Hiking the Seven Lakes Valley Trail in the Julian Alps, Slovenia
The Seven Lakes Valley is one of the most beautiful hikes in Slovenia, and also one of the most popular ones.
We have lived and traveled through Slovenia for over 5 years now and until this day, this remains one of our favorite hikes! The valley is located in the Julian Alps and has some of the most beautiful views within the Triglav National Park.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know for hiking the Seven Lakes Valley trail. We did our best to cover a few possible route options, while still describing our own experience.
General information about the Seven Lakes Hike
The Seven Lakes Hike got its name because this trail passes by seven different alpine lakes, also known as the Seven Triglav Lakes:
- Jezero pod VrΕ‘acem (Lake below VrΕ‘ac) or Jezero v Podstenju
- Mlaka v LaΕ‘tah (Pond in Ledges)
- Rjavo jezero (Brown Lake)
- Zeleno jezero (Green Lake)
- Veliko jezero (The Great Lake) or Jezero v Ledvicah (Kidney Lake)
- Dvojno jezero (Double Lake)
- Δrno jezero (Black Lake)
Important: Note that not all the routes will actually pass by all seven lakes. Some of the routes have detours and you will see only a few of them on the way.
Seven Triglav Lakes – Hike Stats
There are a few different route options for hiking the Seven Lakes Valley. Below are the stats for the most popular route, which we’ll describe in the sections below.
- Duration: around 9 hours total (we split in 2 days)
- Elevation gain: 1.350 meters
- Starting point: Planina Blato – Google Maps location here
- Difficulty: Easy marked trail (not technically difficult, but it is long)
- Infrastructure: There are a few mountain huts on the trail with restaurant, toilet, and rooms available
- Best time to hike: July, August and September
Route options for hiking the Seven Lakes Valley
You can do the Seven Lakes Hike as a day trip, 2-day hike, or multi-day trail.
I’ll outline the options below.
Seven Lakes Valley as a Day trip hike
If you want to do the hike in one day, know that this will be a long walking day. It is definitely doable, but I recommend it only to people who already have some hiking experience.
The standard trail is a loop hike starting and ending at Planina Blato. You can check the map with the full route here.
Once you get to the last lake, you can either continue to do the loop on your way back, or you can turn around and descend through the same route passing by the Double Lakes again. The biggest difference is that there is a steep part if you choose the loop trail so it adds difficulty to your route.
For an easier return, go back through the same path.
You can also make this Seven Lake Trail easier if you shorten it by not going to the last couple of lakes. I would personally go until Veliko jezero (the Kidney Lake) to make sure you pass at least the most beautiful lakes, and then come back.
Hiking the Seven Lakes Valley as a 2-day Trail
This is the route we did and what we recommend most people do.
The Seven Lakes Trail is not technically difficult, but it is long and there is quite a lot of walking in between the highlights. Breaking it into a 2-day hike is the best way to make this route easier.
I also love the experience of sleeping in the mountains! There are two huts you can sleep in if you will be doing the trail in 2 days: KoΔa pri Triglavskih jezerih (pictured above) or Zasavska koΔa na Prehodavcih.
We slept on the first one which is located right by the Double Lakes and it was great. The hut is located right next to the water, so we had the best sunset and sunrise views.
Continue reading for the detailed map of our 2-day route.
Extending the Seven Lakes Trail into a multi-day hike
Since this valley is located in the middle of the Triglav National Park, there are many possible routes you can use to extend your trip.
The most popular choice is definitely hiking Mt Triglav. Once you conquer the Seven Lakes Valley, you will be relatively close to Triglav and can easily connect both trips.
For this option, my recommended route is the following:
- Start at Planina Blato
- Sleep in Prehodavci or DoliΔ
- Hike to Triglav
- Sleep in Planika
- Hike back down to Planina Blato
Read also: Hiking Guide to Mt Triglav
Mountain huts along the Seven Lakes Valley
There are three mountain huts located around the area that you can use as an overnight base for splitting this hike into a multi-day trail:
- KoΔa pri Triglavskih jezerih (this is the one we recommend sleeping at)
- Zasavska koΔa na Prehodavcih
- KoΔa na DoliΔu
You will also pass by KoΔa na Planini pri Jezeru, but this one is located a bit too early on the trail, so it doesn’t make sense for an overnight stay. However, it is a great spot to stop for a break.
How to get to the trailhead and parking
The starting point of the hike is at Planina Blato, which you can reach by car or by bus.
