Information
Landmark: Velika PlaninaCity: Kamnik
Country: Slovenia
Continent: Europe
Velika Planina, Kamnik, Slovenia, Europe
Overview
Velika Planina, or “The Great Pasture,” is a distinctive high-altitude plateau just outside the town of Kamnik in northern Slovenia, where wooden huts dot the wide, open meadows.Velika Planina, with its old wooden herdsmen’s huts, sweeping mountain views, and deep-rooted traditions, draws hikers, nature lovers, and anyone chasing a taste of Alpine culture.Velika Planina sits high in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, perched at 1,500 meters (4,921 feet), where the air feels crisp and the horizon stretches wide.Covering about 5.8 square kilometers-roughly 2.2 square miles-the plateau ranks among Europe’s largest mountain pastures, a broad sweep of grass where the wind ripples through wildflowers.From its heights, you can take in sweeping views of rugged peaks and deep valleys, with the Kamnik Bistrica Valley stretching out like a green ribbon below.Velika Planina holds a preserved herdsmen’s village, where wooden huts rise under cone-shaped roofs that catch the morning light.This settlement has stood here since the 16th century, and each summer herdsmen still drive their cattle up to graze in the bright green alpine meadows.Herdsmen’s way of life-shaped by a distinctive dialect, hearty dishes like sour-milk cheese, and age-old pastoral work-is a cherished thread in Slovenia’s cultural heritage.The plateau stretches out in rolling meadows, dotted with quiet forests and pale limestone outcrops that catch the afternoon sun.The landscape shifts with the seasons-spring and summer burst with wildflowers, autumn blazes in red and gold, and winter lays a quiet blanket of snow.Hiking on Velika Planina ranges from easy strolls across grassy meadows to steep trails that test your legs, with routes for every skill level.A favorite place to start is the Kamniška Bistrica Valley, about a 2–3 hour hike up to the plateau where the air smells of pine.A gondola and chairlift station make getting there simple-just step in and feel the cool mountain air rush past.Many main trails wind past rocky overlooks, slip through soft green meadows, and disappear into the hush of thick forests.At the Preskar Museum, visitors can step inside a restored herdsman’s hut, where worn wooden stools, weathered tools, and age-old practices tell the story of mountain life.In a few huts, you can sample local favorites like tangy soured milk (kislo mleko) and hearty žganci, a buckwheat mush that tastes like the mountains themselves.Mountain biking trails wind to and around Velika Planina, pulling you into rugged alpine slopes where tires crunch over loose stone and the air smells of pine.In winter, the plateau turns into a bright white playground, ideal for ski touring, snowshoeing, and sledding through crisp, powdery snow.The Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, a charming wooden church built in 1938 and rebuilt after World War II, hosts weddings and special gatherings, its warm cedar scent lingering in the quiet air.Most visitors reach Velika Planina by taking the gondola up from the Kamniška Bistrica Valley, then hopping on a chairlift for a quick ride to the broad, grassy plateau.Hours change with the seasons, so it’s wise to check ahead-especially before that crisp autumn evening you’ve been planning.For a deeper, more hands-on hike, start on one of the many trails winding out of Kamnik and climb the plateau until the air turns crisp.You can drive a winding road most of the way up to Rakove Ravni, then walk the rest through pine-scented air until you reach Velika Planina.Spring and summer on the plateau burst with color-wildflowers scatter across the grass, cattle graze lazily, and herdsmen settle in for the season.Autumn brings a burst of gold and deep crimson, the kind that begs for a camera in hand and quiet trails underfoot.In winter, snow covers the plateau in a thick, quiet layer, perfect for skiing or the rush of a sled ride.If you’re heading to the Alps, wear sturdy hiking boots and layer your clothes-you might start in sunshine but end up walking through a sudden chill.Food and water are essential-some huts might offer tea or snacks, but it’s smart to bring your own, especially if you’re visiting in the quiet off-season.Respect the local customs-Velika Planina’s charm lies in the herdsmen’s traditions, from the way they greet you at a wooden gate to how they care for their grazing cattle.Kamnik Old Town sits just nearby, a medieval gem with winding cobblestone lanes, centuries-old landmarks, and cafés where the smell of fresh pastries drifts out the door.Kamniška Bistrica Valley is a peaceful stretch of land where a glassy river winds past forest trails, marking the gateway to Alpine adventures.Repov Waterfall, known as Slap Rinka, tumbles down in a shimmering curtain near Logarska Dolina, just a short drive from Velika Planina.So why make the trip to Velika Planina, with its rolling green pastures dotted by wooden shepherd huts?Velika Planina blends sweeping mountain views, lively outdoor adventures, and centuries-old traditions into one unforgettable experience.You might come for quiet skies, a trek through the Alps, or a glimpse of Slovenia’s old shepherd life-but Velika Planina will stay with you long after you’ve left.
