The Slovenian mountains attract the most visitors during the summer months. But as visitor numbers increase, so too does the number of mountain rescue operations.
Ahead of the summer season, mountain rescuers, representatives of the Police and the Slovenian Armed Forces – who form a joint on-call team responding daily to accidents in challenging and remote terrain – are urging visitors to plan their trips responsibly and follow basic safety rules when heading into the mountains. They also highlight the need for extra caution when hiking with dogs and remind visitors that mountain bivouacs should only be used as emergency shelters, not as a replacement for planned accommodation.
Last year, mountain rescue teams carried out 660 rescues
The year 2025 was a particularly concerning one for safety in Slovenian mountains. Mountain rescue teams carried out 660 rescue operations, including a record 50 fatalities in mountainous and otherwise hard-to-reach areas. Almost half of those rescued were uninjured – and many of these incidents could have been avoided through better preparation and more careful route planning. The most common causes of accidents remain slips and falls, unfamiliarity with the terrain, inadequate equipment and insufficient physical fitness.
Most rescue operations took place in popular tourist areas, including Bohinj, Ljubljana and Bovec, as well as around Triglav and in the Kamnik Savinja Alps.
In 2025, helicopter assistance was required in 41% of rescue operations (273 out of 660). By 10 June 2026, mountain rescuers had already responded to 229 operations this year, including 86 helicopter rescues. During the same period in 2025, there had been 188 rescue operations, of which 58 required helicopter support.
Alongside rescue work, prevention remains a key part of the mountain rescuers' mission. Throughout the year, they work with partner organisations to raise awareness among visitors as part of the Slovenian Tourist Board's 'Safe in the Mountains' project.
Recommendations before setting off
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Many hikers underestimate the difficulty of Slovenian mountains, have unsuitable equipment and do not follow safety advice
Matej Brajnik, Head of the Mountain Police Unit, said that foreign visitors in particular often underestimate the challenges of Slovenian mountain terrain and fail to check conditions thoroughly before setting off. "We have noticed that hikers are not always adequately prepared. They often choose routes that are too demanding for their physical and mental abilities, have unsuitable equipment – particularly footwear – lack the necessary technical gear or do not know how to use it properly, and fail to follow safety advice in the mountains," Brajnik said.
"Preparing for a hike means checking the route length, elevation gain, overall difficulty and estimated duration. You need suitable technical equipment, appropriate clothing, enough food and water. Ultimately, however, the decision to proceed should always be based on the weather forecast."
The Mountain Police Unit focus primarily on prevention, encouraging safe behaviour and responsible decision-making. They also assist people involved in accidents, cooperate with mountain rescue teams, carry out inspections at mountain huts and establish responsibility in cases involving negligence – for example, within groups or among organisers of unsafe trips. "The goal is for everyone who sets out to reach a summit to also return safely home to the valley," Brajnik added.
Dog rescues in the mountains are becoming increasingly common
In recent years, mountain rescuers have seen an increase in operations involving dogs. Animals are being rescued after injuries, exhaustion or after straying into dangerous and inaccessible areas. Over the past five years, mountain rescue teams have been called out 45 times to assist dogs in mountainous and hard-to-reach areas. Most incidents involve dogs slipping or falling, but rescuers have also responded to cases where dogs became stranded on steep slopes, ran off, or pulled their owners off the path, causing injuries. Owners sometimes attempt to rescue their dogs themselves, putting their own safety at risk.
Dog owners should realistically assess their pet's fitness and abilities before entering the mountains and choose routes suitable for both themselves and their animals. Owners should take precautions to prevent their dogs from overheating, provide plenty of water and protect their paws from injury on rocky terrain. In the event of an accident involving an animal, owners should also call 112.
Bivouacs are emergency shelters, not mountain hotels!
Mountain rescue teams have also noticed an increase in the misuse of bivouacs. Over the past five years, rescuers have responded to 37 incidents near these emergency shelters. Bivouacs are an important part of Slovenia's mountain safety infrastructure. They are intended only for emergency situations, such as sudden weather changes, injury, exhaustion or other unforeseen circumstances.
They should not be used as an alternative to mountain huts or for planned overnight stays. Their primary purpose is to provide safe refuge when unexpected situations arise. Visitors should treat bivouacs responsibly, leaving them clean, tidy and ready for the next visitors, just as they would hope to find them in an emergency.
Summer helicopter rescue teams on standby
This summer, helicopter mountain rescue teams will once again be on call, with members of the Slovenian Mountain Rescue Association, the Police and the Slovenian Armed Forces working closely together. During the school holidays, the rescue helicopter remains on continuous standby.
Teams are prepared to respond as quickly as possible. However, traditional mountain rescue operations continue in parallel, as difficult conditions or unsuitable flying weather may prevent helicopter deployment. Visitors should remember that reaching people in distress can take longer in challenging terrain or when helicopter assistance is not possible. Calling for help early is therefore essential, as delays in reporting an accident can significantly affect response times.
Related content
Safe in the Mountains – a project by the Slovenian Tourist Board and Slovenia Outdoor (Tips on visiting the mountains safely, available in seven foreign languages)
Helpful Advice to all Hikers, Trekkers and Mountaineers
