Julius Kugy called the highest mountain in the Julian Alps the Kingdom. Triglav is our national symbol, which is also featured on the national coat of arms and flag. Triglav has been a symbol of Slovenia since 1895, when it was bought by the parish priest of Dovje, Jakob Aljaž, in order to protect it from Germanisation, and also a symbol of Slovenia after independence. The first documented ascent of Triglav took place in August 1778.
The 2,864 m high mountain, located in the heart of the Julian Alps, is named after the shape of the mountain with three heads/peaks. Triglav is the only peak in Slovenia that exceeds 2800 m above sea level. The Triglav Mountains are considered the central part of the Triglav National Park. Slovenia’s highest mountain, Triglav, is located in the park, so it is important to follow the rules of the park.
Around 30 marked hiking trails of varying levels of difficulty lead to the top of Triglav. All the hikes leading to the top of Triglav usually take 6 hours or more each way. The highest Slovenian peak can be climbed from all points below Triglav: from the Vrata, Kot and Krma valleys in the north, from Trenta in the south-west, from Bohinj in the south and from Pokljuka in the south-east. The shortest route to Triglav is from the Vrata valley, while the easiest and longest is the 7 km long route through the Krma valley. The eastern and southern slopes of Triglav are less steep and have easier access to the summit. While the paths leading over Triglav’s north face are some of the most challenging. The Triglav Northern Wall, with its 3 km width and 1 km height, is one of the largest walls in Europe. It is important for the history of mountaineering and one of the most popular in the Julian Alps.
At the top of Triglav stands the Aljaž Tower, built in 1985 by the parish priest Jakob Aljaž from Dovje. The tower has been declared a cultural and historical monument. During storms, the tower acts as a Faraday cage, as lightning strikes on the exposed summit have claimed victims among the first climbers.
Climbing the highest mountain in Slovenia
The route to Triglav from the valleys is quite long and the climb physically demanding. The climb up Triglav should be divided into at least two days, with an overnight stay in one of the mountain huts in between. The most visited mountain hut is the Triglav Hut on Kredarica, and in the surrounding area there are also the Planika Hut under Triglav, the Valentin Stanič Hut, the Tržaška Hut on Dolič, the Vodnik Hut on Velo Polje and the Aljaž Hut in Vrata valley. The last part of the route from Kredarica to the top of Triglav is very challenging and secured with ropes and rungs, so you need to be well prepared and equipped for it. In addition to the usual mountaineering equipment, you should wear a helmet and self-protection equipment when climbing Triglav.
When planning your ascent to Triglav, we suggest that you check the current weather conditions on the official ARSO website. When choosing your route, keep in mind your physical capacity and check the condition of the route before setting off. When planning, prepare and take care of the appropriate equipment, which should include a helmet, self-protection equipment and a climbing harness. Also check the availability of mountain huts and book a place to stay on time. Triglav is one of Slovenia’s most challenging mountains and we recommend hiring a mountain guide with a proper licence for the climb.
