Debela peč (2014 m) and Brda (2009 m) are two panoramic peaks along the Lipanca Ridge, between Krma Valley and Pokljuka plateau in the Julian Alps of Slovenia.
The Debela peč hike begins at the Medvedova konta car park and ascends to the Planina Lipanca mountain pasture, home to the managed Bled Hut (Blejska koča na Lipanci).
From this scenic hut, it’s a steady ascent through larch forest to the Brda and Debela peč summits. The views of Rjavina and the Julian Alps will take your breath away.
By Slovenian standards, this is an easy marked trail (“lahka označena pot”). For those of us who didn’t grow up hiking in rugged, uneven limestone terrain, this hike is more “moderate.”
In summer, the Lipanca meadow is an active mountain pasture with grazing cattle. Maintain a respectful distance from the animals and do not disturb them. Dogs must be leashed.
- Trailhead: Medvedova konta Car Park | Google Maps
- Distance: 8.7 km out-and-back
- Time Needed: 4 hours
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 624 meters
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Minimum Elevation: 1432 meters
- Maximum Elevation: 2014 meters
- Where to Stay on Pokljuka Plateau: Hotel Center Pokljuka (midrange), or Hotel Pokljuka (midrange)
- Where to Eat: Blejska koča na Lipanci
- Where to Stay in Bled: Guesthouse Marko (budget), Vila Alpina (midrange), Hotel Starkl (midrange), Vila Bled (luxury), or Bled Rose Hotel
- Recommended Trail Map: Julian Alps WK141
Debela Peč & Brda Map
Where to Start the Hike to Bled Hut and Debela Peč
Medvedova Konta Car Park
This official car park is located in a remote area of Pokljuka, only accessible by car. Use the Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform to search for and book car rentals in Slovenia.
The access road isn’t paved, but it’s in good condition.
If you don’t have a car, you can join a guided tour starting in Bled: Panoramic Hike in Julian Alps (GetYourGuide), or Panoramic Hike in Julian Alps (Viator).
Location | Google Maps
Parking Fee | When we visited, there was no parking fee.
Debela Peč Trail Description
Medvedova konta Car Park to Blejska koča na Lipanci (40 minutes)
The start of the trail is marked with a Medvedova konta info board and a gate.
Pass by the gate and hike up the forest road, following signs to Blejska koča na Lipanci.
The Bled mountain hut is located on the planina Lipanca alpine pasture.
This managed, self-service refuge is open all-year-round, though usually not in November. Order your food and beverages inside the hut.
Bring cash to be on the safe side, since their credit card machine isn’t always working.
Encircled by larches, this lovely refuge is one of the most enchanting places in Slovenia to visit in mid-late October. The colors are incredibly vibrant.
Blejska koča na Lipanci to Brda (1 hour)
From the Bled hut, follow the path between the cluster of buildings to the edge of the meadow. The path follows a natural rise and then enters the forest. Wooden trail signs steer you left to Brda and Debela Pec.
Hike up the forest. At the next junction, bear right (the left trail goes to Lipanski Vrh).
The path steeply zigzags up to another junction. At the intersection, turn left to Brda. The gradient eases and weaves through dwarf pine for a while. The ascent continues through thinning larch and dwarf pine straight up a tussock slope.
A waymark guides you left to a junction. Turn right. When the trail divides a few minutes later, take the left path to Brda.
Soon, you’ll reach the Lipanca ridge overlooking Krma Valley, the Karawanks/Karavanke, and the many peaks of the Julian Alps, including Kanjavec, Rjavec, Triglav, Rjavina, Mala Rjavina, Luknja Peč, Skralatica, and Macesnovec.
Continue right up to the summit.
Brda to Debela Peč (30 minutes)
The trail continues over the rounded summit of Brda and descends southwest.
Sparse waymarks lead you down a rugged slope of loose rocks. Extra caution is needed here.
When you intersect with the main trail, turn left. Follow this undulating path amidst karst rocks and dwarf pine to a scenic junction.
Note: after hiking to Debela Peč, you’ll return to this junction to descend to the Bled hut.
Head north along the balcony path and savor the sweeping views of the multi-layered Julian Alps. The trail leads along the right-side, or Pokljuka-side, of the ridge for a while and then makes a final climb to the summit of Debela Peč.
Debela Peč to Blejska koča na Lipanci (1 hour)
Retrace your steps back to the junction and head left, where the waymarked rock is located.
With views of the forested Pokljuka plateau and distant mountains, the path descends through larch forest.
At the next junction, marked with signed boulders, continue right to Lipanca.
The trail continues across beautiful meadows rimmed with larch and the occasional spruce.
When the Brda and Debela Peč trails merge, follow the familiar path back down to the Bled Hut.
Blejska koča na Lipanci to Medvedova konta Car Park (35 minutes)
Return to the car park along the familiar forest road.
Where to Stay near Debela Peč
Pokljuka
Pokljuka is a forested high plateau located on the eastern edge of Triglav National Park, between Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj. The plateau lies between 1200 and 1500 meters above sea level and is a popular gateway into the heart of the Julian Alps.
Midrange | Hotel Center Pokljuka is located at Rudno Polje on the Pokljuka Plateau, which is the starting point for the hikes to Viševnik and Mount Triglav. This is a practical base if you’re planning on doing a lot of hiking. The hotel has an on-site restaurant and breakfast is included in the room rate.
