The ultimate guide for visiting Triglav National Park, in Slovenia
Triglav National Park is Slovenia’s largest protected area and the most beautiful region in the country. It is the best destination in Slovenia for outdoor lovers, with many options for sports and incredible landscapes.
Since we live in Slovenia, we visit the Triglav National Park multiple times every year. It is our favorite place for going hiking or having a cool summer day on the lakes.
In this article, I’ve put together my favorite things to do in Triglav National Park. These tips come from our personal experience, after 5+ years of exploring this region little by little. I truly believe that Triglav Park has something for everyone – and I did my best to cover a variety of options on the list.
Let’s dive in!
Best things to do in Triglav National Park
Hiking in Triglav National Park
The Triglav National Park is an incredible hiking destination. There are so many possible hikes and trails within the park, that you will have no shortage of options to choose from.
Within the Triglav National Park, you can find trails of various levels. If you are a beginner, check for easy hikes like the Tolmin Gorge path or the hike around Lake Bohinj. If you are already an experienced hiker, you will find several options for hut-to-hut trails and also via ferratas.
Here are a few options for great hikes to do in the Triglav National Park:
- Hike to Krn Lake – Easy
- Triglav Lakes Hike – Easy/Moderate
- Triglav Summit – Hard
- Martuljek Waterfalls – Easy/Moderate
- Mangart – Via ferrata
Hiking Gear recommendation
Check out our favorite hiking gear and essentials which we always bring with us.
Drive on Vršič Pass
Vršič Pass is the highest mountain road in Slovenia, and if you like scenic rides, it is one of the best ones to go.
As with any other mountain road, the path is narrow and with lots of hairpin curves – in fact, this road has 50 of them, they are even numbered! The Vršič Pass connects the Soca Valley on one side to Kranjska Gora on the other.
At the top, you have a viewpoint with amazing views over the valley and a hut where you can stop for a coffee or a warm meal. Vršič Pass is also a popular hiking destination as there are multiple paths starting from the highest point of the road.
Explore the Soča Valley
Visiting the Soča Valley is one of the best things to do in the Triglav National Park.
The highlight of the valley is the Soča River, an emerald-green river that forms the most stunning landscapes surrounded by the Julian Alps on both sides. This area is known as one of the best in the country for outdoor activities and water sports.
I recommend you to drive along the river, making stops along the way to check out different parts of it. Velika Korita is one of our favorite spots in the Soča Valley, but we also love the area around Kobarid, especially Kozjak Waterfall.
Visit incredible waterfalls
Another thing I love about the Triglav National Park is that it has a lot of waterfalls. Many of them are located within the Soča Valley, but you can also find a few incredible ones closer to Lake Bohinj and Kranjska Gora.
These are a few waterfalls I really recommend adding to your itinerary:
- Peričnik Waterfall
- Savica Waterfall
- Kozjak Waterfall
- Boka Waterfall
- Virje Waterfall
- Martuljek Waterfalls
- Šunik Waterfall
Read also: The most beautiful waterfalls in Slovenia
Go rafting in Soča
The Soča River is known as one of the best destinations for white rafting in Europe. So, if you are into adventure, why not give rafting a go when visiting the Triglav National Park?
Most of the rafting tours start in Bovec, where many of the tourist agencies are located. The tour company will then guide the group to the best section of the river for the activity.
If you would prefer something calmer, there are also many other water sports activities you can do in the Triglav National Park. Some of the popular options are kayaking, canyoning, or even ziplining (which is much more fun than it sounds!).
Read also: Our guide for rafting in the Soča River
Conquer Mount Triglav, the highest mountain in Slovenia
The Triglav National Park is named after Mount Triglav, the highest mountain in Slovenia.
Hiking Mount Triglav is not a trivial task, after all, it is 2864 meters high. There is even a saying here that if you don’t climb Mount Triglav at least once in your life, you are not a true Slovenian.
There are multiple paths that lead to the summit, each with different difficulty levels. However, all of them come to the same final section of the trail which is via ferrata. I only recommend doing this hike if you have hiking experience or will be going on a guided tour.
The hike up will not be easy, but you will be rewarded with the most spectacular views – and the bragging rights that you can now be considered a true Slovenian.
