The main advantage of the Vodnik Lodge is its location – it is situated at the crossroads of routes that lead to Pokljuka, Krma, Bohinj, Dolič, and Planika, so it’s truly a great starting point for a hiking adventure. The lodge was built at the end of the 19th century and was named after the Slovenian Enlightenment poet Valentin Vodnik, to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of his ascent of Small Triglav.
The lodge has its own drinking water source and is a great Alpine post where you can rest and get something to eat when hiking to or from cabins that lie higher up in the mountains. It’s also a good stopping point to spend the night on hut to hut tours. The lodge can accommodate 70 people and has 50 seats in its dining rooms and in front of the lodge.
We have rated our tours on a scale from 1 to 5. 1 being the easiest and 5 being the most difficult.
Fitness level difficulty tells you about how fit you need to be for a tour and how much walking there is. Most of our tours are suitable for most people that are regularly active and can walk for around 5-6 hours per day with breaks.
Technical difficulty tells us about the paths we use – Level 1 means that zero hiking experience is required, while 5 is only for experienced hikers used to the exposure and basic climbing techniques.
Our guided tours are led by UIMLA or IMFGA internationally licensed guides who have completed many years of training to make your hut to hut hike both safe and enjoyable. They are passionate individuals who call the Slovenian mountains their second home and are ready to share this adventure with you.
Different huts have different options and sometimes, private rooms for 2 or 4 persons are available. It is not the rule and they require a very early booking. We will try to get you the best possible accommodation from what is available at the time of your booking.
We recommend booking as early as possible. Slovenian mountain huts are very popular and get booked up several weeks in advance, especially on weekends. If your booking is late, we will try our best to find a suitable alternative. Sometimes, last-minute spots open up. However, we cannot guarantee a free spot.
No, all of the huts provide blankets, bedding and pillows, but you can bring your own silk or cotton sleeping liner.
All of the huts offer vegetarian options and usually at least one vegan option. Still, kitchens high up are basic, so don’t expect too many choices. Huts generally serve authentic meals like stews, soups, and sausages. If you have strict dietary restrictions, consider bringing your own food as they can’t make a special meal per request.
Most high-altitude huts in Slovenia don’t have a drinking water source, but you can buy bottled water for around 4,5€ per 1,5l. You can also bring a water purifier and filter rainwater or water from the lakes. There are also some freshwater sources on the way so you never have to carry too much.
In our guided tours, we take care of the reservations for you, and you pay for the huts together with food on the spot. In most huts, you can pay with a credit card, but it is advisable to bring some cash just in case if the internet is down – After all, you’re in the mountains. If you are a member of the UIAA Alpine Association, bring your card and you will get a discount.
For our self-guided tours, the accommodation with breakfast is included in the price.
Cell reception is on and off in most parts of the Julian Alps. The reception is generally better on the peaks and exposed parts and worse in secluded valleys. Some huts offer paid wifi option, but not all.
Most of the mountain huts only operate from June to September. Some huts are open sooner and longer, but those times change from season to season according to weather and snow conditions. Read about best seasons for hiking in Slovenia.
If conditions are favourable we can make a custom tour even before June or after September.
Most of the tours can be done even in light rain, as long as you dress accordingly. It is not unusual in the summer that there are afternoon thunderstorms, so early starts are advisable. If the weather looks really bad, we will try to reschedule or propose an alternative tour.
Try to pack light, only take what you really need. You need your passport or ID for check-in, and some cash is advisable if the internet is down. Bring your sleeping liner and earplugs for the night, and toothbrush and body wipes for hygiene. You don’t need slippers, they are in the hut already.
