7 great things to do in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia

Nestled in Slovenia’s stunning Triglav National Park, Kranjska Gora is a picturesque alpine resort surrounded by the Julian Alps, on the borders of Italy and Austria.  Whilst it’s a popular ski resort in winter, Kranjska Gora transforms in summer into a paradise for nature lovers, hikers, and outdoor adventurers.

From breathtaking trails and scenic lakes to charming cafés and local restaurants in its picture-postcard town centre, Kranjska Gora offers something for everyone.  We had the pleasure of visiting this summer as part of our two-week road trip through Slovenia.

In this guide, we’ll share our pick of the best attractions and things to do in Kranjska Gora during the summer months.  Plus, we’ll give you practical travel tips to make the most of your visit.

Kranjska Gora is located in northwestern Slovenia, close to the Austrian and Italian borders.  It is within the Triglav National Park and the perfect destination for anyone who loves the great outdoors and nature.

It is a short drive from the capital, Ljubljana so a perfect addition for your Slovenia itinerary.  We spent three days here, as part of our 2-week road trip.  See below for all the top attractions and best things to do in Kranjska Gora in summer.

One of the easiest walks from Kranjska Gora is to Lake Jasna (Jezero Jasna).  Just follow the riverside route along the Pišnica Valley and you’ll get there.  It’s only 1.7 km from the town centre and takes about 25 minutes to walk.  If you want to drive, it’s along the road to the famous Vršič Pass.  There is a big parking lot, with plenty of spaces.

Lake Jasna is a popular beauty spot with two interconnected, artificial lakes and a scenic backdrop of mountains.  You can walk around the lake, paddleboard, or just chill on the grassy banks.

Apparently, Lake Jasna is a popular spot for swimming.  The water is crystal clear and pristine but be warned it was freezing!  After the temperate waters of Lake Bohinj, we chose to give it a miss!  However, the lakeside area is very picturesque and worth a visit.

Another of the top attractions near Kranjska Gora is the Zelenci Nature Reserve, a special wetland area which is home to a diverse collection of rare flora and fauna.  There are several interconnecting areas, with fast-moving streams, meadows, and sedge beds.

However, the highlight of the Zelenci Nature Reserve is the small lake.  The emerald-green colour is stunning and if you look at the bottom of the clear waters, you’ll see small underwater volcanoes bubbling under the water.  These natural springs are a unique phenomenon in Slovenia.

Boardwalks lead the short distance from the car park, through the forest to the lake.  Here there are a couple of viewing platforms and a viewing tower.  After a few photos you can return along the same path to the car park.  We  drove to the Zelenci Nature Reserve, but the wetland area is along a popular cycle path, so would be an easy route from Kranjska Gora.

At 1,611m high, the Vršič Pass is the highest mountain pass in Slovenia and one of the best drives near Kranjska Gora.  The zig-zag road which crosses between the Sava and Soča valleys is an adrenaline-filled route with 50 hairpin bends (switchbacks)!  Each of the turns is numbered, with various points of interest along the way and some of the most incredible views in Slovenia.

The alpine road was built during World War I to supply the troops fighting in the war.  Today, the Vršič Pass is one of the most popular attractions in Slovenia and definitely one to add to your Slovenia road traip.  It can get busy, so it’s best to go early.

One of the most popular stops along the Vršič Pass is the beautiful Russian Chapel (at turn 8).  The wooden Orthodox chapel was built by Russian soldiers as  a memorial site for those prisoners of war who died building the road.  Many were unable to survive the harsh winter conditions.

You can also see the grave of a Russian prisoner and a stone tomb.  You only need about 10 minutes to visit.

One of the best things about Kranjska Gora is that you can walk straight out of town into the Julian Alps, which stretch all the way to north eastern Italy.  Here you’ll find hikes for all abilities, with the most amazing scenery.

The landscape is breathtaking and offers everything you’d want from an alpine walk – meadows, forests, streams, waterfalls, and cows!  It really is idyllic.

There are several stunning waterfalls near Kranjska Gora.  We took a hike to the Martuljek Falls (Martuljški Slapovi), which are amazing.  There are two Martuljek waterfalls, an upper and lower, both formed by the river Martuljek.

The Lower Martulijek Fall is a gentle 29 metre cascade and is fairly easy to access.  Just above the waterfall we discovered a dry section of the gorge, which was just full of rock stacks.  I wasn’t expecting this and the sight was just awesome.

From here, the climb to the Upper Martulijek Waterfall is far more challenging and not suitable for all.  However, the waterfall is breathtaking and worth visiting if you can.

To the south of Kranjska Gora near the village of Mojstrana, the Peričnik Waterfall is the one of the highest in Slovenia.  You can walk from Mojstrana or drive. From the car park,  it is only about 20 minutes to walk to the two falls.  You can even walk behind the waterfall which is great if you want to cool down!

We loved spending time in the town of Kranjska Gora.  It is a small, beautiful town, with all the charm of an alpine ski resort.  Located in the heart of the town is the Church of the Assumption Of the Virgin Mary, a traditional church with an exceptionally ornate alter and ceilings.

The pedestrianised high street has outdoor shops, wooden huts selling local gifts and wares, and lively cafés.  All perfect for chilling out after a hard day in the mountains!

If you are looking for watersports adventures, head out of Kranjska Gora to Bovec.

Just 1 hours’ drive away, Bovec is a small town in the Soča Valley and brilliant for water activities.  You can try white-water rafting, kayaking, rand rafting on the River Soča.  Or for something more adventurous, have a go at canyoning.  The kids loved it!

For adrenaline-junkies, Bovec is also home to the longest zipline in this part of Europe.  You can book most of the trips from the tourist information office in town or online.

We changed accommodation and spent 2 nights in Bovec, but you could easily do the water activities as a day trip from Kranjska Gora.

For our accommodation in Kranjska Gora, we stayed at the Ramada Resort.  We chose this hotel for its central location and large indoor swimming pool, which we loved.  It was easy to walk to the shops, restaurants and mountains.  After a day in the mountains, we could come back and relax on loungers outside.

For budget accommodation, Hotel Alpina is a good option. Alternatively, if you prefer self-catering accommodation, you could try the Apartments Helena Kranjska Gora.

Kranjska Gora is only 1 hour from the capital, Ljubljana.  We visited from Lake Bohinj, which took just over an hour, passing through Bled on the way.

Regular buses run from Ljubljana to Kranjska Gora and take about 2 hours.  They currently run every hour at half past until 8.30pm.  If you are travelling from Lake Bled, it takes about 45 minutes.

Kranjska Gora is compact, so easy to access most places on foot, especially as the main street is a traffic-free zone.  It is a popular resort for cyclists and you’ll see bikes everywhere.

There are several shops where you can hire bikes and e-bikes in the town centre.

Kranjska Gora has a great choice of restaurants, many of which have al fresco seating.  You’ll find several with enormous barbeques and grills, serving up a meat feast which will challenge even the most devoted carnivores!

We spent 3 nights in Kranjska Gora, which was perfect for getting out to see the top sights and attractions.  Obviously if you want to do more hiking you could spend a week.

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