House rules

Important rules and good practices in the mountain hut

Erjavčeva koča is not a hostel or a hotel. It is a traditional mountain hut at Vršič Pass in Triglav National Park, with a history dating back to 1901. Here you will find practical rules, mountain hut traditions, and good practices that help make the stay pleasant, safe, and respectful for everyone.

Erjavčeva koča is one of the oldest and most recognisable Slovenian mountain huts. Because it is located in a protected alpine environment, guests are kindly asked to respect the hut, other visitors, staff, nature, and the traditions of mountain life.

Mountain hut register book

There is a mountain hut register book at the entrance. It is a long-standing tradition for visitors to sign the book and write where they came from and where they are going next.

This habit is also useful for safety. If someone gets lost, injured, delayed, or does not return as planned, the register book can help provide information about their route and direction.

Role of mountain huts in Slovenia

Mountain huts that are entered in the register of mountain huts at the Mountaineering Association of Slovenia are expected to offer visitors accommodation, food, drinks, and assistance in case of mountain accidents.

The Mountaineering Association of Slovenia recommends house rules, rules of conduct, and overnight price guidelines for mountain huts. As hut operators, we must follow these rules and also apply additional rules because Erjavčeva koča is located inside Triglav National Park.

Room keys and key deposit

When picking up the room key or digital key, a €10 key deposit must be paid. The deposit is returned when the key is returned. If the key is not returned, the deposit is used to cover the cost of the missing key.

Dining room and table use

During busy periods, especially when many visitors are waiting for a table, guests who have already finished their meal may be kindly asked to make space for others.

The dining room is a shared mountain hut space. Please be considerate of other guests, hikers, travellers, and staff.

Opening hours

The hut doors are usually always open for overnight guests, even at night. If the doors are locked, you can ring the bell.

In winter, the hut is usually open from 08:00 to 20:00. On weekends outside the main season, or by prior arrangement, we may stay open until 22:00 or longer.

In summer, the hut is usually open from 07:00 to 22:00.

Working hours can change depending on the season, weather, road conditions, reservations, visitor numbers, private events, and agreement with the hut staff.

Breakfast, kitchen and bar

Summer: breakfast is usually served from 07:00 to 09:00. The kitchen usually accepts last orders until 20:00. The bar usually closes at 22:00.

Winter: breakfast is usually served from 08:00 to 09:00. The kitchen usually accepts last orders until 19:00. The bar usually closes at 20:00, or later by prior arrangement.

Respecting hut rules

Guests who do not follow the rules of the house may be asked to leave the mountain hut.

Night peace

We kindly ask all guests to keep quiet inside the hut and in the surrounding area from 22:00 to 07:00.

Many guests wake up early for hiking, travelling, cycling, skiing, or continuing their route into the Julian Alps. Please respect other guests and avoid noise in rooms, corridors, stairs, bathrooms, and shared areas during quiet hours.

Reservations and priority overnight stays

Beds in the hut are usually assigned according to confirmed reservations. A reservation is valid until the agreed arrival time.

Injured, exhausted, weakened visitors and mountain rescuers on duty have priority for overnight stays. This is part of the mountain hut tradition and reflects the role of mountain huts as shelters and safety points in the mountains.

Check-in and check-out

Check-in for overnight guests is possible from 12:00 to 19:00.

In exceptional cases, and only by prior arrangement, check-in may be possible until 21:00. After 21:00, check-in is not possible. We also cannot guarantee self check-in.

Check-out is until 10:00. Late check-out may be charged €10 per hour or denied, depending on availability and the daily situation in the hut.

Electricity and fire safety

Because of the age and construction of the hut, including wooden structural elements and electrical limitations, there is a serious fire risk if large electrical devices are connected without permission.

Cooking in rooms is not allowed. Guests must not use cookers, hot plates, electric kettles, heaters, hair dryers, or similar high-consumption electrical devices in the sleeping area.

There are only narrow electrical sockets in the rooms. Larger sockets are locked around the sleeping area, and their use is allowed only in the dining room or with permission from the hut staff.

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed inside the hut, including private rooms, the dormitory floor, sleeping areas, toilets, bathrooms, corridors, and other indoor guest areas.

Smoking is allowed outside the hut in the garden area, where ashtrays are available. Please use the ashtrays and never throw cigarette butts into nature.

Blankets, pillows and heating

Please inform the hut staff if you would like an extra blanket or pillow. We have plenty to share and will gladly help whenever possible.

The heating system in the hut is locked and managed by the staff. Please inform us if you are too warm or too cold. Do not open windows for a long time while the heating is on.

Garbage and waste

All visitors must behave respectfully in the mountain hut and in its surroundings. Please do not make unnecessary noise, do not leave garbage behind, and do not leave waste in nature.

A good mountain habit in Slovenia is that every visitor takes their own trash back to the valley. This is also why you will not find trash cans in the rooms.

Waste separation is important because waste removal from the remote Vršič Pass is more expensive and more difficult than in the valley. In winter, snow-covered roads can also make waste transport difficult or temporarily impossible.

Footwear and slippers

All guests must change into slippers before entering the sleeping area. Hiking shoes, hiking boots, dirty outdoor shoes, ski boots, and wet footwear are not allowed in the sleeping area.

Walking with outdoor shoes in the sleeping area can damage the floors, bring dirt and moisture into rooms, and disturb other guests. Walking with shoes in the sleeping area can be fined up to €150.

Toilets and toilet bins

Toilet bins are for toilet paper and hygiene paper only. Please do not put personal trash, food packaging, bottles, cans, wet wipes, or other rubbish into the toilet bins.

Toilets on the first floor are available for guests sleeping in the hut. During crowded periods, additional bathrooms in the basement may also be available. If the doors are locked, please ask the hut staff for the PIN code.

If you run out of toilet paper or notice dirt in the toilets or showers, please inform the hut staff. We clean the hut several times every day, but we do not use the guest facilities all the time and need to know when something needs attention.

Showers and water saving

Because we are not connected to a public water supply system, we must save water at every step. Water comes from a nearby natural source, and in dry summer periods water can become limited.

Please use shower tokens wisely. Turn the water off while shampooing and soaping, and turn it back on only when rinsing.

During crowded periods, additional showers in the basement may also be available. If the doors are locked, please ask the hut staff for the PIN code.

Towels can be provided for an additional charge if needed.

Feedback during your stay

Your opinion means a lot to us. If something bothers you during your stay, please tell the hut staff while you are still with us.

This is the only way we can fix the problem, improve the situation, and help you enjoy your stay more. Comments after departure can be useful, but they cannot clean a bathroom, bring toilet paper, adjust heating, or solve a problem while you are still here.

Thank you for respecting the rules, the staff, other guests, and the mountain hut tradition at Erjavčeva koča.