Velika planina – an experience of shepherding tradition in the embrace of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps
Velika planina is a high mountain plateau above the town of Kamnik, where the centuries-old tradition of alpine shepherding still lives in harmony with the pristine nature of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Easily accessible by cable car from the Kamniška Bistrica valley, Velika planina offers one of the most authentic mountain experiences in Slovenia – in every season of the year.
In summer, Velika planina comes to life in ways that haven’t changed much for centuries. Dairy products such as cheese, sour milk, and the unique trnič cheese are still made by hand, following traditional methods. At the Preskar Museum – located in the only preserved oval shepherd's hut – visitors can witness the making of trnič cheese twice a day, every day during the summer season, and learn about its significance in the local shepherding culture.
Gentle hiking trails cross Velika planina, leading past traditional wooden huts and alpine pastures, through a small alpine botanical garden and toward scenic viewpoints overlooking the Grintovec peaks and the Kamniška Bistrica valley below.
In winter, Velika planina falls quiet beneath a thick blanket of snow. Walks through the snowy landscape pass by shepherds’ cottages, their roofs peeking from beneath the snow, while smoke curling from chimneys reminds you that life here never truly stops. Velika planina becomes a place of peace – ideal for winter hiking, snowshoeing, sledding, or simply quiet admiration of the natural beauty that makes the architectural character of the settlement even more striking in winter. One of the most cherished moments of the season is the traditional midnight Christmas mass at the Chapel of Mary of the Snows.
Velika planina is not a tourist attraction – it is a living cultural landscape that calls for a respectful and responsible visit. By coming here, you help preserve the centuries-old shepherding tradition. Respect the nature, the silence, the local people, and the place itself – which welcomes you, but is never to be taken for granted.
Access: From Ljubljana, drive toward Kamnik, then continue into the Kamniška Bistrica valley. There you’ll find the lower cable car station, which offers a sustainable and scenic ride up to Velika planina – where the true experience begins.