With its 2864 metres of elevation, Triglav is the highest peak in Slovenia and the Julian Alps, and it’s said one only becomes a true Slovene after climbing it at least once. Triglav is also one of our national symbols and a central element on the coat of arms. Its name means “three-headed”, and could have come from its three-peak shape when seen from the south, or the Slavic god with the same name.

Triglav then and now

The first documented ascent to Triglav was accomplished in 1778. The “four brave men” from Bohinj made their way to its then still present glacier and traversed the sharp ridge to the peak. The ascent took three days, from the 24th to the 26th of August.

100 years later, when the people of Slovenia were struggling to establish their national identity inside the Austro-Hungarian empire, Slovene priest Jakob Aljaž bought a piece of land on the top of Triglav. There, he built a turret that characterizes the peak to this day. He was also the one to lay out plans for several hiking paths to its top. The dangerous and sharp ridge was flattened and made safer with a Via Ferrata, making it possible for more people to reach its peak.

Nowadays, Triglav is one of the most visited summits in Slovenia. Even though it still presents some risks and dangers, around 3000 hikers reach it daily at the height of the summer season. Apart from the symbolic value, the peak is also attractive because of its spectacular views from the centre of the Julian Alps. The prominent peak can be seen from most of Slovenia, always inviting those who see it to climb it.

How to climb Mt. Triglav

Even though many Slovenians do it, climbing Triglav is not that simple of an undertaking. Most of the trails leading to the peak take an approximate time of 6 hours of walking in one direction. That’s why most people choose to do it in two days, spending a night in one of the mountain huts close to its peak.

The most popular is the Triglav Hut on Kredarica, which at 2515 metres of elevation is the highest situated hut in Slovenia. The second choice for most hikers is the Planika Hut, located on the southern side of the mountain. Whichever one you choose, spending extra time in the moon-like landscape of the barren and rocky high-altitude karst of the Slovenian mountains is a must-have experience.

The best time to climb Triglav is August and September since all of the snow is gone. On sunny days of August, it can get pretty crowded, that’s why more and more people climb it in September or even June and July. Of course, early ascenders must research if there is still some snow on the route. Winters ascents are also possible but should only be tried by the most experienced mountaineers. Sometimes it is also possible to ski from the top, which is one of the hardest possible skiing in Slovenia one could try. Otherwise, a ski tour to the Kredarica hut is a must-do for every ski tourer in Slovenia.

All the paths lead to Triglav

There are many different trails from all sides that lead to the top. The least difficult one leads from the Krma Valley, one of the three Triglav glacial valleys. It is one most who want to climb Triglav in one day use since it’s also the shortest. Those who go on multiple-day hikes start from Pokljuka. The trail is a little longer but very scenic, taking advantage of your extra days in the mountains.

The steepest but also the most fun climbs start in the Vrata Valley. They are the most difficult since they have many Via Ferrata elements, which require some climbing skills. They lead you next to the Triglav North Face, the cradle of Slovenian alpinism. One of the bigger faces in the Alps is more than a kilometre high and around 4 km long. It has more than a hundred different climbing routes of different grades that attract a large number of alpinists each year.

A guide makes your experience safer and more enjoyable

Even though the trails leading to the top are of different overall difficulty, they all have a technical upper part. The last hour of every ascent is a Via Ferrata requiring proper equipment and enough experience in mountain climbing. Knowing something about the local weather is also necessary since you never want to be caught in a storm in that kind of terrain.

If you don’t have all of that experience and knowledge, choosing to climb with a guide is the most sensible option. They are certified professionals who spend their lives training how to make your hikes as safe and enjoyable as possible. They know the most optimal routes and how to make your ascents easier. Local guides are also fluent in English and can share some amazing insights about the mountains and the area. Besides all that, they can also help you book your beds in the huts that are very crowded in the high season.

To find the best way for you to climb Mount Triglav, check out this selection of guided Triglav tours.

STA, 25 February 2022 - Direct flight routes between Ljubljana and Brussels will be renewed from next week as Brussels Airlines is returning to Ljubljana Airport on Monday following a suspension of flights in January. Low-budget airline Wizz Air will relaunch Ljubljana-Brussels flights a month later, on 27 March, reads an announcement on the airport's website.

In addition to Monday, Brussels Airlines will also operate flights from Ljubljana Airport on Friday and Sunday next week.

Currently, Slovenia-bound international flights are operated by eleven airlines that cover twelve destinations, the airport's operator Fraport Slovenija said.

