Forrest Mallard
- May 29, 2020Slovenian Mountain Trail
Country: Slovenia
Start: Maribor
End: Ankaran
Distance: 499 km
Time: 5 weeks
Terrain: Forest Trails and Mountain Ridges
Website: Slovenia Tourism
Europe’s 1st Long-Distance Trail
The Slovenian Mountain Trail is a stunning, long-distance trail that winds across the mountains of Slovenia, a fabulous and relatively undiscovered country. The trail passes through this country’s best scenery, including the outstanding Julian Alps.
This guide will tell you everything you need to know to walk one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world. Includes budgets, inside tips, trail stages, and complete list of trail resources.
Slovenian Mountain Trail – Fast Facts
| Opened | August 1, 1953 |
| Check Points | 80 |
| Mountain Huts | 55 |
| Peaks | 21 |
| Museums | 3 |
| Natural/Cultural Heritage Sites | 5 |
| Trail Length | 617.4 km |
| Total Climb | 37.3 km |
| Time to Walk | Approx 37 Days |
Klemen Triler set the current record in 2012 of 8 days, 14 hours and 45 minutes.
If you walk moderately without breaks, they say you can make it in 28 days. According to the latest reliable information, only seven people have managed to run the trail in less than 14 days.
Doing this trail in less than 35 days would be a shame, as you would be rushing through one of the most beautiful trails in the world, and would not be taking the time to appreciate it.
BEST OF: Slovenian Mountain Trail
A one-week segment of the SMT that takes you through the most iconic parts of the trail.
I had been asked many times for what I would suggest for an excerpt of the Slovenian Mountain Trail that could be done in a week. So I created this ‘Best of the SMT’ route that takes you through Triglav National Park. This trail, that begins and ends in Lake Bled, can be done in 5 days, but can be extended to include many more days, as the network of hiking trails through the park will give you many options to choose your own adventure and extend your route.
Slovenian Mountain Trail – Difficulty
Word of advice: Train on the stair-climber before you start this journey.
If you are looking to get a leg workout on this hike, you definitely will. On the very first day, from Maribor (279m) to Mariborska koča (Maribor Lodge 1068m) and then finally to Ruška koča (1246m), when you factor in all of the hills in between, you will have climbed about 2km.
Slovenian Mountain Trail – Introduction
Since 1953, the Slovenian Mountain Trail (Slovenska Planinske Poti) has linked Slovenia’s vertiginous ranges: Pohorje, Julian Alps, Kamnik-Savinja Alps, and Karavanke, including Triglav—the country’s highest peak at 9,396 feet. Beginning in the alpine town of Maribor, the long-distance trail traces mountain ridges, peaks, and valleys, leading hikers through the Pannonian plains, across plateaus and hills, and eventually through rolling Mediterranean vineyards before ending in the coastal village of Ankaran. More than 50 huts and nearly 80 checkpoints line the well-maintained trail, not to mention two museums.
The Beauty of Slovenia
One of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world is not as popular as it should be.
A walk along the Slovenian Mountain Trail is an excellent opportunity to experience the beauty of the Slovenian landscape, to discover cultural sites, flora and fauna, hear the diverse dialects of the local residents and admire the architecture of the rustic mountain villages. You will be accompanied by the murmur of waterfalls, streams and rivers, and you can climb the highest peaks and fill your heart and soul as the sun sets behind the mountains.
There are more than 6,000 miles (9,656 km) of trails weaving their way through Slovenia, and of those, more than 80 percent are mountain trails. The E7, which runs from the Black Sea to the Atlantic, enters Slovenia in the region of Primorska and runs through the south of the country before exiting into Croatia. The E6 runs from the Adriatic to the Baltic seas, enters Slovenian territory at Koroska in the northwest, and runs south to Notranjska. Slovenia can be proud of its mountain trails, and not only its segments of Europe’s long-distance footpaths, either. Long before there was an E6 or an EZ or any other Es for that matter, there was the Slovenian Mountain Trail, Europe’s very first long distance trail.
Hikers can begin or end the Slovenian Mountain Trail in Maribor, Debeli rtič or anywhere else. The trail has no restrictions in terms of time and is marked by means of the Knafelc blazes (white dot with a red circle around it and an Arabic number 1.
Meeting the Locals
Slovenians are avid hikers, but they are mostly DAY-hikers.
By your second and third day into the Slovenian Mountain Trail, when you tell people at the mountain huts that you began your walk in Maribor, everyone will talk about you like you are some kind of superhero.
The most heartfelt and genuine meetings are those with the local people in the various regions. Different seasons, weather conditions and our own attitude ensure that we never forget the impressions that the trail makes on us. And that is the reason that so many people return to it time and again, or at least to individual parts which they have come to love in particular.
As stunningly beautiful as Slovenia is, there are not many international tourists outside of the Alps region. Many times on the first half of the Slovenian Mountain Trail, I was told I was the first American they had ever met. At the hostel I was staying at in Maribor, the owner only ever had one other person stay with him that was planning to hike the SMT.
Slovenian Mountain Trail History
Opened in 1953, this popular trail, so beloved of the Slovenian people, was initially meant to be a circular trail that began and ended in the northeast in the medieval town of Maribor on the Drava River. It was then changed to link up the country’s wealth of mountainous hiking trails and now runs for 310 miles (499 km), from Maribor to Ankaran in the country’s deep southwest near the Italian border overlooking the Gulf of Trieste. The trail traverses all of the country’s primary Alpine ranges, including the volcanic Pohorje range, and the limestone-encrusted Julian, Kamnik, and Karawank Alps.
