Information
Landmark: Velika PlaninaCity: Kamnik
Country: Slovenia
Continent: Europe
Velika Planina, Kamnik, Slovenia, Europe
Overview
Velika Planina, or “The Great Pasture,” is a one-of-a-kind high mountain plateau just above the town of Kamnik in northern Slovenia, where wooden shepherd huts dot the rocky green slopes.Velika Planina, with its rustic Alpine herdsmen’s huts, sweeping mountain views, and deep-rooted traditions, draws hikers, nature lovers, and cultural explorers alike.Perched 1,500 meters above sea level in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Velika Planina stretches over 5.8 square kilometers, making it one of Europe’s largest mountain pastures, with sweeping views of jagged peaks and the Kamnik Bistrica Valley.Its 16th-century herdsmen’s village, with wooden huts topped by distinctive cone roofs, still comes alive each summer as cattle graze on lush meadows and traditions-dialect, recipes, and pastoral know-how-are passed down.Rolling grasslands, pockets of forest, and pale limestone outcrops shift with the seasons: spring’s wildflowers give way to autumn gold, and winter lays a deep, quiet snow.Visitors hike from the valley or arrive by gondola and chairlift, wander scenic trails, cycle rugged paths, or ski and snowshoe in colder months.Warm stops include the Preskar Museum or huts serving kislo mleko and hearty žganci, while the tiny wooden Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows hosts weddings and quiet prayer.Whether you linger for the alpine views, centuries-old culture, or simple stillness above the clouds, Velika Planina blends Slovenia’s natural beauty with living history.Whether you want a quiet retreat, a trek through the Alps, or a glimpse of Slovenia’s shepherd life with the scent of fresh hay in the air, Velika Planina delivers an experience you won’t forget.
