The mountaineering culture in Slovenia has an interesting history. The era of alpinism in Slovenia started with conquering one of the most important mountain tops of Europe, Triglav.

Triglav is an important mountain in the European and global aspect, it is a mighty milestone on the south-east part of the Alps, with an exceptional image and cultural as well as historic significance.

Its peak was first conquered on 26 August 1778, i.e. 8 years before Mont Blanc, 22 years before Grossglockner, and 87 years before Matterhorn, as well as 79 years before the foundation of the first mountaineering organisation in the world (England), and 94 years before the foundation of the first mountaineering association in Slovenia, the “Friends of Triglav in Bohinj”. The first ascent was not connected to no imitation or competition with others, but it was an original, independent and pioneering exploration venture.

The first four men who ascended Triglav, came from Bohinj (Luka Korošec, farmer and miner from Koprivnik, Matevž Kos, miner from Jereka, Štefan Rožič, hunter from Savica, and Lovrenc Willomitzer, army surgeon from Stara Fužina).

After Jože Škantar – Šest built a hut in Prode, he also arranged the first trail to Triglav, which was protected in 1895, when the priest Aljaž ordered the construction of Aljaž’ tower. The trail from Kredarica to Triglav at that time was quite similar to the current one. There were 34 iron wedges and 130 metres of steel rope installed.

The first mountain trails were used for mining, agricultural and hunting purposes and used by local people. The enlightenment movement with baron Sigmund Zois and nature scientist Baltasar Hacquet, who take many credits for the pioneering exploration of the Alps in Slovenia, started the mountaineering activity in Bohinj. Baron Zois paid for the preparation of the first high mountain trails above Velo polje and the Triglav Lakes Valley. Zois’ Society, the predecessor of mountaineering associations in Slovenia, was in charge for marking the trails.