If you decide to come all the way by car, it’s important to know that you will have to pay a daily toll. This is a protected area of the national park, which is why the road is highly controlled (and expensive).
You’ll pay for the toll on your way out and it’s possible to pay by card. The toll costs 20 EUR per day – this summer of 2024, some of my friends paid 50 EUR when doing the 3-day hike variation I described above (2,5 days of parking).
Another option is to park in Stara FuΕΎina or another village around Lake Bohinj and take the free shuttle bus that takes you up to Planina Blato. The shuttle bus runs daily during the high season (between June and September) – you can check the timetable here.
We picked this second option and took the free shuttle bus to get to the trailhead of the Seven Lakes Valley Hike. We had an early start, so we took the first bus and it was super convenient.
On the way down, it was quite impossible to time it to the bus schedule so we had to wait around 20 minutes for the next bus, which was not a problem for us.
The Seven Lakes Trail and our experience
Now that you know the most important parts of getting ready for the hike, let’s dive into the trail itself. I’ll share below the details about the Seven Lakes Hike and how our experience was.
First stage – from Planina Blato to Planina pri Jezeru (1h)
The first part of the hike gets you to Planina pri Jezeru where you will see the first lake of the hike. It’s a small lake, but a beautiful one, surrounded by a lush forest.
There is a hut located right by the lake called KoΔa pri Triglavskih jezerih. You can stop for a break or snacks if you want.
The trail on this first stage of the hike is quite easy and you will be walking through the forest during most of the time. Depending on the time of the year, you may pass a few cows along the way already since this is an alpine pasture – the cows normally stay next to the hut but they wander around a lot.
Planina OvΔarija (1h 30m)
The next significant point will be Planina OvΔarija. We recommend following the signs through Planina Dedno Polje which is slightly shorter and with less elevation gain.
The other option is to go through Planina ViΕ‘evnik (it’s well-marked, you will see). The routes will reconnect later on, and you can choose to take one path on your way up and another on your way down if you want to add some variation to your hike.
You will spot the alpine houses when you arrive at Dedno Polje. There is normally one restaurant open over here, if you didn’t manage to stop at the previous hut.
The trail will pass just adjacent to the plateau and you will follow the signs towards Planina OvΔarija. Here is where the trail starts getting narrow, but in my opinion, where the best views start to come.
As soon as we turned away from Dedno Polje, we caught a slight rain on this part. I don’t recommend doing hikes in the rain and it wasn’t on the forecast when we started, but thankfully we were at this part where there were no dangers or exposed sections.
From here, you will start seeing the view open up so you can spot a few peaks of the Julian Alps at a distance.
Arriving at the Double Lakes (KoΔa pri Triglavskih jezerih) – 1.5h
At this point, you will reach an intersection that shows you can reach KoΔa pri Triglavskih jezerih via Ε tapce or Prodov.
Ε tapce is the mountain saddle which is a shorter path, but more difficult because it has a steep descending section. Prodov is the way around the mountain which is longer, but flatter and easier.
We went through Ε tapce. I personally think it is not very problematic unless you have a strong fear of heights. There are cables along the way to help you on the descent.
Once you clear your way through Ε tapce, you will have an amazing view of the Double Lakes right below. This is one of my favorite parts of the Seven Lakes Hike.
This part of the trail is quite slippery with loose rocks, so walk carefully.
Once you reach the lakes, the mountain hut will be just a 10-minute walk away.
Pro tip: Even though the view from the Ε tapce saddle is beautiful, you can also climb Mala TiΔarica to your right for an even better angle of the Double Lakes (see the pictures below)! Since we spent the night at KoΔa pri Triglavskih jezerih, we climbed Mala TiΔarica on our way back. We were fresh in the morning and it was great! Highly recommend it.
The Kidney Lake (1h)
After you take a break at the hut, continue your trail to the next stop (which is one of our favorites): the Kidney Lake or Jezero v Ledvicah.
From the hut, you’ll need to continue the path that goes around it and continues through the valley. You will quickly pass a smaller lake called MoΔivec located right behind the hut. It’s just a small one and not very impressive, but with the right sunset light, it can have some incredible reflections.
The Kidney Lake is the largest lake within the Seven Lakes Valley and the trail to get there will take you around one hour. It is an uphill walk through a gravel path.
This part of the trail is not very special because you are just walking through a very dry part of the valley, but it is also not hard because it is not very steep.
