Slovenia is one of my favorite countries to visit in Europe, partially because it packs so many diverse landscapes into such a small area. From the Adriatic Sea to hillside vineyards to Moria-esque caves to snow-capped mountains, Slovenia honestly has it all!
And when it comes to stunning scenery, you can't really ask for better than what you can find in Triglav National Park.
Triglav National Park is Slovenia's only national park, covering 340 square miles in the northwestern part of the country. The park is known for its turquoise rivers, tumbling waterfalls, and dramatic Julian Alps. It gets its name from from Mount Triglav, the highest peak in Slovenia at 9,396 feet (2,864 meters).
It's relatively easy to reach this national park, too; it's just a 50-minute drive from the capital of Ljubljana, or a 10-minute drive from Lake Bled. So you definitely need to put it on your Slovenia to-do list!
When to visit Triglav National Park
Triglav National Park is both a summer and winter destination. During the summer months, you can go hiking, swimming, and sightseeing throughout the park. And in the winter, skiing and other snowsports are possible.
This post mostly focuses on things to do in the summer, however, as some of the best things to do in Triglav National Park are not accessible during the winter months.
Top things to do in Triglav National Park
Once you're there, here are all the best things to do in Triglav National Park, whether you want to get adventurous or just see some great views.
1. Hike through Vintgar Gorge
One of the most popular activities in Triglav National Park is hiking through Vintgar Gorge. This picturesque gorge close to Lake Bled was carved out by the Radovna River, and you can walk through it on wooden boardwalks.
This is an easy hike (1 mile long) that takes you alongside the turquoise-blue waters of the river gorge, past small waterfalls and clear pools. It's absolutely gorge-ous! (Sorry, couldn't resist the bad pun…)
Because Vintgar Gorge is so popular (and also only open from mid-April/early May through early October each year), they do operate on a timed ticket basis. I recommend booking a timed ticket first thing in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid some of the crowds, especially if you're visiting in the summer.
NOTE: These days, the boardwalks through Vintgar Gorge are one-way only, meaning you'll need to hike a different trail back to the trailhead or parking area. The walk through the gorge itself takes 45-60 minutes, and then you'll want to allow at least 1.5 hours for the walk back, on one of two trails. More info here.
2. Watersports at Lake Bohinj
Covering 790 acres, Lake Bohinj is the largest lake in Slovenia. And its location is made extra stunning since it's nestled within the Julian Alps.
The lake is a popular spot to visit Triglav National Park, and is a great destination for watersports, including kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. You can rent boats and more at the southeast end of the lake, or get tickets for a panoramic boat tour if that's more your speed. (Look for “Ladja Bohinj – Ribčev Laz” on the map for the embarkation point.)
You can also walk a trail around Lake Bohinj – be sure to stop to see the Church of St. John the Baptist, and the statue of a mythical Zlatorog, or Goldenhorn deer/ibex. And if you want to stop for lunch here, I loved the views at Restavracija Kramar.
3. Ride the Vogel Cable Car
Want to see Lake Bohinj from another vantage point, or perhaps go for a summer hike? Then you want to catch the Vogel Cable Car at the southeastern end of Lake Bohinj. This scenic cable car will whisk you up 3,280 feet, to the Vogel Ski Center.
During the winter, this is obviously a popular skiing spot! But in the summer, you can ride the cable car for excellent views and access to alpine hiking trails.
You can of course just stop at the top cable car station (there's a restaurant where you can grab a snack or drink), but I recommend going even higher on the Orlove Glave chairlift if you don't mind heights. This chairlift is free to ride (it's included in the price of the cable car ticket), and takes you even higher up into the mountains.
From the chairlift, you can even see Mount Triglav on clear days!
You can find hiking trails branching off from the chairlift station, including one that leads to the top of Mount Vogel. However, note that this is alpine hiking, and you'll need to be properly prepared! I also found that there weren't great trail markings or maps available, so I don't think I'd recommend hiking up here for beginners.
Tickets for the Vogel Cable Car vary by season, but you can expect to pay between €29.50 and €32 for an adult return ticket.
