Seven Lakes Valley Hike: Complete Day Trail Guide – Julian Alps, Slovenia (2026)
- jandrzej76
- 9 hours ago
- 8 min read
BASIC TRAIL INFORMATION
📍 Route length | approx. 23 km (loop) |
⏱️ Hiking time | 8–9 hours (depending on pace) |
📈 Elevation gain | approx. 1,000 m (Vrata pass: 2,192 m a.s.l.) |
💪 Difficulty | Medium/Hard (good physical fitness required) |
🗓️ Best season | June – September (July–August most crowded) |
🚗 Access | Free shuttle buses (lines 3 and 4) from Stara Fužina or Blato parking |
💰 Parking | €3/hour or €20/day (Blato parking) |
During our June stay at Lake Bohinj in the Julian Alps — specifically in the charming village of Stara Fužina — we met some fellow Poles who had fallen so deeply in love with these mountains that they were visiting for the seventeenth time. Such a source of knowledge is priceless, so over a glass of local wine one evening, we asked them about the most scenic full-day trails. They recommended the Valley of the Seven Lakes (Dolina Triglavskih Jezer).
What Is the Valley of the Seven Lakes?
The Dolina Triglavskih Jezer is, alongside the Logarska Dolina, one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in Slovenia. It lies in the very heart of the Julian Alps, between Lake Bohinj and the Soča River valley. The valley is approximately 8 km long and contains seven strikingly picturesque lakes.
The Seven Lakes of Dolina Triglavskih Jezer:
• Jezero pod Vršacem
• Rjavo jezero
• Zeleno jezero (Green Lake)
• Veliko jezero
• Dvojno jezero (Double Lake)
• Črno jezero
• Umetno jezero
Four of them are small, seasonal bodies of water that look more like oversized puddles than actual lakes. In the valley, near the lakes, there is also a mountain hut called Koča pri Triglavskih Jezerih.
How to Prepare for the Hike
Trail Maps and Navigation – What You Need to Know
We didn't find much information online about the duration and total distance of the trail, so we roughly estimated using the Mapy.cz app that the full loop around the lakes would be about 23 km and should take us around 8 hours.
Following the advice of our compatriots, we bought a regional map at a nearby information point. It's important that the map uses Slovenian names for mountains and trail waypoints, as the same map bought in another country may list entirely different names for the same peaks.
⚠️ NOTE: Trail markings in Slovenia are very general and can easily be missed or confused. They are, for example, red dots on rocks — faint traces of red paint. It looks more like a treasure hunt than a proper hiking route.
Best Offline Map Apps for Hiking in Slovenia
If you use a map application on your phone, I recommend downloading the maps in advance so they work offline. In many parts of this region you can't rely on mobile signal. Recommended apps: Mapy.cz, Maps.me, OsmAnd.
Getting to the Trailhead
The village of Stara Fužina is a fantastic base for many trails — it's also a peaceful and beautiful area to relax in. There are many conveniences for tourists, including free shuttle buses that take you close to the mountain trail starting points.
Free Shuttle Bus from Stara Fužina to Blato (Lines 3 & 4)
According to the timetable, shuttle buses numbered 3 and 4 go to the start of the trail leading to Dolina Triglavskih Jezer. The journey takes about 25 minutes. We departed at 7:15 AM and arrived at the place called Blato at 7:40 AM.
⚠️ NOTE: The last return bus departs at 19:05, so you need to plan your hiking time carefully!
Parking (for those driving)
If you're driving, parking costs €3 per hour or €20 for a full day (Blato parking).
Full-Day Trail Plan
Depart from the Stara Fužina bus stop on bus no. 4 (or 3) → Vogar-Blato road junction (1,147 m a.s.l.) → Koča na Planini pri Jezeru (1,453 m a.s.l.) → Dedno polje (1,560 m a.s.l.) → Štapce (1,851 m a.s.l.) → Dvojno jezero (1,676 m a.s.l.) → Koča pri Triglavskih Jezerih (1,685 m a.s.l.) → Veliko jezero (1,831 m a.s.l.) → Zeleno jezero (1,988 m a.s.l.) → Vrata (2,192 m a.s.l.) → Dedno polje (1,560 m a.s.l.) → Koča na Planini pri Jezeru (1,453 m a.s.l.) → Blato → return bus lines 3 or 4 to Stara Fužina.
Valley of the Seven Lakes map
Seven Lakes Valley Trail – Stage by Stage
The day looked set to be very sunny — even scorching. From the bus stop, we walked about 7 minutes along a tarmac road, passing cars parked along the side. Just next to a large information board showing the marked trails, we turned left onto a forest path.
Stage 1: Blato → Koča na Planini pri Jezeru (approx. 50 min)
After about 10 minutes of climbing, we reached a junction where a sign indicated that our next destination — the hut Koča na Planini pri Jezeru — was still 50 minutes away. At a very leisurely pace, we completed this section in 40 minutes.
Stage 2: Koča na Planini pri Jezeru → Planina Dedno Polje (approx. 20 min)
Our next stop was Planina Dedno Polje, which we reached in about 20 minutes. From there, we were supposed to head towards the Vrata summit. We even found a signpost indicating the route to this point with a walking time of 3 hours, but we couldn't find the trail entrance.