Aeroflot flies to Moscow four times a week, Air France to Paris five times a week, Air Montenegro to Podgorica twice a week, Air Serbia to Belgrade six times a week and to Niš twice a week, EasyJet to London Gatwick four times a week, Flydubai to Dubai four times a week, LOT Polish Airlines to Warsaw four times a week, Lufthansa to Frankfurt 13 times a week, Swiss International Airlines to Zurich four times a week, Transavia to Amsterdam twice a week, and Turkish Airlines to Istanbul daily.

According to Fraport Slovenija, air traffic is still largely dependent on border crossing restrictions and other measures in individual countries, as well as on air travel demand. Despite the slow easing of restrictions on global travel, the situation at Ljubljana Airport is improving, the operator said.

The summer season is expected to see a return of a number of airlines to Ljubljana Airport that have suspended their services due to Covid-19, including new flights by Transavia France, Finnair, Lufthansa, British Airways, Wizz Air and Israir.

STA, 24 February 2022 - Traditional Shrovetide carnival festivities in Slovenia that mark the end of winter and arrival of spring have largely been cancelled or heavily downscaled this year due to Covid-related restrictions. However, in light of the recent easing of measures, some towns have decided to go ahead with live events after all.

Shrovetide festivities in Slovenia usually culminate with carnivals and parades during the weekend, and end on Shrove Tuesday with the death of Pust, as the Shrovetide period is called in Slovenian.

Pust celebrations are believed to have their roots in the pre-Christian period, when people engaged in ancestor worship and used masks to mark the end of winter and arrival of spring.

One of these celebrations is the traditional Laufarija festival in Cerkno, the main feature of which are furry wooden-faced creatures called Laufarji (Runners). After a period of uncertainty, the event is now confirmed to be held in-person.

The organisers have told the STA that the traditional festivities will be held on Sunday and on Tuesday, which include a street parade. The general public is invited to attend, with no special restrictions in place.

"A live performance and a street parade are important to preserve tradition. We are old-fashioned, and only seeing the procession live brings the most authentic experience," the organisers added.

Despite the relaxation of measures, there will be no Kurentovanje in Ptuj this year, though a celebratory event will be held online. Before the epidemic, the traditional carnival had been bringing tens of thousands of visitors each year to the oldest Slovenian town.

The local tourism board said it would not be able to organise the traditional parade on Sunday in full scale in such a short time. However, several events have already been organised in Ptuj as part of the celebrations since 2 February, and the organisers said that the upcoming main carnival weekend would be lively as well.

Despite the lack of a grand parade, Ptuj can still expect to see many people during the Shrovetide period, especially this weekend, as people dress up in carnival attire and indulge in fatty and filling foods like cured pork and doughnuts, in accordance with tradition during the Pust season.

One of the few places where a public open-air carnival celebration has been announced is Novo Mesto in south-eastern Slovenia where a parade featuring a programme for children is to be held on Saturday. No other major carnival parades, which were a regular feature of the streets of many Slovenian towns before the epidemic, have been announced for this year.

For the most part, smaller celebrations with a limited number of participants will take place, while traditional Pust characters like the Kurenti, which feature a full-body sheepskin attire with huge cowbells around the waist, will also take to the streets.

On Shrove Tuesday on 1 March, the last day before the start of Lent, Pust will be buried or burnt at the stake, depending on local tradition.

STA, 17 February 2022 - The government has approved up to EUR 2 million to subsidise the construction of an observation tower in Rogaška Slatina, the community in eastern Slovenia known for centuries for its natural spas.

A release issued by the Government Communication Office after Wednesday's correspondence session of the cabinet said the government approved the funding as it included the project in the 2022-2025 plan of development programmes.

The 106-metre high Crystal Tower is one of the key projects in Rogaška Slatina's strategy to develop as a tourism destination, boost revenue from the industry and make the town and the region more competitive.

Picture: www.ponting.si

The release from the government says the project will create new jobs, five directly once the investment is completed, as well as indirectly in its multiplier effect on the economy as a whole. As the tower will be located in a degraded urban area it will tap on the as yet unused potential of the destination.

The local community backed the erection of what will be the tallest observation tower in Slovenia in a referendum in December 2020 in the aftermath of objections raised by part of the residents.

The investment is valued at EUR 3.7 million. The municipal authorities acquired the development permit for the tower in July 2021 and reckon it could be completed by early 2023.

More about the project

STA, 3 February 2022 - Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair, which opened a base at Zagreb airport last year and also flies to Trieste, has no plans to fly to and from Ljubljana in the near future, the EX-YU Aviation web portal reported on Thursday. The company says that the two airports cover Slovenia well enough, and also sees high costs as a problem.

