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Via Dinarica Slovenia (From Nanos to Babno polje)

Select · 6 reviews · Long distance hiking trail · Slovenia

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Via Dinarica

Photo: Elma Okic, Via Dinarica

Фло Рио
on the September 17, 2022

Hi there! I have a gpx file indicating the white trail going ...

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Via Dinarica Slovenia is a long distance hiking trail, that will take you through one of the most interesting natural areas in Slovenia. It starts at the Nanos mountain and it connects mysterious karst phenomenon on its way. You will hike through forests past disappearing lakes, underground caves and monumental castles, enjoying breathtaking views from the high karst mountains.

moderate

Distance 159.4 km

48:35 h

5,042 m

4,860 m

1,796 m

445 m

First stage of Via Dinarica Slovenia will take you from Nanos plateau (1240 m) past Predjama caste and beautiful sighting points towards Planina karst field with Planinska cave and ruins of Haasberg castle. You will hike through forests on marked gravel paths visiting different local cultural and natural heritage.

In the second stage, you will hike past Cerknica lake, the largest disappearing lake in Europe. Due to its karstic nature, water fills the entire karst field creating the largest lake in Slovenia, where you can go kayaking or observing 200 different species of birds, that live in this natural park. The trail continues towards Slivnica mountain, also known as the witch mountain and it ends at the high Bloke plateau. Here you can stay in a hostel or at a glamorous campsite next to Volčje lake.

The third stage will take you from Bloke to Sviščaki mountain resort. You can stop and see the Križna cave with more than 20 underground emerald lakes. On the way, you will hike past Snežnik castle, one of the most romantic castles in Slovenia. Its specialty is that it has an original interior equipment.

This is also the beginning of the ascend at the highest mountain in the region - Snežnik. This is the highest non-Alpine mountain in Slovenia and it offers stunning views all the way from the Bay of Trieste, Slovenian Alps, Kvarner area and Adriatic sea. Snežnik area is also protected as a UNESCO world heritage site, for its ancient and primeval beech forests. This is also a home of wildlife, including brown bears, wolfs and lynxes. Special tours, observing brown bears in natural habitat are organized from April to October.

From Snežnik you will descent towards Babno polje, the coldest place in Slovenia, and continue on your hike at Croatian stage of Via Dinarica.

Plan about 7 days of hiking with stops at different natural and cultural heritage sites.

Author’s recommendation

Visit Predjama castle, as it is one of the most famous sights in Slovenia. It is located in a 123-meter high vertical cliff and it is home to numerous myths and legends. One of the most famous ones is the story of Slovenian Robin Hood, a rebellious knight Erazem Predjamski, who lived in the castle centuries ago.

Don't forget to observe and enjoy in everything nature has to offer!

Author

Via Dinarica BiH

Update: October 04, 2017

Difficulty

moderate

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Highest point

Veliki Snežnik, 1,796 m

Lowest point

Postojna, 445 m

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Track types

Asphalt

0.4 km

Dirt road

153.1 km

Path

6 km

Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Bife kod Marta
Koča Mladika na Pečni rebri Mountain Hut

Safety information

Hiking trail Via Dinarica is not marked yet, but it follows existing hiking trails (E6, Great Krpan trail...). For most part the trail is on gravel roads and paths, in some places it connects on tarmac road.

Tips and hints

For more information on where to eat, sleep and what to do, visit the web site on Green Karst destination: http://zelenikras.si/en/

Start

Nanos, Postojna, SLO (575 m)

Coordinates:

45.756867, 14.060506

DMS

45°45'24.7"N 14°03'37.8"E

UTM

33T 426934 5067463

w3w

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Destination

Babno polje (state border between Slovenia and Croatia

Note

all notes on protected areas

Public transport

Postojna has frequent bus and train connections.

Coordinates

45.756867, 14.060506

DMS

45°45'24.7"N 14°03'37.8"E

UTM

33T 426934 5067463

w3w

///slippery.mixtape.mosaic

Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Book recommendation by the author

Maps and publications are available online:

Green Karst publications (web site)

Author’s map recommendations

Hiking maps are available at local tourist information centers in Postojna, Cerknica, Pivka, Loška dolina, Bloke and Ilirska Bistrica.

Maps and publications are available online:

Green Karst publications (web site)

For more information, you can write an e-mail at info@zelenikras.si

Equipment

Normal hiking equipment is sufficient.

