The end of spring is when the cowbells out on the Alpine pastures of the Velika Planina plateau start ringing, announcing the arrival of herdsmen.
It’s a magical plateau with one of the largest herdsmen’s settlements in Europe. And you’re invited to learn about the fascinating life on the mountain pasture and sample the dairy goodies they’ll prepare for you. Go for a walk through the meadows or take a hike (or mountain bike) across the plateau. Velika Planina invites with plenty of opportunities for walks and hikes across the mountain pasture showcasing natural and ethnological curiosities that you won’t want to miss. The fastest way to Velika Planina is by cable car from Kamniška Bistrica. From there, you can take a ski lift to the top, where you’ll be greeted with a magnificent view. Those who prefer a challenge can follow one of the well-marked footpaths to the top. In the winter, there’s a ski slope that will conjure up a true winter fairy tale for you to remember, together with friends and family.
The herdsmen’s settlement on the pasture comprises some 140 huts. With its characteristic architecture, it’s the symbol of Velika Planina. The huts are covered with roofs made of traditional spruce shingles that reach almost down to the ground. The plateau really comes alive in June, with the arrival of shepherds who occupy the huts until September as they tend to their grazing herds. They’re only too happy to invite visitors for a taste of their homemade dairy delicacies, or even prepare an authentic shepherd’s lunch – sour milk and žganci – buckwheat or corn mush. Some of the huts are available to visitors, so there’s no reason why you couldn’t spend a night or two like the shepherds do.
