Mountain Thrills: Hiking and Skiing in Slovenia and Croatia
Welcome to paradise. Between Slovenia’s hundreds of peaks, Croatia’s mountain-lined coast and the forests covering everything in between, you’re spoiled with hiking and skiing options.
Epic Hikes Through Slovenia’s Alpine Wonderland
Among the most mountainous countries in Europe, you can call Slovenia King of the Mountain. With over 10,000 km of trails, hiking is essentially the national sport and three ranges make up the rocky playing field – the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, the Karavanke Alps and the Julian Alps – each distinct in their allure.
Starting with the Julian Alps, prepare to have your mind blown along the Juliana Trail which weaves you around some of Slovenia’s most iconic alpine sights. From the world-famous Lake Bled to the picturesque Kozjak Waterfall to remarkable views of Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain.
More sweeping panoramas await in the neighboring Karavanke Alps, Slovenia’s longest mountain range. Easily accessible Mt. Golica is a particular delight with blooming fields of daffodils bringing a glow to the mountain.
The Kamnik-Savinja Alps allow you to get immersed in old-world customs. Hiking through the alpine pastures of Velika Planina, you’ll encounter Europe’s largest shepherd’s settlement where you can recharge with a traditional shepherd’s lunch.
If the mountains are too strenuous, the highlands and lush hills of Slovenia are impressive in their own right, offering family-friendly hiking adventures often just a hop, skip and a jump from a city center.
Of course, with many mountains, come many opportunities for winter fun.
Hitting the Slopes in Slovenia and Croatia
Slovenia’s largest ski resort, Mariborsko Pohorje Hills, is just minutes outside of Slovenia’s second largest city, Maribor, making it easy to hit the slopes by day and enjoy après in town by night. But if night skiing is your thing, one of Europe’s longest night ski trails is here too.
With dozens of resorts to choose from like Krvavec, Kranjska Gora, Vogel and too many more to list here, you can visit a different one each day! Luckily for you, with Ski Pass Slovenia you can access them all with one pass.
Croatia’s capital, Zagreb, offers an outdoor city break opportunity and is easily accessible by cable car. In winter you can get some turns in on Sljeme or enjoy a maze of hiking trails through the forests of Medvednica Nature Park all year. Despite not being a major skiing destination, Zagreb is the home of the Snow Queen Trophy FIS Ski World Cup Race, bringing some of the world’s top skiers to town.
Trekking Croatia’s Dinaric Alps
For some of Croatia’s best hiking though, head to the coast.
The Dinaric Alps leap out of the sea and into the clouds and there’s no better way to take in the views than with a hike.
Trek through the Biokovo Nature Park and up to the Skywalk, a glass-floored overhang that’ll get the heart pumping, where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramas of the Adriatic and the majesty of its islands.
Paklenica National Park is one of the country’s most popular hiking destinations with nearly 200 km of trails for hikers of all levels. Towering cliffs, deep canyons, caves and vivid sea views are the hallmarks.
If you really want to get to know Croatia’s landscapes and culture intimately though, the Croatia Long Distance Trail is calling. The 2,109 km trail touches the furthest corners of Croatia and all the diverse terrain in between.
For something more manageable, the Velebit Highlander event is a few days of full mountain immersion.
Winter, spring, summer or fall, Croatia and Slovenia’s trails are always open for business.