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Hiking Gear recommendation
Check out our favorite hiking gear and essentials which we always bring with us.
Enjoy a summer day at Lake Bohinj
Lake Bohinj is one of our favorite destinations for enjoying a day outdoors during the summer.
It is much less popular than its neighbor, Lake Bled, and for this reason, it is quieter and emptier as well. The views are still stunning and the water is crystal clear.
Lake Bohinj is also the starting point for many other activities and things to do in the Triglav National Park. For example, Savica Waterfall is located just at the end of Lake Bohinj, and the Vogel Ski Station as well.
You can also find great hiking trails from Stara Fužina, which is just nearby. Two of our favorites are the Triglav Lakes Hike and the Mostnica Gorge.
Spend the day at Lake Bled
Lake Bled is the most popular destination in Slovenia, ahead even of Ljubljana, the capital city.
Once you get there, you will quickly understand what all the fuss is about. The landscape in Lake Bled is simply unbeatable. In the middle of the lake, there is a small island with a little church in it – where you can go and ring the bell yourself!
To make the most out of your day at Lake Bled, I recommend hiking to the Ojstrica viewpoint for the best views. After that, stop for a coffee and kremšnita (the typical dessert from Bled) at the Belvedere Cafe.
During hot summer days, you can also stop for a swim at the lake or rent a stand-up paddle. The water of the lake can be a bit chilly, but it is a great refreshment during the summer.
Visit Tolmin Gorge or Vintgar Gorge (or both!)
Slovenia has two famous gorges: Tolmin Gorge and Vintgar Gorge.
Tolmin Gorge is located within the Soča Valley. The visit is only 2 km long but you will have incredible views. It is a bit quieter than Vintgar because it is less famous – but equally beautiful.
Vintgar Gorge is located very close to Bled, so it is a great idea to combine these two destinations on the same day. The gorge in Vintgar is more narrow, so the best time of the day to visit is midday because you will have the sun shining through the valley and making the turquoise watercolor stand out.
If you are in doubt about which one to visit, compare the differences between Vintgar and Tolmin Gorges.
Stop at the beautiful Lake Jasna
Lake Jasna is located very close to Kransjka Gora and is a great place to stop for an afternoon coffee or a short walk.
The lake can be visited all year round. The landscape will look a bit different depending on the season, but it is beautiful no matter what. During the summer, you can swim on the lake or rent a paddle board. But, the lakes are quite shallow and small.
During the winter, the cafe by the lake sets up glass igloos outside, creating a very romantic atmosphere. It is definitely worth checking it out.
Visit Zelenci Nature Reserve
One of the most special things to do when visiting the Triglav National Park is to go check out Zelenci Nature Reserve.
Zelenci is a small oasis located on the side of the road that goes from Kranjska Gora to Ratece. The area has been considered a nature reserve since 1992 and what makes it special is that it is the source of the river Sava, the longest Slovenian river.
At the heart of Zelenci, you will see a small lake. Pay attention to the bottom of it, where you can see river Sava literally bubbling from the sand below.
Zelenci can be visited all year round because the lake does not freeze. However, during the winter, the entire surroundings get a lot of snow, so make sure you wear warm clothes.
Go to Kransjka Gora, the largest ski region in Slovenia
Will you be visiting Slovenia during winter? Then the best thing to do in the Triglav National Park is to head to Kransjka Gora for skiing.
The region around Kranjska Gora is the most famous place in Slovenia for skiing. There are many options for ski slopes around. Kranjska Gora also hosts one of the best Christmas Markets in the country.
During the summer, Kransjka Gora is also a great place to stay because it has a lot of infrastructure for traveling. You will find good hotels and restaurants in the area, along with all the needed shops, etc.
One of my favorite things to do is explore this region by bike. You can rent a bicycle in town and cycle around the entire region. In fact, there is a bike road that goes all the way to the Italian border, so you can literally cycle across the border if you want.
How to get to Triglav National Park
Now that you already know the best things to do once you arrive in Triglav National Park, let’s cover the basics…
The best way to explore the Triglav Park region is by car. This is the option that will give you the most freedom to really visit the different places and make the most of your time here.
