The mountain in Slovenia that has inadvertently captured my heart is neither Triglav nor any of the country’s other striking high peaks, but a relatively lowly peak whose height would easily betray its beauty. At 1,835 meters, it doesn’t stick out in the 120-km long Karavanke mountains like its neighboring 2,236-m Stol, yet it effortlessly steals the show, thanks to its booming fragrant flowers. The thick aromatic flowery smell fills the air as the light breeze strokes the wild daffodils left and right, and my heart melts at the sight of the early-morning sun cast glorious light on the rolling slopes, softly carpeted with wild daffodils. Yes, Golica truly is a spectacle of nature.
Exploring Slovenia’s best spring hikes:
Flower hike on Golica
Velika Planina and crocuses
Fairytale hike in Karavanke
Goli Vrh above Jezersko
Flower-carpeted slopes of the Golica mountain
The flower spectacle starts as early as April when the flowers come into bloom at lower elevations and then slowly move higher up with warmer temperatures. The safest bet on when to see the blooming daffodils in Golica? Definitely mid to late May, although you could enjoy them in April and June as well.
Read also on Blog:
When Velika Planina dresses in purple
Fairytale loop hike above Srednji Vrh
Five epic hikes and climbs in Triglav National Park that will blow your mind
Where to hike around in the Soča Valley
The most beautiful trail to see the flowers in Golica
There are more than ten trails to reach the Golica Mountain and its fragile flowers – one trail more beautiful than the other. The classic trail, which practically all tour operators opt for, starts in a cute Alpine village Planina pod Golico and ascends about 850 m up to the top. This trail doesn’t directly pass the daffodil fields and you’ll have to know exactly where to make a turn to reach them.
However, my absolute favorite trail starts from a completely different location and follows the invigorating scents throughout. Up above Javorniški Rovt you can tackle the mountain from its flower-carpeted eastern side, hike along the scenic ridge, and soak up the white sea of daffodils with a backdrop of Mt. Triglav. Once at the top, the adventurous bunch can follow the ridge even further down to Jekljevo Sedlo, yet another daffodil spot, meet a big herd of sheep grazing on the steep slopes, and return to the hut from there. After a bowl of jota (sour cabbage and beans) or ričet (barley, carrot and beans) soup and a piece of apple štrudelj or cottage cheese štruklji, you can round off your hike with a direct return back to the car from the hut.
When the daffodils slowly wither and you may find the slopes half empty, hiking Golica would still be a beautiful experience and the hike worth the effort with or without the daffodils. However, those of you who would love to experience Golica at the peak of its flower blooms, mark your calendar for mid May, and enquire us for Exploring Slovenia’s gorgeous guided tours to Golica. Hopefully, we can explore the flower mountain together!
Exploring Slovenia’s best guided treks:
Stunning Julian Alps
Triglav Lakes Trek
Fairytale hike in Karavanke
Golica and endless fields of daffodils
Read also on Blog:
Three spots to see blooms in early spring
Slovenia in spring: from flowers to snow in six hiking trips
Seven lush, green and fragrant mountain hikes in Slovenia
When Velika Planina dresses in purple: welcome to endless fields of crocuses
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