Hiking Areas Slovenia
In Slovenia you'll find a wide variety of hiking areas – from the Alps to the Adriatic. Our overview shows at a glance which region suits you best.
Toll notice: For cars and motorhomes up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, a vignette requirement applies on motorways and expressways in Slovenia (depending on the vehicle class). Learn more in the Slovenia Toll Guide and about the vehicle classes.
The 6 hiking areas at a glance
At a glance
Region and location
Highlights and winter
① Kamnik–Savinja Alps
Location: North
Velika Planina, Kamniška Bistrica, Logarska dolina
Winter: Cross-country skiing, snowshoe hiking
② Karawanks
Location: Border with Austria
Hochstuhl, Košuta, Mittagskogel
Winter: Snowshoes or skis (depending on conditions)
③ Julian Alps
Location: Northwest
Triglav National Park, Soča Valley, Bled
Winter: Skiing in Kranjska Gora
④ Pohorje
Location: Northeast (Maribor)
Lovrenc Lakes, Šumik Waterfalls
Winter: Largest ski area in Slovenia
⑤ Karst and Wine Region
Location: West and southwest to the Adriatic
Vipava Valley, Goriška Brda, Škocjan Caves
Winter: –
⑥ Goričko Nature Park
Location: Tri-border area in the northeast
Grad Castle, traditional orchard meadows
Winter: –
① Kamnik–Savinja Alps
Type
High plateau, valleys, alpine pastures
Highlights
Velika Planina (approx. 1,500 m, around 140 wooden huts), Orglice Waterfall (30 m), Rinka Waterfall (around 90 m)
Access to Velika Planina
Start from the Kamniška Bistrica valley or by cable car
Special feature
One of the largest alpine hut settlements in Europe, "Trnič" cheese
Velika Planina: Expansive pastures, wildflower meadows and karst landscape – a destination for snowshoe hikes in winter.
Kamniška Bistrica: A roughly 33 km long, turquoise-green mountain river with cascades and natural pools.
Logarska dolina: One of the most beautiful glacial valleys in Europe, the Okreselj cirque with rare orchid species. Learn more in the Logarska Valley Guide.
Activities: In addition to hiking and mountaineering, the region offers excellent conditions for mountain bikers, road cyclists and water sports enthusiasts; in winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoe hiking are popular.
Tip: Anyone wanting to experience the nature of the Kamnik–Savinja Alps as fully as possible should first explore the Kamniška Bistrica valley and then visit the Velika Planina high plateau.
② Karawanks (Karavanke)
Length
Around 120 km, a border mountain range between Slovenia and Austria
Peaks
Hochstuhl (over 2,000 m), Košuta (approx. 10 km ridge), Mittagskogel (Kepa), Hochobir (Ojstrc, flora)
Wildlife
Chamois, golden eagles, brown bears
Special feature
Karst landscape with sinkholes and caves, mountain huts, traces from the First World War
Hochstuhl: The highest peak of the Karawanks, accessible from both the Slovenian and Austrian sides, with views reaching as far as the Julian Alps.
Košuta: A mountain massif about 10 km long, particularly suited for ridge hikes.
Winter: Depending on conditions, with snowshoes or skis.
Caution: Find out about the route requirements in advance. Demanding routes should only be attempted by experienced hikers. Multi-day tours are possible.
③ Julian Alps
Highest point
Triglav, 2,864 m
Triglav National Park
Around 84,000 ha, Slovenia's only national park, free admission
Bodies of water
Lake Bohinj (Slovenia's largest lake), Soča (137 km)
Travel tip
Via the Vršič Pass
Soča Valley ("Emerald Road"): Boka, Kozjak, Virje and Beri waterfalls, the Soča gorges, Tolmin Gorge. An overnight stay is recommended. Learn more in the Soča Valley Guide.
Municipality of Bled: A lake with an island and a 15th-century church, a castle (dating back to 1011), Vintgar Gorge. Learn more in the Bled Guide.
Triglav National Park: Hiking, climbing, water sports. Learn more in the Triglav National Park Guide.
UNESCO: The park is part of a UNESCO biosphere reserve with strictly protected natural areas.
Landscape: Mountains, lakes, turquoise rivers and waterfalls; also attractive in winter, for example for skiing in Kranjska Gora. Individual guided tours or special offers may incur a fee.
