Triglav (2864 m)

Triglav (2864 m) is the highest mountain of the Julian Alps and the tallest peak in Slovenia. The first recorded ascent of Triglav took place on August 26, 1778, when four local men from Bohinj reached the summit without modern equipment, a testament to their remarkable perseverance. At the end of the 19th century, the summit of Triglav was purchased by Jakob Aljaž, a priest from the village of Dovje. On August 7, 1895, following his initiative, a small shelter was erected at the top of the mountain — today known as Aljaž Tower, a symbol of Slovene identity and the first Slovene inscription in the high alpine region of Triglav.

The northern face of Triglav is a dramatic wall approximately 4 km wide and 1 km high — known simply as Stena (“The Wall”), and ranks among the tallest vertical rock faces in Europe. It features over a hundred climbing routes, including the legendary “Sfinga” (“Sphinx”), which is suitable only for the most experienced alpinists.

Triglav is both a national and cultural symbol, appearing in the Slovenian coat of arms, flag, and even on the 50-cent euro coin. Its image represents strength, perseverance, and a deep connection to nature. In Slovene folklore, Triglav is often depicted as a three-headed deity, uniting the sky, the earth, and the underworld. For many Slovenians, climbing Triglav is a rite of passage, as the saying goes: “You’re not a true Slovene until you’ve climbed Triglav.”

Triglav has inspired poets, painters, and composers — among them Matija Zemljič and Jakob Aljaž, who composed the song “Oj Triglav, moj dom” (“Oh Triglav, My Home”). During World War II, Triglav became a symbol of the Slovene Liberation Front, and later it was enshrined as an official state symbol in the Slovenian constitution.

The project burger.si laid the foundation for digital representation of Slovenian landscapes as early as the 1990s. The first 360-degree interactive panorama from the summit of Triglav was created in 1996, at a time when virtual reality technology was still in its infancy. The last panorama in this series was added in 2002. What you see today was created almost 25 years ago — a visionary achievement in digital heritage preservation.

Routes to the Summit of Triglav;
Climbing Triglav is possible from several directions, each with its own character:

Pokljuka: Rudno polje → Vodnikov dom → Dom Planika → Mali Triglav → summit Moderately demanding

Valley of Vrat: Aljaž Lodge → Triglavska Bistrica → Kredarica → Mali Triglav → summit Demanding

Valley of the Triglav Lakes: Koča pri jezerih → Hribarice → Dolič → Triglavska škrbina → summit Scenic and demanding

Bohinj (Voje): Bohinj Valley → Velo polje → Kredarica → summit Long and varied

Tržaška koča at Dolič: Access from Zadnjica or the Soča Valley → Dolič → summit Less frequented

A two-day tour with an overnight stay in a mountain hut (Dom Planika or Kredarica) is recommended, as most routes take 6 to 8 hours one way. The final section of the ascent is exposed and equipped with steel cables, so a helmet and via ferrata gear are strongly advised.