One of the oldest mountain trails in Europe runs through Slovenia, having been in use since 1953. It is one of the most rugged trails in Europe, only for experienced hikers with no fear of heights. It takes you 617 kilometers over Slovenian mountain paths where you follow the Knafelc blaze, a red and white circle with the number 1. You will climb no fewer than 35 peaks, and sometimes you’ll need your hands more than your feet. The nearly dizzying 40,000 meters of elevation make the mountain path a challenge, requiring perseverance and willpower. Not just physically, but mentally as well. However, don’t be discouraged; it’s an incredibly beautiful, unknown mountain world that shows Slovenia in all its beauty. Welcome to the Slovenian Mountain Trail also known as the SMT or in Slovenian: the Slovenska Planinska Pot.
Slovenian Mountain Trail
Slovenska Planinska PotThe Trail
The Slovenian Mountain Trail isn’t just a trail. It’s a hike through Slovenia’s heart, a journey filled with natural highlights, difficult ascents, and the joy of meeting many nice hikers on your way. It’s a real challenge but the Slovenian people will treat you with trail magic and they’re very proud of their Slovenska Planinska Pot.
The Slovenian Mountain trail is one of the most difficult hiking trails in Europe because you’ll hike exposed on some ridges. The usage of a Via Ferrata kit and climbing helmet is recommended at some stages.
The trailhead lies in the historical city of Maribor, Slovenia’s second-largest town. For centuries, this town was lying in Austria but after WWI it became Yugoslavia and later Slovenia. After hills in Pohorje, you’ll hike through three majestic mountain ranges onto the Adriatic Sea at Debeli Rtic.
Experience Slovenian hospitality as you explore more than 55 cozy mountain huts and conquer at least 35 peaks, including the majestic Mt. Triglav, nestled within Slovenia’s sole national park. The panoramic views from the summit of Mt. Triglav are a reward in themselves, offering a beautiful view over the traversed ridges and those that await.
In Maribor, you can gather last-minute essentials and acquire your SMT logbook for collecting stamps from various checkpoints along the trail. The first stage stretches through Pohorje’s hills and eases you into the hike, presenting a perfect setting to adjust to the trail life. Remember, the region’s summer heat demands you be hydrated and have knowledge of water refill points.
As you advance into the Kamnik-Savinja Alps after 6 days, the trail unveils its alpine heart. This lesser-known chalk rock mountain range, bordering Austria, introduces you to elevations surpassing 2,000 meters. Peaks like Raduha, Skuta, and the towering Grintovec challenge you with iron pins and cables, where you need a Via Ferrata set for safe passage. You can sleep here at one of the most magical places in Slovenia: Bivak pod Skuto. This beautiful bivak hut only provides a bed so make sure you’ll bring enough water and food.
After the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, you’ll hike to the Karawanken range and here you’ll find a bit easier stages, where chalk mountains form a natural frontier with Austria. Here, you traverse high mountain passes and ascend Stol where you’ll hike together with the sheeps.
The pinnacle of the trail awaits in the Julian Alps, within the serene bounds of Triglav National Park. Here, you ascend Slovenia’s highest peak, Mt. Triglav but also the Jalovec, Razor, and Prisojnik. Make sure you book your stay at Triglavski dom na Kredarici, Slovenia’s highest mountain hut, just under the summit of Mt. Triglav at 2515 meters above sea level.
As the mountains recede, the trail meanders through the hills of Idrija you’ll now have some views of the Adriatic Sea. The last days, though long, are filled with alpine meadows and pastoral scenes, leading you to the sea.
Stages
Here is some more information about the stages. Please check out this document from the Alpine Association of Slovenia: Stages Slovenian Mountain Trail.
Maribor – Ruška koča Mountain Hut
Ruška koča Mountain Hut – Ribniska koča Mountain Hut
Ribniška koča Mountain Hut – Postarski dom pod Plešivcem Mountain Hut
Postarski dom pod Plešivcem Mountain Hut – Dom na Smerkovcu Mountain Hut
Dom na Smerkovcu Mountain Hut – koča v Grohotu Mountain Hut
koča v Grohotu Mountain Hut – Kocbekov dom na Korosici Mountain Hut
Kocbekov dom na Korošici Mountain Hut – Kranjska koča na Ledinah Mountain Hut
Kranjska koča na Ledinah Mountain Hut – Cojzova koča Mountain Hut
Cojzova koča Mountain hut – Češka koča Mountain Hut
Ceska koča Mountain Hut – Dom na Kaliscu Mountain Hut
Dom na Kališču Mountain Hut – koča na Kriški gori Mountain Hut
koča na Kriški gori Mountain Hut – koča na Dobrci Mountain Hut
koča na Dobrci Mountain Hut – Dom na Zelenici Mountain Hut
Dom na Zelenici Mountain Hut – Presernova koča Mountain Hut
Presernova koča Mountain Hut – Golica
Golica – Aljazev dom Mountain Hut
Aljazev dom Mountain Hut – Triglavski dom Mountain Hut
Triglavski dom Mountain Hut – koča na Doliču Mountain Hut
koča na Dolicu Mountain Hut – Pogacnikov dom Mountain Hut
Pogacnikov dom Mountain Hut – Postarski dom Mountain Hut or Ticarjev dom Mountain Hut or Erjavceva koča Mountain Hut
Postarski dom Mountain Hut – Zavetisce pod Spickom
Zavetisce pod Spickom – Trenta
Trenta – Zasavska koča Mountain Hut
Zasavska koča Mountain Hut – Dom na Komni
Dom na Komni – Gomisckovo zavetisce Mountain Hut
Gomiščkovo zavetišče Mountain Hut – koča na planini Razor Mountain Hut
koča na planini Razor Mountain Hut – Dom Zorka Jelincica Mountain Hut
Dom Zorka Jelincica Mountain Hut – Petrovo Brdo
Petrovo Brdo – Porezen
Porezen – Planinska koča na Ermanovcu Mountain Hut
Planinska koča na Ermanovcu Mountain Hut – koča na Hleviški planini Mountain Hut
koča na Hleviški planini Mountain Hut – koča Antona Bavcerja na Cavnu Mountain Hut
koča Antona Bavcerja na Cavnu Mountain Hut – Pirnatova koča na Javorniku Mountain Hut
Pirnatova koča na Javorniku Mountain Hut – Vojkova koča na Nanosu
Vojkova koča na Nanosu – Skocjan Caves
Skocjan Caves – Tumova koča na Slavniku Mountain Hut
Tumova koča na Slavniku Mountain Hut – Dbeli rtic
Photo gallery
Accommodations
The Slovenian Mountain Trail meets 55 mountain huts along the way. That’s amazing! You can perfectly sleep in these beautiful mountain huts, meet other hikers, and buy your drinks and food. Mostly they serve Jota (sauerkraut) with sausage or barley stew. When you’re lucky they’ve even got some salad or goulash on the menu. Sometimes the trail goes down through some villages like Trzic, Slovenj Gradec, Mojstrana, and Idrija. This is perfect for staying at a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb to take a shower and go to the grocery stores and buy some food. Wild camping is not an option on this trail since it’s prohibited. However, some hikers do it still and choose a combination of staying in the mountain huts and wild camp.
