This summer, I spent four days hiking in Slovenia with some friends. On day three, we started our morning by summiting Mount Triglav. This was the main attraction of our three days, and I was anxiously looking forward to it.

About Mount Triglav

Mount Triglav is the highest mountain in Slovenia, located in the Julian Alps. It stands tall at 2864 feet (872 meters), and can be seen all across Slovenia. First climbed way back in 1778, summiting Mount Triglav has become a sort of right of passage for Slovenians, according to my Slovenian colleagues.

There are many ways to ascend Triglav, ranging in difficulty. So be sure to check the ideal route based on your previous experience and fitness level.

The hike itself is difficult, but I’d say doable by most fit hikers–more intermediate than expert, especially if you have climbing experience. There are sections that are steep and exposed, so if you have a fear of heights, you could end up shedding a few tears. That said, it’s worth the adventure. Just make sure you are prepared. For packing tips, read this article.

Where to sleep before summiting Mount Triglav

We were staying at the Dolic Hut (Hut 33) and woke up at 4am to summit Triglav. This is a smaller hut for about 80 hikers with a real alpine feel e.g. sleeping is tight, there are no indoor toilets, no showers and no running water. Be prepared.

For dinner, we had the choice between four dishes, most chose goulash. The food was tastier than expected, and they have wine, beer and radlers for sale. The hut is cash only, so it’s a lot easier if you settle everything online in advance and only pay for water and snacks there.

Summiting Mount Triglav

The early wake up call was the right choice. We were the very first group to summit Triglav that day. The previous night we got some intel from the hut staff. They explained that the route is a loop. Some people choose to approach from one side and return the same way they came. That direction is more beautiful and less steep than the other side, so this is worth doing if you are worried about the difficulty. We took advice from the staff and chose to do the full loop in reverse, taking the more difficult section first.

The trail starts off easy, even in the moonlight. It’s wide and man-made. The winds are strong and the weather changes rapidly. I recommend packing all your layers, and leaving the majority of your hiking gear at the hut. The lighter pack made the journey a lot faster.

A steeper climb to come

After about an hour of easy walking, you come to the base of the Triglav summit. From here, we put on our helmets and began the steep ascent. This is where Nadine feared for her life a few times. This part of the hike is very exposed and if you are afraid of heights, your legs will start to get a little shaky. Take precaution and go the other direction if you have no climbing experience.

We split into two groups, and took our time, enjoying the views–but not too much time, due to the fierce weather.

After a half hour more, our first group arrived at the summit. The second group arrived about ten minutes later. We celebrated quickly, taking a few photos with what I call the Triglav summit windmill, and found a small alcove to protect ourselves from the brutal wind. It was getting stronger by the second. Piercing at times.

We shared a snack, took some photos as a group and put on our via ferrata kits to begin our descent around the other side. The total journey to the Triglav summit took us about 1.5 hours, and we knew the way down would take slightly longer.

Descending Mount Triglav

We found that we didn’t need the via ferrata kit for the descent, but for some it was nice to have it for a little extra security. As we departed from the summit, the wind let up, making us feel a bit safer and protected. If it were busier, or if the conditions were worse, I could see the value of clipping in, so definitely come prepared.

There are a few different huts in the distance. We planned to stop at Dom Planika pod Triglavom. At this hut they have bathrooms with real toilets, and we enjoyed a coffee break inside.

Once we spotted the hut in the distance, we also spotted a perfect sledding opportunity. Why walk, when you can sled? I must say this was one of the highs of the day – I felt like a kid again, and was ready to warm up inside.

After our coffee and bathroom break, we continued the journey down to our hut. The weather was a lot more enjoyable and the hiking was a lot easier – no via ferrata kit needed. There, we ate the sandwiches they generously prepared for us the night before and repacked our bags for The Seven Lakes.

Total hiking time: 4-5 hours