Once you arrive at the lake, the views open up. This lake is stunning and I highly recommend walking all the way to the other side so you can see it from all angles.
The water on this lake is extremely clear, giving some really cool shades depending on the sunlight. Unfortunately, it was quite cloudy when we were there the last time (but that’s just more reason for us to come back!).
Zeleno Jezero (40 min)
The next lake on the list is Zeleno Jezero or “Green Lake” in English. It is one of the last lakes on our route on the Seven Lakes Valley.
The trail on this part is quite straightforward. It is still uphill but the views are beautiful because you are high enough on the valley to have these incredible mountain views on both sides.
I actually love the landscape from this part of the hike – more than the lake itself which was quite disappointing. To be fair, we were doing this hike in late August so maybe the Green Lake is a bit more impressive earlier in the season.
The Prehodavci hut is just a couple of minutes’ walk from here, and there is a small lake called Jezero v Lastah right next to the hut.
The return journey
Here is the point where you need to make a decision on what to do with your return trail.
If you will be doing the Seven Lakes Trail as a day trip, you can either stop here and go back through the same route (easier option) or go back through the loop trail alternative I shared on the map above (slightly harder).
If you will be doing it as a 2-day hike, you can head to the mountain hut you picked for your overnight stay.
At this point, dark clouds were starting to roll in so we decided to go back down to the mountain hut at the Double Lake, where we were spending the night. Sleeping at this hut was amazing because it gave us the freedom to decide when to go up to the other lakes: on the first or second day. I am thankful we went right away, though.
Prehodavci hut is also a great option to sleep for hiking the Seven Lakes Valley in two days because it is right here at the end of the trail. This way, you will really split the trail into two almost equal halves. However, Prehodavci is less structured than the KoΔa pri Triglavskih jezerih so I don’t regret our choice!
Where to stay for hiking the Seven Lakes Valley in Slovenia
The best option is to get accommodation that is close to the starting point at Planina Blato. You can pick either RibΔev Laz or Stara FuΕΎina, which are both villages around Lake Bohinj.
But don’t be too strict about it, even getting a place to stay in Bohinjska Bistrica is quite a good location. It will still be just a short drive away until the starting point.
Here are our top recommendations for where to stay in the area:
Accommodation we recommend in Bohinj:
- Hotel Bohinj: One of the absolute best hotels around Lake Bohinj. I absolutely love the design of the hotel and they are very well-located!
- Green Garden Apartment SokliΔ: Nice apartment with private parking and a communal garden
- Bohinj Eco Hotel: Slovenia’s first eco-hotel is a 4-star hotel for those looking for a little more comfort. In addition to breakfast included, guests have access to the water park with saunas and pools.
Things to know before hiking the Seven Lakes Valley
- There is no cellphone signal on this route, so make sure you save the route or map offline
- If you will be doing this hike as a one-day trip, please plan your route carefully. What happens with most people is that they have to do the last bit of the hike in the dark because they run out of time during daylight. Make sure you have a headlamp with you if that is the case.
- Hiking poles can be quite helpful on this trail. You will just want to put them away on the Ε tapce to be able to hold the iron cables properly.
- You can get drinkable water on all the huts along the way, so make sure to stock up whenever you pass one. There aren’t any other drinkable water fountains that I am aware of along the way.
- Bring enough water and snacks with you for the hike.
- Bring cash for the mountain huts because they don’t always accept card payments.
- This is a popular hike here in Slovenia, so we recommend starting early to avoid the crowds. Starting early is even more important if you will be doing the Seven Lakes Hike as a day trip.
- Pay close attention to the weather and respect the forecast. I don’t recommend doing this hike if the weather looks bad because the risk of storms in the mountains is very high.
- As always, leave nothing behind except for footprints.
Packing list for the Seven Lakes Hike in Slovenia
Here are the things we recommend bringing with you on the Seven Lakes Hike:
- Proper hiking boots – the path is not technically difficult but you will walk through different terrains (grass, open trail, gravel, etc) so make sure you wear proper shoes. I see a lot of people trying to go hiking here in Slovenia in flip-flops, please don’t be one of those people!
- A good windbreaker jacket – The weather in the valley can change quite fast and it gets very windy!
- Hiking poles
- Water bottle – so you can refill along the way
- Electrolytes – I admit, I didn’t use to take these before but we see a massive difference once we started using electrolytes during our hikes.
