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Nature · Kamnik, Osrednjeslovenska
Velika Planina
High pastures in the Kamnik–Savinja Alps, above 1,600 m, with a shepherds’ settlement of wooden huts with low roofs. You reach them by cable car from the Kamniška Bistrica valley.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Velika Planina
Velika Planina is a limestone plateau in the Kamnik–Savinja Alps, north of Kamnik, with pastures above 1,600 meters altitude. The name means “large pasture.” Few people live there year‑round; in summer shepherds bring their cattle up and occupy the huts spread over the plateau, forming one of the largest preserved high‑altitude shepherd settlements in Europe.
The huts are wooden, single‑room buildings with oval shingle roofs that come almost down to the ground. During World War II the settlement was burned, and most huts were rebuilt afterwards, larger and with separate stables. Andrej Preskar’s hut was restored in the old style and is now a small museum, usually open during the grazing season. It shows how the shepherds lived and, on some days, the making of trnič, a hard cheese decorated by hand.
Above the settlement stands the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows (Marija Snežna), designed by architect Jože Plečnik in 1939, modeled on the form of the huts. It was also burned during the war and rebuilt in 1988; the Christmas Eve mass attracts many people.
The cable car departs from the Kamniška Bistrica valley and climbs in a few minutes; a chairlift continues closer to the huts. From the top you can see Grintovec and the other peaks of the Kamnik–Savinja Alps. In winter the plateau offers ski runs and snow walks.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day to a full day, depending on the walking time between the huts and the viewpoints.
Best time
From June to September the cattle are on the pastures and the Preskar hut museum is usually open. Start early: in the morning there are generally fewer clouds over the mountains. In winter there is snow and skiing. The cable car has an annual maintenance break, usually in autumn.
How to get there
From Kamnik, follow about 10 km up the Kamniška Bistrica valley to the lower station of the cable car, where there is parking. The cable car rises to the plateau, and the chairlift takes you nearer the settlement. There are also trails for those who hike up on foot, much longer.
Tip
Bring warm clothing and hiking shoes, even in summer: the plateau is colder and the weather changes quickly. Check the cable car’s official website for the timetable and the time of the last descent. Some huts serve soured milk, cheeses and simple shepherds’ dishes.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Velika Planina
How long does the Velika Planina cable car take?
The ascent from the Kamniška Bistrica valley to the plateau takes a few minutes. From there, a chairlift brings you closer to the shepherds’ settlement, from which you continue on foot.
Do shepherds still live in Velika Planina?
Yes, in summer. They bring the cattle up and stay in the huts during the grazing season. For the rest of the year the settlement is almost empty.
What is the Preskar hut?
It is the only hut rebuilt in the traditional way after the World War II fire. It functions as a museum of the shepherds’ way of life and is generally open during the summer season.
Can you sleep in Velika Planina?
Yes. Some huts take guests, and there are shelters on the plateau. You need to book and confirm in advance how to get up and down, because the cable car runs on a schedule.