How to: Mount Triglav, Slovenia

Ocean of mountains... Did you notice the two shadows?

"Did you climb Mount Triglav?"

"Yes!"

"Then, you've become a real Slovenian!"

I was so happy and proud after the end of this marvelous hike, that I couldn't stop thinking and talking about it. There is something real special at this place and the feeling of accomplishment that it gives you when you conquer it.

A fresh beginning, breath-taking views, overcoming the exhaustion, the excitement from the unknown road ahead you and the proud of the achievement. Those are only a few of the things you will experience during this hike.

Preparation

Secured everywhere with metal ropes

Bad news is though, that the preparation could take some time. Make sure to plan and book everything as soon as possible. I would recommend at least 2-3 month in advance. Although, to be honest, we did it 2 weeks before departure and everything was perfectly fine. At every step of our booking process people were flexible and very helpful! Now let's begin, shall we?

We began our journey from Rudno Polje. This is the southern and "easier approach to Mt. Triglav". There are two options for parking: An official one and a non-official one at 1.5km apart. The official one costs 5€ a day. The other one is free but there are very few spots, better get early if you want to skip walking this 1.5km and not pay for parking. No matter from which you start, follow signs for "Vodnikov dom". It took us about 3 hours and the path was relatively easy, the ascent was not very tiring. Make sure to refill your water reserves here with free fresh water, because after that there are no free places. A bottle of water at a hut is around 4.50€. 

The view before Vodnikov Dom

From "Vodnikov dom" the path was almost always ascending, but tolerable. Follow the signs for "Konsko sedlo". Once you get to it "refill" your body with energy (water, food) because the ascend becomes really steep It does not matter if you go to "Dom Planika" or to "Triglavski dom na Kredarica". Follow carefully the white/red marks, some are easy to miss. From here there are few more challenging spots with metal ropes and steps, but it's very safe. You wouldn't need any equipment. Overall, this way is the easiest one and I would say the fastest one. So if you're not sure in your capabilities as a hiker, it would sooth your perfectly. 

Let's make a small detour and tell you about the sleeping arrangements:

At the foot of the Kredarica Hut

The two best hut options for a sleepover are "Dom Planika"(2401m) and "Triglavski dom na Kredarici"(2515). The second one chose us, as at Dom Planika there were no free beds left. Both huts offer reservation by phone, but only Dom Planika is possible online. Check-in time is at 14.00.

By any questions or uncertainties call them or write an email, they respond quickly. If you receive any written info from either, print it just in case, although at hut Kredarici we (and all other people who were checking in with us) had no problems with only the reservation number. Everyone is asked for ID, not only the person who did the reservation.
When making the reservation make sure to ask for sheets, if you are not bringing your own. Because of our last minute booking (I repeat it was only 2 weeks in advance) we were given a room in the basement. I cannot describe it how extremely cold it was there. We slept with clothes and hats on, with two wool blankets and still could feel the biting mountain fresh air.

Day 2: To mount Triglav and back down to Rudno Polje: 

For this part you'll need equipment: helmet und via ferrata. As we are not that experienced using this kind of equipment, we booked a guide with "Altitude Activities" at Bled.

A view to Kredarica Hut and Mt. Triglav in clouds

I strongly recommend them, because of their professionalism, quick responses and personal attitude. We had a hundred questions before and after the booking, needed to change the date(because of bad weather) and they did everything for us with full understanding and patience. This is no advertisement, we were just really happy with them and the fact that made us feel no worries about this trip.
We had to wake very early in the morning (at around 5 o'clock) to make sure that we'll beat the crowds to the summit. Despite that, there were already people climbing greet the sunrise. I looked through the window to the Mount and I could see small lights, slowly making their way to the top. 

The climbing is actually not so scary nor difficult. It is very secured with metal ropes and handles. If you are inexperienced, though, or you have slight scare from heights be sure to have equipment, guide or at least an experienced friend with you, because there are some short unsecured sections. It is really difficult to describe the views we had along the way. Might mountains all around, you can see Austria and Italy and feel the satisfaction of "conquering" the Slovenian Alpine World. 

On our way to the top

Almost there

The way down to the starting point was, of course, much easier, but not very pleasant for the knees.

Some small (but important) tips:

• Bring enough water and snacks
• Bring sunglasses and hats, if you are going in summer
• Bring spare clothes for the second day
• Wear very good shoes, if it's wet it could be very slippery and tense at some sections  
• A good camera is a must, not every day does one get such views. 
• Walking sticks, they are not a must, but definitely would make your experience more pleasant

 And don't forget your confidence. I was really worried that the hike and the summit climbing will be scary and hard, but it turned put to be a pleasant, thought tiring, hike.

The view from Kredarica Hut

Timetable:

We are middle-experienced hikers and usually we keep good tempo on the trails and this is the time this whole hike took us. *Including stops for rest and photos.

• Day 1: we started the trail from the parking lot at 8.00 in the morning and got to Kredarica Hut at around 13.00.
• Day 2(1): from Kredarica Hut to Mt. Triglav and back from 06.00 in the morning to 10.00
• Day 2(2): from Kredarica Hut to the parking lot from 10.30 to 16.30

View from Mt. Triglav

I really hope you will be able to visit this place and have the same amazing experience as we did. This is something I will always remember with a smile and feel the satisfaction of accomplishing every step taken.