Daffodil Bloom on Mt. Golica — the Times of Hope in Slovenia
It’s a Bloom You Don’t Want to Miss!
Each spring, the slopes of Mount Golica (1,835 m) in the Karavanke range, near Jesenice, burst into a breathtaking sea of wild white daffodils (Narcissus poeticus), locally known as ključavnice. This natural spectacle typically occurs from mid-May to early June, depending on the weather and snowmelt.
The blooming daffodils cover the alpine meadows in waves of white, creating one of Slovenia’s most iconic and photogenic springtime scenes. The area is also known from the famous polka “Na Golici” by Slavko Avsenik.
Daffodil Festival
This year, the festival will take place between May 17 and 31, featuring a cultural program, local delicacies, a brass band, and children with flower crowns. The main attraction, of course, will be the white and yellow daffodils, which every year draw numerous visitors and hikers to the slopes beneath Golica.
The Suha Saddle (Sedlo Suha) usually boasts the most abundant daffodil blooms. Daffodils can also be found at Jekljevo Saddle, Mala Golica, Jesenice Pasture (Jeseniska planina), and around Javornik Rovt. They also bloom on the neighboring hill, Dovška Baba.
Hiking & access
The most popular starting point is Planina pod Golico, a charming village accessible by car from Jesenice. From there, hikes to Planina Markljev rovt, Koča na Golici, or even the summit of Golica offer panoramic views and fields of flowers along the way. Routes range from easy to moderate.
Tips:
- Go early in the morning or on a weekday to avoid crowds.
- Stay on marked trails to protect the delicate flowers.
- Wear sturdy shoes—alpine trails can be steep and rocky.
Golica in daffodil season is a magical, fleeting moment of alpine beauty you’ll remember forever.
