The Kamnik-Savinja Alps lie east of the Julian Alps, just north of Slovenia’s capital, Ljubljana. They have a different vibe than the Julian Alps—tourist crowds are smaller, local life feels more authentic, and traditions are better preserved. The area also features one of the most beautiful valleys in the Alps, making it an excellent destination for visitors seeking both nature and cultural experiences.
Our Relationship to the Kamnik-Savinja Alps
This is an area of Slovenia where I have spent a lot of time because some of my relatives live here. When I was growing up and visited Slovenia, I often visited my relatives. They lived—and still live—in an Alpine cultural setting. Sometimes my visits included hiking in the Kamnik–Savinja Alps.
I have also hiked in the Kamnik–Savinja Alps on my own, and Irina and I love visiting the valleys and surrounding areas, such as Velika Planina.
About the Kamnik-Savinja Alps
The Kamnik–Savinja Alps (Steiner Alpen in German) are, like the Julian Alps, part of the Southern Limestone Alps. The northern part of these Alps reaches the southernmost point of Austria, while the southern part begins in the Ljubljana Basin.
The western part of the range is called the Kamnik Alps (Steiner Alpen), named after the town of Kamnik (Stein), while the eastern part is known as the Savinja Alps (Sanntaler Alpen). A large portion of the Alps is designated as a protected Natura 2000 area. Natura 2000 is a network of protected areas within the EU aimed at conserving certain habitat types.
Historically, the Alps formed the border between the duchies of Carniola, Carinthia, and Styria, all of which were part of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy.
The Kamnik–Savinja Alps are slightly lower than the Julian Alps, but there are still around 30 peaks rising above 2,000 meters. The area is also smaller than that of the Julian Alps. The vegetation and natural landscape are typical of the Alpine region, with a large portion of the area covered by forests.
Most important Valleys
There are several beautiful and distinctive valleys in the Kamnik–Savinja Alps. Below, we describe the most important ones.
- Kamniška Bistrica Valley - The valley is located on the southern side of the massif and is the closest valley to Ljubljana. As a result, many people use it as a starting point for hikes in the Kamnik–Savinja Alps, including routes leading to the Kamnik Saddle above the valley.
- Logar Valley - Considered one of the most beautiful valleys in the Alps, it is located on the eastern side of the Kamnik–Savinja massif. You can read more about the valley in our dedicated post. It is well worth a visit.
- Robanov Kot (Roban’s Corner) - Robanov Kot is a secluded valley on the eastern side of the Kamnik–Savinja massif, neighboring the Logar Valley. Several farms here still operate using traditional methods. You can read more about the valley in our dedicated blog post.
- Jezersko - Situated on a plateau on the western side of the massif, Jezersko is a popular excursion destination offering beautiful views of the Kamnik–Savinja Alps.
Other valleys include Matkov Kot (Matk’s Corner) and the Upper Savinja Valley, both located on the eastern side of the massif.
Important Peaks
Below is a selection of peaks, all of which have well-marked hiking trails to the summit. Each of these peaks is worth climbing and offers a memorable experience.
- Grintovec 2,558 m - The highest mountain in the Kamnik–Savinja Alps, Grintovec is located on the southern side and is visible from Ljubljana as well as much of Gorenjska (Upper Carniola). The ascent is technically straightforward, requiring no climbing—just a hike uphill.
- Jezerska Koĉna 2,540 m - Located just next to the highest peak, Grintovec, with a small saddle separating the two mountains. Jezerska Kočna is visible across the entire Zgornje Jezersko Valley, which is reflected in its name.
- Skuta 2,532 m - The third-highest mountain in the Kamnik–Savinja Alps and a popular hiking destination. It can be climbed from several valleys on the western, eastern, and southern sides of the massif.
- Ojstrica 2,350 m - Beautifully situated above the Robanov Kot Valley.
- Planjava 2,394 m - One of the peaks near the Kamnik Saddle. The summit can be reached from both the Logar Valley and the Kamniška Bistrica Valley, as both offer well-marked hiking trails up to the saddle.
- Brana 2,253 m - The second peak near the Kamnik Saddle, slightly lower than Planjava.
- Storžič 2,132 m - Located slightly west of the main massif.
In total, there are just under 30 peaks over 2,000 meters in the Kamnik–Savinja Alps.
Important Passes
The passes in the Kamnik–Savinja Alps connect the Slovenian side with Austria.
- Jezersko Saddle (Seebergsattel) 1,218 m - Connects Zgornje Jezersko in Slovenia with the town of Bad Eisenkapell in Austria.
- Pavlič Saddle (Paulitschsattel) 1,338 m - Connects the village of Solčava and the Upper Savinja Valley in Slovenia with the town of Bad Eisenkapell in Austria.
Other Places of Interest
In addition to its peaks, valleys, and passes, the Kamnik–Savinja Alps offer many other interesting landmarks. Below are some of our favorites.
