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Slap Savica Waterfall Slovenia – Photos + Video + Tips (Emerald water!)

Last updated on September 25, 2019 By Claire, the Travel Planning Geek

Slap Savica Waterfall is the most famous waterfall in Slovenia because of its unique A-shape and emerald pool. But to be able to admire it, you first have to climb more than 500 steps. Worth the climb I think. Below is my guide to help you plan your visit and walk.

Information to plan your visit at the end of the article

Pin Walk Slap Savica Waterfall Slovenia
Quick Navigation
Why visit Slap Savica Slovenia?
Slap Savica Waterfall Hike
Lake Bohinj Viewpoint
From the Savica Viewing Cabin
Slap Savica Waterfall
Slap Savica Waterfall in Video
PLANNING TIPS - Slap Savica Waterfall Slovenia

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Why visit Slap Savica Slovenia?

Slap Savica Slovenia

Before I share with your the details of the hike to the Savica waterfall, You might wand to know why this place is so loved and recommended by Slovene poeple.

Well just have a look at the photo here.

  • It is located near one of the the most beautiful lakes in Slovenia: Lake Bohinj and not far from the famous Lake Bled
  • It is appearing in the middle of the mountain from underground
  • It has the shape of an "A" in a narrow cut in the mountain
  • It falls into a pool whose color is an intense emerald / turquoise blue/green

The combination of all that makes you look for fairies in the area...

My opinion is that it is not the best waterfall in Slovenia. I personally really enjoyed Pericnik waterfall. But it is definitively worth the hike if you are visiting Lake Bohinj.

You can see more amazing pictures of the waterfall at the end after the Savica waterfall hike explanation.​


Slap Savica Waterfall Hike

Is the climb to the Savica falls difficult?

Well it is not an easy stroll in a park. But the path is well maintained and the steps regular for the most part so it is not too difficult.

Here is the hut that marks the start of the walk. This is where you have to pay your entrance fee (info at the end of the article)

Entrance hut slap Savica Waterfall Slovenia

How long does it take to walk to Slap Savica?

It is quite funny, as when you start the hike you get a first sign that says 15min and right after another sign that says 20 minutes...

At the end it took be roughly 25 min each way. I climbed well I think but I am not fit at all.

Walking time slap savica waterfall difficulty

How many steps to  to Slap Savica?

This is a not a normal hiking path. They have build steps almost the whole way to the waterfall.
They are well maintained and there is enough space to cross path with people going in the other direction. So that is great.

I counted on my way down and I reached 550 steps.​

Stairs slap Savica Waterfall Slovenia

There are 2 main stops on the way. 
After roughly 200 steps you get a view over the mountains and then end of  Lake Bohinj (see next paragraph).
And 100 steps later, there are picnic tables where you can sit to have a rest.

Walk slap Savica Waterfall Slovenia

The good news is that you are almost always under a dense forest. So if it is a hot day, the temperature is cooler here and if it is raining you get less wet under the trees.

Hike slap Savica Waterfall Slovenia
eBook Cover Slovenia

Savica, along with many other beautiful places, is included in my eBook: The Road Trip Guide-Slovenia.

It is a practical tool to plan your trip with maps, photos, planning tips, GPS coordinates...

Learn More


Lake Bohinj Viewpoint

After 200 steps you get a clearing in the trees and get a glimpse at the Ukanc end of Lae Bohinj. 

Savica walk - lake bohinj viewpoint

As explained on the board:

"Bohinj is an excellent example of typical Glacial Landscape. During the last glaciation 20,000 years ago, the Bohinj Glacier was the largest in Slovenia and was up to 1000m thick."
The previously gentle slope were carved by the glacier to form the steep walls of the Prsivec (reaching 1761m to the left) and Vogel mountains (Reaching 1535m to the right - where the Amazing Vogel Cable car is).​

For your information, Lake Bohinj lies at 527m.

Savica walk - lake bohinj viewpoint 2

From the Savica Viewing Cabin

At the top of the step is a small wooden platform.
On one side you can see above the trees towards Lake Bohinj and the mountains once again.

View from Savica

And on the other side you finally discover the magnificent Savica Waterfall.

View of slap Savica Slovenia

Once there, you can admire the waterfall from the top or get down a few stairs to get closer.

