# Logarska Dolina and northern Slovenia

> After a day spent discovering Maribor and Ptuj, we hit the road towards the Upper Savinja valley and the mountains of northern Slovenia.

Source: https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/en/blog/logarska-dolina-northern-slovenia/
Published on 20 August 2019

After a day spent discovering [Maribor and Ptuj](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/en/blog/maribor-and-ptuj-lower-styria/), we hit the road towards **the Upper Savinja valley** and the mountains of northern Slovenia. We had planned to sleep in Luče to be close to the **Logarska Dolina nature park**.

## What to see in northern Slovenia

### The Upper Savinja valley

Our hotel was located on the banks of the **Savinja river**, so we could enjoy it from the morning onwards, as soon as we woke up. The colour of the water is quite simply striking, so clear and turquoise! The air was very humid that morning, so water vapour hung above the river.

![Couple embracing on a rock beside the river](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-02-81f0f7a7.webp)

![Turquoise river flowing between pebble banks](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-03-eaed6496.webp)

![Arms open on a wooden pontoon above the clear water](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-04-2a4b80ef.webp)

### The Logarska Dolina nature park

Despite the rainy, gloomy weather, we decided to go to the **Logarska Dolina nature park**, which we had been dreaming about from photos. Entry by car costs **7€** and helps contribute to the upkeep and preservation of the park. Slovenia's low prices will never stop amazing us!

First stop: **the Palenk waterfall**. You can park the car near the very lovely [hotel Plesnik](https://www.plesnik.si/en) and you just have to follow the signs to quickly reach the small (but tall) waterfall. This is where we were able to take the park's famous photo that we had seen in the guidebooks! A real postcard setting.

![Walking along a wooden fence in the valley](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-05-67960cfd.webp)

![Trickle of water running down moss-covered rocks](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-06-d8646d89.webp)

Second stop: **the Rinka waterfall**. This one takes a bit more effort and a half hour walk. This waterfall is impressive for its height and the colour of the rocks: the red contrasts with the green of the conifers and the white of the mist that surrounds the mountain. You can get as close as possible to the waterfall or climb up to the refuge below for a different viewpoint. We got an eyeful and took the chance to get some nice photos. We definitely recommend this magnificent place!

![Leaning on a railing facing the misty rock wall](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-07-11f880ca.webp)

![Waterfall bursting from a high ochre cliff](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-08-e7e3f552.webp)

![Waterfall dropping onto a scree of pale stones](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-09-04e8c4c3.webp)

![Straw hat and denim jacket facing the mist](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-10-a0691cac.webp)

### Kamniška Bistrica

To stretch our legs, we stopped in **the Kamniška Bistrica valley**, which is the starting point for many hikes. As we didn't have a proper map, we left the car on the side of the road and started walking through the forest to reach a river. We were alone in this place, which felt a bit mystical because of the mist hanging above the water. A very strange atmosphere!

![Crystal clear spring in the middle of a conifer forest](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-11-8f9a3ceb.webp)

### Kamnik

We then spent a short hour in the village of **Kamnik**, which didn't blow us away. You can go round this little town quickly and what is really worth it is the view from the castle ruins. The streets were empty here too because the weather was gloomy and very grey.

**What to see in Kamnik?** Sutna street with its colourful houses and the _Mali Grad_, the little castle from which you get a view over the town and its red roofs.

![Red rooftops of the town glimpsed from a promontory](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-12-b62a9831.webp)

![Leaning on a railing above the tiled rooftops](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-13-9b4502d8.webp)

### Radovjlica

Before reaching Bled, we wanted to take another break by stopping at **Radovjlica** to discover this picturesque Slovenian village. We got there at the end of the day, just as a local festival was starting. So we were lucky enough to watch a show on the village square, with traditional dances and songs.

**What to see in Radovjlica?** The main square (_Linhartov trg_) and its colourful houses, the viewpoint over the Sava valley, the Saint Peter parish church and, for lovers of folk arts, the Beekeeping Museum.