PRO TIP: If you want a great photo of Lake Bohinj from above, you'll want to snap it from the upper cable car platform *before* you head inside the building. There strangely aren't any great viewpoints once you leave this platform. Do it when you exit the cable car on the ride up!
4. Visit a waterfall (or two)
There are quite a few notable waterfalls in Triglav National Park, several of which you can hike to – or even hike behind! (Fun fact: the Slovene word for “waterfall” is “slap,” which is extra fun.)
The three most popular waterfalls in Triglav National Park are:
- Pericnik Waterfall – Located in the northern part of the park, Slap Peričnik is relatively close to the Vintgar Gorge and Lake Bled. You can hike up to and right behind the upper cascade of this waterfall; the trail is moderately steep but easy to follow. The whole hike will take you 30-60 minutes if you go behind the falls. (The waterfall is free, but you'll need to pay for parking.)
- Savica Waterfall – Near Lake Bohinj, Slap Savica is another popular waterfall that flows down a rock wall into a pretty pool. The hike is slightly challenging with some steep sections and steps, and will take 30-60 minutes to complete. (You'll need to pay for both parking and an entry fee here.)
- Kozjak Waterfall – Another beautiful waterfall to visit is Slap Kozjak, which is a tall column waterfall that falls into a turquoise pool in a little canyon. It's *technically* just outside of Triglav National Park, but I'm including it anyway. The hike to this waterfall is relatively easy along a river (and includes walking over a bridge with excellent views), and takes about 40 minutes round-trip. If you're brave enough, you can even swim in the Soča River – but it's usually very cold! (There's a small entrance fee to pay once you get close to the waterfall.)
5. Go rafting on the Soca River
If you're looking to get adventurous in Triglav National Park beyond hiking, you should definitely go rafting on the Soča River.
On my first trip to Slovenia, I booked the Emerald River Adventure, which is a fun full-day tour that includes whitewater rafting on the Soča River (as well as some hikes and waterfalls). While the entire day tour is excellent, rafting on the Gatorade-blue river was definitely the coolest part!
The rafting isn't particularly technical (the biggest rapids are only Grade 3 out of 5), but the scenery is absolutely stunning.
6. Hike to the source of the Soča
This was included in the Emerald River Adventure tour I did, but you can also do it on your own! The hike to the “source” of the Soča River (the Izvir Soče) is located in the northern part of Triglav National Park, and is relatively short (about 30 minutes round-trip) but unique.
The hike follows a small tributary river to a cave spring, and the last section of it is set up like a via ferrata, with cables and iron ladder-style steps to help you skirt around rock faces. It's not a hike for everyone – and you NEED good shoes for it – but it's fun if you are prepared and take it slow.
7. Drive over the Vrsic Pass
The Vršič Pass is the highest mountain pass in Triglav National Pass, winding through the Julian Alps and offering up some truly breathtaking views.
The pass is at an altitude of over 5,200 feet, and you'll reach it via a winding mountain road with more than 50 hairpin turns – meaning this drive is not for the faint of heart! It's worth it though.
I drove up to the pass from Kranjska Gora, and then went back the same way. There are several viewpoints and hiking trailheads on the way up, and then a parking area and more hiking trails at the highest point of the Vršič Pass.
In the summer, you can also stop at the restaurant at the Tičar Lodge for a drink or meal with great views right at the top of the pass.
Note: This road in particular is very popular with motorcycle riders and regular cyclists, so you'll want to be extra careful as you take those hairpin turns. Go slow, and look out for bikes of all shapes and sizes!
8. Stop at the Russian Chapel
On the road from the Vršič Pass back to Kranjska Gora, you can stop to see the Russian Chapel, a picturesque wooden church with a slightly dark history.
The Vršič Pass was constructed during World War I, largely using the forced labor of Russian and other Slavic prisoners of war. Those same prisoners built the Russian Chapel dedicated to St. Vladimir in 1915.
Now, the church serves as a war memorial and was declared a monument of national importance in Slovenia in 2015. You can't go inside it, but it's worth a stop for a photo.
Note: There's a parking lot for the chapel just across the road, but it sits on one of those bends, so be very careful when you go to cross it!