- Sunglasses and sunscreen
- Basic first aid kit
- Headlamp – super useful if you will be sleeping in the hut as well!
- Flip-flops or sandals if you will be sleeping in the hut
FAQ – Most popular questions about the Seven Lakes Valley Hike
Do you need a guide to do the Seven Lakes Hike in Slovenia?
A guide is not necessary for this hike because the trail is well-marked. So, if you have experience hiking, you can do the Seven Lakes Hike on your own.
However, if you would prefer to do it with a guide, you can also hire one. I recommend booking this tour with Altitude Activities. They are our partners here in Slovenia, we’ve done several tours with them and they are very good! Their guides are all certified and have plenty of experience hiking these mountains.
Book the trip to the Seven Lakes Valley with Altitude Activities!
Use the code MAUKA10 to get a 10% discount!
Do you need any special equipment for this hike?
No, there is no need for any equipment besides your appropriate hiking shoes.
Is it possible to swim in the lakes of the Triglav Seven Lakes Valley?
No, swimming is not allowed because this is a natural protected area.
If you want to swim, the best option is to go for a dip at Lake Bohinj after you hike.
Read also: Best things do to in Lake Bohinj
Is the Seven Lakes Hike suitable for kids?
It depends on your kid’s comfort with activities. You know your kid better, so it’s up to you to decide.
From a technical point of view, this hike is not hard and could be done by children without problem. In fact, we saw quite a few families on our last time there.
What makes this hike challenging for kids is the length. It is quite a long hike so this might be a bit much for the little ones. So, please take this into consideration when deciding.
There is no more space available in the hut, can I sleep in a tent?
No, wild camping is not allowed in the Triglav National Park.
If you can’t find a spot in one hut, check the other ones in the area. Another option is to try looking for spots during the weekdays instead of weekends.
However, as I said, this is a very popular hike so I highly recommend booking your place in advance.
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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Hi! This is an amazing overview of the hike, thank you so much for putting it together. My friends and I are planning to do this May 10-11 and I’m struggling to find a mountain hut that is already open in May. Do you have any recommendations?
Hey Kitti, unfortunately the huts open only in June, so in May it is not possible to sleep in any of the 3 huts listed. Also, please be aware, that in middle of May the path could still be fully covered in snow, which can make it dangerous.
Best,
Edin
Hello from Australia! I am loving your Instagram and also your blog! Very helpful. We are looking at doing the Seven Lakes as a 3 day/2 night hike (kids will be 14 and nearly 12 and comfortable with overnight hikes). My plan was start and end at Stara FuΕΎina.
Day 1 approx 11km and stay at Vodnikov dom
Day 2 approx 11km and stay at KoΔa pri Triglavskih Jezerih
Day 3 approx 11km back to Stara FuΕΎina.
What do you think of this route? When would we be able to book the huts? This will be for early July. Many thanks, Amber
Hey Amber, thank you so much for kind words, we are very happy that our work is helping you out!
The itinerary makes complete sense, especially since you will be passing Mostnica gorge on your first day, which is beautiful! We haven’t done this exact route yet, so I can’t say how the trails is from Vodnikov dom to KoΔa pri Triglavskih Jezerih, but I believe it should be fine.
The KoΔa pri Triglavskih jezerih seems to have bookings already opened for July. The Vodnikov dom hut does not have reservations opened yet, usually they open them in spring, somewhere between April and May, buy I would advise you to reach out to them via email, and ask about exact dates.
Wish you an amazing trip!
Edin and Fernanda
Hey Mauka!
Thank you for the nice information about hiking the seven lake trail. I also saw that you made a AllTrails map called Seven Lakes + Mt Triglav (3 day hike). Is that hike possible without any guide and extra gear like ropes etc? We are 5 friends around 30 years old so we pretty fit, but we dont want to go with an guide or extra gear – other then normal hiking gear.
Thank you in advance!
Kind regards,
Thijs Bollen
Hey Thijs,
Thank you for your message.
Yes, the Seven Lakes trail itself is possible without a guide of any extra equipment, assuming we are talking about the hike in summer.
But for the Seven Lakes + Mt Triglav version, the answer is different: the final ascent to Triglav is not just a normal hike. It includes exposed protected sections, so we would not recommend doing it with only regular hiking gear. For that part, you should at least have a helmet, harness, and via ferrata/self-protection kit, and know how to use them confidently. We wouldn’t say a guide is a must, but make sure to have the necessary equipment.
Best,
Fe & Edin