The EX-YU Aviation portal stated that Fraport Slovenia, the company that operates the Ljubljana Airport, expressed willingness to resume talks with Ryanair on flights to and from Ljubljana towards the end of 2021, confirming that talks had already taken place in the past.

Ryanair has considered introducing flights to Ljubljana on several occasions over the past decade, and the budget airline also briefly maintained flights between London Stansted and Maribor in 2007 and 2008.

However, Ryanair said in a statement to EX-YU Aviation on Thursday that Ljubljana is served well enough by their base in Zagreb and is also in close proximity to Trieste Airport, from which the company maintains flights to a number of destinations.

"There are currently few chances for Ljubljana to be included in our network", Ryanair concluded. The carrier also accused Fraport of "high and uncompetitive fees", which are expected to lead to the closure of Ryanair's base at Frankfurt Airport by the end of March.

After the Covid crisis hit Ljubljana Airport hard, its operator Fraport Slovenia is now working to find new partners and destinations, also with the support of state funds, to promote the restoration of Slovenia's air connectivity.

After a severe shock due to the epidemic, the airport slightly recovered last year and counted 430,943 passengers, almost 50% more than in 2020, but still remains a far cry from just over 1.7 million passengers recorded in 2019.

In the busiest months of July and August, 17 scheduled airlines linked Ljubljana Airport to the world, while currently 12 scheduled carriers fly from Ljubljana Airport to 13 destinations. Fraport expects the outlook for the summer season to be promising as well.

STA, 2 February 2022 - Kurentovanje, Slovenia's largest carnival, starts on Wednesday with an event in which the traditional costumed figures Kurenti put on their bells for the first time. There will be no mass gathering of the Kurenti, and the entire festival will be held mostly in a virtual form for a second year in a row.

The festivities start with the traditional Kurent's Jump on Candlemas on 2 February, when people dressed in the Kurent carnival costume gather around a bonfire, jumping around it and ringing bells to symbolically chase away the winter and evil.

The traditional event that looks to replace the winter and evil for the spring, happiness and good harvest has been taking place for the last two decades at the homestead of Matevž Zoki, the 2nd Carnival Prince, in Budina, east of Ptuj.

Only after this ceremony the Kurenti are able to start their door-to-door rounds, which made the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2017.

However, it will not be held as an organised, mass event this year due to Covid restrictions, so the host has called on the Kurenti to carry on with the tradition and gather in small groups at their homes at midnight.

The main part of the 62nd Kurentovanje festival will be held in a restricted, and mostly virtual form between 19 February and 1 March. The competition for the best carnival doughnut starts today, with the winner to be announced on 17 February.

This year there will be no mass processions and concerts that usually attracted tens of thousands of visitors from Slovenia and abroad to Ptuj, the oldest Slovenian city.

This year's events will include carnival tours for tourists in Ptuj, an exhibition of ethnographic carnival characters and masks, carnival workshops hosted by the Ptuj Library and a competition for the most beautiful carnival decoration.

STA, 2 February 2022 - The Lipica stud farm saw a total of 45,000 visitors last year, with the share of domestic guests significantly increasing compared to previous years owing to the Covid-19 epidemic. Revenue doubled compared to 2020, and plans for this year are even bolder, says the operator of one of the country's main tourist attractions.

Tatjana Vošinek Pucer, the director of Holding Kobilarna Lipica, which operates the stud farm in south-western Slovenia, has told the STA that the numbers for last year are satisfactory given the situation in the tourism market.

"We generated twice as much revenue as the year before," said Vošinek Pucer, noting that the stud farm finished 2020 with an accumulated loss of more than EUR 1.5 million.

The home of the world-famous Lipizzan white horses has been hit hard by the novel coronavirus epidemic. "The largest drop was recorded in foreign visitors, which resulted in a substantial drop in revenue," she added.

The amount of revenue and the number of visitors are expected to grow again this year, as the operator counts on revenue from the refurbished Hotel Maestoso and Gratia Restaurant.

Maestoso was one of the largest investments in recent years, and the plan is to renovate the swimming pool and wellness centre of the hotel this year, which will cost around EUR 5 million.

The plan is also to renovate the riding school building, an investment estimated at around EUR 1 million.

With the reopening of Hotel Maestoso, the total number of employees in the group increased to 143 last year, and the stud farm is gearing up for the new tourist season despite the prospects being lower than before the outbreak of Covid-19.

The company is currently looking for stable staff, horse rider, blacksmiths, waiters, cooks and maids.

The Lipica stud farm will admit visitors free of charge on Culture Day on 8 February, with the programme including guided and independent tours, presentations of the Lipizzan horses, workshops for children and other events.