If you hike through, you’ll have ascended an astonishing 28 miles (45 km) on a direct route that includes the summit of Mount Triglav itself, which, at 9,396 feet (2,864 m) is Slovenia’s highest point, as the trail makes its way south over a series of east-west alpine ridges on its final approaches into sunny Ankaran.
There are more than 9,600 km (6,000 miles) of hiking trails weaving through Slovenia, and of those, more than 80 percent are mountain trails. The E7, which runs from the black sea to the Atlantic, enters Slovenia territory at Koroska in the northwest and runs south to Notranjaska.
Slovenia can be proud of its many mountain trails. Long before there was an E6 or an E7, or any of the E’s for that matter, there was the Slovenian Mountain Trail, Europe’s very first long-distance trail.
Permits
You do not need a permit to hike and the trail is stated to be ‘unconditionally open to the public’ and anyone can hike the trails at their own risk.
Best Time To Go
The first time I hiked this route I began in Maribor in late May. The weather was absolutely beautiful. By the time I got to the Triglov National Park (the Alps) it was mid-June and there were still a few trails through the mountains that were closed due to snow.
If you want to plan your trip so that you reach the Alps in late-June, then that will be perfect timing. You will beat the masses that arrive in July, and you will be late enough to miss the snow.
So if you are starting in Maribor, I would say the ideal time to start would be late-May. You will miss the snow on the mountains, and you will never have to fight for a bed in any of the most popular mountain huts.
Trail Markers
Slovenian Mountain Trail TRAIL MARKER: The official trail marker for the SMT is a red dot, surrounded by a white ring, with a small number “1” just below the ring. This is the symbol for ‘Slovenian National Trail #1’ AKA SMT. You will often see the marking without the “1” and that would be a trail that is not necessarily part of the SMT. Then there are other parts of the SMT where they left the “1” off the marking. This isn’t that frustrating to get used to and you’ll get used to it. When in doubt, use your GPS.
As you are walking, you will notice that some parts of Slovenia are extremely well marked, and other parts of Slovenia not so much. Check your GPS regularly to make sure you are heading in the right direction.
Slovenian Mountain Trail – Resources
Alpine Association of Slovenia
ALPINE ASSOCIATION OF SLOVENIA (AAS): en.pzs.si
One of the first things you need to do if you are 100% sure you are going to attempt walking the SMT, is to join the AAS. Membership in this association will allow you to stay at all of the mountain huts along the trail for a reduced price. The 60 Euro cost for membership will be quickly recouped within your first few days.
Maribor Information Kiosk
When you arrive in Maribor, visit the Tourist Kiosk. They probably will not be able to give you directions to the starting point, but they will sell you the Slovenian Mountain Trail Hikers Passport.
TOURIST KIOSK MARIBOR
Phone: +386 2 2346611
E-mail: tic@maribor.si
GPS: 46.560203, 15.650586
Slovenian Mountain Trail PASSPORT BOOK: Visit the tourist information kiosk in Maribor to buy your SMT passport book. You will need to stamp each of the boxes in the book along the way to get your certificate when you finish the trail.
The cost for this book was 3 Euro when I did the trail in 2016 with one Euro going towards a foundation to keep up the hiking trails.
Slovenian Mountain Trail Guidebooks
There is an astonishing lack of information regarding the Slovenian Mountain Trail online and in print. You would think that such a beautiful trail, a trail that consistently comes up in “Top 10” lists for most epic and beautiful trails in Europe, would have an enormous amount of reference information available. At the very best, you get a short descriptive paragraph on the Slovenian tourist website.
I searched every bookstore in Maribor for a Slovenian Mountain Trail guidebook and only found one book in one store, and it was in Slovenian. (I bought it anyways.)
You can easily do the entire Slovenian Mountain Trail with just the information here on this page. If you want a guidebook though, best thing to do is buy it before you go.
Equipment Needed
Hiking Boots
Make sure you have boots with a high neck for as much ankle support as you can get. Several of the trails will be extremely rocky and it could be very easy to twist your foot without the support.
Backpack
Pack as little as possible! Seriously. You will be crossing three sets of Alps and the foothills of the Alps aren’t too easy either. Most Slovenians you see hiking carry just a daypack on their backs and will look at you crazy if you are carrying a full backpack. Not only will a lighter pack make your daily walk easier, but there are some points in the trail where having a full, heavy backpack could limit your dexterity when negotiating around rocks on cliffs.
Climbing Equipment
None needed. There are iron spikes preset in the rocks and steel cables to hold onto when negotiating some tough parts of the trail. If you would like a harness to clip on to the safety wires on your final climb to the top of Triglav, these can be rented inexpensively at the mountain huts just before you start your climb.
Stretchy Hiking Shorts
There are some parts of the trail that get quite vertical. If your shorts do not have good stretch, you will have a hard time raising your legs high enough to walk up the sides of some mountains.
GPS
There are many GPS trekking apps listed on my Resource Page, but there is one app I keep returning to again and again.
MAPS.ME — This is a GPS app that is absolutely free. While you have a wi-fi connection, you will download any maps you need, for free. For the Slovenian Mountain Trail, you will need to download Slovenia East and Slovenia West. Once these maps are downloaded, you can turn off your wi-fi, and put your phone into airplane mode (to save your battery), and your GPS will still show you your current location on your map even when you are offline.