9. See Lake Jasna
Not far from the town of Kranjska Gora in the northwest corner of Triglav National Park is another beautiful little lake worth visiting: Lake Jasna. This is actually a man-made lake and it's not big (you can walk around it in less than half an hour), but it's in the perfect position to be surrounded by dramatic Julian Alps views.
You can take photos at the famous Chamois statue at the northern end of the lake, enjoy a drink or meal at one of the restaurants there, and even go for a swim – but know that those clear waters aren't usually very warm!
Near the parking area for Lake Jasna, you can also follow a trail that leads to a little suspension bridge over the Pišnice Gorge and some small waterfalls. Worth it for a quick photo!
10. Get sporty in Kranjska Gora
During the winter months, you can go skiing in the little alpine town of Kranjska Gora. And in the summer, the ski slopes are used for other sports. You can do some downhill and mountain biking at Bike Park Kranjska Gora or Ski Kranjska Gora. Ski Kranjska Gora also opens up a summer “toboggan” run (like an alpine roller coaster, with individual cars on a rail), which is fun and family-friendly.
You can also wander around Kranjska Gora, which is just a really cute alpine town. (And yes, it's technically located just outside the borders of Triglav National Park, but it's one of the main park bases so I'm including it!)
11. Visit Planica Nordic Centre
The Planica Nordic Centre is a massive sports complex with a variety of activities, located just outside the northern edge of Triglav National Park. In the winter, Planica is a training center for skiing, with ski jumping hills and extensive cross-country skiing trails.
During the summer, though, you can enjoy a 1,856-foot zipline, or try other activities like disc golf, a chairlift ride, or even a wind tunnel skydiving simulation. Find more info here on all the activities they offer.
Bonus: Border Tripoint (AT/IT/SLO)
Not far from Kranjska Gora, you can do something super unique and stand at the border of three countries: Slovenia, Austria, and Italy! Again, this is outside of the borders of the national park, but close enough that I want to mention it.
Marked on Google Maps as Border Tripoint (AT/IT/SLO), this is a quiet tourist destination that offers scenic views across all three countries. Many people hike up here, but you can also drive basically all the way up to the site on a gravel road from the Slovenian side.
There's a tripoint marker at the border – and, fun fact, representatives from all three countries meet here once a year in September to celebrate the friendship between the nations.
Bonus: Ride the car train
Another unique thing you can experience just outside the boundary of Triglav National Park (this time to the south) is the ride a car-carrying train from Most na Soči to Bohinjska Bistrica (or vice versa).
A car train works the way you'd expect: you drive your car onto a train, and ride the train through the mountains. The ride takes about 35 minutes – but if you drove your car the same distance, it would take about 1.5 hours. I've done this before, and it's a unique experience!
You can see ticket prices for the car train here, but note that you cannot pre-book tickets; just show up early (at least 30 minutes early in the summer) for the time you want to ride.
How long do you need in Triglav National Park?
You can see a lot in Triglav National Park in just one day (the Emerald River Adventure tour covers a lot of the things listed here!), but if you want to hit everything on this list, you'll want to dedicate 2-3 days to the national park.
More Slovenia posts you might like:
Where to stay in Triglav National Park
Slovenia is quite a small country, so you can easily get to Triglav National Park from places like Ljubljana or Lake Bled if you don't want to book separate accommodation.
If you DO want to stay in or at least closer to the park, however, your best options are the area around Lake Bohinj and Kranjska Gora.
Around Lake Bohinj, my top picks are:
- Hotel Bohinj – Top-rated and newly renovated, with mountain views and a spa.
- Art Hotel Kristal – An alpine-style hotel set back from the lake with a good restaurant.
- Vila Park – A cozy B&B option at the other end of the lake, in Ukanc.
And in Kranjska Gora, my top picks are:
- Garni Hotel Miklic – Top-rated alpine-style hotel with free parking and an excellent breakfast.
- Skipass Hotel – A lovely boutique hotel option in Kranjska Gora.
For a fairly small national park in a small country, Triglav National Park has so many unique things to do and see! I absolutely love this national park, and think you will, too!
Who's ready to plan a trip to Triglav National Park?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to more than 60 countries on 6 continents from her home base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and thoughtful travel through the US, Europe, and rest of the world. Amanda only shares tips based on her personal experiences and places she's actually traveled!
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