![Old houses with painted facades lining the square](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-14-b9753bb3.webp)

![Green hills and wooded valley down below](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-15-a5e9cdb7.webp)

![Cobbled square in front of a church and a yellow gateway](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-16-94718ce9.webp)

![Dancers in traditional costume on the village square](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-17-c2775a5d.webp)

![Lively old street lined with frescoed houses](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-18-3ce11f4a.webp)

### Škofja Loka

This small medieval town is less than thirty kilometres from Ljubljana and can therefore be visited at any point in an itinerary. You can include it after a visit to Bled or Kranj for example, or on your way from the capital. Even though we wanted to include it in this article about the Julian Alps, we actually visited **Škofja Loka** on the last day of our road trip, on the way to the airport. So we weren't able to discover all of it (its castle in particular) because time was short.

**What to see in Škofja Loka?** The castle and its museum, the Three Castles trail (5 kilometres), the colourful Town Hall square (_Mestni trg_), the Saint James parish church or the Capuchin bridge.

![Houses lined up above the green river](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-19-5fe2215a.webp)

![Square lined with pastel houses and its column](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-20-6bf6d2a3.webp)

![Sloping street, white houses and a bell tower at the far end](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-21-5dc88b88.webp)

![Small weir on the river at the foot of the village](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-22-a379d325.webp)

## Our accommodation in northern Slovenia (Upper Savinja valley)

For this stop in the heart of Slovenia's mountains, we set down our bags at the magnificent **[hotel Raduha](https://raduha.com/en/)** in Luče (520 metres above sea level). We had a lot of trouble finding accommodation in this part of the country, as there are very few hotel and Airbnb options. But the luxurious hotel Raduha offers a room in its annexe for the modest sum of **68€** a night (with a generous breakfast, served in the main building). The room, with a private bathroom, was perfectly fine, with a nice view over the garden. It's a good deal if you want to enjoy a beautiful spot, on the banks of the turquoise Savinja river!

## What we thought of northern Slovenia

For us the **Logarska Dolina nature park** is a must in Slovenia because it offers magnificent landscapes for nature lovers. Between mountains, forests and waterfalls, we were well served in this region! The road that leads to Bled is also very pleasant and you can make several stops to discover typical villages like **Radovjlica**.  
**If you want to go from the east of the country to the Julian Alps, we can only recommend stopping on the way in the Logarska Dolina valley. You won't regret it!**

Planning a trip to Slovenia? Read [all our articles about our road trip](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/en/destinations/slovenia/)!

![Standing on a pontoon in front of the turquoise water and the pebbles](https://voyagesurlacomete.fr/photos/2026/une-journee-de-logarska-dolina-aux-alpes-juliennes-23-eb34b45a.webp)
## 3 comments

- **Anne-France Bringold**, 1 March 2023
  Bonjour, je prépare un voyage en Slovénie pour cet été. La vallée de Logarska Dolina fait partie de ma liste. Pouvez vous me confirmer qu’après avoir payé les droits d’entrée de cet endroit, on ne paye pas pour aller voir les cascades et se garer ? Car je lis partout que les accès aux cascades sont payants et les parkings aussi !

  Merci beaucoup.
  - **Marie** (Voyage sur la comète), 1 March 2023
    Bonjour Anne-France, quelle merveilleuse idée que de planifier un voyage en Slovénie : c’est un pays magnifique que nous avons visité à deux reprises. Nous sommes allés en 2019 dans cette vallée et seule l’entrée du parc est payante (7€ en voiture) – les autres arrêts étaient totalement gratuits. Dans notre Lonely Planet (2ème édition), il est également indiqué que l’entrée du parc est payante mais pas les cascades et autres points d’intérêt. N’hésitez pas à nous envoyer un message sur Instagram pour échanger plus longuement 🙂
  - **Anne-France Bringold**, 3 March 2023
    Merci beaucoup. Je vais vous envoyer un message sur instagram.