The Pokljuka Plateau
We are spending a week in the Bled and Bohinj lakes region, and to escape the summer weekend crowds in July, we decide to explore the Pokljuka plateau.
Our first stop will be the Pokljuka Dry Gorges, famous for their fascinating geological formations and enchanting landscapes. Then, we'll head to the charming Zajamniki wooden village, which offers an authentic glimpse of traditional Slovenian architecture. This getaway promises to be a rewarding experience, far from the tourist hustle and bustle.
– For our complete Slovenia itinerary, click here: Two Weeks in Slovenia: Itinerary, Tips and Advice –
How to Get to the Pokljuka Plateau?
The Pokljuka plateau is easily accessible by car from Bled or Bohinj. From Bohinj, take road 209 towards Bled, then, after about 1.5 km, turn left towards Pokljuka. Next, turn right onto road 905, continuing towards Pokljuka. Once on the plateau, turn right towards Bled to reach the village of Krnica and the Pokljuka dry gorges, or turn left towards Rudno Polje to reach the biathlon stadium, where there is a parking lot with several hiking trails, including the one leading to Zajamniki.
For our stay in Slovenia, we rented a car from Renty, a Slovenian car rental company based in Ljubljana, which we chose for its flexibility and competitive rates.
For those who prefer public transportation, buses also serve the plateau from Bohinj and Bled. You can check bus schedules and fares on the official Bohinj city website.
– Pour découvrir notre journée passée au lac de Bohinj, click here: A Day at Lake Bohinj –
Where to Stay Near the pokljuka Plateau?
There are a few hotels directly on the Pokljuka plateau. However, we preferred to stay in Bohinj, located a bit lower in the valley. This village offers a variety of accommodation options while being only 20 minutes by car from Pokljuka. Staying in Bohinj allowed us to easily travel between the different points of interest in the area and enjoy a livelier atmosphere in the heart of the valley.
We stayed in an Airbnb located near the lake, along the river by Savica.
Things to Do on the Pokljuka Plateau
The Pokljuka Dry Gorge
The dry gorges of Pokljuka are a fascinating geological formation located on the Pokljuka plateau in Slovenia. These gorges, sculpted by erosion, are characterized by steep walls and unique karst landscapes. Unlike wet gorges, these are often dry, allowing visitors to explore them from the riverbed at the bottom of the gorge.
Essential Tips
Parking : Free – located at the entrance to the gorge, accessible from the village of Krnica. GPS coordinates: 46°22'44.3"N 14°02'30.6"E.
Hike : Approximately 4 km loop, 200 m elevation gain, easy level.
Map: The Maps.me app, is essential during my hikes in the great outdoors, and is always with me.
As soon as we arrive at the gorge, the atmosphere is serene and isolated, far from the usual tourist trails. Here, steep cliffs rise on either side, creating a kind of calm and forgotten canyon, almost secret. The silence is palpable, broken only by the rustling of leaves or the occasional call of a bird. This silence, combined with the cool shade of the gorge, makes the walk especially soothing. After half an hour of walking, we venture onto a suspended wooden walkway, dating back to 1930, winding along the rocky cliffs.
From here, the view of the gorge is impressive, and each step brings us closer to a little secret garden, nestled in the heart of this rocky landscape, like a hidden oasis of greenery. It’s a place perfect for escape, where nature seems to quietly reclaim its space. At this point, you have two options: turn back and retrace your steps, or venture further into this secret garden by taking a path that overlooks the gorge. To add a bit of variety to our journey, we choose the second option.
Zajamniki Wooden Village
After this refreshing walk, we return to our vehicle and head towards the wooden village of Zajamniki, nestled on the Pokljuka plateau.
Essential Tips
Parking : Paid – located at Rudno Polje, near the biathlon stadium. GPS coordinates: 46°20’38.6″N 13°55’21.4″E.
Hike : Approximately 10 km round trip, 100 m elevation gain, easy level.
Map: The Maps.me app, is essential during my hikes in the great outdoors, and is always with me.
Viewpoint: Don't hesitate to cross the village and gain some elevation. From there, you’ll be able to enjoy the best view of the village, with the majestic mountains in the background.
The Pokljuka plateau is stunning. We drive along its winding roads, with vast forests of fir trees forming an endless sea of emerald green. We park on the Rudno Polje plateau, near the biathlon stadium, to begin our hike towards Zajamniki, a charming wooden village. The walk through fields and woods, though peaceful, lacks any particular appeal. The path is long, and although the tranquility surrounding us is pleasant, it’s not the type of landscape that captivates us at every step.
Finally, after about an hour and a half of walking, Zajamniki reveals itself, a little gem of Slovenian alpine architecture, where wooden cottages seem frozen in time. The place is undeniably photogenic, with its traditional huts lining flower-filled meadows, and the panoramic view of the surrounding peaks is postcard-perfect.
We then go back to our car, following the same path as before. Although the trail is easy to navigate and the hike remains accessible, we sorely miss beautiful panoramas to accompany our walk. That’s why we preferred our day on the Velika Planina plateau, which was much more spectacular.
– To discover Velika Planina, click here: A Day of Hiking in the Velika Planina Alpine Pastures –
We get back in our vehicle and continue toward Bohinj. We make one last stop at the point of view Vodnikov Razglednik. This promontory offers a superb panorama of the valleys below and Lake Bohinj. Sunbeams filter through the clouds, illuminating parts of the landscape in bursts, creating a fleeting and poetic dance of light. It’s the perfect place to sit for a moment and appreciate the peaceful beauty of the region.
Although this day allowed us to discover some beautiful places, it didn’t have the same wow factor as some of our other explorations. The landscapes, while stunning, and the serene atmosphere don’t quite rank among our favorites. That said, for those looking for an escape from the crowds, these visits remain great options to enjoy the tranquility of Slovenia's wild nature.
Hiking Mount Viševnik
We did this hike on another day. As big fans of high-altitude hikes, this one quickly became one of our favorites.
– Pour en découvrir le récit complet, click here: Hiking Mount Viševnik –
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