stay in Bled
Accommodations we recommend near Kranjska Gora:
- Triangel: This hotel is technically located in Gozd Martuljek but it is simply stunning. It’s one of the best places we’ve stayed in Slovenia. The mountain views you have are simply impeccable and the service is incredible. They also have a very good restaurant!
- Jasna Chalet Resort: Located right by Lake Jasna, this place is a piece of paradise. It is stunning, whether you will be visiting during the summer or the winter.
FAQ – Popular questions about hiking Mt Golica
Is the Golica hike dog-friendly?
Yes, you can take your dog on the Golica hike.
However, please consider that the hike gets steep in some sections so only take your dog if he is used to such activities.
Is the Golica hike suitable for kids?
Yes, as long as they are used to hiking as well.
The path is not challenging, it is only steep in some sections. So, as long as your kid is used to hiking, he/she should be ok.
However, the Golica hike is not suitable for a stroller. The terrain is quite rocky and uneven.
Do I need a guide to hike Golica?
It is not necessary to get a guide because the trail is easy to follow and very well-marked. Honestly, I was even impressed when I was there this summer because it is one of the better-marked trails I have seen in a while.
However, if you would rather have professional support, you can always hire a guide to help you out.
We recommend the guys from Altitude Activities for everything that has to do with hiking/climbing. We have been on their tours several times and they are amazing – use the discount code MAUKA10 for a 10% discount.
Can I do the Golica Hike during the winter?
The Golica Mountain peak is usually covered in snow, but if you are used to winter hiking and have proper equipment, it is possible to do it during the winter time as well.
Please only consider this option if you have experience or go with a certified guide.
Other hikes in Slovenia
Here are a few ideas of other hikes you can do in Slovenia:
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to Slovenia, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Check out our page with curated Slovenia experiences
- Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use SafetyWing whenever we are traveling abroad.
- Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals.
- Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com.
- Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
- SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo.
- Slovenia Map: Check out our custom-made Map with 290+ must-see spots!
- Slovenia itineraries: Check out our pre-made Slovenian itineraries!
- Recommended hiking gear: Check our recommendations on Amazon if you will be hiking in Slovenia!
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