Next to the Velika Planina in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, you will find an alpine valley and the town of Kamniška Bistrica. The area is famous because the 33 km long Bistrica River comes to the surface as 3 separate springs. It is a real paradise for hikers, as the high peaks of the Alps surround the valley.
Hiking in the valley, you can feel that water is present everywhere. Most of the time, you will follow the Bistrica stream, but there are places where it comes in front of you in the form of a waterfall or a dam; it has even squeezed itself into the gorges to form grooves and pools.
The slopes surrounding the valley are dotted with caves that were used first as hiding places by 18th and 19th-century roadblocks and then by war deserters.
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Quick Details
| Kamniska Bistrica | Details |
| Country | Slovenia |
| Location | Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Kamnik |
| Ljubljana distance | 40 mins / 45 km |
| Opening hours | 0:00 - 24:00 |
| Admission | 0 euro (free) |
| Hike duration | 3 - 5 hours |
| Attractions nearby | Velika Planina, Mt Grintovec, Mt Jezerska Kočna |
Map - Where is Kamniska Bistrica?
Address, map, distance, contact, getting there, parking
The town and the valley are located in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, in the northern part of Slovenia in the Kamnik district. From Ljubljana, it can be reached in 45 minutes.
If you want to hike through the valley, you have to drive to the village of Zgornje Stranje and park there.
- Distance from Bled: 1 hour / 60 km
- Distance from Ljubljana: 45 mins / 40 km
- Distance to Velika Planina: 2 hours on foot / 9 km
Attractions
The valley holds many natural attractions, the most popular of which is the main source of the Bistrica River and the smaller Mali Izvirek spring, the Veliki Predaselj, Mali Predaselj gorges, and the Orglice waterfall. The waterfall is 30 meters high and is the largest waterfall in the area.
It is also worth visiting the memorial park in memory of the deceased Slovenian climbers and the hunting lodge designed by architect Jože Plečnik for King Alexander I of Yugoslavia.
Photos
Kozelj hiking trail
Almost the entire length of the valley can be traversed on an easy forest path called the Koželj Trail. The trail starts from the village of Zgornje Stranje and ends at the Alpin hut Planinski dom.
The road also passes by the bridge crossing the river, which is one of the most photographed attractions in the valley.
The hike takes you on a scenic path above and next to the river - on one side and the other. Our journey also passes through the two most famous gorges of the valley (Mali Predaselj and Veliki Predaselj).
- Duration: 3 hours
- Difficulty: Easy
- Starting point: Zgornje Stranje
- Endpoint: Planinski dom tourist house
Hiking and mountaineering from Kamniška Bistrica
The perfection of the valley is a starting point even if you desire higher and are willing to take more challenging routes to do so.
The Alpine huts on the Kamniško sedlo (1,864 m) and Kokrsko sedlo (1,793 m) passes are reached by relatively short mountain trails.
From here you can get to the surrounding mountains on more difficult and strenuous hikes. Some more notable peaks:
- Grintovec (2,558 m) - approx. 9 hours tour length
- Brana (2,252 m)
- Jezerska Kocna (2,540 m)
- Planjava (2,394 m)
- Ojstrica (2,350 m)
- Skuta (2532 m)
Dom v Kamniski Bistrici hut
Dom v Kaminski Bistrici (600 m) is open from April to the end of September. The hut has 36 beds, and you can also have lunch here.
- Address: Kamniška Bistrica 9, 1242 Stahovica
Camping
You can recommend Kamp Alpe for camping. You can also get a tent or arrive by caravan. There are also chalets for rent where you can stay.
- Address: Kamniška Bistrica 2, 1242 Stahovica, Slovenia