Climbing Mount Triglav: A Complete Guide
So you’re thinking about climbing Mount Triglav, the highest mountain in Slovenia? At 2864m above sea level, Mount Triglav is the jewel in the crown of the Julian Alps. It’s the perfect step-up in difficulty from non-technical trekking peaks such as Mulhacén. If you are more of a climber, there are a number of impressive Via Ferrata routes up the North Face.
Climbing Mount Triglav is seen as a right of passage for many Slovenians and it’s said you’re not a ‘true Slovenian’ until you have conquered the three headed peak. Mount Triglav’s cultural importance is such that it even appears on Slovenia’s flag and coat of arms!
Note: If you are not confident or experienced in navigating technical ground or Via Ferrata, please book this trip with an experienced local guide. Some sections of the trail are dangerous and exposed.
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Where is Mount Triglav?
Mount Triglav is the highest mountain in Slovenia! It’s located in Triglav National Park in north west Slovenia. Triglav National Park encompasses a significant portion the of the Julian Alps which with it’s proximity to Austria and Italy, continue through to another magnificent European mountain range, the Dolomites.
How do you get to Mount Triglav?
You don’t need a car to get to the start of the trail to climb Mount Triglav. However, planning around bus schedules is key to getting anywhere in Triglav National Park. Even in peak season, although cheap and sometimes free, public transport is infrequent and often very busy, so plan ahead!
We recommend staying the night before near the start of the trail in either Stara Fužin or Lake Bohinj. Attempting to travel from Lake Bled on the same day you plan to hike by public transport may prove challenging due to time constraints.
We’ve stayed in both Hotel Gasperin and Bohinj Eco Hotel and they are both lovely and conveniently located near bus stops which take you to the start of the trail.
If we haven’t covered a travel option that suits you below, you can find more details on how to get to Bohinj and Triglav National Park here.
By Plane
The nearest airport is in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia.
If you’re flying from the UK, flights are infrequent and the majority depart from London, so plan your trip accordingly before booking anything.
By Bus
From Ljubljana bus station you can reach Bohinj Lake and Stara Fužina in 2 hours. You can plan your route ahead and buy tickets here.
Arriva is the main bus company around Triglav National Park, be sure to check bus timetables the day before you plan to travel as some buses can be once every 2 hours or more! Typically buses between Ljubljana and Lake Bled are regular and reliable however from Lake Bled to Bohinj buses are much less frequent.
Top Tip: Google Maps doesn’t always have accurate bus schedules so make sure you check the bus company’s website.
By Car
If this is an option for you, great! Having the flexibility of transport when you need it is ideal in Triglav National Park.
There are plenty of car parks within the National Park and although expensive, it can be worth it. Find out more about car parks and the park & ride here.
Can you stay in Triglav National Park?
Yes, you can absolutely stay in Triglav National Park. The National Park boasts a network of 53 mountain huts allowing hikers to create a custom route which works to their individual fitness and comfort level.
Camping outside designated areas is not permitted and wild camping in Triglav National Park is illegal.
We summited Triglav as part of a 4 day hike in Triglav National Park, so we spent 3 nights in huts along the trail. These were:
- Vodnikov Dom (€52 Dinner B&B, private bedroom, showers cost €5)
- Dom Planika pod Triglavom (€53 Dinner B&B, 5 person dorm room, no running water – private room available but book in advance)
- Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih (€33 room only, private bedroom, no showers)
Top Tip: The huts generally offer discount to members of Mountaineering Associations such as the BMC or The Alpine Club, so remember to take your membership cards for these.
The above prices are per person per night from our trip in July/August 2022. Cheaper options are available if you are willing to stay in a larger dorm.
How long does it take to climb Mount Triglav?
Mount Triglav can be climbed in one day or over 2 or 3 days depending on your preferences.
If you choose to climb Mount Triglav in one day then it will take around 12 hours and you must be extremely fit. To summit in one day most people hike the route from the Krma Valley.
We chose to do a longer route and spend 4 days in the National Park, however you can cut it short and return on the 2nd or 3rd day. In this itinerary we summited on the 2nd day from Planika Hut.
