Radovna Valley Trail

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Radovna Valley Trail: Easy Valley Walking in Triglav National Park

Published 17 July 2025 Updated 5 June 2026

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Ranked #736 of 974

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HikeList Score

Radovna Valley Trail scored 75/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Very Good

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 55
Balanced challenge 60
Scenery & wildness 98
Varied terrain 64
Accommodation 83
Food & support 88
Path quality 71
Season flexibility 89

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

The Radovna Valley Trail is an easy 16 km valley walk and cycle route in north-west Slovenia, following the Radovna River through Dolina Radovne inside Triglav National Park. It is a 1-day route on a quiet valley road and forest track, not a steep alpine hike, with forest, meadows, river scenery and cultural stops. It suits families, relaxed walkers and cyclists who want Julian Alps scenery without climbing high into the mountains.

Route Overview

The route follows the Radovna Valley between the lower end near Gorje, Vintgar Gorge and Lake Kreda, and the upper valley at Zgornja Radovna and the Pocar Farm. Walkers generally treat it as an out-and-back along the valley road, while cyclists may link in from Mojstrana via the Slovenian Alpine Museum and the Kosmac Pass. Expect a short tarmac section near the start, then well-maintained gravel and forest road with interpretive boards. Key stops include Spodnja Radovna, Napoleon's Stone, Zgornja Radovna, the Burned-Down Radovna memorial and the Pocar Farm. For a higher Julian Alps route, compare Bohinj to Triglav Trail or Kranjska Gora to Trenta Trail.

Radovna Valley History

Radovna is a glacial valley where the Krma and Kot valleys meet to form the Radovna River, which continues through Vintgar Gorge towards the Sava Dolinka. The valley has long been farmed and settled; Pocar Farm is documented from 1672, while chalk quarrying at Lake Kreda continued until 1985. The Second World War history is stark: on 20 September 1944 German forces burned the hamlet of Radovna in a reprisal, killing 24 villagers. A memorial in the valley commemorates the event.

Notable highlights

Vintgar Gorge (ticketed side visit): A 1,600 m gorge carved by the Radovna River, with timber walkways and bridges above pools and rapids leading towards Sum waterfall.
Lake Kreda (Jezero Kreda): A small emerald lake beside the route, formed by former chalk quarrying and now one of the valley’s most photogenic short stops.
Pocar Farm: One of the oldest farmhouses in Triglav National Park, now an ethnographic museum showing traditional Alpine farm life.
Napoleon's Stone: A roadside stone around the 6 km mark, linked by local legend to Napoleon’s troops passing through the valley.
Burned-Down Radovna memorial: A sober WW2 memorial marking the 1944 reprisal in which the hamlet was burned and 24 villagers died.
Glacial valley scenery: Flower-rich meadows, forest, the clear Radovna River and views towards the Pokljuka and Mezakla plateaus give the route its main appeal.

Challenges to expect

The walking is easy, but do not expect a narrow mountain footpath: this is a shared valley road and cycle route, with paved and gravel sections. Navigation is straightforward if you follow the valley road and information boards, but it is not a Knafelc red-and-white alpine trail. Rain is common in this region, and there is no accommodation directly on the valley road. For other gentle valley walks, see Kamniška Bistrica Valley Trail and Logar Valley Panoramic Trail.

736

Ranked #736 of 974

See the Top 100 →