Where Time Slows Down Above the Clouds♥︎
Perched high in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Velika Planina is unlike anywhere else in Slovenia. With its traditional wooden shepherd huts, endless mountain views and peaceful alpine atmosphere, this hidden gem feels as if time has stood still. We spent a night here to experience the village after the day-trippers had left and it quickly became one of the most unforgettable places on our road trip through Slovenia.
one night in slovenia's fairytale mountain village
Velika Planina is located in northern Slovenia, in the stunning Kamnik–Savinja Alps, just a short drive from Ljubljana. Sitting at around 1,500 meters above sea level, this alpine plateau is famous for its traditional shepherd huts, green meadows and breathtaking mountain views.
Above the town of Kamnik, Velika Planina feels like a hidden mountain escape. Reachable by cable car, chairlift or hiking trails, it is one of Slovenia’s most unique places to experience nature and authentic alpine traditions.
Velika Planina is just 40 minutes from Ljubljana and can easily be reached by car or public transport. Most visitors take the cable car before continuing to the famous shepherd village by chairlift or on foot.
Driving is the most convenient way to visit Velika Planina. From Ljubljana, the journey takes around 40–45 minutes, while it’s about 1.5 hours from Lake Bled and 2 hours from Maribor. Simply follow the signs to the Velika Planina Cable Car near Kamniška Bistrica. If you’re planning to hike instead, you can also park at Mačkin kot, one of the closest parking areas.
Another scenic option is taking the train from Ljubljana to Kamnik. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes. Once you arrive in Kamnik, continue by taxi or local bus to the cable car station before heading up to Velika Planina.
Regular buses run from Ljubljana Bus Station to the town of Kamnik in around 45-60 minutes. From Kamnik, you can take a local bus (seasonal), a taxi, or even cycle to the Velika Planina Cable Car, which is about 10 km (6 miles) away.
Taking the Cable Car & Chair Lift
The easiest way to reach Velika Planina is by taking the Velika Planina Cable Car from Kamniška Bistrica. The ride takes just a few minutes and is followed by an optional chairlift, or you can enjoy a scenic 30-40 minute walk to the shepherd village. The cable car usually operates every 30 minutes, while the chairlift connects directly to the upper plateau.
👉 Parking, Prices & Opening Hours
If you’re driving, you’ll find several official parking areas, including Mačkin kot, Rakov Rob and Ušivec. Parking for passenger cars costs €12 per day (subject to seasonal changes).
The cable car generally operates:
Monday-Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday-Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
The chairlift usually runs:
Monday-Thursday: 8:30 AM – 5:15 PM
Friday-Sunday: 8:30 AM – 6:15 PM
Ticket Prices
Most visitors choose the Cable Car + Chair Lift return ticket, which costs €26 per adult (€29 during peak season). If you only take the cable car, a return ticket costs €24 (as of June 2026)
Good to know:
It’s best to buy your parking ticket at the Rakov Rob parking lot (the first parking lot) or you can buy a ticket with the Easy Park app.
The traditional shepherd village is the heart of Velika Planina and one of the most photographed places in Slovenia. Around 140 unique wooden huts are scattered across the alpine plateau, creating a landscape that feels almost untouched by time. During the summer months, local shepherds still bring their cattle to the mountain, continuing a tradition that has existed for centuries.
Walking through the village is one of the highlights of any visit. Instead of rushing from viewpoint to viewpoint, take your time to wander along the small gravel paths, watch the cows grazing peacefully and admire the distinctive architecture of the huts with their characteristic wooden roofs.
Don’t miss:
No matter where you walk on Velika Planina, you’re surrounded by breathtaking alpine scenery. On clear days, you can see across the Kamnik–Savinja Alps, rolling green meadows and distant mountain peaks stretching far into the horizon.
We found ourselves stopping every few minutes just to take another photo. One of our favorite moments was watching the changing light over the mountains during the evening after most visitors had already left.
Best photo spots:
Even if you’re not an experienced hiker, Velika Planina is an amazing place to explore on foot. Most trails are easy to moderate and lead across wide alpine meadows, peaceful forests and scenic viewpoints.
You can simply enjoy a relaxed walk around the shepherd village or combine your visit with longer hiking routes towards nearby peaks.
Popular options include:
One of the most recognizable landmarks on Velika Planina is the Chapel of Mary Snow Queen. Originally built before World War II, the chapel was destroyed during the war and later reconstructed in the traditional style you can see today.
Surrounded by green meadows and grazing cows, it’s one of the most peaceful places on the plateau and a perfect stop during your walk.
A visit to Velika Planina wouldn’t be complete without tasting some local mountain food. Several huts and restaurants serve traditional Slovenian dishes prepared with regional ingredients.
We stopped at Restaurant Zeleni Rob, where we enjoyed delicious local food while overlooking the mountains.
Some specialties to try:
When we travel, we always save the best places we discover from hidden viewpoints and cozy cafés to beautiful beaches and must-see spots. To make trip planning easier, we created interactive travel maps with all our favorite locations in one place. Simply open the map and explore the places we personally visited.
Note: The buttons and images above link to our interactive travel maps hosted on Rexby, where you can explore all saved locations in detail. Thanks for your support friends!
Most visitors explore Velika Planina as a day trip, but staying overnight is where the mountain truly comes alive. Once the last visitors leave, the peaceful atmosphere, quiet trails and golden sunsets make this place feel completely different.
We stayed two nights at Chalet Orlica and one night at Chalet Encijan, and both experiences showed us why sleeping on Velika Planina is something special. Waking up surrounded by wooden shepherd huts, grazing cows and the Kamnik–Savinja Alps is an experience you won’t get on a short visit.
