3 lesser known spots in Slovenia for when the cities get too hot
You’ve already spent a few days on the road, maybe along the coast or around Lake Bled, and now the heat has caught up with you. Slovenia is small, but even a short drive can take you somewhere several degrees cooler, without adding hours to your route or fighting traffic on the main roads to the coast. Here are three places locals go to cool off, all a manageable drive from wherever you are, and none of them on the standard first-time itinerary.
Planica
Planica sits in a narrow valley at the very top of the Sava valley, a few kilometres past Kranjska Gora and close to the Italian and Austrian borders. In winter it’s known internationally for ski jumping — the world’s largest ski jumping hill is here — but in summer the valley empties out into something quieter: pine forest, cool air, and a view straight up toward the peaks around Mojstrovka.
The official camper stop fills up fast in summer, but parking is also allowed right beneath the largest ski jump, if you don’t need an electricity hookup. Evenings here are noticeably cooler than in the valley below, and nights are genuinely comfortable for sleeping.
Things to do
- An easy walk up the valley to Tamar, or longer hikes toward Slemenova špica or Ciprnik for more experienced walkers
- A zip-line descent from the ski jump tower for an adrenaline boost
- Planica is also a good base for cycling — along the upper Sava valley, or across the border into Italy toward Fusine Lakes and Tarvisio, where it’s worth stopping at the Slizza Gorge to cool off by the water.
Where to park overnight
Soriška Planina
Soriška Planina is a mountain pass and plateau between the Bohinj valley and the Baška Grapa region, on the way toward the Julian Alps from the Škofja Loka hills. At around 1,300 metres, it sits high enough that even the hottest summer days feel manageable — which is exactly why the small campsite here fills up quickly.
There’s no way to reserve a pitch in advance; it’s first come, first served. If you’re arriving on a weekend, aim to get there early in the afternoon on a weekday before it, rather than showing up Friday evening.
Things to do
- Guided historical walks along the former Rapallo border, where remnants of the Italian defence line from the 1920s are still visible
- A bike park for experienced mountain bikers, or road cycling routes toward Bohinjska Bistrica or Železniki — though be warned, there’s no flat riding in this part of Slovenia
- Easy walks to the peaks just above the plateau, and foraging for berries in the forests of Jelovica if you’re there in the right season
- Good home cooking at Gostišče Lajnar, where you can also order a picnic basket to enjoy out in the open
Where to park overnight
Jamnica, near Prevalje
Jamnica is a small, scattered village in the hills above Prevalje, right on the Austrian border, in the Koroška region — one of the quietest and least-visited corners of Slovenia. The forest here is dense, the air noticeably fresher, and the heat from the valley stays well below.
You can stay at the Camper Van Spot next to Ekohotel Koroš, an organic farm turned small hotel on a hillside with panoramic views, with an electricity hookup and access to the hotel’s bathroom facilities.
Things to do
- Single Trail Park Jamnica — 12 km of mountain bike trails of varying difficulty, mostly flowing and enjoyable, with a few steep enduro sections for the more experienced. There’s no lift back to the top, so be ready for the climb back up
- A cycling route along the “Mošt Road” (Cesta mošta) to the nearby hilltop settlement of Strojna, sitting at around 1,000 metres with its landmark Church of St. Ulrich — the route passes working farms where you can try authentic Koroška mošt, a traditional local fruit cider
- A trip underground into the former lead mine at Mežica (Podzemlje Pece), or a zip-line descent in Črna na Koroškem
- A swim in the natural bathing lake at the Radlje ob Dravi water park
- Home-cooked organic food at the farm, made largely with ingredients grown on site
Where to park for the night
No need to drive far to find cooler air
Wherever you’re staying, one of these is likely within reach for the night — just point the campervan uphill.
