Peak 31 | Triglav, Slovenia | 2864m

The high point of Slovenia is a national symbol. Even it's crest appears on the countries flag, and it's proclaimed that every true Slovenian must climb Triglav at least once in their lifetime. So it was fair to say that I had set my bar quite high, and I was really looking forward to experiencing this peak. But would it deliver?

Quick Summary

• Starting point - Car park at trailhead

• Route taken - Pokljuka plateau

• Total ascent - 1400 m

• Total length - 7.4 + 16.6 km round trip

• Total time for climb - 3 + 8 hours

• Accommodation - Vodnikov dom

• Expense category - #Modrate

• Equipment - #StandardHike, #Ferrata

• Difficulty - #Level4 of 5

• Enjoyment - #4stars of 5*

Guide or no guide?

14th July

As Triglavs routes are a little more technical than most of the ones that I had been going up until now I was debating with myself if I needed to try to find a guide to go up with or not. The trouble was that coming to Slovenia was a last-minute decision for me. My original plan was to go to the High Tatras and get the high points of Poland and Slovakia done first. But there were thunderstorms in that area so I changed my mind and instead came to the Alps.

However, as it was now right in the middle of the climbing high season all the guides were fully booked. So to stay on schedule I had no choice but instead do my research, ask the locals, hire my gear, and do it alone.

I was staying near Lake Bohinj and I went to the hire shop next to the climbing wall to get a helmet and via Ferrata kit.

There are so many starting points and trails for this one that I found it hard to decide which one to do. I had been looking originally to try and get up and down in a day. But instead, I opted to spread this over two days and stay in a refuge and try to enjoy the surroundings more.

I started at a parking lot in the middle of a forest.

Reaching the highest point of Slovenia

15th July

On summit day, I went first thing in the morning after breakfast at 8 am like many of the others. I had made friends with several groups in the refuge the night before that offered if I wanted to join them to the summit then I could. But when the morning came, I just wanted to go at my own pace and enjoy the tranquillity of the mountain.

I felt like I was fairly quick up it. Much of the hike I didn't see anyone around me. It was great to be along the via Ferrata sections by myself. I'd read that there is usually a lot of queuing around these areas.

I was soon at the summit, where a few others were relaxing. Unfortunately, there was no view, and there was a cold wind.

I was happy at the end of it. If I hired a guide I felt like it would have been a little unnecessary for me. There were parts towards the top that felt a bit exposed and a little eery in the fog. But generally, its quite an easy climb for anyone used to doing something similar.