Ljubljana to Velika Planina Day trip
Velika Planina shepherding village
Traditional production of cheese
Alpine views of Kamnik-Savinja Alps
Mysterious Predaselj Gorge
Refreshing source of Kamniška Bistrica River
Kamnik, one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Slovenia
Summer Itinerary
| Day | What we will do |
| 8.30 am | Departure from Ljubljana |
| 10.00-2.00 pm | Velika Planina shepherding community visit with free time for lunch |
| 2.30-3.30 pm | Visit of Kamniška Bistrica river source and Predaselj Gorge |
| 4.00-5.00 pm | Tour of Kamnik |
| 6.00 pm | Return to Ljubljana |
Pricing
Included in price
English speaking guide
Comfortable transportation
All parking fees and toll charges
Important for the tour
Description
Take a trip from Ljubljana to Velika planina, one of Slovenia’s most scenic mountain plateaus. Enjoy a cable car ride with unforgettable views, hike among peaceful Alpine pastures and visit traditional shepherds’ village which time forgot. Then stop off at a couple of refreshing gorges and explore the streets of medieval Kamnik. A wonderful day trip out of the capital suitable for lovers of nature and culture.
First on the list on this fantastic day trip is Velika planina. It’s a super scenic high mountain plateau located in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. A short drive from Ljubljana, this charming place affords spectacular views, vast pastures and numerous karst phenomena that turn its landscape into a proper spectacle of nature. Adding to the uniqueness of the place are the authentic shepherds’ villages where traditional Alpine culture is still very much alive. Although Velika planina is accessible on foot, the fastest way is a 5-minute cable car ride. A chairlift then takes you to the top or you can opt for a 30-minute easy hike instead. Once on the plateau there is a short (15 mins) walk to the traditional shepherds’ village. Depending on the season, you can experience the life of an Alpine shepherd and taste local dishes. You can also visit a shepherd’s hut that’s been transformed into a museum. On this amazing trip you can enjoy a hearty traditional Alpine lunch and stroll around this beautiful hiker’s paradise.
Next is a visit to the spring of the Kamniška Bistrica River. This exceptionally beautiful river actually has three different springs, but its most famous and biggest source is at the Dom lodge in Kamniška Bistrica. Right after it pops to the surface, the Kamniška Bistrica spills into an artificial lake, a very refreshing spot, particularly in the summer. Located nearby are the Predaselj and Mali (Small) Predaselj gorges. They present the narrowest part of the riverbed of the Kamniška Bistrica. Following a short walk, the gorge opens up into a beautiful view of the pristine Alpine river. It’s indeed one of Slovenia’s pretty hidden gems.
From splendid natural wonders to one of Slovenia’s most praised cultural heritage sites – the lovely town of Kamnik. Situated in the embrace of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, this place is a stunning medieval town and a flourishing urban centre all in one. And at one point in time, Kamnik was the capital of Carniola. First written records of Kamnik date back to 1229, and the town’s two castles, Mali grad and Stari grad, were mentioned even earlier, around the 11th century. Although only a two-storey Romanesque chapel with a crypt has been preserved, this ancient castle complex is steeped in legends and interesting stories. Strolling around the Old Town centre, you can really get the feel for what life was like back in the olden days. Šutna, Kamnik’s famous street, is home to the birthplace of Rudolf Maister, Slovenia’s greatest general, the parish church of Mary Immaculate with a separate Gothic spire and the Sadnikar Museum.
As all good things come to an end, the visit to Kamnik is followed by a short drive back to Ljubljana and a chance to talk about what you’ve seen and sort out the packed photo gallery on your phone.
Location
Things to know
There are 4 designated pickup and drop-off locations that we use in downtown Ljubljana (see the options when booking). Your driver will be driving between multiple pickup locations, so we kindly ask you to allow a 20-minute window for your pickup, although we will do our best to be there on time.
In case you would like to be picked up / dropped off at a different location, we can accommodate that with a surcharge of 9€/booking.
You have the option of both. We have a time slot reserved for lunch on each tour, always somewhere with (usually local) restaurants handy. That said, you can always pack your own picnic lunch and eat it wherever and whenever you like. This might sometimes even save time in order to fit a bit of extra sightseeing into your day.
The best thing about our day trips is that they can be tailored to your own level of fitness. Most of the tours are designed with different activities available, so the choice is entirely yours. Please consult the difficulty section under a specific day trip to see what the difficulty level of the tour and particular activity is.
Don’t worry. Our day trips are planned with everyone in mind. If you find an entrance fee too expensive, or you are unsure if you are willing to spend so much of your budget on entrance fees, our guides will always have some free alternatives ready for you. From taking a short hike and finding that perfect photo opportunity, to relaxing in a beautiful spot, we have got you covered.
If you want to, sure! We are well aware that some people love to stay in groups while others prefer some more alone time on their trip. We wanted to give you the opportunity to do things your way. It is your holiday, after all! As long as you respect the group timings and locations designated by your guide, please feel free to customize your itinerary and create your own adventure!
It is important to dress for the season. Slovenia has all 4 seasons, so please check the weather forecast before the day trip regarding temperatures and rainfall. When you are close to the Alps, the weather can change fairly quickly, so your best bet is to always bring an extra layer. We recommend shoes you will be comfortable in. If you are visiting caves, please remember that the caves are cold in the summer, as the cave temperature is constant throughout the year.
It really depends on the level of your restriction. Vegetarian options are fairly easy to find in Slovenia, but vegan dishes, on the other hand, are extremely hard to come by in rural areas of the country and in smaller towns. Please note, that the places where we stop off at for lunch are often traditional and may have difficulties accommodating you outside of their standard menu. We suggest you keep this in mind.
There is so much to do in Slovenia, so we wanted to give you the option of choosing exactly how you would like to spend your time here. Which is why we have compiled a list of popular activities in the areas of your visit and categorized them as extras. Therefore, the choice of which and how many you would like to experience is entirely up to you. We set up some of the most popular activities in the areas of your visit and listed them as extras. The choice of how many and which you would like to do is entirely yours. When you arrive to a destination, such as Lake Bled, the itinerary always allows for any additional activities you might want to do, like visiting Bled Castle or taking a traditional boat ride to the island. You can book all of your chosen extras in advance. Your guide will confirm the bookings with you on the tour and make sure you know everything you need to know. It is always exciting when people come away from the same trip enriched by different adventures and can share and compare their experiences along with the tons of photos they have taken.
