Golica is a peak (1,835 m) in the Karawanke range on the border between Slovenia and Austria. Its German name is Kahlkogel. The mountain is famous for its fields of daffodils that bloom on the slopes in spring (April–May), but it’s worth visiting throughout the summer months as the view from the summit is phenomenal. The hike to the top from the Golica plateau just below the summit is relatively short.
Our Visit
In the summer of 2025, Irina and I decided to hike to the top of Golica. This was my second attempt—the first was on New Year’s Eve 2022, when I turned back due to avalanche danger. This time, we successfully reached the summit and were rewarded with beautiful weather and phenomenal views.
View from the top
On a clear day, you can see large parts of the Carinthia region in Austria, including Lake Wörthersee and the city of Klagenfurt. On the Slovenian side, the view includes the Julian Alps with Slovenia’s highest peak, Triglav, as well as the entire valley with Lake Bled. When the weather is exceptionally clear, you can even see the capital, Ljubljana.
How to get to the Golica plateau
To reach the Golica plateau, you need a car. Drive to the town of Jesenice, then follow the road up the hill toward the Golica plateau. If you’re reading this blog post in our app, you can view the directions by selecting Show on map in the menu at the top right.
Hiking to the Top
Once you have parked your car on the Golica plateau, the hike begins. In Slovenia, trails are typically marked with a white dot surrounded by a red ring. While most trails are well-marked, the path up to Golica is not always easy to follow. The markings can be spaced far apart, so you need to stay alert.
From the parking area, begin by following the road. Soon it splits—take to the right and continue along the path until you reach a wooden bridge on the left. Cross the bridge and follow the trail uphill through the forest. The path runs alongside a stream with a small waterfall. Eventually, you will reach a clearing that the trail crosses. After the clearing, you’ll come to the base station of a transport cable car. Here, the path splits again—take the right fork and follow the summer trail up to the Golica Hut. The hike to the hut takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
From the hut, the path to the summit is clearly visible, zigzagging along the mountainside. The final section follows the ridge, offering fantastic views on both sides—it’s a wonderful feeling to walk there. The hike from the hut to the top takes about 30–45 minutes.
Equipment
Golica is not a technically difficult hike. It is recommended to bring hiking boots, hiking poles, a backpack, plenty of water, and some food and snacks.
The Golica Hut
The Golica hut is a typical Slovenian alpine hut where you can order drinks and food. The food served is typical Slovenian nutritious alpine food such as stews and sausages. When we were there it was fine to pay by card but it is always good to have some cash with you.
Where to Stay
If you plan to stay in the area for more than one day, you can find some recommended villas and apartments below.
- Apartments Farm House Urič - A farm stay on the Golica Plateau with amazing views of the Julian Alps and Triglav.
- Apartma Čvrsta Trojka - Apartments for rent in great surroundings.
- Villas and apartments - Villas and apartmens in the area.
