Trail Running Slovenia
10.000 km of marked trails make Slovenia a trail runner’s paradise
Trail running in Slovenia - a country intertwined with over 10.000 km of marked trails is regarded as trail running paradise for every taste and level.
Picturesque trail running in the Western Julian Alps
Trail running in winter above Bohinj
Trail running in the Julian Alps
Amazing views of the Lake in the background
Running trails in Slovenia
Trails in Slovenia are maintained by Alpine Association of Slovenia, which catalogs over 10.000 km of marked trails. Marked trails exist in every corner of Slovenia, though of course, they are most widespread in the mountainous regions. Hiking trails are categorised based on their difficulty and range from easy to very difficult. Depending on experience and type of trail running you wish to go after, there is something for everyone. Mostly though nice flow runs are to be had on trails marked easy to moderate.
Trail types
Three largest mountain groups are the Julian Alps, Karavanke Alps and Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Hundreds of trails beautifully span their entire area. Trails vary mostly by technical difficulty and flow. In general paths marked easy and in low- to mid-mountain elevations tend to be more fluent and on fine gravel or dirt. High alpine trails are more rugged, with more high-stepping and some exposed parts.
Julian Alps Trail Run
Julian Alps are especially beautiful and are an absolute must for trail running in Slovenia. From easy to run terrains to steep, gruelling and technical sections for the most experienced and adventurous mountain trail runners.
Julian Alps Trail Run - a trail race event is held for experienced trail runners in 170, 100 and 65 km distances, experiencing the views of the the stunning Soča river, Bled, Triglav and Kranjska Gora.
Weather - best time to hit the trails
The most beautiful trail running is in the mid- to high-alpine terrain. The snow mostly melts by end of April in all but the higher and shaded areas, so low- and mid-mountain (up to about 1.500 m) are generally good from May onwards. High alpine terrain is generally safe and perfect for running from mid-June onwards, depending of course on trail choice and orientation.
Weather is mostly suitable for running in the mountains from early June to late September, even October depending on season (first snow). Late July and August tend to be hot, sometimes humid, so higher elevations and most beautiful trails are best choice.
The Slovenian Mountain Trail
From the Slovenian Mountain Trail website: “Hiking across the Slovenian mountains started in 1953 with the path which was not only revealing its beautiful features but also taking the mountain hikers from the Pannonian plains across plateaus and hills all the way to the Slovenian coast. Here, everyone can find something for their own taste. Professor Ivan Šumljak (1899-1984), a publicist, lecturer and head of the Maribor trailblazing unit, sent a written proposal for the mountain trail to the Slovenian Alpine Association as early as 1950. While performing trailblazing, it occurred to him: »Why not connect all these spots by means of one single blazed trail which would extend further on, across the entire Slovenian territory ...!« This is how Slovenia became the first European country to have a unique transversal trail.
Trail Running Bohinj and beyond
Hikers can begin or end the Slovenian Mountain Trail in Maribor, Debeli rtič or anywhere else. The trail has no restrictions in terms of time and is marked by means of the Knafelc blazes (white dot with a red circle around it and an Arabic number 1 - picture below). It leads through routes which can be classified in three groups, namely easy, demanding and very demanding routes.
The trail starts at city of Maribor from where you ascend to Pohorje hills. You will leave Pohorje behind after two or three days of easy walk along nice, fresh and dark spruce forests. Next town is Slovenj Gradec. From there you »climb« (easy walk) to Uršlja gora and on the first Alpine ridge on your trail - Smrekovec (the only ex-vulcanic mountain in Slovenia). In a day or two of very nice, sunny and panoramic walk (full of blueberris in late July and August) you will sleep in the hut below the first two thousander - Raduha. It will also be the first step on difficult and very difficult mountain trail.
From Raduha you will have to descent Savinja river valley (Savinjska dolina) and later climb to Ojstrica. Now you are already in the heart of Kamnik-Savinja Alps (Kamniško-Savinjske Alpe). In next few days you will climb a lot of peaks above 2.000 meters. The last one will be Storžič where you will leave Kamnik-Savinja Alps and step on long, sunny and with grass overgrown hillside of Karawanks (Karavanke).You will leave them above village of Mojstrana where Slovenian mountain museum is located. Mojstrana is also an entrance to Triglav national park. In two days you will be standing on the top of the highest slovenian peak and our national symbol - Triglav. Julian Alps will be your home for a few days all the way to Franja Partisan Hospital near small town of Cerkno. This is also the last farewell to the high Alps. From now on you will walk in company of forests and karst wonders. You will also start with slow descent (with some climbs) against the coast - you will reach it in a week.”
Trail Running Shoes and Gear
There are numerous well stocked outdoor stores in major cities and some really great ones online too.
Useful other resources
Alpine Association of Slovenia
Guidebooks and Maps
Bohinj Tourism Board
Kranjska Gora Tourism Board
Running forum (SLO)
Warning
Trail runners use the trails at their own risk. Mountain trail users must behave in a responsible manner so that they do not endanger or hurt themselves or others. A user must use mountain trails in a manner which does not cause any damage to the trail or to the land, property or buildings adjacent to it, nor causes any harm to the flora and fauna along the trail. It is prohibited to restrict access to mountain trails and to damage, remove or destroy trail markings, direction boards, boxes and protective equipment or any other labels. It is also prohibited to use unmarked shortcuts.
Slovenia Trail Running Calendar
Slovenia Trail Running Calendar is available and compiled here.
Some of the finest trail running races in Slovenia include Soča Outdoor Festival, Podbrdo Trail Running Festival - GM40, Julian Alps Trail Run, Vipava, Ultra Pušeljc Trail etc.