Before you even begin walking the Slovenian Mountain Trail, open the MAPS.ME app and put pins in at each of the checkpoint locations. Once you have done this, the app will show you the walking routes to your next destination, just in case you get lost. Your first priority should always be to follow the trail markers. If MAPS.ME is telling you there is a shortcut, don’t do it. Usually the shortcuts are much more difficult than the official SMT trail. If you are lost though or if you want to check the distance or how long it will be to your next checkpoint, this app will help you countless times.
High-Capacity Phone Charger
Never let your phone go dead!
Remember, that if you are using your phone all day long, checking your route, you should also bring a battery recharger to make sure you don’t run out of power before you reach your destination.
Sections & Segments
This list will include 80 segments as well as the altitude and geo-coordinates of each place to help people through the Slovenian Mountain Trail. This doesn’t exist online, you must get this information from your Trail Passport Book.
NOTE: If one checkpoint number has more than one option (i.e. 07A and 07B) you only need to visit ONE of those locations to get the stamp in your Slovenian Mountain Trail hiker’s passport book.
Section One – Trailhead and North-Eastern Slovenia
| 01 | Spondee Radvanje | 279m | 46.53321, 15.62848 |
| 02 | Mariborska koča | 1068m | 46.50146, 15.55559 |
| 03 | Ruška koča | 1246m | 46.49501, 15.50816 |
| 04 | Koča na Klopnem vhru | 1280m | 46.50164, 15.39879 |
| 05 | Koča na Pesku | 1386m | 46.46721, 15.34401 |
| 06 | Ribniška koča | 1507m | 46.4982, 15.25999 |
| 07 | (A) Grmovškov dom pod Veliko Kopo | 1377m | 46.50274, 15.21015 |
| 07 | (B) Koča Planinc | 1010m | 46.53172, 15.1722 |
| 08 | Koča pod Kremžarjevim vrhom | 1102m | 46.52808, 15.12853 |
| 09 | Poštarski dom pod Plešivcem | 805m | 46.49622, 15.01277 |
| 10 | Dom na Uršlji gori | 1680m | 46.48474, 14.96514 |
Section Two – The Kamnik to the Slovenian Alps
NOTE: The closer you get to the Alps, the more people you will encounter and the more expensive it will become.
| 11 | Andrejev dom na Slemenu | 1,086m | 46.43814, 14.96436 |
| 12 | Dom na Smrekovcu | 1,377m | 46.41333, 14.90027 |
| 13 | Koča na Travniku | 1,548m | 46.41586, 14.80769 |
| 14 | Koča na Loki pod Raduho | 1,520m | 46.4093, 14.75913 |
| 15 | Velika Raduha | 2,062m | 46.40999, 14.73722 |
| 16 | Koča v Grohotu pod Raduho | 1,460m | 46,42344, 14,74332 |
| 17 | Kocbekov dom na Korošici | 1,808m | 46.35569, 14.63973 |
| 18 | Ojstrica | 2,350m | 46.36388, 14.6375 |
| 19 | Kamniška koča na Kamniškem sedlu | 1,864m | 46.35926, 14.5975 |
| 20 | Frischaufov dom na Okrešlju | 1,396m | 46.3708, 14.5913 |
| 21 | Kranjska koča na Ledinah | 1,700m | 46.37054, 14.5494 |
| 22 | Križ (Koroška Rinka) | 2,433m | 46.36675, 14.565 |
| 23 | Skuta | 2,532m | 46.36333, 14.55777 |
| 24 | Cojzova koča na Kokrskem sedlu | 1,793m | 46.34406, 14.54688 |
| 25 | Grintavec | 2,558m | 46.35722, 14.53527 |
| 26 | Jezerska Kočna | 2,540m | 46.35861, 14.52194 |
| 27 | Češka koča na Spodnjih Ravneh | 1,542m | 46.3699, 14.53597 |
| 28 | Planinski dom na Kališču | 1,540m | 46.33706, 14.41695 |
| 29 | Storžič | 2,132m | 46.35027, 14.40472 |
| 30 | Dom pod Storžičem | 1,123m | 46.35938, 14.38969 |
| 31 | Koča na Kriški gori | 1,471m | 46.35171, 14.33336 |
| 32 | Koča na Dobrči | 1,478m | 46.37617, 14.246 |
Section Three – Karavanke (Caravan) Mountain Range
| 33 | Begunjščica – Veliki vrh | 2,060m | 46.42194, 14.23166 |
| 34 | Roblekov dom na Begunjščici | 1,657m | 46.41779, 14.21228 |
| 35 | Planinski dom na Zelenici | 1,536m | 46.429, 14.23359 |
| 36 | Prešernova koča na Stolu | 2,174m | 46.43136, 14.17494 |
| 37 | Golica | 1,835m | 46.49138, 14.05361 |
Section Four – The Julian Alps
The busiest and most expensive part of the Slovenian Mountain Trail.
Mountain huts can be 5x the price in this area.
At the highest altitudes, the mountain huts need to have all supplies brought in by helicopter, so beer is much, much more expensive.
