Although I visited Triglav National Park in March, this is not the best time of year to visit. I had some luck with the weather conditions (plenty of sunshine, despite the cold), but the vegetation was still quite burnt from the winter snow. In fact, there was still a lot of snow on the roads. Also, some places like the gorges (e.g. Vintgar and Tolmin) close during winter.

The answer to this question is a bit tricky as it depends a lot on what you want to do in Triglav National Park. If you are like me and just want to get to know the main points of interest, without walking any trails, then 2 days is a good starting point for your visit.

Although I only stayed one night in the park (in Kobarid), these are the main areas of the Triglav National Park with the most accommodation offers:

• Kobarid
• Bohinj
• Kranjska Gora
• Bovec

In my opinion, renting the car will make visiting Triglav National Park much easier, especially during the off-season. In addition to flexibility in travel, you will reach the various points of interest much more quickly.

However, it is not impossible to travel without a car in this park. During the summer, there are some public transport routes that make it easier to visit the Triglav National Park without a car:

• Conection between Bovec, Vršič and Kranjska Gora
• Links between various points of interest in Bojinj

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The Pericnik waterfall is easily accessible – 10 minutes (steep but relatively simple path) from the car park. For the more adventurous, it is also possible to walk behind the waterfall. Actually, there are two waterfalls: the top and the bottom. However, the most famous one is the bottom one, as the waterfall is much higher (52 meters vs 16 meters).

Useful information:

• Where to park: 46°26’19.3 “N 13°53’46.8 “E
• Infrastructures: bar/restaurant next to the car park but not always open
• Distance: 1,6 km round trip (about 10 minutes)
• Route difficulty: rather steep but easy
• When to visit: any time of year but during winter the water may freeze

Technically it is not part of the Triglav National Park but it is so beautiful that it is worth the detour. Located just a short drive from Italy and Austria and near the town of Kranjska Gora, here you can find the source of the river Sava. The name Zelenci (which comes from the word “zelen”, i.e. green in Slovenian) is related to the colour of the water. I promise it’s not Photoshop – the water really looks like this! Plus, the landscape around the reserve is simply breathtaking!

Useful information:

• Where to park: 46°29’40.5″N 13°44’02.9″E or 46°29’35.9″N 13°44’30.7″E
• Distance: about 10 minutes from the car parking
• Route difficulty: very easy
• When to visit: all year
• There is an observation tower next to the reserve
• Water temperature is constant all year round (6ºC)

This is probably the day of this itinerary with the largest concentration of beautiful sites. Lake Jasna, which is very close to Zelenci National Reserve, is another superb landscape. The lake is surrounded by the Julian Alps, making the surroundings even more special.

I suggest going to Kranjska Gora to look for restaurants as the restaurants by Lake Jasna are more expensive. Plus, you can also enjoy ad take a quick walk around this lovely little town.

The itinerary continued on Slovenia’s most famous road. Built during the First World War by Russian war prisoners, this road crosses the Julian Alps and is known for its 50 sharp bends. The road links Kranjska Gora to Bovec and is about 25 km long.

Each curve is numbered and you will want to stop at several places (the views of the mountains are superb) but I especially recommend the following stops:

• Russian chapel (turn 8) – built in 1916 on the site where many of the war prisoners lost their lives following an avalanche
• Pagan Girl (turn 12) – nature carved what looks like a girl’s face on the mountain
• Stone constructions left by previous visitors (turn 17)
• Vršič Pass – the highest point on the road (at 1611 metres)

Useful information:

• There are several possible stops (viewpoints, among others) along the route
• At most stops, it is possible to easily park the car
• Road length: 25 km (one-way)
• In winter it usually closes due to snow so you should confirm beforehand if the road is closed

One of the most photogenic waterfalls in Slovenia… a real gem! The access is relatively easy and after parking the car you only have to walk 10 minutes. The waterfall is about 12 meters high and the flow of water varies throughout the year.

• Where to park: 46°20’08.6″N 13°30’46.2″E
• Distance: 10 minutes on foot from the car park
• When to visit: all year round. In summer, it is possible to bathe there (easy access to the water) and in winter it freezes sometimes

Kobarid is an excellent option to stay overnight while visiting the Triglav National Park. Although located outside the park, the place itself is lovely and offers some local lodgings and a few restaurants.

• Hisa Polonka (€€€): very pleasant space and with friendly service, the menu is smaller, but of high quality
• Bar Cinca Marinca (€): a good option for breakfast with a privileged view over Kobarid church

When I was in Kobarid I stayed at Apartments Masera. It’s a very central guest house with everything you need. A more modest but still pleasant option!

Also outside Triglav National Park, this waterfall is worth a visit. It was probably my favourite waterfall of all the ones I visited in Slovenia. However, it takes a little longer than the other waterfalls to get there.

Useful information:

• Where to park: 46°14’58.8″N 13°35’15.7″E (supposedly you need to pay for parking but no one was there to collect the money when we visited)
• Do not type “Slap Kozjak” directly on Google Maps as it is wrongly labeled. Choose to park the car in the park I suggest above and walk the rest of the way.
• Distance: 1h (round trip) and fairly flat

» Tolmin Gorges

Similar to Vintgar Gorge, there is also Tolmin Gorges. Here too it is necessary to pay to visit and there is a pre-defined route of about 2km. The visit is very interesting and you can see crystal clear water yet again and still cross one of the most vertiginous bridges in Slovenia.

Useful information:

• Free parking
• Closes between the end of October and March and the timetable depends on the time of year
• Price: 6€ for adults during low season and it can get up to 10€ during other seasons
• Distance: 2km (takes about 1h30 round trip)
• More information here

• Gostilna Zatolmin (€€): typical restaurant with relatively affordable prices and generous portions

This lake, together with Lake Bled, was one of my favourite places in Slovenia. It is hard not to be amazed by such natural beauty in one place 😍. The silence hovered in the air, there were half a dozen ducklings swimming in the lake, the water reflected the magnificence of the mountains. It was hard to ask for more after this… truly thrilling!

Useful information:

• Parking is not always easy and is often paid for.
• There are some trails in this area that you can explore.
• In Vogel, you will find one of the best viewpoints of the lake. You can go by car or take the Vogel cable car.