Hi, my girlfriend and I are visiting Slovenia in june 2023. We would like to go on a 2 or 3 day hike in Triglav national park in mid June. We would like the hike to be challenging (let’s say 1500m of elevation gain) and to offer nice views of surroundings peaks. We would also like the trail to come back to its starting point within the 2/3 days time frame (a loop would be ideal). Is there a trail that satisfies these criterias and that passes through huts that are open in mid-june? (We don’t mind a bit of snow).
I found a hike that possibly matches these criterias, it is named « Veliko Spicje and Seven lakes valley ». However, I’m not sure if it’s feasible in June, because the Zasavska koča na Prehodavcih hut only opens in late June.
https://www.moonhoneytravel.com/veliko-spicje-ridge-trail-julian-alps-slovenia/
I’m really excited about hiking in the Julian alps, but I find it hard to plan this in mid-June with the huts opening mostly in the end of June. I’m sure the best would be to go in early July, but my girlfriend and I cannot go at that time because of school and work.
Is there any way to make this work? (Not necessarily the hike that I found, any other similar hike would be perfect, as long as it offers stunning views, is challenging and contains hut(s) to sleep in along the way).
Thank you 🙂
Edit: added the trail « loop criteria »
3 comments
The huts open in the start of June give or take depending on the weather. You can get still a late spring snow which delays the start of the hiking season a bit. At higher elevations snow will still stick around on north facing trails and turn what’s an otherwise easy trail into something much more precarious where crampons and ice axes are obligatory, even though the weather may already be warm enough for short sleeves.
The trail through the Seven Lakes Valley you found is a very good choice. Probably the most scenic part of the park.
Instead of the high altitude Prehodavci hut you might have better luck at Koča pri Triglavskih Jezerih, which is 400m lower at the conditions might be more favourable.
Even if the hut’s aren’t yet open they still offer a “winter room” for refuge. So you could in theory pack some more food and water and just be self-sufficient for 2 nights.
Go from Trenta to Bohinj lake, you will pass the 7 lakes valley. This will be a 3 day trip. Sleeping in winter shelters if huts not open.
It will be too early for Veliko Špičje due to snow. It’s a hard traverse, so skip that.
Best to choose the actual route once you’re here and can learn about the actual detailed conditions.
Some options from easily accessible Bohinj side:
– Ukanc – Dom na Komni (always open) and optionally an extension to Lanževica or Mali Bogatin and back to the hut; next day to Kanjavec and back (option for a circle via Štapce if conditions allow); to the Vogel ski area and down (walking or by cable car) and if that’s too short visiting Meja or Vogel the peak on the way
– Vogar – Dom na Velem polju; Kanjavec and back; return via Planina Krstenica and Blato
– Bohinjska Bistrica – Črna prst; to Vogel ski area (I don’t think you can sleep there any more) and down (or even farther to the hut at planina Razor and back the next day)
The plateau below Kanjavec can provide the same winter obstacles, but the destination is easily substituted if conditions mandate it.