| 38 | Alpine Museum in Mojstrana | 641m | 46.45795, 13.93623 |
| 39 | Aljažev dom v Vratih | 1,015m | 46.40904, 13.84338 |
| 40 | Dom Valentina Staniča pod Triglavom | 2,332m | 46.38733, 13.8601 |
| 41 | (A) Triglavski dom na Kredarici | 2,515m | 46.37893, 13.84879 |
| 41 | (B) Dom Planika pod Triglavom | 2,401m | 46.37154, 13.84604 |
| 41 | (C) Koča na Doliču | 2,151m | 46.36486, 13.81949 |
| 42 | Triglav | 2,864m | 46.37919, 13.83391 |
| 43 | Pogačnikov dom na Kriških podih | 2,050m | 46.40193, 13.80076 |
| 44 | Razor | 2,601m | 46.41222, 13.79111 |
| 45 | Prisojnik | 2,547m | 46.42472, 13.76972 |
| 46 | (A) Tičarjev dom na Vršiču | 1,620m | 46.43273, 13.74462 |
| 46 | (B) Poštarski dom na Vršiču | 1,688m | 46.43239, 13.74753 |
| 46 | (C) Erjavčeva koča na Vršiču | 1,525m | 46.43909, 13.74937 |
| 47 | Zavetišče pod Špičkom | 2,064m | 46.4102, 13.67795 |
| 48 | Jalovec | 2,645m | 46.42111, 13.68 |
| 49 | Koča pri izviru Soče | 886m | 46.40953, 13.72543 |
| 50 | Kugy’s Monument in Trenta | 773m | 46.40427, 13.74293 |
| 51 | TNP Info Center Dom Trenta | 600m | 46.38045, 13.75266 |
| 52 | Zasavska koča na Prehodavcih | 2,071m | 46.35856, 13.79229 |
| 53 | Koča pri Triglavskih jezerih | 1,685m | 46.31861, 13.77944 |
| 54 | (A) Dom na Komni | 1,520m | 46.28443, 13.77316 |
| 54 | (B) Koča pod Bogatinom | 1,513m | 46.28768, 13.76332 |
| 55 | Planinski dom pri Krnskih jezerih | 1,385m | |
| 56 | Gomiščkovo zavetišče na Krnu | 2,182m | 46.26535, 13.65717 |
| 57 | Koča na planini Razor | 1,315m | 46.23516, 13.79314 |
| 58 | Vogel | 1,922m | 46.23833, 13.8125 |
| 59 | Rodica | 1,966m | 46.22861, 13.86611 |
| 60 | Dom Zorka Jelinčiča na Črni prsti | 1,835m | 46.23095, 13.9315 |
| 61 | Koča na Poreznu | 1,585m | 46.17916, 13.97607 |
| 62 | Bolnica Franja (Hospital) | 600m | 46.1502, 14.02732 |
Section Five – South-West Slovenia
A few hundred years ago, the vast wine region in South-West Slovenia was a dense forest. The entire region was cleared in order to supply the massive amount of wood needed to build the pylon foundation for Venice, which is not too far to the South.
| 63 | Planinska koča na Ermanovcu | 968m | 46.10933, 14.05309 |
| 64 | Bevkov vrh | 1,051m | 46.08666, 14.00694 |
| 65 | Sivka – Mrzli vrh | 1,008m | 46.05722, 14.04805 |
| 66 | Koča na Hleviški planini | 818m | 45.98735, 13.99578 |
| 67 | Mali Golak | 1,495m | 45.97861, 13.86444 |
| 68 | Koča Antona Bavčerja na Čavnu | 1,242m | 45.92897, 13.85311 |
| 69 | Sinji vrh | 1,002m | 45.90833, 13.9375 |
| 70 | Pirnatova koča na Javorniku | 1,156m | 45.89487, 14.07555 |
| 71 | Furlanovo zavetišče pri Abramu | 900m | 45.81924, 14.01893 |
| 72 | Vojkova koča na Nanosu | 1,240m | 45.77205, 14.05309 |
| 73 | Vremščica | 1,027m | 45.68833, 14.06194 |
| 74 | Škocjanske jame (Caves) | 395m | |
| 75 | Artviže | 817m | 45.61284, 14.02708 |
| 76 | Tumova koča na Slavniku | 1,028m | 45.53386, 13.97547 |
| 77 | Socerb | 389m | 45.58922, 13.85918 |
| 78 | Tinjan | 374m | 45.56108, 13.83444 |
| 79 | Ankaran | 18m | 45.57914, 13.73628 |
| 80 | Debeli Rtič | 19m | 45.59096, 13.70333 |
Hiking Hut-to-Hut
Keep in mind that the mountain huts higher up in the Alps are not accessible by road. Supplies are hiked in on foot or by pack animal, and in some cases delivered by air. Running water is available at some lower elevation huts, but rainwater is the only source of water at some higher elevation huts, meaning there are usually no shower facilities. The trade-off is a warm bed, delicious food and drink, and gorgeous views. Spaced out a few hours walk from each other, hikers can decide between a leisurely pace or mile-crushing marathons.
In Slovenia, there are 181 mountain huts, shelters, refuges, and bivouacs with over 6000 beds. Walking the Slovenian Mountain Trail, there are mountain huts for overnight stays at the majority of checkpoints along the trail. There is absolutely no need to carry camping equipment, as there are mountain huts all along the way.
However, do daily research and contact each mountain hut in advance and let them know you are on your way and plan to stay there the next night. Some mountain huts are only open on weekends during the slow season. In August, the huts can also be extremely busy as Slovenians are avid hikers, and this is the time of year when everyone heads to the mountains, so you may need to book in advance in order to reserve a bed.
Eating at Mountain Huts
Hut menus focus on hearty comfort foods that meet the twin goals of satisfying your belly and fortifying your body after a calorie-burning trek. And at the risk of sounding sheltered, I’d never tried half of the foods I ate at the huts, making for an international expansion of my palate.
Warm dishes and cold beverages are offered at each hut, with options for meat eaters and vegetarians alike. While the offerings vary across locations, expect a homemade menu of warm soups, simple cold dishes, hot teas and coffee, and beer. While any of these would taste delicious in a city, everything tastes that much better after hiking in.
