Hotel Center Pokljuka

Hotel Center Pokljuka stands on the Pokljuka plateau, in the spruce forests of the Goreljek area inside Triglav National Park in northwestern Slovenia. Pokljuka is a high, wooded upland of about a thousand metres or more, lying between the Bled and Bohinj basins and the Radovna valley, with clearings, pastures and peat bogs scattered among tall conifers. It is a quiet place, far from the traffic of the lakeside towns, and the hotel is a practical base for those who want to spend their days walking, cycling or skiing on the plateau itself. Details of rooms, facilities and services change over time, so it is sensible to confirm them with the hotel when booking.

The main reason to stay here is the setting. Marked paths and forest roads start close to the hotel and lead through the woods to meadows, pastures and viewpoints, and in summer the plateau is used by walkers and mountain bikers. Highlights within reach include the pasture of Planina Zajamniki, with its wooden herders' huts, the peat bogs that are among the southernmost raised bogs in Europe, and the Vodnikov lookout, which offers a view toward Triglav and the Julian Alps. Local farms sell cheese and other dairy products direct, a convenient way to taste the produce of the plateau. In autumn the larch and beech take on warm colours among the dark spruce.

Winter changes the plateau completely. Pokljuka is the home of biathlon in Slovenia, with a centre at Rudno polje that has hosted World Cup races and world championships, and the network of prepared cross-country ski trails is among the best in the country. Snowshoeing, sledging and ski touring are also popular, and visitors can try biathlon shooting in organised programmes at the nearby centre. A hotel close to the trails allows skiers to step out directly onto the snow.

Pokljuka also works as a base for exploring the wider region. Lake Bled, with its island and castle, is a short drive down the valley, Lake Bohinj and the Vogel ski area are within reach, and the Vintgar Gorge lies on the way to Bled. Many guests combine a few days in the quiet of the plateau with excursions to these better-known places, returning to the forest in the evening.

The hotel suits families, walkers, cyclists, skiers and groups who like a peaceful mountain setting and are prepared to travel by car, since public transport on the plateau is limited. Roads can be icy in winter, and weather at this altitude changes quickly, so warm clothing and a check on conditions are wise at any time of year.