Top Tip: Plan your itinerary based upon your own abilities, use our guide as simply that, a guide. Don’t copy anything you see online or in a guide book exactly. You don’t want to find yourself suffering with exhaustion.
Climbing Mount Triglav - which route?
There are 6 popular routes to the summit of Mount Triglav which are all achievable within two days;
- From Stara Fužina
- From Pokljuka Plateau
- From the Krma Valley
- From the Triglav Lakes Valley
- From the Vrata Valley
- Triglav North Face (access from Vrata Valley)
We climbed Mount Triglav as part of a 4-day hike through Triglav National Park in 2022. This guide will describe in more depth the route we took from Lake Bohinj to the summit.
Disclaimer: All routes to the summit of Mount Triglav involve some form of Via Ferrata. If you are not suitably experienced or do not have a head for heights, we would highly recommend hiring a local mountain guide!
Climbing Mount Triglav: A Complete Guide
Climbing Mount Triglav from Stara Fužina is a long hike with a technical route to the summit. This route is often completed over multiple days, summiting on day 2 of the hike. It requires via ferrata and navigational skills as some routes aren’t clearly marked.
The route below is a one way route description, you can descend the same route or continue into the National Park on a multi-day hiking trip. If you like the idea of extending, we have a full guide on our 4 day hiking trip in Triglav National Park.
Hiking Overview: Climbing Mount Triglav from Stara Fužina
Day 1: Stara Fužina to Vodnikov Dom
The day begins in Stara Fužina, conveniently connected to Bohinj and its surrounding areas through a centrally located bus stop. We opted to take the bus from Ljubljana to Bohinj the day before and stayed the night there in order to start early the next day.
From the supermarket in Stara Fužina, follow the road north until you reach a bend in the road. Turn left here, heading up the hill, keep on this road until you reach a car park, Parkirišče Stara Fužina, where there is also a toilet!
In the top right corner of the car park, a footpath awaits. Follow this into the forest, where highlights include; a variety of plant species (all labelled), ‘Devil’s Bridge’ and deep ravines filled with turquoise water.
If you have more time: You can pay €3 at a wooden hut on the footpath to visit Mostnica Gorge and see the waterfall.
Continuing along the river and forest path, you will eventually reach Planinska koca na Vojah. This is the first hut on the trail and a great opportunity to grab a refreshment or bite to eat.
Continue along the main track from the Mountain Hut until you reach a fork in the road marked with a sign post. Take the path on the left along a wide gravel track, the path eventually becomes less clear and continues into a forest. This is where the path becomes steep, with a long loose rocky section.
Top Tip: There are a lot of steep loose sections so walking poles are a must especially if hiking with a heavy backpack.
After following the rocky path as it zig zags up through dense greenery, you eventually emerge from the forest and are welcomed with panoramic views of Triglav National Park. Having crossed scree slopes and snaked around the mountainside, you will finally see your hut for the night, Vodnikov Dom!
Vodnikov Dom – Mountain Hut Review
A cosy alpine hut, nestled in the mountain side with panoramic views of Triglav National Park. They served hearty, delicious and warming food in a welcoming atmosphere. You might be able to spot the hut in the picture above.
Cow bells echo up from the valley floor and rooms are warm and clean. There is a shower but this requires tokens, which can be purchased at reception, €5 for 4 minutes.
We booked a private 2 bed room on a half board basis, this included a bed with pillow and blanket, dinner (main and dessert) and breakfast. In Aug 2022 we paid €52 pp.
Day 2: Vodnikov Dom to Triglav Summit via Dom Planika
**VIA FERRATA SAFETY**
Before tackling Mount Triglav or any Via Ferrata, it is highly recommend that you use the following kit:
Rock Climbing Helmet
Harness
Via Ferrata Lanyard (with two karabiners)
Get up bright and early, it’s going to be big day!
From Vodnikov Dom, take the path at the back of the hut which snakes up the mountainside. It should be signposted by a stone saying ‘Triglav’. Follow this path up as it winds along the hillside with a few short aided sections, navigate up steeply to Dom Planika.
