Anyone who hikes regularly has a standard checklist of trekking gear. But while you might have your base layer down and your nano puff packed, there’s a very good chance you’re missing something essential for summiting Slovenia’s highest peak. Ever heard of a little thing called via ferrata?
“Via ferrata” – common throughout Europe – refers to fixed ladders, cables, or bridges on a mountain route meant to make things easier for climbers. If you come with your own via ferrata set, you can simply step into your harness attached to two stretchy arms, and clip onto the fixtures while you navigate a tricky part of the trail. It’s meant to work like a bungee cord if you happen to fall.
The ridges of Mount Triglav are jagged and narrow on all sides. Loose rocks make it important that you tread carefully. Take a peek over the edge on your way up, and you’ll get views plummeting as far down as 1000m. For this reason, even the easiest routes to the summit of Triglav involve via ferrata. You may be ballsy, but it’s still a damn good idea to come prepared with via ferrata gear if you plan to make the final ascent to Triglav (2864m).
Planning your own trek in Triglav National Park? Grab yourself a helmet and a climbing harness from a gear rental shop ahead of time. I swear you’ll dig your hike in Slovenia a whole lot more! Here’s a look at a few gear rental spots in Bled and Bohinj where you can pick up trekking gear and via ferrata equipment.
1. Altitude Activities | Gear Rental Shop in Bled
Altitude Activities is a Slovenian-owned shop started by two brothers, specializing in mountaineering trips and gear rental. They rent via ferrata sets, trekking poles, and anything else you might not have with you in your regular travel backpack. They’re one of the only shops in town that rent via ferrata equipment and they were quite helpful with route planning, figuring transport into the park, and teaching us how to use our gear.
Where to Find It: Ljubljanska cesta 1, 4260 Bled, Slovenia
2. Kofler Sport | Gear Rental Shop in Bohinj
Kofler Sport is a well-reviewed tour operator in Bohinj that specializes in guided tours of Triglav National Park, but they rent gear if you’re looking to do the trek independently. The shop carries enough via ferrata sets for large groups, and they also have a huge selection of winter gear (crampons, ice axes, avalanche shovels, etc.) if you’re planning to do the trek during the colder months of the year.
Where to Find It: Kurirska pot 20, 4281 Mojstrana
Cost of Gear Rental for Triglav National Park (2018)
Curious about the costs of gear rental for Triglav National Park? There are no campsites within the park, so you can forget about tents, sleeping bags, and cook stoves for this hike. As of 2018, the average daily rental cost of gear rental in Slovenia is as follows:
- Free Climbing Set incl. Helmet, Harness, Climbing Shoes, Rope, 12 QD, Carabiner, Gri-Gri (€30 per day)
- Via Ferrata Set** incl. Helmet, Harness, Trekking Poles, Gloves (€28 per day)
- Helmet (€5 per day)
- Climbing Harness (€6 per day)
- Via Ferrata Gear (€7 per day)
- Backpack (€6 per day)
- Hiking Boots (€10/day)
- Climbing Shoes (€10/day)
- Trekking Poles (€5 per day)
- Headlamp (€5 per day)
- Guide Book (€2 per day)
** Need more information on how to use via ferrata? Check out this video.
Where to Stay in Bohinj & Bled
Need a place to stay before your trek? There are loads of hotels in Bohinj and Bled, so you’ll want to pick a spot that gets you close to the trailhead or near a free shuttle to ensure an early start. Here are a couple of good options
Guest House Alenka | Bohinj Bistrica makes an ideal base for hikers starting their trek from Rudno Polije as the free shuttle passes right through it. Guest House Alenka gets solid reviews for being cute and clean and is conveniently located. Double rooms start from €74.
Rooms Pekovec Bohinj | Stara Fuzina is another nice place to stay if you’re starting your hike from one of the park’s south entrances. Rooms Pekovec Bohinj has local character and is best enjoyed for its views across Lake Bohinj. Double rooms from $47.
Hostel Lukna | Mojstrana is your best place to stay the night if you’re starting your trek through the Vrata Valley. Hostel Lukna is one of the most charming accommodations in town with wooden furnishings and a little bit of cabin kitsch. Dorms from $14.
Planning your own trek in Triglav National Park? You might also like:
- The Other Alps: Hiking the Julian Alps
- How to Book Huts in Triglav National Park: A Step-by-Step Guide
Like it? Pin it!
3 Comments
Elina VH
August 14, 2019 at 6:23 amHi Taylor! I found some very useful information on this page, and like to ask a question if you don’t mind: My husband and I are trekking for 4 days through Triglav National Park, starting from Kranjska Gora to Bohinj. Would you know any place that rents out equipment that does not need to be returned to the same place? We are traveling by public transport and not doing a circular walk… appreciate any guidance you may have. Best, Elina
Taylor Record
August 14, 2019 at 4:59 pmHey Elina. That’s an interesting question! I’m afraid I don’t have an easy answer for you, but I’m thinking you should reach out to these operators anyway. Altitude Activities runs tours that visit Kranjska Gora so maybe they’d be able to drop some gear off for you? Let me know if you find another solution, would be curious to know!
Rachael Paul
January 26, 2020 at 12:11 pmHi Elina, We are hoping to do the same route this summer, did you manage to hire gear enroute? Thank you, Rachael