Active pursuits: Hiking, climbing, mountaineering, canyoning
④ Pohorje Mountains
Highest peak
Črni Vrh, 1,543 m
Highlights
Lovrenc Lakes (more than 20 peat bog lakes at around 1,500 m, wooden walkway, swimming not permitted), Black Lake, Šumik Waterfalls (24 m and 9 m)
Note
Access to the Šumik Waterfalls is considered demanding: sections can be steep and slippery
Winter
Mariborsko Pohorje, Slovenia's largest ski region, home to the "Zlata lisica" World Cup. Learn more in our Ski Areas Guide
Activities: Hiking and cycling on marked trails, with multi-day trekking tours also possible.
Landscape: Dense forests of spruce, fir and beech, upland bogs and mountain meadows.
Relaxation: Thermal spas and health resorts in the surrounding area.
⑤ Karst and Wine Region
Sub-region
Highlight
Vipava Valley
Vineyards, springs, paragliding
Goriška Brda
"Slovenian Tuscany" with hills, olive groves and vineyards, cherry festival
Karst Plateau
Postojna Cave, Škocjan Caves (UNESCO), Lipica Stud Farm, Teran wine and Pršut
Slovenian Istria
Around 46 km of coastline with Piran, Koper and Izola
The coastal town of Piran (about 1 hour from there to parts of the region) or Ljubljana make good starting points.
⑥ Goričko Nature Park (Krajinski park Goričko)
Location
Far northeast, tri-border area with Austria and Hungary, part of the UNESCO biosphere reserve
Getting there
About 1.5 hours from Graz, up to 3 hours from Ljubljana
Highlights
Grad Castle (over 365 rooms), rare orchids, black stork, European pond turtle
Cuisine
Pumpkin seed oil, Prekmurska gibanica
Landscape: Gentle, partly volcanic hills with forests, meadows and orchards, traditional orchard meadows and small ponds.
Nature: Rare orchids, birds of prey such as the black stork, European pond turtle in the wetlands.
Culture: Traditional villages, Grad Castle with a visitor centre and exhibitions.
Cuisine: Fruit, honey and local wines that can be sampled at producers or markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most important questions about tolls on your way to the hiking areas.
Do I need a vignette for my hiking holiday in Slovenia?
Yes. As soon as you use motorways or expressways and your vehicle weighs up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight (e.g. car or motorhome), the vignette requirement applies in Slovenia. The digital vignette is license-plate based and can be purchased online, either valid immediately or from a chosen start date.
Does the vignette in Slovenia also apply to motorhomes?
Yes. Motorhomes up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight require a vignette. Motorhomes over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight are subject in Slovenia to a distance-based toll via the DarsGo system (OBU).
What vehicle classes are there for the Slovenian vignette?
For vehicles up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight, there are three vignette classes: Class 1 (motorcycles), Class 2A (two-axle vehicles with a height above the front axle of up to 1.30 m as well as motorhomes up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight regardless of their height), and Class 2B (two-axle vehicles with a height above the front axle of 1.30 m or more, e.g. many vans and transporters). For more information, see our guide on Vehicle classes in Slovenia.
Do I need a second vignette with a trailer?
No. With a trailer, you don't need a second vignette: only the towing vehicle is decisive. If it has a GVW of up to 3.5 t, its vignette (class 2A or 2B) is sufficient, regardless of the trailer's weight. Only if the towing vehicle itself has a GVW over 3.5 t does the distance-based toll via DarsGo become due.
Are there special toll routes in Slovenia that must be paid in addition to the vignette?
Yes. Certain routes are subject to special tolls. Of particular relevance to travelers is the Karawanks Tunnel. This must be paid in addition, regardless of whether you are traveling with a vignette (up to 3.5 t gross vehicle weight) or with DarsGo/OBU (over 3.5 t gross vehicle weight).
Can I purchase the digital vignette at short notice and use it immediately?
Yes. You can purchase the digital vignette online and either activate it immediately or choose a preferred date as the start of validity. It is important that the vignette is in place before using motorways and expressways; a retroactive purchase is not possible.
Where can I find all the toll rules for traveling to the hiking areas?
A compact overview can be found in our guide to Toll in Slovenia. There you will also learn the difference between a vignette (up to 3.5 t GVW), distance-based toll (DarsGo/OBU, over 3.5 t GVW), and special toll (e.g. Karawanks Tunnel).
The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!
You can find information about tolls in our guide. With the route planner you can see suitable toll products.