Once at Dom Planika, this is a great opportunity to refuel if needed before tackling the summit. This is also a good time to get your gear on, harness, helmet and via ferrata kit.
Mount Triglav Summit Climb
From the Mountain Hut follow the path marked by a rock with ‘Triglav’ written on it. The path first descends into a small basin before steeply climbing up a smooth rocky section. After a short scramble you will reach the first via ferrata which aids you up a steep gully and then snakes up to Mali Triglav (Small Triglav).
From here the route becomes quite exposed, so it’s important to get into the rhythm of clipping onto the cables as you go. It’s a thrilling and spine tingling experience crossing the narrow exposed ridge.
Along the route there are a few short scramble sections but mostly a fairly easy hike if confident in using the via ferrata.
You will most likely encounter other people on the trail and will therefore need to pass them on the narrow ridge. Keep an eye out ahead and if you see somewhere to pass safely wait there if someone is coming.
After one last steep climb you will catch sight of a rocket shaped structure as you emerge up onto this rocky peak. This is the summit shelter on Mount Triglav, and is surrounded by panoramic views of Triglav National Park.
You made it, and therefore are a true Slovenian!
Fun Fact: The name Triglav means ‘three headed’, reference to the three peaks of the mountain that can be seen from the south-east.
Descending
There are a few options when choosing which route to descend. If you don’t plan to stay in the National Park then you can retrace your steps down the same route. It’s a long day but as it’s all downhill, it will be quicker than on the way up.
If you want to extend your trip and stay a few more days we created a 4 day hiking guide for Triglav National Park. Once you’ve descended Triglav along the the same route you climbed up, head to Dom Planika. We stayed here for one night before continuing into the National Park and on towards Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih.
From the summit as you climb down the same route, you reach a fork. Right takes you back to Dom Planika whilst left descends to Triglavski donna Kredarica, another mountain hut. Remember to take extra care and concentrate on your way down, as like any mountain, most accidents happen on the descent.
Top Tips to Remember
- Check the weather forecast before your climb.
- Prepare for the conditions. It may be t-shirts and shorts weather in the valley but that doesn’t mean it will be up high. Pack extra layers plus a hat and gloves as a minimum. If climbing in winter or early summer, crampons and ice axes are likely to be necessary.
- Pack sufficient food and drink. Remember the only places to refuel are at huts, which can be quite far apart. You will also need to buy water once in the National Park.
- If hiking in summer, a hat, sunglasses and sun cream are essential. There is little shelter en route. The sun and dehydration are your biggest enemy.
- Pack your rubbish, there is a rule in Triglav National Park that you must take all rubbish back down to the valley with you.
- If you’re unsure of your abilities then hire a mountain guide!
What to pack for a multi day hike?
DOWNLOAD OUR MULTIDAY HIKING KIT LIST HERE!
Remember that what you pack you have to carry hiking into the mountains. It’s easy to over pack, we always like to go over our bags twice before the final ‘pack’ to see if there’s any extra weight we can loose.
For Triglav National Park we hiked with 40L-50L bags, however we had to pack a little extra because we ended the trip in Lake Bled and Ljubljana. If we hadn’t also planned a city break at the end of the trip we could definitely have packed lighter and taken a slightly smaller rucksack.
The most important thing to pack is a map and compass, and know how to use them. Most of the trails are marked by small red circles on rocks but it can still be easy to stray off the trail. There is very little, if any phone signal in the park and no wifi in mountain huts to rely on.
Always pack the essentials; waterproofs, spare warm layer, hat and gloves, sunglasses and sun hat, personal first aid kit, head torch, via ferrata kit, helmet and harness.
Top Tip: Mark the maps with your chosen route beforehand then fold it the night before into a waterproof case and keep them handy.
FAQ's
Can a beginner climb Mount Triglav?
A beginner can climb Mount Triglav although if you are a complete novice to technical hiking we would recommend booking a guide.
