The Martuljek waterfalls, in the heart of the Špik group

A corner protected since 1949

The area was declared a landscape park in 1949 and became part of Triglav National Park in 1981. The stream comes down from the heart of the Martuljek group, below Špik, and forms two waterfalls separated by Mount Jasenje. Gozd Martuljek, the village below, has 631 residents and lies in the Upper Sava Valley between Kranjska Gora and Mojstrana.

The two Martuljek waterfalls

The lower Martuljek waterfall drops down a 50-metre wall into a narrow gorge about 400 metres long cut into the limestone, the Martuljek gorge. It’s the easier one to visit. The upper fall is the spectacular one, tumbling in three steps down a sheer 110-metre wall. Tourism Kranjska Gora warns that the path is fairly easy, but that approaching the upper fall is only for well-equipped mountaineers.

The best time is late spring, when the snowmelt gives them more water. In autumn the woods around the gorge turn gold and red.

The path and the Pri Ingotu hut

The walk is rounded off by the home cooking at the Pri Ingotu hut, well known in the valley, and by a charcoal pile, the covered stack of wood once used to make charcoal, which you pass on the way. For thrill-seekers, the Slovenian Tourist Board also mentions a wild gorge with a protected via ferrata at Gozd Martuljek.

To prepare, my overview of hiking in Slovenia is a good starting point, and remember that the emergency and mountain rescue number is 112.

To sleep close to everything, search places to stay in Gozd Martuljek on Expedia and filter by area before price.

Martuljek or Peričnik?

If you only have time for one waterfall in the Upper Sava Valley, it’s a fair question. Peričnik is easier, has a summer bus and lets you walk behind the water. Martuljek needs a bit more walking, but in return, to my mind, it’s quieter and the woodland below the Špik walls feels wilder. With a free day I’d do both. And if you have an afternoon spare, above the village is Srednji Vrh, a hamlet Tourism Kranjska Gora recommends.

Staying in Gozd Martuljek

Gozd Martuljek has become one of the classiest corners of the valley to stay in. There’s Chalet Sofija, with two Michelin Keys, the Triangel Boutique Hotel, added to the Michelin selection in 2026 with 11 rooms and 4 suites, and the Hotel Špik Alpine Resort, open since 2009, with a wellness centre. The full comparison is under hotels in Kranjska Gora.

If you are short on time, see the best tours in Martuljek waterfalls and pick one that fits your day.

To sleep close to everything, search places to stay in Gozd Martuljek on Booking.com and filter by area before price.