Velika Planina
A picturesque alpine plateau dotted with unique herdsmen's huts, offering stunning mountain views and a glimpse into traditional Slovenian life.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, fresh air
Velika Planina
Best Time
Fewer crowds, fresh air
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A picturesque alpine plateau dotted with unique herdsmen's huts, offering stunning mountain views and a glimpse into traditional Slovenian life.
"Absolutely amazing place to spend the day. Walking, beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and local houses, cheese tasting etc."
👟 Wear Sturdy Footwear
The terrain can be uneven and muddy, especially after rain. Good hiking shoes are a must!
💧 Bring Your Own Water
Stay hydrated, especially on longer walks. Refill options might be limited and pricey.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Herdsmen's Huts
The entire plateau
Iconic mushroom-shaped huts dotting the vast green landscape, offering a glimpse into traditional alpine life.
Panoramic Views
Various viewpoints on the plateau
Breathtaking vistas of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and surrounding valleys unfold at every turn.
Cheese Tasting
Herdsmen's huts
Sample delicious, locally-made dairy products, a true taste of the alpine tradition.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Getting There: Plan Your Ascent
Navigating the Plateau: What to Expect
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
👟 Wear Sturdy Footwear
The terrain can be uneven and muddy, especially after rain. Good hiking shoes are a must!
💧 Bring Your Own Water
Stay hydrated, especially on longer walks. Refill options might be limited and pricey.
How to get to Velika Planina from Ljubljana?
💰 Pack Snacks & Cash
Prices increase further from the cable car. Cash is useful for smaller purchases at huts.
💩 Watch Your Step!
Cow dung is prevalent on the plateau. Be mindful of where you walk to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Tips
from all over the internet
👟 Wear Sturdy Footwear
The terrain can be uneven and muddy, especially after rain. Good hiking shoes are a must!
💧 Bring Your Own Water
Stay hydrated, especially on longer walks. Refill options might be limited and pricey.
💰 Pack Snacks & Cash
Prices increase further from the cable car. Cash is useful for smaller purchases at huts.
💩 Watch Your Step!
Cow dung is prevalent on the plateau. Be mindful of where you walk to avoid unpleasant surprises.
🚶♀️ Explore Beyond the Huts
Venture further onto the plateau for quieter spots and even more stunning scenery.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about the stunning natural beauty and unique charm of Velika Planina, with its iconic herdsmen's huts and panoramic alpine views. While the scenery is consistently praised, some reviewers note that food quality can be inconsistent and prices higher further up the plateau. The presence of cow dung is also a common observation.
"Really beautiful. Absolutely worth it! We took the cable cart up (return trip for two people was 54€ free parking which was easy around 10:45am). There was a steep hike up 40mins. But the plateau is gorgeous and nice food options as well."
Ellie Buffet
"Absolutely amazing place to spend the day. Walking, beautiful view of the surrounding mountains and local houses, cheese tasting etc."
Jaromir Krisica
"It is nice ofcourse, just as further you go, the prices go up. So better to buy refreshment on beginning/or end then waiting&pay more for the same. We ate in one of the pub cca 1 hour walking from cabine. Well...I ate better to be honest. Completely without taste, nobody took care about how the food will taste. The only food with some taste was food with sour cabbage (szeged goulash) - it was naturally atleast sour..🤣 but anyway any piece of meat was not eatable (I did not have single piece of meat on plate, it was all lile tendons or adipose tissue or so..
But nature is ofcourse great there."
Andrea Helena Gabriela Beránková
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The most common route is to take a bus or train from Ljubljana to Kamnik. From Kamnik, you can catch a local bus or a taxi to the Velika Planina cable car station.
You can drive to the cable car station, where there is free parking available. From there, you'll take the cable car up to the plateau.
Yes, you can hike up to Velika Planina from the valley. This is a more strenuous option but offers a rewarding experience for hikers.
