Zavarovalnica Sava Kočevsko Outdoor Festival hosted by I feel Sloveniatakes place in the most forested area in Slovenia and one of the last true wildernesses in Europe.
- start and finish at Kočevje Lake
- routes run along the edge of UNESCO-protected primeval forests
- running on forest trails, almost without asphalt
- 6 distances (5–60 km + vertical)
- participation brings UTMB Index and ITRA points
- suitable for beginners and experienced runners
The routes lead deep into the forest, away from the city bustle, where runners can truly disconnect in the middle of unspoiled nature.
Kočevsko Outdoor Festival is located in one of the most forested and unspoiled regions of Slovenia and Europe. The immediate proximity of the lake, the central festival area, and the surrounding forests give all visitors and competitors the feeling that they are truly part of vast and untouched forests full of diverse life.
The program includes six trail runs of different lengths, a free children’s run, a family run, a run with dogs, and a pairs run, which allows participation for both experienced runners chasing results and beginners just getting to know trail running.
The festival routes are ideal for trail runners looking for an authentic experience on trails far from asphalt and city crowds.
The final registration period for the festival is currently open. The trails are filling up, so secure your spot as soon as possible.
Choose your distance:
Bear Trail is the royal distance of the event. Sixty kilometres of continuous trail through one of the least populated regions of Slovenia.
Runners head deep into the Kočevje forests, accompanied by long rolling ridges, occasional slightly technical descents, and narrow trails that require focus until the last kilometre. The route runs along the edge of primeval forest areas, in an environment inhabited by bear, lynx, and wolf, which gives the run a special feeling of wilderness and respect for nature.
The profile is demanding but thoughtfully designed. It is not about extreme elevation gain, but about constant work of legs and mind. Bear Trail is intended for runners who want to test their preparedness over a longer distance while building their competitive profile.
The race brings ITRA points, UTMB Index, and points for the Salomon Trail Running League and is an important stop in the season for many serious trail runners from Slovenia and abroad.
The route leads deeper into the Kočevje forests, onto narrow, soft trails where you can discover the most forested area in Slovenia in a running stride. Thirty kilometres of running through unspoiled nature in Kočevsko represents an important step up from shorter routes. This is the distance where pace, energy, and concentration management come to the forefront.
The surface is soft, natural, occasionally slightly technical, and you will be surrounded on all sides by beautiful shades of green – leaves, trees, undergrowth, bushes, and meadows. Runners cross sections with roots and natural obstacles, run across rolling Dinaric terrain and along the edge of UNESCO-protected primeval forest areas, while the route respects the sensitivity of the environment and does not enter protected zones.
The race is part of the Salomon Trail Running League and brings ITRA points and UTMB Index, which means the result counts in an international context.
What does running through the Kočevje forests look like through the eyes of past participants?
Read the experience of two top runners from the longer distances of last year’s festival.
Fifteen kilometres represents an ideal balance between accessibility and running challenge. The route leads through diverse sections of Kočevski Rog, where soft forest paths and trails alternate. This is where the game of roots, rhythm, and adaptation begins. Every step requires more attention, but at the same time offers more enjoyment.
Lynx Trail is an excellent choice for those who want to upgrade from shorter distances or test their readiness before longer challenges.
Ten kilometres that offer a perfect introduction to trail running – accessible enough to complete the challenge without problems and dynamic enough to show what trail running really means.
The route runs along forest paths and single tracks, through alternating open clearings and dense forest. The terrain is playful and flowing, yet still varied enough to require attention.
This is the distance for first steps, for finding the feeling, and for those who want to experience Kočevsko without the pressure of results
Lynx Trail is an excellent choice for those who want to upgrade from shorter distances or test their readiness before longer challenges.
A short, simple route, perfect for beginners, families, young runners, and those who are stepping onto forest trails for the first time. It is suitable for beginners, younger runners, or anyone who wants to experience Kočevsko at an easy pace.
Four-legged companions are also welcome on the shortest distance of the festival, but must be on a leash at all times during the race and the festival.
Vertical Fridrihštajn is an explosive climb to one of the most iconic points of Kočevsko. A short but intense route leads straight uphill towards the ruins of Fridrihštajn Castle, which reign above the forests and offer one of the rawest views of this wild landscape.
The battle with the incline begins on a steep ascent near the MTB Center Kočevje and requires strength, focus, and determination from the very first step.
The Vertical is intended for runners who want to test their raw uphill power and for everyone looking for a short but intense encounter with one of the most characteristic points of Kočevsko.
Bunny Trail is a short, approximately 300 m long playful run by Kočevje Lake for the youngest and smallest legs. Joy, the serious challenge of first steps, and the feeling of a big competition are no joke for runners.
Children can run independently or accompanied by parents, and the whole experience is designed to bring them closer to running in nature and present it as something beautiful, relaxed, and unforgettable.
Kočevsko Outdoor Festival is an opportunity to combine a competitive challenge, gain ITRA and UTMB Index, participate in the Salomon Trail Running League, and enjoy a complete outdoor escape in the heart of the forests.
The final registration period is underway, the event is approaching quickly, so register today and experience running through one of the last true European wildernesses.