At Triglavski dom na Kredarici, the most expensive hut due to its high elevation, a bowl of vegetable soup costs $5.70, a beer $5, and a bowl of goulash for $11. Again, lower elevation huts are cheaper. Visitors are allowed to eat their own food at the huts, but cooking in the huts is not allowed. Remember to bring enough cash with you, as all transactions will be made to the innkeeper with real money, not credit cards.
Sleeping at Mountain Huts
Slovenian Mountain Trail mountain huts offer a variety of lodging options, from private rooms to 12-person bunk rooms. If the hut is really packed, the innkeeper may offer you space to sleep in the dining room. Most huts have a dining room, a washroom, restrooms, and outdoor seating areas. Large porches with sweeping views are also commonplace, and are a great place to gather with new friends, and cold beers.
The cost of lodging depends on the amenities provided, the elevation of the hut, and your membership in the Alpine Association. If you plan to stay for more than a night or two, I recommend joining for the cost-saving benefits. There are three tiers of lodging, Tier 1 usually being higher elevation and costlier, and Tier 3 being lower in elevation, sometimes with amenities like running water.
Slovenian Mountain Trail – Inside Tips
Slovenian Mountain Trail Starting Location
Don’t bother asking around in Maribor where the starting point for the Slovenian Mountain Trail is. Nobody knows. Even the tourist information kiosk couldn’t tell me.
SLOVENIAN MOUNTAIN TRAIL – STARTING POINT
STREET ADDRESS: Streliška cesta
GPS: 46.533216, 15.628483
Note: The first stamp you will need to put in your book as at this location on the side of the street. There will be several places on the route where the stamp location is just a little metal box with a molded metal stamp on the side of the box. YOU WILL HAVE TO BRING YOUR OWN INK TO GET THE STAMP AT THIS LOCATION. I broke open a ballpoint pen and made a mess for mine.
I started the walk from the Plague Monument near my hostel and then walked to the start of the trail from there. This added another 2+ hours to my day’s journey and I do not recommend this. The first day is hard enough and long enough that you don’t need to add this extra distance. Take a taxi to the starting point. It is not cheating, and there is really nothing to see along the way.
After you start the Slovenian Mountain Trail and head into the woods just outside of Maribor, it will be very easy to get lost and you will be very frustrated again and again. There are so many trails in this area and they cross back and forth over each other. You will really need to pay attention and look for the trail markings. Maps will not be much help here, so pay close attention to your GPS. The good thing though, this is the only part of the trail where I experienced this level of constant frustration while trying to stay on the right path. A few hours into the trail and all of these alternative routes will disappear.
It Gets More Expensive in the Alps
The closer you get to the Alps, the more people you will encounter and the more expensive it will become.
When you finally do reach the Alps, prices for Mountain Huts will have quadrupled, and because all supplies are delivered by helicopter to huts high in the mountains, a beer will also cost 4x as much.
For example, at Triglavski dom na Kredarici, the highest mountain hut in Slovenia at 8,251 feet — and the most visited one due to its close proximity to Mount Triglav — a dormitory bed costs about $12 per person for Alpine Association members. A lower elevation hut might cost about $8.80 per person for the night. Bedding costs extra, so you can save money at some huts by using your sleeping bag. As payment is made to the innkeeper in cash, be sure to bring enough euros for your hut-to-hut lodging and dining needs.
WARNING
Slovenian Mountains Take More Than 20 Lives Per Year
The majority of accidents were said to be caused by falls or slips on the rocks and the loss of control. According to the Slovenian Mountains Rescue Association, the second most common reason for accidents in the mountains is getting lost. This is followed by a lack of physical and mental strength, inappropriate gear as well as its misuse.
Mountain hikers use the trails at their own risk. Trail users must behave in a responsible manner so that they do not endanger or hurt themselves or others. A user must use mountain trails in a manner which does not cause any damage to the trail or to the land, property or buildings adjacent to it, nor causes any harm to the flora and fauna along the trail. It is prohibited to restrict access to mountain trails and to damage, remove or destroy trail markings, direction boards, boxes and protective equipment or any other labels. It is also prohibited to use unmarked shortcuts.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and, at no additional cost to you and I may earn a commission if you make a purchase.
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Hi! I'm Forrest Mallard
In 2005, I moved to Quito, Ecuador with $35 in my pocket and a small handful of online clients. Fifteen years and five continents later, there were moments of absolute glamour, as well as a number of brutal rough patches. But I always felt that a horrible day of travel is infinitely more preferable than a great day at the office. Oh the stories I could tell, and I will try to do that here in Tramposaurus Treks. You'll have access to the good times, the horrifying times, and a few well-deserved moments of travel glamour.
TRAVEL PLANNING
Daniel Hazelhoff
This.is.BRILLIANT
Forrest Mallard
THANK YOU SO MUCH SIR!!
J. Pat Harris
What is the easiest way to get to Maribor?
Forrest Mallard
Most people will fly into Ljubljana (which is a stunningly beautiful capitol), and then bus it to Maribor. Bus or train from Ljubljana is about $10 and 2-hours. TRANSPORT LJUBLJANA TO MARIBOR. Amazing thing about Maribor is that it is closer than anyone realizes to Zagreb-Croatia and Graz-Austria. They're about the same distance as Ljubljana, so you could fly in to any of those cities.
Lefteris
bravo..You are amazing, thank you very much..
Forrest Mallard
So glad you liked this info. If you are going to hike this trail.. please let me know how you like it. Happy trails!
Jonathan Lowit
What temperature of sleeping bag / quilt do you bring for the usual season?