Public transport is feasible. Take a bus or train to Kamnik, then a bus to the cable car. This is a popular option for visitors without a vehicle.
The journey typically takes around 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on your mode of transport and connections.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
A return trip for two people was around 54€, but prices can vary. It's advisable to check the official website for the most current pricing.
While not always mandatory, booking cable car tickets in advance can save you time, especially during busy periods.
There isn't a specific entrance fee for the plateau, but you will need to pay for the cable car or hike up. Some huts may charge a small fee for access or services.
Operating hours can vary seasonally. It's best to check the official Velika Planina website for current hours of operation before your visit.
Absolutely! You can hike up to the plateau, which is a popular option for avid hikers.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can explore the unique herdsmen's huts, enjoy scenic walks and hikes, sample local dairy products, and soak in the stunning alpine scenery.
Yes, families can enjoy the open spaces for children to roam, the unique huts, and the gentle walking paths. Be mindful of cow dung.
A few hours is usually sufficient for a good overview, but you could easily spend a full day or even an overnight stay to fully immerse yourself.
You'll likely see many cows grazing on the plateau. Keep an eye out for other alpine flora and fauna.
Yes, some of the herdsmen's huts have been converted into accommodation, offering a unique overnight experience.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
You can find traditional Slovenian dishes, often featuring local dairy products like cheese and sour milk. Some meals might be hit or miss in terms of taste.
There are several 'gostilnas' (traditional inns) and smaller huts offering food and drinks. Prices can vary significantly.
While the nature is great, some visitors found the food to be bland or of poor quality, with the exception of dishes like sour cabbage goulash. Consider bringing snacks.
Absolutely! Cheese tasting and purchasing is a popular activity, offering a delicious souvenir of your visit.
Options might be limited, but dairy products like cheese and sour milk are readily available. Inquire at the huts for specific offerings.
📸 📸 Photography
The iconic herdsmen's huts against the green landscape, panoramic mountain views, and grazing cows offer endless photographic opportunities.
Early morning or late afternoon light often provides the most dramatic and beautiful lighting for landscape photography.
Try capturing the clusters of huts from a slightly elevated position, or frame the huts with the dramatic mountain backdrop.
Be mindful of the terrain, especially if you're venturing off marked paths. Also, respect the privacy of the herdsmen and their property.
Yes, but maintain a safe distance and do not disturb the animals. They are grazing livestock.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Tips for families: Wear sturdy shoes as the ground can be uneven and there's cow dung. Bring plenty of snacks and water, as food options can be limited and pricey. Consider a stroller or carrier for very young children, though the terrain might be challenging. The cable car ride itself is also an exciting part of the experience for kids.
🚶 Budget Travelers
Pack your own food and drinks to avoid higher prices on the plateau. Focus on enjoying the natural beauty and the unique atmosphere of the herdsmen's village, which is free to explore. Consider visiting during the shoulder seasons for potentially lower accommodation prices if you plan an overnight stay.
📸 Photographers
Aim for the golden hours – early morning or late afternoon – for the best light. Be patient and look for opportunities to capture the daily life of the herdsmen and their livestock. Remember to be respectful of the environment and the local community while you shoot.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Unique Architecture of Velika Planina
These huts are not just historical relics; many are still actively used during the summer months for grazing livestock and producing dairy products. Visitors can explore these charming structures, some of which have been converted into simple guesthouses or eateries, offering a tangible connection to the region's pastoral heritage. The visual appeal of these clustered huts against the vast green expanse is a major draw for photographers and tourists alike.
Navigating Velika Planina: Hiking and Trails
Many visitors opt for a leisurely stroll around the main cluster of huts, while more adventurous hikers can embark on longer treks to surrounding peaks or explore the wider plateau. The hike up from the valley floor is a more challenging but rewarding alternative to the cable car, offering a different perspective of the landscape. Always carry water and snacks, as amenities can be spread out and prices can increase the further you are from the cable car station.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit