At once a lush alpine pasture, shepherd village, and ski resort, the magical plateau of Velika Planina brings together countless answers to the needs of travelers seeking escape. Its splendid landscapes invite walks and hikes that you can combine with visits to the natural and ethnological curiosities of the region. As you pass through the shepherd village, seize the opportunity to taste the local dairy specialties, particularly žganci, delicious flour dumplings, not to mention curdled milk. Velika Planina promises you a true change of scenery on your trip to Slovénie.

What is Velika Planina?

Located in northern Slovénie, Velika Planina is a magnificent plateau in the Upper Carniola region, within the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, near the Kamniška Bistrica Valley. Its highest point is at Gradišče at 1,666 meters altitude.

This tourist destination in Slovénie reveals the secrets of alpine pasture life, distinguished by vast summer grazing lands and numerous karst phenomena (sinkholes, dolinas, etc.) that beautifully shape the landscape. From mid-June through September, the livestock of the village shepherds graze on Velika Planina's pastures.

This destination is also known for its shepherd village, easily recognizable by the 140 chalets with roofs covered in spruce shingles. Their typical architecture is the symbol of Velika Planina. When you visit the village, be sure to taste the curdled milk, žganci, the shepherds' homemade cheese, and many other dairy specialties. Most of these chalets are occupied by shepherds, but some are designed to welcome tourists wanting to spend the night. While summer brings lively activity to the pasture, in winter, the ski slopes in the region fill with vacationers. You can enjoy these moments of happiness with your family or friends.

What to See at Velika Planina?

Beyond the shepherd village and verdant pasture that make up Velika Planina's tourist reputation, you can also visit other curiosities in the region.

The Marija Snežna Chapel

Located above the pastoral village, the Marija Snežna Chapel stood at its present location long before World War II. The Germans burned it at the end of the war, but the shepherds took the initiative to rebuild it in 1988.

Each summer, during the grazing season, Sunday masses welcome thousands of visitors, including Christmas midnight mass. However, the Marija Snežna Chapel celebration and the shepherd village festival takes place on August 5th, an important public holiday at Velika Planina. Choose the period when you'd like to enjoy the region's cultural events.

Veternica Cave and Dovja Griča

Among the pasture's curiosities, the Veternica Cave is the most famous and most visited. It stands out thanks to its snow accumulations that can be found within the cave even during summer. It consists of two chambers created by the collapse of the ceilings of the Mala and Velika Veternica caves.

9 meters deep, the Dovja griča cave takes its name from the captivating stories that made it famous. Located in the Tiha dolina valley, it is said to have served as a refuge for the good and not-so-good imaginary characters of the shepherds.

Tourist Village

This is the area next to the Zeleni Rob inn, where chalets are located for tourist accommodation. This village was designed according to the plans of architect Vlasto Kopač, a student of Jože Plečnik. Kopač wanted to separate the tourist village from the shepherd village. Nevertheless, the exterior of the tourist village chalets resemble those of the pastoral chalets.

The Preskar Museum

Open 7 days a week during the grazing seasons, the Preskar Museum is a small gray pastoral house located in the pastoral village, in a rocky area. Its shape, size, and modest interior set it apart from other pastoral chalets.

The natural charm of the Velika Planina plateau already succeeds in attracting tourists. In addition to its tourist attractions including the pasture, village, chalets, chapel, and caves, you can be sure that your vacation will be truly unforgettable.

What to Do?

Summer Activities

Walking and Hiking

The starting points for marked hiking trails to Velika Planina are: Stahovica, Kamniška Bistrica-Kraljev hrib, and Krivčevo. The walk can take 3 hours, but to make your return easier, you can descend by cable car. The path to Planina Konjščica and Planina Dol also makes for short hikes, around 15 minutes each. Velika Planina pasture is also the starting point for hikes leading to higher peaks in the Kamnik Alps.

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking has become increasingly popular in recent times. Fortunately, Velika Planina lets you enjoy it with ease thanks to its 25 km of cycling trails.

The circuit begins with a cable car ride to the pasture. From there, you'll have several descent options. Some lead to the Kamniška Bistrica valley, another to the Snovik thermal spa in Tuhinjska dolina. At the cable car entrance, you'll be informed of what you need to know and given a map of marked trails.

Educational Trail "In the Footsteps of Shepherds"

This learning trail has several entry points and can take a good two hours of walking and enriching discoveries about life at Velika Planina. You'll learn more about the lifestyle, customs, and habits of shepherds, not forgetting the many natural attractions adorning the landscape.

At the lower cable car station, there is an educational board with a map and presentation of the different trails. There are 11 other boards describing the characteristics of Velika Planina: "Na na vrhu, Pastirjev dan, Arhitektura, Vrtača velikanka, Prisluhni, Kamnita vrata, Rastje, Živali, Pripovedna bitja, Nebeškanje and Vetrnici". You can choose the trail that suits you to follow in the shepherds' footsteps.

Traditional Summer Events

Velika Planina has everything for the enjoyment of young and old. Most events are concentrated from June through August. The opening of the Preskar Museum takes place around mid-June. Toward the end of July, there's the accordion competition (Zeleni rob inn) and the pastoral customs presentation (Preskar Museum). Early August is marked by the Trnič Day (typical regional cheese) which takes place in front of the Preskar Museum as well as the famous Mary of the Snows Festival (Marija Snežna: chapel mass). Several workshops for children called "Shepherd's Day" are also held during August at the Preskar Museum.

