2021
SLOVENIA
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Language: Slovene
Currency: Euro (€)
Capital city: Ljubljana
Population: ~2.1 m
Driving Side: Right
Best Time to Visit:
- May–September for hiking
- July–August for river adventuresWeather: Mild alpine summers, cool evenings in the mountains
Power Outlets: Type C & F (230V, 50Hz)
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✅ 10 day trip
✈ Berlin → Ljubljana
🎒 Hiking gear, go pro and drone
Rent via ferrata gear & helmets
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Triglav National Park Alpine views, epic hikes, and the heart of Slovenia
Soča River with its crystal-clear turquoise water + rafting adrenaline
Bled. A Fairytale lake with a church on an island
Predjama Castle. A literal castle built into a cliff
Škocjan Caves Underground world straight out of LOTR
Secret gem, lush and green, underrated yet majestic, surprising, intriguing, and wildly adventurous. This trip gave us lakes, peaks, castles, caves, and a real glimpse into the wild heart of the Balkans.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Ljubljana · Drive to Bled & Bohinj
Day 2: Soča River · Vršič Pass · Kranjska Gora
Day 3–5: 3-Day Hike in Triglav National Park
Day 6: Skofja Loka
Day 7: Škocjan Caves · Predjama Castle
Day 8–10: Ljubljana
Day 1: Arrival + Bohinj + Bled
Landed in Ljubljana. Realized everything is close. Rented a car and drove straight to Lake Bohinj. It sits within Triglav National Park, quieter and less crowded than its famous neighbor. Then hopped over to Lake Bled just under 30 km away. The lake centers on Slovenia’s only natural island, home to a church whose current Baroque form dates to the 17th century, reached by traditional pletna boats. Grooms traditionally carry brides up the church’s 99 stone steps before ringing the wishing bell inside, a ritual meant to symbolize strength, devotion, and the promise to support one another through married life, with the bell tied to a long held local belief that wishes made there will come true.
Lakeside walks, jaw drops, intro to Slovenian beauty, check.
Day 2: Raft or Die on the Soča
Woke up chill. Then chaos hit: rafting was not 30 mins away, but it was 2 hours. Rushed like Mario Kart to the Soča River and made it just in time for the wettest adrenaline rush of our lives.
The Soča runs for about 138 km from its Alpine source to the Adriatic Sea and is famous for its emerald green color, which it keeps along most of its course. The color comes from mineral rich limestone geology and extremely clear water, where fine suspended particles scatter blue and green light. Most rivers lose their distinctive color downstream from sediment and runoff, but the Soča's consistent limestone geology preserves its color from the Alpine source to the Adriatic Sea. Even in peak summer, the glacial-fed water rarely exceeds 13°C in the upper sections near Bovec.
📜 Fun Fact: Disney filmed scenes for The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian in the Soča Valley in 2007.
Afterward, we drove through the Vršič Pass, Slovenia's highest mountain pass at 1,611 m. 50 hairpin bends wind through the Julian Alps. The road was built by Russian prisoners of war during WWI. A wooden chapel memorializes the over 300 who died in a 1916 avalanche. We ended in Kranjska Gora, an alpine resort town near the Austrian and Italian borders that serves as a northern gateway to Triglav National Park. Vibes immaculate.
Days 3–5: The Triglav Saga
Triglav (2,864 m) is Slovenia's highest peak and most sacred mountain, appearing on the national flag and coat of arms. The mountain sits at the heart of Triglav National Park, Slovenia's only national park covering 840 km² (4% of the country's land area) and part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Triglav means "three-headed." Legend tells of an ancient Slavic deity with three heads ruling heaven, earth, and the underworld.
We chose a 3-day hike. “Medium difficulty”? Maybe if you're Slovenian and forged from granite.
For Sisi? Let’s call it spiritual character development.
Felix? Thriving.
Day 1: Blato Meadow ➝ Dolič Hut via Hribarice Pass
We started strong, walking through peaceful meadows at Blato Meadow (1,150 m), passing grazing cows, and soaking in the alpine calm. We gradually gained elevation, reaching the Seven Lakes Valley Hut (1,685 m), still feeling hopeful and only mildly sweaty. Then Hribarice Pass (2,360 m) hit. It is a brutal stretch of endless loose rocks, steep inclines, and absolutely zero stability. After pushing through the final climb, we descended slightly to Dolič Hut (2,150 m), where I arrived half-alive and fully humbled.Day 2: Summit Triglav via death stairs
On day two, we left Dolič Hut (2,150 m) and went for the summit of Triglav (2,864 m) via what I now call the Death Stairs. It was vertical, slippery, and low-key terrifying. The climb took about two and a half hours and felt pretty risky, especially compared to the alternative route via Planika Hut (2,401 m). That one has more via ferrata passages, is less exposed, and only takes around an hour and a half to climb. If you are not out here trying to prove something to your ancestors, I highly recommend summiting from that side instead. It is safer, shorter, and still gives you the full majestic peak moment. Felix casually said, “That was fun!”. I, meanwhile, was gripping steel cables and whispering final goodbyes to the sky.