However there is a gate at the bottom so you cannot get to the foot of the falls and you cannot swim in it. Although this crystal water is very tempting :-)​

Savica Waterfall hike
Savica Waterfall hike 2

If you don't visit early you might have to fight a little to get a spot on the right side of the stairs to take nice pictures (as you can see in the picture below). It is not so easy to get pictures without anyone on it.
But you will see I got a few in the next paragraph.

Slap Savica Waterfall Slovenia 1

Slap Savica Waterfall

And here we are. Certainly the most famous of the Slovenian waterfalls and the most visited!

According the explanations on the path, its recognition is greatly due to the Slovenian Poet France Preseren who wrote The Baptism at the Savica.

Slap Savica Waterfall Slovenia 2
Slap Savica Waterfall Slovenia 3

Learn a bit more about what makes Slap Savica special:

  • As you can see above, the water flows from the cave to a fault line in the Komarca rock wall. 
  • Water gets out at the altitude of 836m
  • Watch closer it starts with rapids
  • The height of the right-hand cascade is of 78m
  • Inside the caves are lakes. The water of one of the lakes emerge as the lower fall. This one is 25m in height.
  • The right waterfall will disappear overtime as the crevice will expand
  • The water originates in the Triglav Lakes Valley and flows underground
Slap Savica Waterfall Slovenia hike 2
Slap Savica Waterfall Slovenia hike 3
Slap Savica Waterfall Slovenia hike 4

Slap Savica Waterfall in Video

And below is a short video to show you the waterfall in action and to prove it is the real color.

I am sorry my filming was not very good, but it still gives you an idea of what is looks like.


PLANNING TIPS - Slap Savica Waterfall Slovenia

How to get to Savica Waterfall

  • East of Bohinj lake in Slovenia
  • 4km from Ukanc
  • You can walk from Ukanc for 1h30 to reach the beginning of the Savica walk or you can drive to the Savica Parking.
  • Savica Parking: 3 euros

This place of interest, with its GPS coordinates, map location and planning info, is included in the eBook: The Road Trip Guide - Slovenia

eBook Cover Slovenia

Savica, along with many other beautiful places, is included in my eBook: The Road Trip Guide-Slovenia.

It is a practical tool to plan your trip with maps, photos, planning tips, GPS coordinates...

Learn More

Visiting and Hiking to Slap Savica

  • Savica Waterfall opening hours - I asked at the entrance and they say it opens at 8am. But the gate is not closed so you can always go there
  • Savica waterfall entrance fee - 3 euros for adults
  • Be careful in case of bad weather. Path can be slippery.
  • Savica waterfall hike time - as I said above it took me 25 min to climb and 25min to walk down and I counted 550 steps (not 500 like written everywhere)
  • Cafe on the parking
  • Toilets near the entrance booth
  • In Spring, when snow is melting, the flow can be much higher and the emerald color not be as vibrant
  • Other trails leave from that Parking: To Dom na Komni hut (3hours) and to the Crno Jezero lake (4 to 5 hours)
  • Wondering where to stay near lake Bohinj? Head to my Lake Bohinj Guide 🙂

Want to see more of SLOVENIA?

Discover more things to do & places to see in my Travel Slovenia Destination Guide.

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VINGTAR GORGE WALK

NEXT: 

SLAP PERICNIK WATERFALL

Slovenia Travel Guide - Slovenia Tourism

Do you think it is worth the 550 steps?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Graeme Gillogly says

    December 3, 2019 at 9:48 PM

    Hi we are two active 58 and 61 year old Australians. We have been enjoying your blogs.

    My wife and I both love very much swimming and hot springs lakes and the surf.

    We are going to Slovenia around mid August 2010 and join a cruise in Budhapest on 4/9 but want to be in at end of Ausust or 1/9.

    Any tips re great places to swim would be appreciated.

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      December 4, 2019 at 12:15 PM

      Hi Graeme.
      I am glad you are enjoying my content.
      You can’t swim at Slap Savica but you can at: Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, Lake Jasna and in some spots of the Soca River.
      The coastal towns allow you to swim but don’t expect a lot of beaches. And no surf…
      I am not an expert on hot springs. Apparently there is Klevevzka Toplica, North of Novo Mesto
      I wish you a wonderful trip!
      Claire

      Reply

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