👉 Chalet Orlica – Velika Planina
A cozy mountain chalet with an authentic alpine atmosphere. We loved the peaceful location and the feeling of having the mountains right outside our door.
👉 Chalet Encijan – Velika Planina
Another beautiful option for experiencing Velika Planina overnight, combining traditional charm with a comfortable stay in the heart of the plateau.
👉 Our tip: If you have the time, we highly recommend staying at least one night. Velika Planina after sunset feels like a completely different world.
One of the best parts of visiting Velika Planina is experiencing the traditional mountain food. After hiking through the alpine meadows and exploring the shepherd village, there is nothing better than sitting down in a cozy mountain hut with a view of the surrounding peaks.
The food here is simple, authentic and closely connected to the shepherd traditions that make Velika Planina so special. Many dishes are made with local ingredients and recipes that have been passed down for generations.
The most famous local experience is tasting traditional dairy products made on the mountain. During the summer months, shepherds still bring their cows to Velika Planina and produce fresh milk, cheese and other specialties.
👉 Things you should try:
There are a few restaurants where you can enjoy local food while taking in the incredible views.
Our favorite stop was Restaurant Zeleni Rob, where we enjoyed traditional Slovenian dishes surrounded by the beautiful alpine landscape. It’s the perfect place to take a break during your hike or before heading back down the mountain.
You’ll also find small snack and drink stands, as well as locals selling things from their huts.
💡 Tip: If you’re staying overnight here, definitely bring some food or a packed lunch. Most accommodations on Velika Planina have a small minibar with food, snacks, and drinks.
Eating at Velika Planina is not just about the food, it is about the experience. Sitting outside on a sunny day, watching cows walk through the meadows and looking over the Kamnik-Savinja Alps is something you will remember.
If you are staying overnight, we highly recommend bringing some local products with you and enjoying a slow breakfast or dinner with a mountain view. The peaceful atmosphere after the day visitors leave makes the experience even more special.
Velika Planina is beautiful all year round, but each season offers a completely different experience. Whether you want to see colorful alpine meadows, traditional shepherd life, snowy landscapes or peaceful mountain mornings, there is no wrong time to visit this magical place in Slovenia.
For us, the best time to visit Velika Planina is late spring to early autumn (May to October), when the plateau is alive with flowers, grazing cows and open hiking trails. This is also when the traditional shepherd season takes place, making it the perfect time to experience the authentic atmosphere of the mountain.
Spring is one of the most beautiful times to visit Velika Planina. The snow starts disappearing, the meadows turn green again and colorful alpine flowers cover the plateau.
This is also the beginning of the shepherd season, when cows return to the mountain and the traditional way of life comes back to Velika Planina.
👉 Why visit in spring:
Summer is the most popular time to visit Velika Planina. The weather is usually perfect for hiking, the cable car is running frequently and the mountain huts are open for visitors.
The green alpine meadows, traditional wooden cottages and grazing cows create the classic Velika Planina postcard view.
👉 Why visit in summer:
Autumn is a fantastic time for those who prefer a more peaceful experience. The summer crowds disappear, the landscape turns golden and the mountain atmosphere becomes incredibly calm.
The cooler temperatures also make hiking more comfortable.
👉 Why visit in autumn:
During winter, Velika Planina transforms into a magical snow-covered landscape. The wooden cottages, quiet trails and white mountain scenery create a completely different atmosphere.
However, keep in mind that conditions can change quickly, and some facilities may operate with reduced opening hours.
👉 Why visit in winter:
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⌀-2°C
Jan
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⌀0°C
Feb
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⌀4°C
Mar
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⌀9°C
Apr
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⌀14°C
May
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⌀18°C
June
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⌀22°C
July
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⌀24°C
Aug
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⌀17°C
Sep
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⌀12°C
Oct
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⌀6°C
Nov
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⌀1°C
Dec
If you want the classic Velika Planina experience with green meadows, cows, open huts and the best hiking conditions, we recommend visiting between June and September. We’ve been here in the end of June and it was just the perfect time and amazing to be here.
But our personal favorite was staying overnight. Watching the sunset, waking up above the clouds and exploring the empty plateau in the morning made Velika Planina feel even more special.
Velika Planina is one of Slovenia’s most unique mountain destinations, but a little preparation will make your visit even better. From choosing the right time to visit to knowing what to pack, these tips will help you make the most of your time on the alpine plateau.
Even if you take the cable car and chairlift, you will still walk quite a bit on Velika Planina. The plateau has gravel paths, grassy trails and uneven terrain, so comfortable hiking shoes are highly recommended.
Most visitors only come for a few hours during the day, but Velika Planina becomes truly magical in the evening and early morning. After the crowds leave, you can enjoy quiet trails, beautiful sunsets and peaceful mountain mornings.
Velika Planina is a popular destination, especially in July and August. Arriving early helps you find parking, enjoy the trails with fewer people and experience the best light for photography.
The weather in the mountains can change quickly. While sunny summer days can be warm, evenings and mornings can feel much cooler at 1,500 meters.
👉 We recommend bringing:
Some mountain huts and smaller local places may not always accept card payments. Having some cash with you is a good idea, especially if you want to try local food or buy traditional products.
Some mountain huts and smaller local places may not always accept card payments. Having some cash with you is a good idea, especially if you want to try local food or buy traditional products.
For the most beautiful photos, visit during:
Don’t leave Velika Planina without tasting some traditional mountain specialties. Local cheese, Kranjska sausage and homemade dishes are part of the experience.
Don’t rush your visit. Velika Planina is a place to slow down, enjoy the views and simply take in the atmosphere. If you have the chance, spend a night here, waking up above the clouds is an experience you will remember.
