All you need to know about visiting Velika Planina
Velika Planina is one of our favorite day-trip destinations near Ljubljana. Whenever we have friends traveling to Slovenia, we always recommend visiting Velika Planina, either by cable car or hiking to the top. It combines the best Slovenia has to offer – beautiful mountain views with a village that represents an important cultural heritage. Learn more about its historical relevance, how to get there, and our recommended hiking trail to Velika Planina in this post.
Why should you visit Velika Planina?
Velika Planina is one of the few traditional herdsmen settlements you can find around Europe. The huts as we see today were rebuilt after the Second World War, after being burnt by German occupiers during that time. However, they were rebuilt in a very similar structure as the very first hut, built in the 16th century.
Visiting Velika Planina in the summer is especially unique because you get the chance to experience a herdsmen settlement in its full glory, with hundreds of cattle roaming free, grazing the plateau. Herdsmen bring their cows up to Velika Planina in June and they stay until September. During that time, they stay in the traditional huts you see, which are single-room establishments, usually without any (or a few) windows and a very recognisable canonical roof. The huts are built in this cone shape and with stone/brick materials to be able to endure the rough weather and wind on the top of the mountain.
Pro tip: Velika Planina is the name of the complex of plateaus and also of the village on the top of the hill. For the purpose of this post, whenever speaking about Velika Planina, we mean the village.
How to get to Velika Planina
Velika Planina is located within the Kamnik Alps in the region called “Osrednjeslovenska”, which is technically the same region as Ljubljana, the capital. The best way to get to Velika Planina depends on the mode of transport, here are our suggestions:
How to get to Velika Planina by car
When going from Ljubljana to Velika Planina by car, the best approach would be to drive towards Kamnik, which is only a 20min drive. If you will be going up by cable car, you will find parking right next to the Kamp Alpe campsite. If you plan on going hiking to Velika Planina, check our section below where we point out our recommended hiking trails and where to park.
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!
How to get to Velika Planina by bus
The bus is a very convenient alternative for people who will be going up to Velika Planina using the cable car. There are buses running from Ljubljana to Stahovica on a daily basis and you have a bus stop right next to the cable car called “Žičnica Velika planina”. The return ticket for the bus will cost you between 7 and 8€.
Cable car x Hiking
There are two main options for going up to Velika Planina – by cable car or hiking. The cable car is the easiest and most accessible option. To get all the way to the top, you will need to get both a cable car and a chair lift. There is an option of hiking the second half, but the path is steep and it may take up to 45min-1h.
The prices of the cable car in Velika Planina may vary depending on the season. As of 2024, the full return ticket for the cable car + chair lift costs 26 €. There are also discounted options for family tickets or multiple rides. Check the official schedule for details. We recommend paying close attention to the timetable, especially if you intend on going early in the morning or late in the day.
On the other hand, if you are up for a hike with really incredible views, we strongly recommend walking the trail to Velika Planina. There are several different starting points that will lead you to the same end – the herdsmen village. Each of the paths will lead to hiking trails with different difficulty levels. Keep reading to see our favorite hiking trail to Velika Planina below.
Hiking trails to Velika Planina – Our recommendation
As we have mentioned before, there are several different hiking trails that lead up to Velika Planina. They each have different difficulty levels and starting points. If you will be travelling by bus, you may be more restricted on the possible paths to follow since some of the starting points are not located along the main road. If this is your case and you will be reaching Velika Planina by bus, we recommend following the hiking path that starts right next to the cable car.
However, if you will be travelling by car to Velika Planina, we recommend starting the hike either in Rakove-ravni parking lot or on Jelšev konfin, they are both marked on the map below. Both of these paths will lead you first to Mala Planina, and from there you will follow along the plateau to Velika Planina. They are very similar in length and difficulty (both considered easy level), you will simply reach Mala Planina from different sides of the hill depending on which one you choose.
Check the described trail here.
Ps: Mala Planina literally means “Small Plateau” and is a tiny version of Velika Planina, which translates into “Big Plateau”.
