Are you tempted to head out into the white embrace of winter? Why not? There are no obstacles in lower-lying areas to going on a hike in any season of the year.

However, in the mountains or higher-lying areas in hills, winters are long, cold, and usually have a lot of snow. The snow often falls as early as October and persists until late spring or early summer. Choose a destination that you are familiar with because you visited it in summer, because the snow cover changes the landscape significantly.

There are a lot of areas suitable for winter hiking. The most experienced and skilled hikers can even enjoy a winter hike to Mt Triglav, provided that the weather conditions are right. It should be noted that, in winter, the snow covers steel cables, so a true climbing endeavour on very steep hills is needed just under the summit.

There are many other peaks that will also leave you breathless.  Among the mountains over 2000 metres, these certainly include the 2050-metre-high Mt Viševnik above the Pokljuka plateau, as well as Mt Mala Mojstrovka, Mt Veliki Draški Vrh, Mt Rodica, Mt Stol, Mt Veliki Vrh above the Kofce mountain pasture, Mt Raduha, and many others.

If you don’t want to go that high up, you can experience a winter fairy tale in the hills: the Škofja Loka Hills, the Polhov Grades Dolomites, or the Zasavje Hills are an ideal choice for you.

Before you go

If you’re not familiar with Slovenia’s mountains, we recommend that you conquer our tall mountains in winter accompanied by an experienced guide. They will recommend a suitable trail and ensure that you reach your destination as safely as possible.

Keep yourself and the people around you safe. Check the snow and weather conditions and the avalanche risk, and do not forget suitable winter equipment for mountain hikes – good winter mountaineering boots, suitable winter clothing, warm liquid and food, as well as an ice axe, crampons, and an avalanche rescue kit. Don’t attempt to go on a tour in very high mountains if you’re not skilled in walking with crampons or using an ice axe.

When planning your ascent, note that most cabins in the very high mountains are closed in winter. Check the operating times of mountain cabins here: https://www.pzs.si/koce.php