Midrange | Hotel Pokljuka is located in Goreljek on Pokljuka Plateau, surrounded by spruce forest. The 39 rooms of Hotel Pokljuka are modern, clean, and comfortable. Breakfast is included in the room rate. The hotel’s à la carte restaurant is open daily from 11 am to 9 pm.
Look for accommodation in Pokljuka.
Lake Bled
Budget | Guesthouse Marko is a top-rated guesthouse in Bled, walking distance to the lakeshore.
Midrange | JAZZ B&B is a friendly bed and breakfast with clean, comfortable rooms, a wonderful breakfast, and a shared kitchen. It’s a 10 minute walk to Lake Bled.
Midrange | Old Parish House is a cozy and clean bed and breakfast, 100 meters away from Lake Bled.
Top Choice – Midrange | Hotel Starkl – Heritage & Unique is a darling lakefront hotel with an on-site restaurant and bar. Breakfast is included. This family-run property stands out with its friendly service, exceptional cuisine, and location.
Luxury | Adora Luxury Hotel is a lakefront boutique hotel with 7 luxurious suites. Stay here for the lake views and dreamy location. Breakfast is available for an extra charge.
Luxury | Vila Bled is a historic lakefront hotel with 33 rooms. Set in a quiet area of Lake Bled, guests can enjoy the historical flair of President Tito’s former summer residence. Breakfast is included.
Luxury | Bled Rose Hotel is a modern, 4-star hotel in the center of Bled. The hotel features an on-site bar, an indoor swimming pool and spa, a fitness room, and private beach area. Breakfast is included in the room rate.
More Bled accommodations: Old Bled House (midrange guesthouse), Vila Alpina (midrange guesthouse), Hotel Lovec (luxury hotel), and Grand Hotel Toplice (luxury lakefront hotel).
Look for accommodation in Bled.
Keep Reading about the Julian Alps
Slovenia Trip Planning Essentials
Use our Slovenia Travel Guide to plan an unforgettable trip.
When to Visit Slovenia
Summer and Fall Seasons. The best time to travel to Slovenia is between May and late October.
The best time to hike in the Slovenian Alps is between June and October. For hut-to-hut hiking, we recommend planning your trek between early July and mid-September.
Winter Season. For skiing and winter activities, the best time to visit Slovenia is between mid/late December and March.
Where to Stay
We’ve summarized our favorite destinations and accommodations in Best Paces to Stay in Slovenia, including Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, Logar Valley, Kranjka Gora, and Kobarid.
How to Explore Slovenia
Small Group Guided Hiking Tours
If you’re a solo traveler, or friend group who would love to explore Slovenia’s hiking trails with a knowledgeable and licensed mountain guide, consider booking one of these small group hiking tours.
All of these tours are designed by Slotrips, a trustworthy local tour operator that crafts meaningful and memorable itineraries.
Best Walks in Slovenia is an 8-day hiking tour (day hikes only) with fixed and guaranteed departure dates between late May and late September.
Discover the Slovenian Alps is an 8-day hiking tour, which combines a 3-day hut-to-hut hike in Triglav National Park with moderate day hikes.
Best of the Julian Alps Hut-to-Hut is a 3-day hut-to-hut hike in the heart of the Julian Alps. This guided tour departs every Monday from July to September. Hikers have the option to add on Mount Triglav summit with an IFMGA licensed mountain guide.
Self-Guided Hiking, Biking, and Rafting Tours
If you love hiking independently, but want a professional to handle the logistics of bookings, transfers, and luggage storage (when applicable), then we recommend booking a self-guided trip like Mountains and Lakes Hut-to-Hut, or Crossing the Julian Alps.
During shoulder-season (May and October), you can hike, bike, and raft along the 4-day Alpe Adria Trail Adventure, 9-day Mountains to Sea route, or 8-day Best of Alpe-Adria and Juliana Trail.
Road Trip
Though public transit is very good in Slovenia, some destinations like Logar Valley are not accessible with transit.
If you want to explore more off-the-beaten-path and remote areas of Slovenia, we recommend renting a car.
Check out our itineraries for road trip inspiration:
Use the intuitive Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform to search for and book car rentals. This easy-to-use booking platform compares car rental deals from 500+ trusted providers, so that you can choose the best option for your trip.
Tip: If you can only drive automatic transmission cars, as opposed to manual transmission cars (stick shift), book your car rental as early as possible.
Top Things to Do
- Summit Mount Triglav with an IFMGA-licensed mountain guide.
- Eat Štruklji Borovničevi at Kofce Mountain Hut.
- Trek across Triglav National Park along this epic 4-day Triglav National Park Trek, or this self-guided Crossing the Julian Alps hiking tour.
- Visit an alpine dairy like Koča na planini Dolga njiva.
- Stay in a farm stay like Tourist Farm Šenkova domačija in Zgornje Jezersko.
- Swim in the crystal clear waters of Lake Bohinj.
- Watch the sunrise at Mala Osojnica, overlooking Lake Bled.
- Hike to the Kamnik Saddle.
- Glamp in a treehouse like Ribno Alpine Glamping.
- Uncover hidden gems like Solčava panoramic road.
Slovenia Hiking Guides
Slovenia is heaven on earth for hikers. We recommend allocating sufficient time to discover both the Julian Alps and the Kamnik Savinja Alps.
In Best Hikes in Slovenia, we’ve summarized the most thrilling day hikes and multi-day hikes across the Slovenian Alps, ranked by difficulty.
If you’re interested in hut-to-hut hiking, read our guide to Slovenian Mountain Huts and Hut-to-Hut Hiking in Slovenia.
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