Nature of Slovenia - national parks and reserves for active recreation

Slovenia is a small country located on the boundary of southern and central Europe. The state shares borders with Italy, Hungary, Croatia, and Austria. Slovenia has access to the Adriatic coast. Eastern Alps are located in the north of Slovenia, and the Julian Alps are in the northwest. But apart from these mountains, there are a number of other mountain ranges and chains, so virtually the entire Slovene territory lies in the highlands. The presence of mountainous terrain contributed to the formation of deep karst caves. Slovenia is the third most forested country in Europe. About 60% of its territory is covered by beautiful forests. The area of the state is a natural habitat for 13,000 fauna species. 400 of them are endemic.

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Diverse landscapes of Slovenia have preserved nature in its original form. The government makes every effort to preserve the natural diversity of plant and animal species, therefore more than 80% of Slovenian territory is protected by the state. The small European country has only one national park called Triglav. However, tourists will have a chance to visit several landscape parks, various nature reserves, and parks of regional significance.

The only Slovenian national park Triglav is named after the eponymous mountain peak, which became a symbol of the country. The park lying in the northwestern part of the country covers an area of more than 800 square kilometers or 4% of the entire territory of Slovenia. In 1924, the Triglav Lakes Valley was recognized as a protected area. The Triglav Park was formed around it in 1961, and 20 years later it has been completely reorganized. The park located at altitudes of up to 1,400 meters above sea level has a number of resorts: Bohinj, Bled, Kranjska Gora. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

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Fir and beech grow in Triglav in large numbers. A lot of pedestrian routes of varying difficulty are laid in the park. Not only hikers but also bikers can follow them. The main attractions of the Triglav include Lake Bohinj touching the very border of the park, Boka Falls, the Mostnica and Tomminka gorges. Bohinj Lake is the largest in Slovenia. It is located at an altitude of 530 meters above sea level. If it wasn't possible to explore all the sights in one day, tourists can stay right in the park in over 170 specially designed huts and small houses.

Just 20 kilometers away from the Triglav National Park is Lake Bled, which has become a kind of calling card of Slovenia. It is the third largest lake in the country. Its main attraction is a small islet in the middle where the Church of the Assumption of Mary stands. The legendary Wishing Bell is still functioning in its chapel. On the lake, you can ride in traditional "pletna" boats.

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In the southern part of Slovenia, there is the Škocjan Reserve established in 1986. It was aimed to protect nature around one of the most picturesque and famous Slovene caves of the same name. The reserve area is 400 hectares. The waters of an underground river in the cave form 25 waterfalls of different height along the entire length of its flow. The highest one falls from 160 meters. Only 5 kilometers of all passages of the Škocjan Caves were studied. Some fragments of the cave's limestone vaults collapsed and formed natural funnel-shaped wells where juniper and alpine cyclamen grow along with alpine auriculas.

The Postojna Cave that has a karstic origin is to the south-west of the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana. It stretches the maze of corridors for over 20 kilometers. The cave is unique. In one of its halls, there is an artificial reservoir inhabited by the blind aquatic salamander proteus. Only karst caves on the territory of Slovenia became the habitat for this unique creature. In 1872, railway tracks were laid in the cave, so today you can explore this attraction by riding a small train. The Postojna Cave became the world's only cave with a railway laid through it.

Slovenia guide chapters 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Nature of Slovenia - national parks and reserves for active recreation

Cultural sights in regions of Slovenia