Another festival called "Bajtar Goulash", organized by PD Bajtar takes place in October, on the first Saturday of the month.

Winter Activities

Night Sledding

Velika Planina is perfect for family vacations to experience thrilling and unforgettable moments sledding by night. Gliding down a slope at night on a sled or luge on a prepared and illuminated slope can spice up your stay in Slovénie during winter. Sledders can enjoy themselves every Thursday through Sunday, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The cable car will take you up the mountain from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and bring you back from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. A chairlift will take you from the upper cable car station to the sled slope. You'll be equipped with appropriate clothing and shoes, not to mention a helmet. While sledding down, you'll find a supervisor and lifeguard near the slope to ensure the safety of sledders.

The cable car as well as the Zeleni Rob inn and the Skodla snack bar remain open until 9 p.m.

Skiing

Get the Slovène SKIPASS ski pass, valid throughout the season, to enjoy the 3.5 km of ski slopes in the Velika Planina ski area situated between 1,412 and 1,666 meters altitude. The ski station includes:

• 3 ski lifts,
• The two-seat Šimnovec chairlift
• The Jurček and Zeleni rob ski tows.

The slopes at the station have medium difficulty. However, the Jurček ski tow is designed for children and beginner skiers. The mountain with its natural snow is renowned as a family ski slope highly appreciated in the Ljubljana area. Velika Planina ski station is open Thursday through Sunday, during holidays and winter school breaks. For a quick snack or hot beverage or other homemade dishes, the Zeleni rob inn and the Skodla snack bar are nearby and welcome you.

Cross-Country Skiing

Winter sports enthusiasts will be delighted, as Velika Planina offers cross-country skiing trails through the shepherd village to Mala planina.

Snowshoe Hiking

Head out on an excursion in freshly fallen snow by exploring the mountain and Velika Planina plateau with snowshoes. This type of activity suits lovers of walking and peaceful sports well. Moreover, it's adapted for elderly people, those in less fit condition, or those recovering from injury.

Winter Park for Children

It's located near the upper cable car station, near the Jurček ski tow. A true snow paradise for children, this winter park features tube descents, a polygon for first turns on snow, etc. The entertainment activities of the park are animated by a dynamic team. Park entrance is free for children. The Skodla snack bar is nearby if you need a snack or hot beverage.

Traditional Winter Events

If you spend Christmas vacation at Velika Planina in Slovénie, the midnight mass on December 24th will get you in the mood for the nativity celebration in the shepherd village. In February, PD Bajtar organizes a Mardi Gras ski descent and pastoral games in the village. In March, the Old Skiers Competition for the Šinkel Cup takes place.

Gastronomic Journey

Zeleni Rob Inn

Located in Tratice, the Zeleni Rob Inn has 50 seats and its outdoor garden can accommodate up to 150 people. This restaurant prepares delicious homemade dishes. Don't miss tasting the house specialties, particularly rolled pasta called cheese štruklji and Carniolan sausage with sauerkraut. Also treat yourself to typical mountain dishes from the Velika Planina shepherd village. We'll mention only jota soup, goulash, sausages with sauerkraut, the famous buckwheat flour dumplings žganci, and pearl barley soup ričet.

Opening hours:

• Monday to Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Friday to Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Skodla Snack Bar

The snack bar serves hot and cold beverages as well as light refreshments. Nestled near the upper cable car station, it's decorated in mountain style and can accommodate 30 people. If you come in a group, remember to make a reservation. It also hosts evening events and celebrations late into the evening. Also appreciate the welcoming atmosphere on the panoramic terrace in front of the snack bar to enjoy the sun and views of Kamnik, Domžale, Ljubljana, etc.

Hours:

• Monday to Friday -- closed
• Saturday -- Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Inn Below the Cable Car -- Garden

Open from May to October, the renovated garden located at the lower cable car station offers hot and cold beverages, pizzas, toasts, and breakfast. In the shade of the chestnut tree, you can wait for the cable car or enjoy the sun while admiring the beauty of the surrounding natural landscape.

June opening hours:

• Monday to Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

July and August opening hours:

• Monday to Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Friday to Sunday and public holidays: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Trnič -- the Cheese of Velika Planina

One cannot speak of Velika Planina without mentioning the famous Trnič cheese, a hard paste cheese in a typical pear shape. Made from curdled milk and other ingredients, these cheeses are decorated with specific ornaments made using small carved wooden boards or stems in relief, called engravings. Considered a symbol of love, Trnič cheeses are always made in pairs. According to tradition, shepherds kept one and offered the other to their beloved. This practice generally takes place at the end of autumn grazing. Don't miss this culinary delight during your visit to Velika Planina.

Climate

Since the destination suits both summer and winter vacations, the Velika Planina pasture welcomes you year-round. Temperatures are milder in summer and spring.

Two options are available to reach the plateau:

The first is to reach the Kamniška Bistrica cable car station, approximately 1 hour's drive from Logarska Dolina. This solution is ideal for enjoying a scenic ascent without effort: after the cable car and chairlift, you'll only need a short walk of about 1.5 km to reach the heart of the shepherd village.

The second option is to drive close to the plateau. Three main parking areas provide access to Velika Planina:

• Rakove Ravni, from which you need to allow approximately 1.5 to 2 hours of walking (6 km round trip) to the shepherd village;
• Ušivec, with 40 to 60 minutes of walking (note narrow road and partially paved until the last two parking areas)
• Mačkin Kot, which offers the shortest route, namely 30 to 45 minutes of walking to the plateau.