📜 Fun fact: Legend goes you’re not officially Slovenian until you summit Triglav. And if it’s your first time, tradition says you get lightly whipped on the butt with a rope or branch at the top.
After the summit, we descended to Planika Hut, where I collapsed, mildly traumatized but extremely proud.
Day 3: Descend like weary heroes
The third day brought us back to life, slowly. We descended from Planika Hut (2,401 m) through dreamy fairytale-like meadows, passed sleepy alpine huts like Vodnikov Dom (1,817 m), and crossed quiet valleys like Velo Polje (1,680 m) and Jezerski Preval (1,945 m). It was a five hour downhill trek that left us sore but restored. By the time we reached Blato Meadow (1,150 m) again, I was dusty, tired, and a slightly upgraded version of myself.
✨ Pro Tips:
Rent via ferrata gear & helmets in Bled
Bring soap + bottled water if you wear contacts. Huts above 1,500 m have no plumbing and no potable water (looking at you, Dolič Hut and Planika Hut)
After the hike, we spent the afternoon at Lake Bohinj, Slovenia’s largest lake and hands down the most peaceful place to let your legs stop screaming. We rested, and stared into the mountains. Later, we made our way to Bled for some chill activities and a well deserved dinner. Bliss.
Day 6: Škofja Loka (aka Medieval Tinder Town)
It’s cute, it’s old, it has a UNESCO certified medieval play that only happens once every 6 years. We admired the architecture, ate pizza by the river, and didn’t stay too long. It was a solid cultural palate cleanser post-hike.
Day 7: LOTR x Vampire Collab
First stop: Škocjan Caves, a UNESCO listed cave system famous for containing one of the largest underground canyons in the world. Carved by the Reka River deep beneath the Karst plateau, it’s dark, echoey, and so wildly cinematic you half expect a Balrog to come roaring out of the mist.
Second stop: Predjama Castle, a 13th century fortress built into the mouth of a cave halfway up a 123 meter cliff. Once home to Slovenia’s real life Robin Hood (Erazem of Predjama), it features secret escape tunnels, a full-blown torture chamber, and medieval defense systems like murder holes for boiling oil. This place wasn’t just a deeply dramatic stronghold; it was a medieval flex. 🦇
We ended the day at Gostilna Podfarovž, perched right beside one of the springs of the Vipava River. This charming spot overlooks the river’s source and boasts a wooden terrace that feels like it’s floating over the water, offering a peaceful, riverside setting. Their six course tasting menu, crafted from local seasonal ingredients, paired with Vipava Valley wines, made it one of the most delightful highlights of the trip
Days 8–10: Ljubljana Slow Burn
Ljubljana? She’s chill, effortlessly cool, and full of soft design energy.
Explored Slovenia’s first mosque
Obsessed over chairs at the Architecture & Design Museum
Drank exceptionally good wine at Dvorni Bar
Did an escape room at the hilltop castle to free the Ljubljana Dragon (yes, really)
Sauna’d our sore legs into oblivion
Wandered the Old Town, bought silly souvenirs, and met up with friends
Design Tales
Slovenia’s first mosque, designed by Bevk Perović Arhitekti, took more than 50 years to become reality after long political hesitation and public resistance. Its minaret was intentionally kept low to blend with Ljubljana’s skyline, a quiet compromise between tradition and context. When it finally opened in 2020, it emerged as a calm statement of faith and belonging. The luminous 32 × 32 × 24 meter steel lattice cube holds a suspended blue textile dome that evokes the sky rather than topping it. The building feels like an architectural meditation on patience, community, and the art of finding presence through restraint.
Image by David Schreyer
Editors Note
This trip was a wild mix of alpine grit, fairytale towns, underground wonders, and one very charming capital. Here’s what stood out:
🏆 The best? Toss-up between summiting Triglav and wandering through Predjama Castle like a Vampire.
💡 Pro tips?
Don’t underestimate Triglav. “Medium difficulty” is a lie. Bring gear, bring snacks, bring emotional resilience.
Skip Škofja Loka unless the medieval Passion Play is happening.