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

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

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)

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.​

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.

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.

Lake Bohinj Viewpoint

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

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.

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.

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

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 :-)​

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

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.

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 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.

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

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.

Do you think it is worth the 550 steps?