Similar routes nearby

These suggestions were created automatically.

Questions and answers

Question from Фло Рио · September 17, 2022 · Community

Hi there! I have a gpx file indicating the white trail going from Postojna to Masun. I plan to start the trail from postojna, so could you tell me if I can take this path, then reach the path indicated on this website, or if its better to go by the predjama castle? Thanks in advance!

Answered by Sonja Muzina · September 19, 2022 · Vipava Valley

It is very difficult to answer your question without seeing your gpx from Postojna to Mašun. If you trust your gpx, you can use it. it seems that the distance will be shorter. We suggest you contact Tourist information centre Postojna 386 (0)64 179 972 or tic.postojna.info@zavod-znanje.si

1 more reply

Question from Paul Heilbronner · December 30, 2020 · Community

Good day everybody, what is the easiest way to join the start of the VD path?

Answered by Frantisek Kalab · December 30, 2020 · Community

Hi Paul, I took a bus from Ljubljana main station to Razdrto (right under the Nanos peak) it only took about one hour and it runs quite frequently. Tickets can be purchased at the station or with the driver.

Answer

Question from Francis Schoukens · December 30, 2019 · Community

Is dit traject volledige af te leggen met een mtb fiets?

Answered by Julia Wiesflecker · December 30, 2019 · Community

Not easy, but with good technique possible.

1 more reply

Rating

3.5

(6)

Geoffrey Bois

September 17, 2021 · Community

Good start for the VD in Slovenia. A lot of gravel road in the forest so it was ok. We like the area of Masun, nice view at the Sneznik peak. Some boring part on asphalt road especially the part from the end of Slivinica to nova vas. Vojkova koca was open (sunday), food and no free water Water point in the forest After vojkova koca at 45°47′29.79″N 14°04′07.46″E Water point at Smihel pod nanosom SuperMarket Fama (closed sunday) in bukovje. Water point(tap of rainwater) behind the church sv.Lovrenc Lovska koca was closed on monday, nice place to pitch a tent, non water available. Hut at velika Slivinica was open (not everyday), food, water, room(?) Water point next to the church in Ulaka. Water point in sveta trojica Water point in the forest after storovo. Koca draga karolina in Sneznik was open (sunday) Bar Toni open After 2pm

Comment

Sven Nit

September 03, 2021 · Community

Much better marked and maintained then the north Croatian stages. Lot of gravel but beautiful forest. Bar Toni in Babno Polje has good cake. Hut on Snesznik was closed. Shelter next to it really basic. Restaurant / Pension in Mašun is amazing. Super nice people and really good food.

Comment

Maruša Orel

May 28, 2021 · Community

I hiked the whole trail, as on the map. Trails are maintained, but on some parts not marked or is many of them, so app is a must. You hike quite a lot on asphalt and gravel roads, that's why I didn't really liked that trail (I know that Slovenia has much much more beautiful trails). But has some highlights as Snežnik, castle Snežnik, Cerknica lake, Nanos, Predjama castle, Rakov Škocjan, Križna cave (you can enter it just with a guide, so you need to reserve in advance, when I came it was closed, it's written that they'll open on 1st of June), Bloško lake, Križna mountain, Slivnica mountain. I hiked quite slow, because I wanted that my body get used to it so I needed 8 days. Slept in: by the road from Gorenje to Sv. Lovrenc (tent), Planina (friend's house), Dolenje Jezero (asked to sleep in a barn, you have rooms as well), by the Sv. Miklavž church next to village Ulaka (tent), glamping by Bloke lake (expensive, 30€ for a night), hostel in Podcerkev (15€/night), Sviščaki mountain lodge (you can eat here as well), Babno polje Drugi dom (20€/night, https://www.loskadolina.info/drugi-dom.html). Water is not a problem, because you pass by many villages where you can ask for water. You can also buy food in quite a lot of villages. Definitelly quite many bears aroud Snežnik, I met one. I think it's the best just to make some noise, sing a song or something like this, so they hear you in advance. They are very afraid of humans, so it's not a problem at all.

When did you do this route? May 20, 2021

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Reviews

Difficulty

moderate

Distance

159.4 km

Duration

48:35 h

Ascent

5,042 m

Descent

4,860 m

Highest point

1,796 m

Lowest point

445 m

Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Cultural/historical interest Family-friendly Geological highlights Flora Fauna Summit route Linear route 'Healthy climate'

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