Triglav Ski Touring Traverse
Ski through the heart of the Julian Alps
Away from the summer crowds
The ultimate ski tour Slovenia
Slovenian version of the renowned Haute Route
Spend an authentic night in a bivouac
Optional ascent to Triglav
Itinerary
The first day will start at the magnificent Lake Bohinj, where the cablecar will lift us to the Vogel Ski Resort and save us a big first-day climb. After that, we’ll put on our skis and hike to Šija, the highest point of the only ski resort in the Triglav National Park. Some excellent skiing follows, which takes us to Zadnji Vogel, from where there’ll be plenty of options that will depend on the conditions. We’ll continue our journey on the up and down route to Komna, the mountain karst plateau, where the Komna hut, our resting place for the night, awaits us.
17 km (10,5 mi), 600 vertical meters up (2000 feet), 950 meters down (3200 feet)
On the second day, you will slowly continue your way across the Komna plateau to the Double lake and the Triglav Lakes Hut. There, one of the more picturesque parts of the tour follows, the ascent through the stunning Triglav Lakes Valley besides the frozen lakes and the magnificent peaks towering over them. The day will end at Prehodavci, where the panoramic view to the western part of the Julian Alps will open up. Because the hut there is closed, we will have to get more adventurous and sleep in the authentic bivouac. It is well isolated, but not heated, which means we’ll have to use our sleeping bags.
21 km (13 mi), 1000 vertical meters up (3300 feet), 700 meters down (2300 feet)
Next morning we will ascend to the Hribarice saddle, where there will be an option to also reach the peak of Kanjavec, with stunning views all around, especially on Triglav. After that, it’s all downhill on the excellent skiing terrain down to Velska Dolina. A few hundred metres of ascent from Velo Polje to the Bohinjska Vratca pass, and we’ll be skiing down to our end destination of the glacial Krma Valley.
26 km (16,1 mi), 750 vertical meters up (2500 feet), 1900 meters down (6250 feet)
As a perfect last day, the Triglav ski traverse can extend by one day with a climb to the top of Triglav. It is meant for the more experienced hikers, as it is done on foot. When we arrive at Bohinjska Vratca on the third day, we continue to Triglavski Dom on Kredarica, the hut with the highest elevation in Slovenia. After a night there, you have two options – Get your crampons and ice-axes ready to climb to the top of Triglav on foot, or skip that, and enjoy a long ski down past Stanič hut and valley Za Cmirom to the Vrata valley, or from Kredarica straight to the valley of Krma.
26 km (16,1 mi), 1400 vertical meters up (4600 feet), 2200 meters down (7250 feet)
Guided
Included in price
What to bring to the tour
Pickup location and time
Description
The Triglav ski touring traverse is the ultimate way of experiencing the winter in the Slovenian Alps. Also called the Triglav “Magistrala”, it is the only true multi-day ski tour in Slovenia and a must-do for every ski tourer who finds himself in the Triglav National Park.
In three days, it takes you from Vogel ski resort to Komna plateau, through the Triglav Lakes Valley, across Hribarice mountain pass and down to Velska dolina and the Krma valley. Optionally, the tour can be extended by one day with a demanding climb of Triglav, the highest summit in the Julian Alps. It is a Slovenian mini version of the famous Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt, much more peaceful, and just as beautiful.
It is a terrain full of ups and downs, none too steep, so a perfect way of enjoying the amazing scenery, while also putting your skiing skills to the test – it is a tour suitable for most ski tourers, that are confident in skiing independently and are in solid fitness condition – the backpack on the tour is a bit on the heavy side, because of the adventurous nature and remoteness of the tour. The tour takes you into the winter paradise of the Julian Alps, across plateaus, valleys and snowy peaks. The terrain snow made almost unreachable by foot, suddenly becomes your ski playground.
We will spend our first night in a well-stacked mountain hut on the Komna Plateau, while our second night is spent in an authentic mountain bivouac, where we will rely on our own supplies.
Spending three days in the majestic scenery of snowy mountains that few people ever see in their entire lives will be an unforgettable and beautiful journey. Enjoy the wilderness of the Julian Alps with our most experienced guides and see what ski touring in Slovenia has to offer.
Map
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Things to know
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.
Most terrains are not demanding and suitable for most skiers who are confident to ski on their own and have basic experience and skills. The tour is not suitable for beginner skiers and first-time tour skiers.