Do I need to book all the mountain huts in advance?
One of the most asked questions about the Slovenian Mountain Trail is: do I need to book all the mountain huts in advance? My simple answer to that is no. It’s simply impossible to book all the mountain huts in advance because you’ll never know when you’ll need to take a rest day because of the weather or other circumstances. Only make sure that you book the huts near Mt. Triglav one week in advance when you’re hiking the trail. You can easily call them to make a reservation when you’re on the trail or book on their website.
Best time of the year
The best time of the year to hike the Slovenian Mountain Trail is undoubtedly from the end of June until the end of September. As you’re hiking in the mountains be aware that there might be snowfields in late spring and early summer and there might be early snowfall in late summer and early autumn. While you’re hiking from hut to hut, note that most mountain huts open in mid-June and close in mid-September. Generally, the hiking season in the European Alps is limited to the summer months when the weather is milder and the mountain huts are open.
Keep in mind that the weather in the high mountains can change rapidly, and it’s essential to be prepared for various conditions, including sudden rain or snow showers. Always check trail conditions, and local weather forecasts before embarking on a mountain hiking trail. Slovenia is known for its thunderstorms, mostly in the late afternoon, so make sure you check the weather.
Safety & Gear
For safety reasons, always equip yourself with essentials while hiking a long-distance trail, especially high up in the mountains. Bring a sleeping bag or liner for mountain hut nights as this is mandatory. For sure on this trail, bring your trekking poles for more stability and to save your knees during the descents.
For this trail, a Via Ferrata kit and helmet are recommended for your safety during the more difficult stages in the Julian Alps, climbing the Triglav, and stages in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps.
Layering up in the mountains is essential for comfort, safety, and adapting to changing weather conditions. Pack always multiple layers such as:
- The base layer: This layer is closest to your skin and its primary purpose is to wick moisture away to keep you dry. Look for materials like merino wool or synthetic fabrics designed for moisture management. Avoid cotton, as it retains moisture and can make you feel colder.
- Mid layer: The mid-layer provides insulation to help you retain heat. Fleece, down, or synthetic insulated jackets work well for this.
- Outer layer (Hardshell): This is your protective layer against wind and rain in the mountains. A good outer layer is breathable and waterproof or water-resistant.
- Additional layers: always bring some extra dry clothes with you and a down jacket for the chilly moments during a break, early mornings, or evenings.
When hiking the Slovenian Mountain trail, keep in mind your hiking experience and skill level, as some trails in Slovenia can be challenging and exposed. This also requires proper equipment like the Via Ferrata kit and experience.
Membership of an Alpine Club not only gives you mountain hut discounts but also supports trail systems and mountain huts. Check that your insurance covers mountain hikes, and reserve mountain hut sleeping spaces in popular sections near Mt. Triglav to make sure you have a sleeping place in the high mountains.
Good to know
The Slovenian Mountain Trail is a significant and iconic long-distance hiking trail in Europe that traverses Slovenia from west to east. It’s an incredible thru-hike for experienced hikers who love to climb mountains. Equipped with your Via Ferrata kit you’ll get up and over Slovenia’s highest mountains, often on exposed ridges. You’ll sleep in the many mountain huts along the way and definitely will fall in love with Slovenia.
In the summer this part of the Alps is really dry and the huts may have a shortage of running water. Make sure you refill your water when you can and always take at least 2 liters with you. As said, a Via Ferrata kit is mandatory for the exposed sections. Make sure you book your stays in the mountain huts near the Triglav in advance since this part is the most popular area for hikers in Slovenia.
Useful links
Guidebooks
Slovenian Moutain Trail
View guidebookTerms of Use: important to all visitors on this website. We strive to publish high quality content and information on this website. However it’s always possible that we’re missing out on some crucial information. In spite of the fact that this route, associated GPS track (GPX and maps) were prepared under diligent research by the specified contributor and/or contributors, the accuracy of such and judgement of the author is not guaranteed. Therefore, hiking-trails.com and contributors are in no way liable for personal injury, damage to personal property, or any other such situation that might happen to individuals hiking or following this route. Should you choose to hike this trail, this is always at your own risk. Check out our guidelines for safety hiking and Leave No Trace principles at the hiking 101 page.
Download GPX
Comments
Be the first one to comment on this trail!
Reply to this trail