Lake Jasna early in the morning.
Highlights
– Information on what to see and do in the charming town of Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
Time of Visit: August 2025
Duration of Visit: Three Nights
Description
Kranjska Gora is a charming town in northwest Slovenia, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Julian Alps and the Triglav National Park. The town itself has a cozy, mountain-village atmosphere with traditional wooden chalets, seasonal markets, and a lively main square. It is surrounded by landscapes that feature crystal-clear rivers, forested valleys, and magnificent mountain peaks. The area is a natural gateway to both outdoor adventure and peaceful retreats. Kranjska Gora’s location, near the borders of Austria and Italy, also gives it a unique blend of cultural influences.
The town is a popular summer destination. Biking, hiking, sightseeing and taking a relaxing pace of life are popular activities. The town is only a couple of hours drive from the country’s capital city, Ljubljana which makes it readily accessible. Despite being a small town, it offers modern amenities, cozy accommodations, and a welcoming atmosphere that attracts both casual visitors and outdoor enthusiasts.
Activities
The activities are mainly centered on the Julian Alps and Triglav National Park. The Julian Alps is a mountain range in Northwestern Slovenia and extends a little into Italy. Triglav National Park is totally within the Julian Alps and offers a myriad of outdoor activities.
Hiking
Triglav National Park is crisscrossed by interconnected trails. There is also a network of mountain huts where adventurous backpackers can have meals and stay overnight for a hut to hut hike.
Perhaps the two popular hikes in the park are the arduous Seven Lakes and the shorter but very rewarding Slemenova Špica. The Seven Lakes hike is normally accessed from the South side of the park near the village of Stara Fužina and Lake Bohinj. The Slemenova Špica trailhead is at the popular Vršič Pass which is along the mountain road that connects Kranjska Gora and Soča Valley. There is a total of 50 hairpin turns to navigate on this mountain road to get from Kranjska Gora to Soča Valley. Parking is limited at Vršič Pass so arrive early. Allow an entire day in completing the hike even though it is not long. This hike reminds us of the Dolomites in Northern Italy.
Lakes
Lake Jasna and the small spring fed lake at Zelenci Nature Preserve should not be missed while at Kranjska Gora. Lake Jasna is a man made twin lake that is picturesque. Its turquoise water reflects the mountain peaks beautifully. The best part is that the lake is only about a 20 minutes casual walk from Kranjska Gora.
The small lake at Zelenci Nature Preserve is crystal clear because it is spring fed. A boardwalk and a couple of viewing platforms allow visitors to get a closer look.
Soča Valley
Soča Valley is an expansive valley on the other side of Vrsic Pass. It is carved by the beautiful emerald green water of the Soča River. It covers the towns of Bovec, Kobarid, Tolmin and Kanal. Exploring this valley takes more than one day and is best to be based on the other side of Vrsic Pass rather than Kransjka Gora. Below are what we were able to see and do in one long day (9AM to 8PM) exploring Soča Valley from Kranjska Gora.
If you are coming from Kranjska Gora like we were, it would be wise to stop by the national park’s information center at the little village of Trenta. The information center is also a souvenir shop. The kind and helpful lady behind the counter gave us suggestions on what to see and do and a number of illustrative maps. Do not forget to say “hvala” (thank you) before leaving.
There are also information centers in the towns of Bovec, Koarid, Tolmin and Kanal.
Gorges
Perhaps the three most popular gorges are the Small Soča Gorge, the Great Soča Gorge and Tolmin Gorges. The Soča gorges are only a few minutes drive from the Trenta Information Center while the Tolmin Gorges near the town of Tolmin is about an hour drive.
It is free to access the Soča Gorges while Tolmin Gorges requires a paid admission. There is a nice swimming area just upstream of the Small Soča Gorge. The Great Soča Gorge on the other hand is a popular cliff diving area.
There is limited roadside parking at the Small Soča Gorge while the Great Soča Gorge has a large paid parking area that is normally full during the day. This makes the Great Soča Gorge crowded during the middle of the day because it is very popular. However, the crowd disappears and becomes quiet in the late afternoon and early evening.
The Tolmin Gorges are carved by the Tolmika and Zadlaščica rivers. One of the draws of Tolmin Gorges is the large wedge rock. Reaching the wedge rock’s viewpoint as well as other points of interests require tackling a lot of stairs. It is also through the forest with high humidity. Expect to be sweating through some sections especially when going up the stairs.
Waterfalls
Triglav National Park is blessed with several waterfalls. Probably the most popular is Slap (waterfall) Savica which is not far from Lake Bohinj. Within Soča Valley lies Beri, Boka and Virjie Waterfalls. We were only able to see Boka Waterfall which turned out to be rather disappointing. Though this waterfall is the largest among the three, it can only be seen from a viewing platform about 500 meters away so we were not able to appreciate its power and enormity. There is no established hiking trail to its base.
Watersports
Swimming, fishing and kayaking are popular watersports that can be enjoyed in Soča Valley.
Other Activities and Points of Interest
Visit to www.soca-valley.com for other outdoor opportunities in Soča Valley.
How To Get There
We rented a car from Ljubljana to reach Kranskja Gora. Reserve as early as possible for the best rates. Rental cars out of Ljubljana can be pricey.
We did see a commercial bus arriving at Kranskja Gora but do not know its origin.
Where To Stay
We stayed in Hotel Alpina which is a vintage hotel that has an alpine look. Our room was of sufficient size. Overall, no complaints about this hotel.
If you plan on seeing more of Soča Valley than what we listed here, plan on staying in one of the towns in the valley rather than Kranjska Gora. This way, you will have more time exploring and less time driving.
How To Get Around
Having a car allows more freedom and flexibility to see the attractions around Kranjska Gora. There is a bus that goes between Kranjska Gora and Bovec but its schedule is limited.
Expected Expenses
The only attraction that we paid for was to enter the Tolmin Gorge. Normally, the entry fee is 10 Euro per person.
Summary
Kranjska Gora is a popular destination primarily because of its world-class outdoor activities. Besides being one of Slovenia’s premier ski resorts, visitors flock here for hiking trails during the summer. Trails that lead to scenic spots like Lake Jasna, Slemenova Špica and waterfalls hidden in the surrounding forests.
Beyond Kranjska Gora is Soča Valley which also offers a myriad of outdoor activities. The gorges and valleys carved by blue green water are just breathtaking.
All we can say about Kranjska Gora and Soca Valley is that we should have stayed longer. The Julian Alps are simply magnificent and the valleys are just picturesque with endless recreational opportunities.