How To Do The Otlica Natural Window Hike
The Otlica Natural Window hike is one of the best day hikes to complete in Slovenia and certainly one of the best hikes in the Vipava Valley Region.
The hike takes you from the edge of a small town, following the river through a forest before reaching the river's source at the foot of a mountain along the Trnovo Forest Plateau.
You then make your way up the mountain summit before being greeted by the famous Otlica Natural Window Formation.
In this guide, we will highlight where exactly the Otlica Natural Window is, outline how to hike up to the window and provide tips for completing the Otlica Natural Window Hike.
So, let’s dive into: How to do the Otlica Natural Window Hike
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What is the Otlica Natural Window?
The Otlica Window, or Otliško Okno as locals know it, is a natural phenomenon found high in the mountains above the Vipava Valley in Western Slovenia. It is a region that should feature on any credible Slovenia travel itinerary.
Formed out of the Karst rock that is so ubiquitous throughout the Karst region, the Natural Window is a rock formation that creates the illusion of being a window looking out over the valley below.
From the Otlica Window, you are greeted with panoramic views of the Vipava Valley and surrounding mountains. The Vipava Valley region is one of the best places we visited in the Balkans - it really is stunning!
Where is the Otlica Natural Window?
The Otlica Natural Window, as mentioned previously, can be found high above the town of Ajdovščina in the Vipava Valley Region in Western Slovenia. The window is situated on the edge of the Trnovo Forest Plateau, at the peak of a mountain.
From the Natural Window, you can see right across Vipava Valley towards the surrounding mountains. You can even see as far as the Adriatic Sea on a clear day during the hike. The Gulfs of Trieste (Italy) and Piran (Croatia) can be visible on a very clear day.
Orla standing in front of the Otlica Window
Where does the Otlica Natural Window hike begin?
The Otlica Natural Window Hike begins from the Mountain Bike Park in Ajdovščina, only a 5-minute drive from the H4 road in Western Slovenia.
The trail is easily visible from the Ajdovščina Mountain Bike Park on the edge of the town.
Ajdovščina Mountain Bike Park - the beginning of the Otlica Window Hike
Step-by-Step instructions for Completing the Otlica Window Hike
Begin the hike from the Ajdovščina Mountain Bike Park, following the Hubelj River upstream through the forest. The trail is well-marked throughout, as it is used as an education trail in the area.
You should follow the trail uphill until you reach a wooden, swinging bridge. Continue over the bridge with a small vineyard on your right-hand side before ascending steeply through the forest again.
You will pass a small spring where you can fill your water bottle before reaching a clearing - here, you can stand on the bridge and watch the water surging from the mountain.
The bridge where you can view the waterfall
When facing the waterfall, slightly to your left side will be a well-marked trail leading to the Gostilna Restaurant. This is a great place to grab a drink before the hard part of the ascent begins.
Once you pass the restaurant, the trail forks into 2 - take the left-hand fork that ascends into the forest. This hiking trail will take you deep into the forest before gradually easing to the right, where a series of steep switchbacks begin.
On one of the switchbacks, you will see a sign indicating the origin of the Otlica Window - though the sign is entirely in Slovenian.
Some of the signage along the Otlica Window Hiking Trail
The steep switchbacks continue until you leave the forest, where the trail mercifully begins to flatten out again.
Upon leaving the forest, you will see a small sign pointing right towards the little Otlica Window - above this, you will capture your first glance at the actual Otlica Natural Window.
Continue to follow the steep trail upwards, past a number of shrines, nativity scenes and even a small chapel where you can sign your name in the hiking book that is stored inside a small grey box.
Past the chapel, it is a flat 5-minute walk along the trail until you reach the Otlica Natural Window.
The Information Board indicating your arrival at the Otlica Natural Window
Picnic benches and information boards indicate your arrival - where you may choose to wander off the path to get a closer look at the Natural phenomenon.
As the Otlica Natural Window Hike follows an out-and-back style, you then retrace your steps all the way back to the source of the Hubelj River before following the trail back through the forest to the Ajdovščina Mountain Bike Park.
The view looking through the Otlica Natural Window
How difficult is the Otlica Natural Window hike?
Many guides will tell you that the Otlica Natural Window Hike is a moderate, family-friendly hike; however, we regard ourselves as fairly proficient day-hikers, and we found the 800m elevation gain fairly challenging. For this reason, we would give the hike a moderate-to-hard rating and recommend at least 3-4 hours to complete the hike.
The majority of the hike towards the Oltica Natural Window is a steep ascent with very little let-up, so be prepared for this.
Tips for completing the Otlica Natural Window hike
Bring Hiking Poles - we saw a number of locals using hiking poles for the Otlica Window hike and we did regret not taking some with us - this was especially true on the way down when the slightly gravelly trail does tend to give way slightly under your feet.
Pack plenty of water - as you can imagine, 800m of elevation gain in such a short time can be tiring and thirsty work, so be sure to pack plenty of water with you.
Take breaks where you can - the trail is fairly demanding but there are a few benches dotted throughout. Take advantage of these by having a short rest at each one, breaking the trail up nicely.
Pack plenty of layers - although you are likely to be very warm on the way up to the Oltica Natural Window, particularly in summer, it is important to remember that you will be summiting a mountain and it is going to be much chillier at the top. Add to this the likelihood of sweating and it may make for a cold descent if you don’t pack an extra layer or two.
Forest leading down to the Otlica Natural Window
There we have it, folks, our complete guide to hiking the Otlica Natural Window trail in the Vipava Region of Slovenia.
Slovenia is an incredibly beautiful country with a number of stunning hikes and the Otlica Natural Window was certainly one of the highlights for us.