Mount Triglav is a great step-up in difficulty from non-technical trekking peaks such as Mulhacén. So if you are looking to expand your technical experience and are already a keen hiker, this is a great choice.
Can you climb Mount Triglav without a guide?
Yes, you can climb Triglav without a guide!
We did, however it should be noted that Nick is a qualified Mountain Leader in the UK. We also had some via ferrata experience from hiking Alta Via 1 in the Italian Dolomites.
For that reason, we felt comfortable doing this on our own without a local guide.
There are plenty of options to do this with a guide and we did see several guided groups on the mountain.
Can you climb Triglav in one day?
Yes is it possible to climb Mount Triglav in one day. It usually takes hikers around 12 hours from Krma Valley, and you should be extremely fit to take on this challenge.
Do you need a harness to climb Triglav?
Yes, we would strongly advise wearing a harness, helmet and via ferrata kit in order to climb Mount Triglav safely.
You are likely to encounter locals hiking the trail without any safety gear, but this is either because they are extremely experienced climbers or know the trail well. This doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do, that is your decision to make alone depending on your experience.
We felt a lot safer clipping into the via ferrata both on the way up and down. There are a lot of extremely steep drops and potential for rock fall on the way up so a helmet is also really important.
Where to stay when climbing Mount Triglav?
The best place to stay when climbing Mount Triglav is in one of the mountain huts in Triglav National Park. We mentioned more about these above.
For the hiking route from Stara Fužina we would recommend staying the night before in Vodnikov Dom. Then after summiting descending down to Dom Planika. Stay that night then continue either back to Stara Fužina or onto another hut.
As per above these are the costs and huts we stayed in in July/August 2022:
- Vodnikov Dom (€52 Dinner B&B, private bedroom, showers cost €5)
- Dom Planika pod Triglavom (€53 Dinner B&B, 5 person dorm room, no running water – private room available but book in advance)
- Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih (€33 room only, private bedroom, no showers)
Top Tip: The huts generally offer discount to members of Mountaineering Associations such as the BMC or The Alpine Club, so remember to take your membership cards for these.
The mountain huts in Triglav National Park are like hostels but with a cosy and rustic mountain atmosphere. Most charge on a half-board basis with bed, breakfast and a 1 or 2 course evening meal. Usually rooms are either private or dormitories and are cosy and warm. You’re provided with a pillow and blanket, but it’s advised to bring your own sleeping bag liner.
Many of the huts feel like hotels after a hard day on the trail, but remember they are still remote and therefore lacking in some facilities, such as running water. Be prepared to buy bottled water, at a premium price, and unfortunately showers are not always available. In the huts where showers are available, you can pay extra for tokens which allow you for a set time (eg 4 minutes) or set volume of hot water.
Staying in a mountain hut is a really unique and enjoyable experience, there really is nothing else like waking up to those views and fresh mountain air.
All the mountain huts can be booked online through the Mountaineering Association of Slovenia, we found this website really useful as it has all the hut details.
We would highly recommend planning your trail and booking the huts ahead. Some people don’t and risk phoning ahead each morning to check availability. We do not recommend doing this, especially in peak season. When we arrived at our huts, they were always fully booked. Besides, if you have a tight schedule and return flights booked this is unlikely to work for you.
When is the best time to climb Mount Triglav?
The best time to climb Mount Triglav is usually between July and September. This is because outside of these months the higher trails can still be covered in snow and ice. However, during the warmer months there can still be rain and lighting storms, so make sure to always check the weather before heading up.
August tends to be the busiest month, particularly on weekends. If like us, you do visit in August, aim to climb on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
Triglav can be climbed in winter, but we would only recommend doing this if you are an experienced climber and with a guide.
Thanks for reading and we hope this helps you in climbing Mount Triglav. If you’re looking for other great European hikes check out our favourite multiday hike, Alta Via 1 or day hike, La Jonction in Chamonix.
Let us know how your Triglav adventure went, and if you liked this post leave us a comment or like below. We love to hear about your hiking adventures so feel free to drop us a message on social media too!
Nick & Eve