Since it is a national park, public transport is quite limited in this area. Reaching Bled, Bohinj, and Kransjka Gora from Ljubljana will not be an issue with the bus, but if you want to really adventure through the park, having a car will be your best option.
Do you need to rent a car for your trip?
We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car. So far it has proved to be not only the cheapest option but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!
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Visiting Triglav National Park without a car
If renting a car is not an option for you, you can either rely on public transport (buses) or book tours.
As I mentioned, there are daily regular buses going from Ljubljana to the main towns like Bled, Bohinj, and Kranjska Gora. The bus timeline changes throughout the year, but they run every day. Check the official schedule for more information on the bus timeline and prices.
During the summer, there is also a specific bus line that runs from Kranjska Gora to the Soča Valley. The schedule of this bus line changes every year, I recommend checking on the website above for updated information.
The other alternative is to book specialized tours. This is a great alternative because you will have a guide and a fully-planned schedule, so you won’t have to worry about a thing. Just pick a tour that fits your taste and show up at the meeting point.
If you prefer the tour option, it is a good idea to find accommodation in Ljubljana and visit the Triglav National Park as a day trip. I say this because since Ljubljana is the main city in Slovenia, there are many tours available from here so you will have more options and better prices.
Read also:
Triglav National Park – Fees and opening times
Visiting the Triglav National Park is free, there is no official entrance or regular opening times.
The only exception is for specific attractions and places within the park. For example, you will have to pay for a ticket to visit the Tolmin Gorge and Vintgar Gorge. Some of the waterfalls are also charged, as well as the cable cars and ski slopes.
However, the hikes are free and you can explore the majority of the park without worrying about tickets or opening times.
Accommodation in Triglav National Park
By now, you already understood how big the Triglav National Park is. If you want to sleep within the park, the best areas to stay are in the main towns: Bled, Bohinjska Bistrica, Kranjska Gora, Bovec, or Kobarid.
Here is what I recommend if you have a tight schedule:
- Stay for one night in Bled or Bohinjska Bistrica to explore both lakes and their surroundings
- Stay for two nights in Bovec to explore the Soča Valley region
If you will be spending more days in Slovenia, you can add a few days to each destination to enjoy the area a bit better.
Read also:
Camping in Triglav National Park
Wild camping is not allowed in Slovenia, including within the Triglav National Park. If you want to go camping, you will have to stay overnight in one of the registered campgrounds.
The good news is that there are many campings available within this area. Two of the most popular ones are Camping Bled and the River Camping Bled, but they only open during the warmer months of the year.
Best time to visit Triglav National Park
The best time of the year to visit Triglav National Park is during the summer, or at least during the warm months of the year.
Even though you can still visit the main towns during the winter, the landscape looks very different and most of the hikes and natural attractions will be closed. Water sports are also not possible in Soča during the winter (for obvious reasons).
The Triglav National Park flourishes during the spring. The season brings the lush green landscape this region is truly known for.
I personally think the best months to visit Triglav National Park are May and September. May is the best month for rafting and exploring the Soca Valley because it is when the volume of water in the river is at its highest.
September is a quieter month than August and July, but it normally has equally great weather. I think September is the ideal month to go hiking.
Read also: Best time of the year to visit Slovenia
How many days do you need to visit Triglav National Park
Deciding how long to make your trip really depends on what you want to see during your time here.
I recommend at least 3 full days to visit the Triglav National Park. If you want to go hiking, rafting, or any full-day activity, then add more days to your stay here.
If you are an active person, you could easily spend an entire week exploring the Triglav National Park and still find great options for things to do. This region is truly rich in activities and incredible landscapes.
We hope this guide has helped you plan your next trip. I did my best to put together a list of things to do in the Triglav National Park that could offer you a diverse selection of attractions.
I have personally visited everything I listed in this article because I wanted to make sure that my recommendations were really on point. This is my favorite region in Slovenia, so I am very excited when people show interest in checking it out. I am sure you will love it as much as I do!
Other guides for traveling through Slovenia
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to Slovenia, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Flights: Get affordable flights to Slovenia on Skyscanner.com.
- 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!
- Recommended hiking gear: Check our recommendations on Amazon if you will be hiking in Slovenia!
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