Forrest Mallard
A light sleeping bag can be used throughout the year as there is no camping permitted along the trail. Mountain hut stays are the norm here. The mountain huts provide sheets and blankets, but I would suggest at least a sleeping bag liner to carry with you.
Eva Lyngstad
Hi! How was the food situation on trail? Besides warm meals at the cabins, where did you get food to last through the day while hiking?
Forrest Mallard
There are only a couple of times in the entire trail that the path goes through an area with shops where you can buy snacks. The mountain huts can provide you with everything you need for the trail. Every day you will encounter at least 2 mountain huts. One mountain hut around lunch time, and one mountain hut towards the end of the day where you sleep. Not only do these huts provide you with cooked food while you are there, you can often buy snacks for when you are out on the trail from the huts. Don't worry. You have access to buy plenty of snacks along the way.
Emma Presern
Thanks for this! Did you book your huts in advance or did you manage to get a spot each night when you needed? Thanks
Forrest Mallard
I went early in the season and before the hight of summer crowds. The huts can gut very busy at peak times, but they don't like to turn people away. If you are hiking at peak times, make reservation in advance. There are links to each hut's phone and email here on this website. If you join the Slovenian Alpine Association, they will also provide you with a list of all huts with contact info.
Revital
Hi, We were planning on doing part of this hike for 8-9 days and then leave the trail. Are there any points along the trail that we can enter and leave? Which parts of this trail are the most breathtaking, that are a must visit? Are there rivers and lakes where you can swim during throughout the trail?
Forrest Mallard
I have the perfect response to you, but it is going to take me some time to put the all of the information together. I'll compile all of this info on my next day off and will post to you here.
James Counye
Hello My girlfriend and I are planning to walk some stages of this hike. Since it's our first time hiking, we wondered how we could fill our water-bags in the huts? Do we just ask someone while we're there, or should we ask it in advance, while booking? Also, I read in the comments above that you ate at the huts themselfs at noon? So there is actually no need to buy a packed lunch in the hut where we slept on the previous day? Thank you for your reply!
Forrest Mallard
You can refill your water at any hut. Most of these huts have outside water taps, but even if they don't, the people managing the huts are always super-friendly and will be glad to help you with water. -- As far as food goes, there is rarely anyplace to buy food outside of the huts. In my first two weeks on the trail, I passed through one town that had a grocery store. Huts will be able to supply you with snacks you can take with you on the trail.. and you really shouldn't pass up on the home-cooked meals they whip up for you at the huts. Amazing goulash and other hearty meals. And not expensive at all. Just make sure to join the Slovenian Alpine Association before you start walking for discounts sleeping at the huts.
Michael
How do you manage not having a shower for many consecutive days? After a long day walk and covered in sweat/dust, I cant imagine going to bed without having a shower. How did you manage that? Can you wash in streams near the huts? I am leaving in 10 days to do the full 600km walk and this aspect concerns me a bit.
Forrest Mallard
There are full facilities to take showers at every mountain hut along the Slovenian Mountain Trail. For the majority of the huts, the shower is included in the price to stay in the hut overnight. For some of the huts at the highest altitudes in Triglov National Park, there is a fee to use the showers. This is not something you really have to worry about.
Eva
Hi again and Thank you for answering my question about foodsupplie! I have couple more questions for you. When i go long distance hiking i always bring a tent so i dont feel so exposed if the weather turns etc, even when the plan is to sleep in huts. Do you think it’s nessesary to bring a tent on this trip? And in the guidebooks it says that it is recomended to have mountineering experience on the hardest part of the trail (Triglav). What do you think? Did you bring equitment and helmet?
Forrest Mallard
I also always bring a tent, and I didn't use it for three years, but always had it. No you don't NEED the tent if you are hiking the SMT, but I always felt better having one with me. Regarding the climbing of Triglov, you do not need extensive mountaineering experience to climb this mountain. It is actually ON the SMT route and it is expected that you will climb it if you walk the SMT as one of the checkpoints is on top of the mountain. There is one hut that most of the people climbing Triglav will stop at. They have harnesses and helmets for rent or loan. I had friends that went up without the helmet and harness and said it was not a problem.. but better to be safe. Triglavski dom na Kredarici http://en.pzs.si/koce.php?pid=24 GPS: 46.378921, 13.848799
Paweł
Hi, I'm planning to do like 8-12 days of hiking, which part of the trail would you recommend for someone who doesn't have enough time for the whole thing?
Forrest Mallard
Great question... and one that I had gotten before. Today I will post a very thorough response to this and will email you a direct link.
Hiker
Hi! Does someone also know how much apart (in kilometers) these huts are from each other? This would really help me plan the hiking days ahead and book the right huts. Thank you!
Forrest Mallard
Problem with this question is that this trail goes through some serious mountains. From the very beginning in Maribor, you hit the foothills of the first set of Alps on the very first day. For an example, on one visit, it took me 2.5 days to get to Triglav (uphill), and the next morning I returned to where I started (downhill) before lunch. But you are not the first person to ask this question... so I will manually get the distances from my GPS to put on the page. This will not take into account the elevation changes and this makes a huge difference in time and effort, obviously. For the first half of the trail I would not count on passing more than 2 mountain huts per day. Once you pass Triglav National Park and reach the wine region, there are still hills, but it is not as brutal as the first half of the trail.
Michael
Thanks for answering my questions about the showers. I have 28 days to complete the trail. I don't plan on taking any days off. I plan to walk about 8-10 hours per day. Is it doable in 28 days or even less as I'd like to have a few days at the end to chill before returning home?
