Travel Guide Velika Planina

Velika Planina is one of Slovenia's little-known must-sees. On this high-altitude plateau, pastures and tourism go hand in hand. Cowherds continue to herd cattle here, spending the summer in their conical-roofed dwellings. In this way, Velika Planina is powerfully authentic. The traditions and rustic housing of the cowherds are centuries old. The panorama is breathtaking, stretching as far as Ljubljana and the Julian Alps. As you enter this wooden village in the middle of this alpine pasture, with the Savinja Alps as a panoramic backdrop, you are overcome by a feeling of fulfillment. The pure air invigorates you. The sound of cowbells barely disturbs the calm. Pastoralism is a passion here. Each cowherd owns barely a dozen cows. As a result, activity is almost at a standstill. As you make your way around the huts, you finally meet one of the shepherds and politely ask if you can sample the dairy products. If you're lucky, you'll enter one of the traditional huts and taste the famous melko kizlo, barely curdled milk halfway between yoghurt and whole milk, served with a good kava and a wide slice of bread.The western slope of Velika Planina is no longer occupied by cowherds' huts but by tourist apartments. But don't be fooled into thinking you're in Bled. Here, we've cleverly opted for integrated tourism. You'll find small, traditionally-built huts surrounded by coniferous vegetation. Tranquility and a love of the mountains are the watchwords of a stay in these apartments. If you're a hiking enthusiast, this is the place for you.It's impossible not to visit Velika Planina when you're in Slovenia. It's a must-see for those with a thirst for fresh air, authenticity and wide-open spaces. But don't go there at weekends (many people from Ljubljana), as the place is packed with hikers.