- Velika Planina - Velika Planina is an alpine plateau in the Kamnik–Savinja Alps, home to one of the largest herdsmen settlements in Europe. You can read more about it in our dedicated blog post.
- Kamnik Saddle - The Kamnik Saddle is an important hub for hiking in the Kamnik–Savinja Alps.
- Solčava Panoramic Road - scenic road on the eastern side of the Kamnik–Savinja Alps, offering fantastic mountain views.
Hiking in The Kamnik-Savinja Alps
Like the Julian Alps, the Kamnik–Savinja Alps offer a wide range of hiking trails, from easy walks to long hikes and technical routes with via ferrata sections. The most important valleys for hiking are the Kamniška Bistrica Valley, Jezersko, and the Logar Valley.
There is also a network of huts where hikers can eat, drink, and stay overnight. These huts are located at key junctions along the trails.
We have already covered important considerations for hiking in the Alps in other blog posts. To avoid repetition, we refer you to our post on the Julian Alps, which provides a detailed guide. See the section Hiking in the Julian Alps.
The Hike to the Top of Planjava
In this blog post, we describe the hike to the summit of Planjava from the Kamniška Bistrica Valley. It is a one-day hike that generally takes most of the day to complete.
Itinerary
- Stage 1 - Kamniška Bistrica Hut - Kamnik Saddle Hut - This stage begins with a hike through the forest, which then opens onto a steep meadow slope leading all the way up to the saddle. The ascent covers approximately 1,250 meters, rising from 601 m to 1,864 m in altitude. This section typically takes just over 3 hours to complete.
- Stage 2 - Kamnik Saddle Hut - Top of Planjava - The second part of the hike leads from the hut at Kamnik Saddle to the summit of Planjava at 2,394 m. The trail initially traverses the side of the mountain before ascending steeply to the top. This section is more exposed and takes approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, with an elevation gain of about 530 meters.
It takes just under 5 hours to reach the summit. The descent follows the same route and is generally faster, though the exact time depends on your technical skills and experience with downhill hiking. In other words, ascending mainly tests your fitness, while descending relies more on leg strength and technique.
What to Do
Besides hiking, the Kamnik–Savinja Alps offer a variety of other activities to enjoy.
- Ecotourism - Ecotourism is worth highlighting, as many farms—particularly on the eastern side and in the eastern valleys—offer opportunities to stay overnight and enjoy traditional local food. Read more in our blog posts about Robanov Kot and Logar Valley for more information.
- Bicycling - The eastern side of the Kamnik–Savinja massif, including the Logar Valley, Robanov Kot, and Matkov Kot, offers excellent trails and roads for cycling. From the village of Solčava, a panoramic road provides beautiful views of the massif and the valleys below. If you don’t have your own bike, rental options are available in Solčava and other nearby locations.
- Paragliding - The Kamnik–Savinja Alps are popular for paragliding thanks to favorable thermal winds and relatively easy access. Several companies offer tandem paragliding experiences on both the western and eastern sides of the massif.
Places to Stay
There are many places to stay around the Kamnik–Savinja Alps, ranging from alpine chalets and farms to luxury hotels—something for everyone.
- Boutique Hotel Vila Planinka - Located in the village of Zgornje (Upper) Jezersko, this hotel offers comfortable accommodations and fantastic views of the Kamnik–Savinja Alps.
- Chalet Zlatorog - Experience Velika Planina by staying overnight in a traditional alpine hut.
- Govc-Vršnik - A high-quality farm stay located in the heart of the Robanov Kot Valley.
- Hotel Plesnik - A luxury boutique hotel situated at the entrance to the Logar Valley.
- Farm Matk - A farm stay with scenic views overlooking the Matkov Kot Valley.
Where to Eat
The Kamnik–Savinja Alps offer a wide range of dining experiences, from secluded farms in the Robanov Kot Valley to restaurants recognized in the Michelin Guide, allowing visitors to enjoy local produce and traditional cuisine.
- Hiša Raduha - A top-quality restaurant located in the village of Luče, featured in the Michelin Guide. The menu highlights local ingredients sourced from the restaurant’s own garden as well as from nearby producers. Reservations can be made on their website.
- Restaurant Plesnik - Another top-quality restaurant featured in the Michelin Guide, located in the Logar Valley. You can reserve a table by emailing info@plesnik.si or calling +386(0) 3 839 23 00.
- Vila Planinka - One more restaurant featured in the Michelin Guide, Vila Planinka is located in the village of Zgornje (Upper) Jezersko. The restaurant and hotel serve dishes made from local ingredients, and the mountain views are magnificent. You can reserve a table by emailing unplug@vilaplaninka.com or calling +386(0) 4 255 97 50.
- Farm Govc - If you want to try traditional dishes from the Robanov Kot Valley, Farm Govc is an excellent choice. You can reserve a table by emailing info@govcvrsnik.com or calling +386(0) 3 839 50 16.
- Zeleni Rob - A traditional restaurant on Velika Planina serving classic Alpine dishes. To reserve a table, email booking@velikaplanina.si.