Forrest Mallard
If you are a crazy-fast hiker, you might be able to do the hike in 28 days. I personally would never be able to do that. 35 would be perfect for me, and I am an average-speed hiker. I fear that if you are hiking that hard, you are not going to be taking the time to enjoy and appreciate the beautiful country you are walking through. If you would like to maybe do 1/2 of the trail, This would allow you to see some of the most magnificent landscapes on the trail, as well as some of the more memorable attractions. I would be to suggest a shorter itinerary for you to help make that possible.
Thryn
Hello! I saw a few people ask about the "best" part of this trail and have not seen an answer. I plan to hike for 21 days so I will have to shorten the trail a bit. I'm also wondering what your answer was to Rivital about points on the trail where you can enter and leave. Thank you for this wonderful resource!
Forrest Mallard
Here there. I have just recently published two new pages that answer these questions. The 'BEST OF' the Slovenian Mountain Trail goes through Triglav National Park. I have created a trail that takes about 7 days here: https://tramposaurus.com/triglav-national-park/ The trail can be expanded to your desire, as there is a massive network of trails throughout this park. The trail begins and ends at beautiful Lake Bled, which you actually wouldn't get to see from the Slovenian Mountain Trail.. so that is a plus here as well. Tons of activities in Lake Bled, including several small hikes, that you can find on this page: https://tramposaurus.com/hidden-gems-of-lake-bled/ You'll see many amazing photos that will really make you want to pack your bags and go immediately. :) I hope this helps.
Erik
Thank you so much for the information sir, Do you think the hike (or part of the hike) will be doable starting early october?
Forrest Mallard
The hiking for most of the trail will be possible, but you should call ahead to each mountain hut to see if they will be open when you go, as may of the huts in the highest mountains will close in October for the winter. You should be fine on most of the trail without snow at that time of year, except perhaps for the tallest mountains in Triglav National Park, which will be the first place to get snow each year. You might have to bypass the highest peaks at this time of the year, but you can find alternate routes through with some lower altitude trails through Triglav National Park that will be passable through the end of the year. My advice is to check with the Slovenian Alpine Association en.pzs.si (which you should join anyways before you go) to see what trails might be closed during the time you intend to go.
Amy
Forrest, this is a great resource! Where can one expect to do laundry? Is it acceptable to wash clothes in the sinks at the huts? Thanks for this great resource!
Forrest Mallard
These days, I only travel with three changes of cloths. ON the SMT I washed my clothes in the shower with me each night, and they would be dry by the morning. I never had dirty clothes. I'm sure you can find huts that will do laundry though. I don't remember seeing any signs saying not to do laundry in the sinks. Hope this helps.
Lara
Hi there, just reading in to this trail and have a question about food! As it is allowed to bring your own food, is there any gas available for hikers in the huts - gas for boiling water to add in dried meals? Thinking about combining some dried meals and meals at the hut. Thanks!
Forrest Mallard
Of course you can bring your own food. But you might not always have access to kitchens to cook it. A small portable hiking stove is your best option if this is how you want to do it.
Lara
Thanks for your answer! I’m planning this hike mid August going in to September. I’m an average hiker and I want to enjoy the trail. You took about 35 hiking days? I assume resting days/days with notorious weather excluded? I would like to count in some back up days as well. Can I ask you too about your budget in this trip? I would like to keep it as low as possible. Thanks!
Forrest Mallard
This is a very inexpensive hike. 1. Join the Slovenian Alpine Association to get all of your mountain hut stays at 50% off. Average price for a bunk at a hut is 6 to 10 Euros. 2. There are not a lot of places to buy food along the way. If you want to carry food from Moribor, it will be almost a full week before you pass through another town. 3. If you eat lunch at one mountain hut you pass, and then eat dinner and then breakfast at the next hut where you sleep, that will run about 20 Euros per person. 4. All of the prices get much more expensive in Triglav National Park.. but there is nowhere to buy supplies unless you make a massive detour from the route. Beds, even at 50% are 15 Euros+.
Theo
How much does it cost approximately to hike the whole 35 day hike.
Forrest Mallard
1. The price of joining the Slovenian Alpine Association SAA - About 90 2. Mountain hut bed @ 8 Euro (50% discount with SAA membership) x 30 = 240 3. Mountain hut bed in Triglav National Park @ 15 (w 50% discount) x 5 = 75 4. Breakfast @ 7 Euro + Lunch @ 10 Euro + Dinner @ 12 Euro x 35 days = 1015 5. Shower in Tiglav Park @ 5 Euro x 3 = 15 TOTAL = 1420 Euro This is the vary barebones basics. Beer is not included in this, but very cheap. Water is free.
meeeee
Thank you for this comprehensive info on the SMT! I was wondering if there any POI files for the huts, water sources etc. if not for the checkpoints? Noone has put them into their navigating tool and then exported them alltogether for others to use?
Forrest Mallard
Places of Interest? Really.. the entire walk is through the mountains and that is about it. But don't take that to mean that it will not be eventful! EVERY SINGLE STEP IS STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL. The trail is also very remote, so there is not much history. Just go and know that you are going to be seeing some of the most beautiful nature on Earth, every single day.
Niki
This info is soo good, thanks so much! I was wondering, are the mountain huts literally on the trail - or do we have to make detours to get to them? Cheers!
Forrest Mallard
The mountain huts are LITERALLY on the trail. The mountain huts are actually the checkpoints along most of the trail.
Craig
Is it possible to avoid technical sections of the hike? I note you sometimes list alternatives (like 7a, 7b and 7c). If so, can you guide me to avoid these sections?
