The alpine resort town of Kranjska Gora serves as an ideal starting point for exploring the nearby Triglav National Park, the sole national park in Slovenia. Although it’s the only national park, it does not disappoint!
The gorgeous emerald hues of the Soca River and its various tributaries grace the valley floor of this beautiful park. This is the heart of the Julian Alps; their towering peaks humble you, reminding you of just how small you really are. Indeed, this mountain range was named after Julius Caesar, who is said to have built a road in the area. The history alone of this area has a way of reminding you of our very small place and time in the grand orchestra of world events.
Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak, stands mightily in the distance. The adventurous hiker and climber can tackle this mountain in 1-2 days, with various huts for food and shelter along the way. Various more ‘family-friendly’ hikes can be found along the 26-kilometer stretch of the Soca River. In my opinion, some of the most picturesque and dramatic parts are along the Great Gorge.
Pro Tip: If you’re planning to hike the Soca River, plan to arrive early! In peak
summer months, the limited parking spots fill quickly.
We hiked along the Great Gorge, arriving at a beautiful swim hole where we dipped our toes in the freezing water. The source of the Soca River is an underground spring and is a constant cold temperature of around 10 degrees Celsius. We arrived at this beautiful spot with only one or two other fellow hikers also drinking in the view. The kids enjoyed watching the freshwater bass swim upstream from the cliff tops into the crystalline waters below. As the morning wore on, the area became much more populated.
It was fun watching brave cliff jumpers dive into the freezing waters below and see various kayakers put in to start their own adventure down the river, waving to the spectators on the sandy shoreline. To truly enjoy the serenity of the place, I recommend an early arrival. Consider packing a picnic and towel to enjoy this beautiful spot; it won’t disappoint.
We made a driving loop from Kransjka Gora to Bovec and back up through Italy for return to Kransjka Gora. This itinteray was perefect for us as a day trip.
See map below:
If you wanted to extend your time, you could easily add an overnignt in Bovec for some adventure sports. The small mountain town of Bovec serves an outdoor adventure hub which various river kayaking, white water rafting and canyoning companies base out of. Many have family friendly options for kids as young as 5-7. We enjoyed a picnic lunch on the Soca river just outside Bovec, the launch area for the constant flow of rafting and kayaking trips down the river.
Our next stop was a historic 15th century fort called Trdnjava Kluze, this fort has seen a lot – from holding back Turkish invaders to Napoleon’s Austrian army to intense fighting during WWI, known as the Soca front. The stop made for some incredibly interesting historical information and the family price of 14 euros felt more than fair and descriptions were also in English. On select days, the fort hosts tours through the in-house cave to the river below. Exhibits also showcased soldier life during WWI.
The last stop en route to Kransjka Gora was a picturesque Italian alpine lake called Lago di Raibl (okay, so the lake is technically not in Slovenia). This lake is much warmer than the Soča River, inviting swimming for the littles. A small restaurant graces one side of the lake with SUP rentals and a nearby bunker showcasing more WWI history.
The Vršič Pass, located just beyond Kranjska Gora, is a favorite among all types of bikers—mountain, adventure bike, and road cyclists alike—so be sure to drive slowly and stay alert for surprises around that next hairpin turn. It is also part of the Via Alpina, a popular long-distance hike encompassing 8 countries. Needless to say, it’s a popular area for nature enthusiasts. When you look around, you can see why. This pass serves more as a destination than just a drive; various pullouts lead to hiking trails and historical markers commemorating WWI history and the Russian prisoners of war who constructed the pass. A Russian chapel and memorial dedicated to the many Russian POWs who did not survive provides a poignant and informative stop.
Numerous viewpoints offer breathtaking panoramas of soaring mountain peaks. If you are driving by car and plan to stop at the top of Vršič Pass, I recommend arriving early to secure a parking spot. We reached the summit at 7:30 a.m. in mid-June, and although parking was available, the spots on the gravel pullouts were filling up quickly. By the time we departed around 1 p.m., a parking attendant was assisting vehicles to find spots. If you plan to arrive later, you might just get lucky!
We selected a family-friendly hike along the summit of Vršič Pass, known as Slemenova Špica. This 3.5-mile (round trip) out-and-back trail is an excellent choice for families with younger children, as it’s relatively easy, not overly long, and offers stunning views along the way. Having hiked extensively around the globe, I can confidently say this hike ranks among my favorites!
To hike Slemenova Špica: Park at the top of Vršič Pass, cross the street, and follow the trail marker for Slemenova Špica. The trail is well marked and easy to follow. The trail will immediately begin a slow ascent up scree to a small saddle. After this initial uphill, the rest of the hike is much flatter (best to get the hardest part out of the way with kids early anyway). At the top of the saddle, the trail will split; follow the signs towards Slemenova Špica to the right. Especially with small children, I do not recommend going left on the more exposed path towards Mala Majstrovka.
Along the hike, you are treated to stunning views of the mountains and can see (and hear) mountain climbers on the rockface of Mala Majstrovka. There is also a nice valley with boulders for kids to climb and play on for a break from hiking. In June there were still some spots of snow, which is a typical hit for children along the way. As you continue, you will pass blankets of wildflowers adorning the ground and mountain views that open towards both Italy and Austria.
There is a short final ascent to the top of Slemenova Špica, with a beautiful high alpine pasture which is a great spot for a picnic and some tree climbing for the younger ones. If you did not pack a meal, there are a couple huts near the top of Vrisic Pass, offering traditional fare at reasonable prices.
The alpine town of Kransjka Gora is an excellent base for exploring Triglav, with affordable accommodation options and great restaurant options after full days of exploring.
Where to Stay: We used booking.com to stay at Vitranc Apartments. This was an affordable choice that provided a separate main room from a fold out couch in the living room and small kitchen. The accommodations were fine, but location was fantastic in the heart of Kransjka Gora, with free parking and access to the large indoor pool complex nextdoor.
Where to Eat: By far, our favorite restaurant was Ostarija, just beneath the ski slopes that specializes in suckling pig. You can see the pig roasting from the street, which is served in generous portion with various salads to accompany. The pork goes great with the local beer on tap, served cold.
With Kransjka Gora’s close proximity to Italy, you can’t go wrong with numerous Italian dishes on offer at most restaurants. I had a delicious truffle and veal pasta with some tasty house Slovenian wine. Slovenian wine is not heavily exported, flavorful and makes for a delicious treat when visiting this small country.
While this itinerary is specific for summer and shoulder travel seasons, the resort town of Kranjska Gora looks to me like it would be one hell of an après ski party after some long days on the mountain for winter sports. And that’s what good travel does…hooks you to wanting to come back for more!
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