The main difference between both paths towards Velika Planina is that the hiking trail starting in Jelšev konfin is a bit steeper compared to the one from Rakove-ravni. We have been to both and we think that starting in Rakove-ravni is an easier walk, more recommended for families.
During the high season (mostly summer), a day parking in this area costs 7 €. During low season, this parking fee is usually not charged. However, reaching the parking space in Jelšev konfin may be challenging after heavy snowfalls. See below the difference between going to Velika Planina in summer (June) vs winter (March).
How is the hike to Velika Planina
The hike to Velika Planina starts within the forest, on a very well-marked path (if you go before the high season begins, the path may not be very visible due to broken trees or snow). The entire way is marked with red signs on rocks or trees, so it is very easy to follow. From Rakove-ravni, it took us around 30min to reach Mala Planina, which is the first plateau with only a few houses of herdsmen settlement.
After reaching Mala Planina, you should start following the signs toward Velika Planina, which will lead you through the different plateaus. You will pass by a couple of huts (which will be on your right) that serve really nice traditional alpine food. We recommend stopping for lunch on the way back.
After passing by several cows, it should take you around 30min to reach Velika Planina, easily recognisable with the Snow Mary chapel on the top of the hill. You will be arriving in Velika Planina from one of its lowest points, so we strongly recommend walking around the huts and exploring the area. Overall, the entire hike takes you 3-4h return.
Hiking Gear recommendation
Check out our favorite hiking gear and essentials which we always bring with us.
What to do in Velika Planina
There is no secret that the biggest attraction here is walking among the houses and exploring the alpine village by yourself. Along the way, you will find several informative signs explaining a bit of the history, natural and cultural heritage that Velika Planina represents.
Here are some points of interest that we recommend you check out:
- The highest point, at 1,666 m high, is where you can see the view and spot the surrounding peaks.
- Visit Snow Mary Chapel, which was rebuilt in 1988 after being burnt during WWII.
- Explore the karst caves. Veternica is the most famous one and the one spot you may be able to see snow even during the summer months.
- Eat traditional alpine food. Apart from the huts, you will find along the hike, there are also a few places where you can eat traditional Slovenian alpine food in Velika Planina – you could choose between the restaurant Zeleni Rob or Pastirski stan Gradišekovih, where you can try the dairy products and breads. Our favorite dish from this region is štruklji, but you may also prefer to try ričet, jota, or another soup/stew.
What to visit near Velika Planina
Since you will be around Kamnik, we strongly recommend visiting Kamniška Bistrica, especially if it is a warm summer day. The water color is phenomenal and is… well, let’s say… refreshing.
If you have more time, we also recommend a trip to the Logar Valley (in Slovenian, Logarska Dolina), located just across the mountains.
Where to stay near Velika Planina
If you would like a place to stay close to the cable car to Velika Planina, we recommend a glamping experience at Lepa Lopa. This is the most convenient place to stay for a night before the hike up because it is located only a 10-min walk from the cable car station. The accommodation seems very cozy and offers great views.
Another great option that is also very affordable is the Guest House Kraljev Hrib. This accommodation is very well-rated, with special comments about the homemade and authentic food served at the restaurant. It is extremely well located for going hiking around the region and for visiting Velika Planina using the cable car.
If you would prefer to stay in one of the cabins at Velika Planina, here are two great options of accommodation available:
- Chalet Pehta – This is a great option for groups as the chalet has 3 bedrooms and a great structure overall.
- Chalet Tisa – A very cozy accommodation option that includes a sauna and a hot tub inside the cabin, for a little comfort after a day of hiking. We stayed in this Chalet with our friends and can’t recommend it enough. It’s 100% worth it!
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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Hi, can you suggest where I can find out information on the bus from Ljubljana to Žičnica Velika planina cable car bus stop? Many thanks
Hi Jonathan, unfortunately right now it doesn’t seem that there are any bus information available. I believe the buses to Velika Planina cable car drive only in the summer, so the timetable should be available at later time. The best website to check the time of the bus would be AP Ljubljana website