
🌎 Slovenia 🇸🇮
⭐
📍 Big Pasture Plateau
✈️ Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU)
🚗 45.5 KM
⏱️ 1 hour, 31 minutes
Velika Planina (Big Pasture Plateau) is a unique high-mountain pastoral plateau in Slovenia, renowned for its traditional shepherd settlement and stunning alpine scenery. Accessible primarily by a panoramic cable car from Kamniška Bistrica (approx. €15-€20 round trip), or via various hiking trails for more adventurous visitors, it offers moderate accessibility due to uneven terrain unsuitable for wheelchairs. Both solo exploration (well-marked trails) and guided tours (for deeper cultural insights) are popular. The best time to visit is from June to September when the shepherds are present and wildflowers bloom, though it's also beautiful for hiking in autumn and popular for winter activities like skiing and snowshoeing; however, some facilities may have seasonal closures, especially in early spring or late autumn. A typical visit duration ranges from a half-day (4-5 hours) to a full day of hiking and exploring the cultural heritage, with options for overnight stays in traditional huts. Useful insights include trying local shepherd cuisine, admiring the distinctive architecture of the huts, and being prepared for rapidly changing mountain weather conditions.