Hiking Seven Lakes Valley in Triglav National Park, Slovenia

jana meerman seven lakes valley triglav national park slovenia (29)

I met one of my closest friends Ela over three years ago working in a hostel in Kaikoura in New Zealand, after which time we traveled together through Indonesia for a month. We reunited in March this year in Sevilla in beautiful Spain and immediately made plans to go hiking together in her home country of Slovenia and this weekend we got to make that dream a reality.

Slovenia is incredible and, as far as naturally stunning countries go in Europe, is way up there with surreal views and raw beauty to enjoy.

One of the most popular places to experience the outdoors in Slovenia is Triglav National Park (Triglavski Narodni Park), the country's only national park and one of Europe's oldest, is named after Mount Triglav, the highest mountain in the entire country and the crowning jewel of the Julian Alps. And even though it's popular, because Slovenia is so underrated, you won't be battling the crowds like in other European destinations; that makes this the ultimate outdoor destination.

By far the best hike and most well-known in Triglav National Park is the Seven Lakes Valley trek, an exceptional 31km trail with over 1300m elevation gain passing forests, meadows, valleys and of course, seven beautiful lakes. The landscapes on this trail were seriously some of the best I've witnessed - and I've hiked some pretty rad countries.

How to Get to Triglav National Park

The closest big town to Triglav National Park is the picturesque town of Bled, home to possibly the most iconic place in the country, Lake Bled. I took the train from Salzburg down to Bled, with a layover in Villach, a journey which took around four hours. From Bled, Ela picked me up and we drove to Bohinj for the night and then into the park in the morning.

If you're using public transport, you can catch a bus from Bled to Bohinj where you could spend the night, before taking an early morning shuttle to Planina Blato with the free shuttle.

Where to Stay in Triglav National Park

Triglav National Park has loads of delightful mountain huts where you can spend the night without phone service, surrounded by good outdoorsy company and enjoy traditional Slovenian hut food.

We spent our first night at Koča pri Savici, near Lake Bohinj, a wonderful and much less touristy alternative to nearby Lake Bled. In the morning, we drove forty minutes up to Planina Blato from where the Seven Lakes Valley hike begins.

After hiking for about three hours up into the mountains, we reached Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih where we spent the night with yummy hut food and hours of card games with other hut-goers. The trek into the Seven Lakes Valley continues from here for another two hours to the peak where another more rustic hut, Zasavska koča na Prehodavcih, can be found with epic panoramic mountain views all around.

You must pre-book the huts and try to do it far in advance as they get booked up quickly! Each of the huts cost us €24 euros per person and you must bring your own thin sheet sack to sleep in; they provide pillows and blankets.

The Route to Seven Lakes Valley

You can start this hike in a few different places, but by far the best (easiest, most popular and least elevation gain) is from Panina Blato. A free shuttle runs from Bohinj and there is also a fair amount of free parking right by the trailhead. Note that if you drive, you must pay a road toll of €15 per car per day.

From Planina Blato to Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih where you spend the night, you're going to follow the red signs marking the route as follows:

Koča na Planini pri Jezeru
Planina Dedno polje
Planina Ovčarija
Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih

Then, you're going to hike the next day to Hribarice which is marked by red painted circles on the only path to the summit, passing the various lakes along the way.

SEVEN LAKES VALLEY HIKE DETAILS

When: June to September, but winter hiking is possible

Where: hike begins from Planina Blato, review details above

Difficulty: intermediate, but with a significant elevation gain (1300m)

Length: the return trip from Planina Blato to the end of the Seven Lakes Valley at Zasavska koča na Prehodavcih hut is 31km and took us nine hours of hiking across two days

Bathrooms: yes, at Planina Blato and at each of the huts along the path (one every hour or two)

Public Transit: yes, a free shuttle runs from Bohinj up to Planina Blato

Guided Hike: if you'd like to join a guided tour to do this hike, instead of trekking out on your own, Hut-to-Hut Hiking Slovenia offers a picturesque three-day circular hike, with the extra day adding on the Voje Valley and the southern slopes of Triglav, the highest peak in Slovenia

DAY 1: Planina Blato to Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih

This post includes content sponsored by Hut-to-Hut Hiking Slovenia. All opinions and ideas, as always, are completely my own.

Jana Meerman

Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.

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6 Comments

Jill
27 August 2024 / 11:01 am

Hi Jana,

Thanks for the post! How much water did you carry with you and where did you refill aside from mountain huts?

- Jana Meerman
  Author
  27 August 2024 / 10:49 pm
  
  Hi! I can’t remember for sure, but I think I had 2 water bottles and only refilled at the various huts. I can’t remember additional water fountains..
  
Emily M
8 July 2024 / 2:35 am

Hi Jana, I’m planning to do this hike on my solo trip in August and stay at the ZASAVSKA KOČA NA PREHODAVCIH hut. Do you think it is an achievable distance for the first day? Or is it better to stay at the same hut as you? Thank you!

- Jana Meerman
  Author
  8 July 2024 / 1:26 pm
  
  Hi Emily! So exciting – you’re going to love this hike. I definitely think you could reach that hut on the first day, from what I remember we arrived at the first hut quite early in the afternoon. It’ll be a long day but totally doable. Have fun!
  
Emily
19 April 2024 / 11:20 pm

Hi Jana! I love this and I’m planning my hike to be exactly like yours. Do I need to reserve a hut if I stop for food on the way down ( you stopped for stew before the decent down )

Thank you! I already reserved my hut for the night.

- Jana Meerman
  Author
  20 April 2024 / 12:05 am
  
  Hi Emily!! I’m so glad you loved the post, because you’re going to LOVE the hike. One of my all time favs. Food doesn’t require a reso, you just show up and order and I highly recommend the stew 🙂 Have fun!!