Hike through the forest to a hunters’ hut on Jelovica Plateau
Popular with hikers, trail runners and mountain bikers, the Hunters’ Hut at Talež (Lovska koča Talež in Slovenian) sits on the edge of the Jelovica Plateau, a vast karst plateau, not far from Lake Bled. You’ll see the forest-covered plateau on your left as you drive from the town of Radovljica towards Bled.
You can hike to the hut either from Bled or Radovljica or even from Kupljenik, a picturesque village known for the cave under Babji zob. After about an hour of slow hiking, you will reach the hut, where you can take a moment to enjoy the views of Lake Bled and the Karawanks, a majestic mountain range on the border with Austria. While at the hut, you can settle in for a warm meal and a drink or stay the night in one of its rooms.
The Hunters’ Hut at Talež sits on the edge of the vast Jelovica Plateau.
In my experience, Talež Hut has that welcoming warmth you often find in huts higher up in the mountains. It makes you feel at home and leaves you wanting to lace up your hiking shoes a little more often.
You can reach Talež Hut on foot, by bike or by car. Here, we’ll follow the hiking route, taking our time along the way.
Hiking from Selo Bridge to Talež Hut
In this blog post, I’ll guide you along the hiking trail closest to Lake Bled, which begins near Ribno Bridge over the Sava Bohinjka River. The bridge sits just below the village of Ribno, six kilometres from Lake Bled.
To reach the trails leading to Talež Hut, cross Ribno Bridge over the Sava Bohinjka River. You might spot fishermen standing in the river.
After crossing Ribno Bridge, you can turn right at the signposts and follow the gravel road alongside the Sava Bohinjka River for about five minutes. On your left, look for a sign marked ‘Talež’ and take the narrow trail leading uphill into the forest.
At the signpost by Ribno Bridge, look for the sign for Talež. Here, you can choose which trail to follow. I usually turn right, as the narrower trail is much quieter.
Alternatively, you can turn left at the signpost and follow the gravel road past the pastures towards the village of Bodešče. From there, another trail leads up to Talež Hut. It is wider and also used by cars and bikes, so you’ll need to stay attentive, especially when walking with children.
At the signpost pointing towards Bodešče, take the gravel road to the left to join the wider trail leading up to Talež Hut.
I prefer the narrower forest trail described above. It feels quieter and more pristine, with more space to enjoy the hike.
Both trails climbs through the forest, with a few steeper stretches before they become gentler near the top. I usually bring trekking poles, as they make the walk back down those steeper sections a little easier.
Just before the main trail levels out, you’ll pass a wooden cross, a small Catholic shrine on your left and a Partisan memorial on your right. The Partisans were a resistance movement during the Second World War. There’s also a bench in the shade where you can rest and take in your surroundings before continuing along the flat stretch of the trail.
A wooden cross and a Partisan memorial beside the hiking trail to Talež Hut.
The hike is rewarding in itself, especially the final stretch, when the trees give way to wide views from the edge of the Jelovica Plateau at Talež Hut.
To the west, the Julian Alps and Pokljuka Plateau rise above Lake Bled. The island is a little shy from this angle, partly hidden from view. To the east, the view opens towards the Karawanks mountain range, the Radovljica plain and the villages scattered beneath the mountains.
Take a moment to look at the information board by the viewpoint and try to remember the name of at least one peak. You might notice one that resembles a camel’s back – that is Begunjščica, standing 2,060 metres high.
The view towards Lake Bled and the Pokljuka Plateau, with the Julian Alps in the background.
The view towards the Karawanks mountain range, with Begunjščica and its camel-like silhouette in the middle.
Join the traditions at Talež Hut
Locals often hike or mountain bike to Talež Hut, then linger in the sunshine. But on the evening of 30 April, they gather for another reason: a bonfire.
Lighting bonfires on the eve of Workers’ Day, celebrated on 1 May, is a longstanding Slovenian tradition. That evening, you may see fires glowing on other hills too, like Straža above Lake Bled.
Enjoy easy hike through the forest, have a tasty meal with a view
Whether you enjoy running mountain trails, a gentle hike or simply spending time in nature, the hour-long walk to Talež offers a lovely way to spend part of your day.
The peaceful forest along the hiking trail invites you to slow down and awaken your senses.
At the hut, take your time to enjoy the views of Lake Bled and the mountains. If you stay for a meal, try sirovi štruklji, traditional Slovenian rolled dumplings filled with cottage cheese.
Below, you will find a few practical details to help you plan your hike to Talež hut on the edge of the Jelovica Plateau.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Location: Talež Hunters’ Hut (Google maps) sits on the edge of the Jelovica Plateau, 725 metres above sea level.
- Starting point: The hike begins at Ribno Bridge over the Sava Bohinjka River, just below the village of Ribno, six kilometres from Lake Bled.
- Getting there: From Bled, you can reach Ribno by bus, bicycle or car. Continue through the village along Savska cesta (Sava Road) to reach Ribno Bridge. A few buses run between Bled and Ribno. The nearest official car park is in Ribno, next to Zadružni dom Ribno – Ribno Community Hall (Google maps).
- Walking time: From Ribno Bridge, allow 45–60 minutes for the walk up to the Talež Hut.
- Nearby hills: If you feel like walking a little further, continue from Talež towards Tolsti Vrh, an 883-metre peak on the Jelovica Plateau. It rises above the hut and is about another 30 minutes away on foot. However, Tolsti Vrh offers little in the way of open views, as the surrounding forest hides the landscape beyond.
- Safety: The trail to Talež Hut is rocky and steep in places, so stable walking or hiking shoes are highly recommended.
