Hiking / February 20, 2026

Velika Planina in Spring is Pure Magic 🌿

When you Google Slovenia, you’ll immediately see photos of Lake Bled, the cute old town of Ljubljana, if you scroll a bit more then you might see the emerald Soča River, seaside Piran or maybe even Maribor. And yes – they’re all beautiful. But if you’re visiting Slovenia in spring, there is one place that (in my humble opinion) completely steals the show – Velika Planina.

The first time I saw Velika Planina covered in blooming saffron (crocus) flowers, I honestly couldn’t believe it was real. Thousands of tiny purple flowers covering the hills. Traditional wooden shepherd huts scattered across the plateau. Snow still sitting on the peaks of the Kamnik–Savinja Alps in the background. These landscapes, fresh mountain air and that feeling that time somehow slows down. And that’s why I always say – if you can, stay overnight.

Most people take the cable car up, walk around for a few hours and go back down. But when the cable car closes in the evening and day visitors leave, Velika Planina becomes something else entirely. The quiet is different. Staying in a traditional koča (old shepherd’s house) is such a special experience. These huts have a very unique oval shape, designed centuries ago to protect them from strong alpine winds. Today, many are renovated inside – cozy, warm, simple but beautiful. You can book them through Alpine Resorts . Waking up early, stepping outside with your coffee and seeing nothing but mountains and purple flowers around you… that’s a core memory kind of moment.

You HAVE to Try the Cheese

When you’re on Velika Planina, trying the local cheese isn’t optional. Shepherds still produce traditional dairy products on the plateau during the grazing season. The cheese is simple, homemade, slightly salty and incredibly fresh. It’s one of those “simple but perfect” Slovenian experiences.