Forrest Mallard
In the places where there are options (A, b, c) it is not technical at all. The ONLY place it becomes technical is in the Triglav National Park, and ONLY climbing Mount Triglav. EVERYTHING ELSE can be done without a harness.
Giulio
Ciao! I have crossed all of New Zealand feet. 3000 km. The trail is called "Te Araroa" and is spectacular but also difficult and logically expensive. I tell you that because now I intend to do SMT and there is nothing on the net besides your precious information. Having walked for 6 consecutive months, I know the needs of hikers well and you were precise and punctual in everything so thank you very much for what you did :) All I need is just a couple of information. 1) I would like to do this route completely in a tent because I don't want to book anything. From what you have seen, is there the possibility of pitching a tent near the shelters? Is this allowed? I mean: can you pitch your tent out there and then maybe use their services like bathroom, food, etc.? 2) I read among the various questions that there are only two cities for supplying food. One is about a week after Moribor, where is the other one? Thank again :)
Forrest Mallard
It is not permitted to sleep in tents along the trail. But if you can find an out of the way place to put the tent that people can not see, then what are they going to do? The only bathrooms and services are in the mountain huts. You can go in and use the bathrooms.. but to use the shower you will either be charged or need to rent a bunk for the night.
Oliver Ellis
Hi Forrest, thanks for this. I am planning to hike a section of this in early August, from Maribor to about Zgornje Jesersko. I have not yet got via ferrata kit, and had been planning to get some for the sections around Grintovec and Kranjska Rinka. This is the first place I've seen online that tells me that I might not need via ferrata kit for those sections. Of course if I can get away with it, I'd rather not carry the harness and lanyards. Do I really not need the kit before Triglav? and will I need a helmet on the section I'm doing? Thanks.
Forrest Mallard
They have ferrata kit at the mountain hut under Triglav. You do not need to carry your own gear.
Marije Pruiksma
Dear Forrest, I am very impressed and inspired by all your information on this site! Me and my husband would also like to hike this trail, but not in one go. What do you recommend if we want to plan the trail over several visits? For example, how do we get from a mountain hut back to civilization if we interrupt our journey there? I look forward to your advice! Marije Pruiksma
Forrest Mallard
It really just depends which hut you want to get to, or depart from. 1. Find the hut you want to access. 2. Identify the town or village that is closest to the hut. 3. Go to the website www.rome2rio.com and find the train or bus to that village. 4. Hike from a few hours and you'll get there. I've had to leave the trail before and hike to an ATM to get cash. There is always a village a relatively close walk away.
Nancy
Thank you so much for all this information! Can you tell me about exposure? I get that Triglav might have some but I was wondering about other sections. Thank you in advance for your response.
Forrest Mallard
The first half of the trek is ALL in heavily covered forest. Amazing cover. Triglav is less covered, but cooler. After Triglav you will be entering the wine country. Much less cover, although you do go in and out of some woods.
Duane
Hi ya, love all the information that you have spent your time sharing to those who maybe interested in going to Slovenia. I am planning to run the full length of the SMT next year, did plan for 3 year ago but we all know what happened to scupper that idea. Do you have, or do you know where I could get hold of a list of the huts and the distances between them. Also, what do rate on the chances of just rocking up and finding a place to sleep at the huts? I prefer to run by how my body feels and not set distances each day
Forrest Mallard
On this post is a list of all of the mountain huts along the trail. There is no list of the distance between the huts, possibly because it isn't the distance that is going to challenge you, it is the hills that are the killer. Rarely is the path anything close to horizontal. Regarding rocking up to mountain huts and finding an open bed, I would call each individual mountain hut the day before you were going to arrive to see what their policy is. If you are 'rocking up' during high season, good chance beds might be full. At the highest huts in Triglov however, they never turn anyone away.. so you might be sleeping on a mat in the hallway.
Jennie
Hi, this is a really useful resource, thank you. I’m currently preparing for next year and have long days planned. I’m wondering about meal times in huts. Is food always available? If not, what time is dinner and breakfast usually served? In the case that you arrive late or need to leave early (therefore missing cooked meals) is there anything available to buy? Many thanks in advance
Forrest Mallard
Mountain huts usually have breakfast available before sunrise, and they usually close the kitchen around 7pm (from what I remember). 7pm on the trail is quite late, and the caretaker in the hut needs to get to bed so that they can wake up early to prepare breakfast. ALL of the caretakers at ALL of the huts that I have visited are extremely accommodating. I arrived at one hut after the kitchen had closed one evening.. and was literally shaking with exhaustion. The kind lady running the place turned back on the stove and made me some soup and served me water and beer. She pretty much saved my life. :)
Soetkin
Hi, I'm planning to do a part of the SMT this summer. I want to go for max 10 days. Are there parts I can do without via ferrata? Or parts with via ferrata you can do without experience with it? Thanks!
Forrest Mallard
If you have 10 days you will probably spend that time around the Triglav National Park. There really is only one place that the you need to do the via ferrata and that is to climb Mt Triglav. You can borrow gear at the mountain hut to get to that point and return it when you are done... or you can skip it completely.
Steve
Is it possible to sleep in tent along the whole trail or just in the huts?
Forrest Mallard
It is not permitted to sleep in tents along the trail. I have met people that leave the path and camp. I do not advise this. It is not safe to leave the path. It is bad for the environment to clear an area just for your tent for one night. The only bathrooms and services are in the mountain huts. You can go in and use the bathrooms.. but to use the shower you will either be charged or need to rent a bunk for the night. If you join the Slovenian Alpine association, the huts are really not that expensive.