Velika planina

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The cows are grazing in the pasture. There are small houses in the background.

A shepherd in front of small houses on the meadow. In the background, there are shepherd's huts.

"A group of people in front of the church. In the foreground, there is a meadow. In the background, there are mountains."

Winter idyll. Snow-covered houses and mountains.

Velika Planina is considered one of the few still active high-mountain shepherd settlements in Europe, where visitors can still experience the traditional life of shepherds.

This picturesque plateau in the Kamnik–Savinja Alps impresses with its outstanding natural beauty, vast alpine pastures and distinctive shepherd huts. The landscape is also shaped by numerous karst features such as sinkholes and depressions, while a network of hiking trails offers wonderful views of the surrounding peaks.

Velika Planina is located only about 40 minutes’ drive from Ljubljana. From the Kamniška Bistrica valley, a cable car takes you up to the plateau in just five minutes. From there you can continue on foot (about 30 minutes) or by chairlift to the highest point, Gradišče, which offers stunning views of the Kamnik–Savinja Alps.

In summer the plateau comes alive with the rhythm of shepherd life. Shepherds settle here from mid-June until mid-September, and herds of cows graze across the wide pastures. Visitors can taste traditional dairy products such as sour milk and cheese. Insight into the life of shepherds is offered by Preskar’s Hut, today a museum in the heart of the shepherd settlement.

The cultural and natural heritage of shepherd life can also be explored along the educational trail In the Footsteps of the Shepherds, which leads across Mala, Velika and Gojška planina and reveals many interesting stories and scenic viewpoints.

Velika Planina is beautiful in every season. In spring the pastures are covered with blooming crocuses, summer brings lively shepherd life, autumn offers peace and golden larches above foggy valleys. In winter, when the plateau is covered in snow, it becomes a romantic and unforgettable setting for skiing, sledding, snowshoeing and winter walks.

For a special experience, you can also rent a shepherd’s hut and enjoy a multi-day stay on the plateau. Traditional Slovenian dishes are available in local mountain inns throughout the year.