We walked in the indicated direction several times, but eventually concluded that someone had probably moved the sign, and we continued along the nearest wide and well-marked path.
💡 Tip: At Planina Dedno Polje, the famous sour milk (kislo mleko) is sold — it's worth trying!
Stage 3: Planina Dedno Polje → Štapce → Dvojno jezero (approx. 1.5 hrs)
We set off at 9:15 AM, expecting to reach Vrata by 12:15 as indicated on the signs. However, after about 45 minutes of hiking along a stunning trail, we came to a fork in the path that wasn't on the map.
Fortunately, we met some young hikers there who informed us we were in a completely different location than we thought, and pointed us to the correct path (the one to the right). As it turned out, we were heading towards Štapce — we were doing our loop from the opposite direction than originally planned.
It didn't really matter to us which way we circled the valley. For the next hour we climbed up to Štapce, from where a very steep descent into the valley began.
Stage 4: Descent to Dvojno jezero – Chains and Scree
At the start, chains were fixed between the rocks to assist with the descent, and then it continued across scree all the way down to the first lake — Dvojno jezero — which we reached at 11:00 AM.
Just next to it is the mountain hut Koča pri Triglavskih Jezerih. We decided to rest there for a while, refill our water and eat our sandwiches.
Stage 5: To Zeleno jezero via Umetno and Močivec (approx. 1.5 hrs)
Beyond the hut, the trail continued all the way to Triglav — but we have that summit planned for next summer. This time we headed towards the Prehodavci hut. Along the way we passed a junction from which you could head up to the Veliko Spicje summit. The section from the hut to the crossroads was 1.2 km and took us about 25 minutes.
During the hike we passed two charming small lakes: Umetno jezero and Močivec. The narrow path ran right along their shores.
The next stage was reaching Zeleno jezero, where the comfortable valley floor trail ended and a laborious climb began. On the way we passed Veliko jezero. From the Veliko Spicje junction to the Green Lake it's over 6 km, and we allowed about 1.5 hours for this stretch. Along the way we watched marmots.
💡 Tip: Above Veliko jezero there is a viewpoint — you can sit on benches and admire the breathtaking scenery.
Stage 6: Zeleno jezero (Green Lake) – Rest Stop Before the Summit Climb
Walking towards the Green Lake, we noticed the landscape had become more rugged and alpine. Dwarf pines appeared, and the natural mountain meadows had been replaced by tufts of grass in rock crevices and hollows.
The blazing sun that day and the complete absence of shade meant that by the time we reached the lake, we felt like jumping straight into the cool water — clothes, backpacks and all.
Stage 7: Climbing to Vrata (2,192 m a.s.l.) – the Toughest Section
Dreaming is a wonderful thing, but ahead of us rose a near-vertical wall we had to climb. At the fork by the lake we chose the path to the right, which had no description, but with the help of the map and hikers we met, we established that this was our route to the Vrata summit (2,192 m a.s.l.).
It wasn't quite a vertical rock face, but the fatigue made it feel harder than it was. Either way, it took us about 40 minutes for that 400-metre section! At the top stood a signpost informing us that Planina Dedno Polje was only 2 hours away.
After half an hour of traversing the mountains across rocks, stones and hard, slippery snow, we reached another signpost (Vrata), which now showed the walking time to the mentioned alp as 2.5 hours.
Stage 8: Descent and Return – the Final Sprint to the Bus
This made no sense mathematically and confused us quite a bit, because we wanted to catch the second-to-last bus, and with the constantly growing time estimates, we didn't really stand a chance.
As it turned out, by pushing ourselves hard we covered this section in just under 1.5 hours, which was no easy feat given the steep descent. From Planina Dedno Polje it was another roughly 40 minutes — almost at a run — to Koča na Planini pri Jezeru and then to Blato, where the return bus was already waiting for us.
Practical Tips – What to Bring and What to Remember
What to Pack for the Seven Lakes Valley Hike
• At least 2 litres of water per person (more on hot days)
• Sandwiches and energy snacks (bars, nuts, dried fruit)
• Sunscreen SPF 50+ (mountain sun is very intense!)
• Hat and sunglasses
• Layered clothing (mountain weather can be unpredictable)
• Rain jacket or windproof layer
• Sturdy hiking boots with good grip
• Paper map of the region (in Slovenian!)
• Power bank for your phone
• Basic first aid kit (plasters, bandage, painkillers)
Where to Buy Trail Maps in Stara Fužina
The best place to buy a map is the local information point in Stara Fužina or Bohinj. It costs around €8–10. Remember to buy a map with Slovenian names — maps purchased in other countries may use different names for the same peaks!
Is the Seven Lakes Valley Hike Worth It? – Our Verdict
The Dolina Triglavskih Jezer is one of the most beautiful trekking routes in the Julian Alps. It requires good fitness and a full day, but the views absolutely make the effort worthwhile. Seven picturesque lakes, rugged high-mountain scenery, marmots, mountain huts serving regional food and unforgettable memories — all of this awaits you in this valley.
If you're planning a trip to Slovenia, be sure to add this trail to your list!
Other Trails around Lake Bohinj
If you're looking for other trails in the Bohinj region, check out our other guides:
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