1 NATURE PARKS PARKS NATURE IN www.slovenia.info 2

Slovenia is one of Europe’s most diverse states for fl ora and fauna with one of the continent’s best preserved natural environments. Having vast areas of pris- tine countryside constitutes a major advantage for Slov- enian tourism, allowing its development potential to be heavily oriented towards visitor’s desires for peaceful relaxation at close proxim- ity to the natural world.

Where natural beauty takes your breath away...

For a relatively small area, Slovenia off ers a unique mosaic of biological, geographical and cultural diversity, with dozens of major natural assets and items of signifi cant European cultural heritage. Around 12,6% of Slovenia’s territory is cover by protected natural areas, 36% of the territory is protected under Natura 2000, and almost 15,000 aspects of the country’s nature have been awarded the status “valuable natural feature”.

By managing our country’s resources carefully we ensure that nature’s treasures are preserved for future generations, that local population development is planned responsibly, and that all economic development is sustainable.

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Lake in Velika dolina - Škocjan Caves

02_ Introduction 14_ NOTRANJSKA Regional Park 26_ STRUNJAN Landscape Park

04_ Map NATURE PARKS IN 16_ GORIČKO Landscape Park 28_ LAHINJA Landscape Park SLOVENIA 18_ KOLPA Landscape Park 30_ ŠKOCJANSKI ZATOK Nature 06_ Nature parks in Slovenia Reserve 20_ SEČOVLJE SALINA Landscape 07_ National Park Park 32_ RADENSKO POLJE Landscape Park* 10_ ŠKOCJAN CAVES Park 22_ LOGARSKA DOLINA Landscape Park 34_ KAMNIK and ALPS 12_ KOZJANSKO Regional Park Regional Park* 24_ LJUBLJANSKO BARJE Landscape Park

*establishment under way 4 5

TRIGLAV National Park ŠKOCJAN CAVES Park KOZJANSKO Regional Park NOTRANJSKA Regional Park GORIČKO Landscape Park KOLPA Landscape Park SEČOVLJE SALINA Landscape Park LOGARSKA DOLINA Landscape Park LJUBLJANSKO BARJE Landscape Park STRUNJAN Landscape Park LAHINJA Landscape Park ŠKOCJANSKI ZATOK Nature Reserve

RADENSKO POLJE Landscape Park* KAMNIK and SAVINJA ALPS Regional Park*

*establishment under way

6 Nature Parks in Slovenia

Nature parks are those areas of Slov- Visitors to nature parks have various enia where the level of natural and aids to help their experience includ- cultural preservation is highest and ing plentiful information available consequently they form a key part of at information centers, on signs, on the nation’s tourism infrastructure. marked park trails, through guided Spending free time amongst unspoilt tours etc. Hiking trails, cycle routes nature is on the rise in today’s modern and wine-tourism roads off er links society. Nature parks off er the perfect between natural beauty and cultural setting for peace and relaxation; en- monuments and attract visitors in Triglav National Park joying natural beauty, observing wild- more specifi c ways. life, experiencing unique landscapes, learning about local culture and his- For visitors who wish to get to know tory, participating in activities (from the most beautiful pockets of our na- hiking to skiing and photography). ture parks more intimately, profession- ally guided tours are available from our Slovenia’s protected natural areas are park rangers. Numerous events, both divided into diff erent categories ac- traditional and modern, exhibitions, cording to the international IUCN cat- workshops and concerts, throughout egorization. Th e basic division is into the calendar will add to any tourist’s large and small protected areas. Larger overall experience. Our nature parks areas are those generally referred to as are suitable for many diff erent types of “nature parks”. Th e following protect- holiday length (from daytrips to over- ed areas exist in Slovenia: nights to multi-day family excursions) and holiday variety (from cultural her- Large protected areas or nature itage to outdoor leisure to adventure parks: sports). • 1 national park (IUCN: II/V) • 3 regional parks (IUCN: V/II) Much of what’s on off er is detailed in Logarska dolina • 44 landscape parks (IUCN: V) the present publication although for reasons of space it has not been possi- Small protected areas: ble to include everything. For further • 52 nature reserves (IUCN: IV and I) details in any specifi c area, please do • 1217 natural monuments (IUCN: III) not hesitate contact us.

Enjoy our parks and the all the new experiences they bring you.

Editorial board

Snakke’s head Fritillary 7 TRIGLAV TRIGLAV NATIONAL PARK away breath Where beauty takes your natural

ABOUT THE PARK Th e troughs of the Soča river Location: northwest Slovenia, near the borders with Austria and Italy; covers almost the entire area of the Slovenian Th e Triglav National Park is the only national park in Slovenia and it protects an part of the . area of pristine nature within the Alps. Th e name itself comes from Triglav, Slov- Surface area: 207,524 acres (839 km2) enia’s highest mountain and an important national symbol that appears on the Establishment of the park: 1924, ex- fl ag and elsewhere. Set amongst the spectacular peaks in the Julian Alps, the panded in 1981 and 2010 park is home to jagged ridges and vertical rock faces, deeply-carved valleys and Natural signifi cance: Valuable natural hard-to-access gorges, stunning glacial lakes and dense forest, rolling carpets of features: 1013, the entire park is an eco- logically important area, Natura 2000 alpine fl owers and mountain patches of green grass – all combined with a lavish (SPA) site for 17 bird species, Natura profusion of biodiversity. 2000 (SCI) site for nine animal and fi ve Management: Triglavski narodni park Info center Dom Trenta: Na Logu plant species and 23 habitat types. Ljubljanska 27, SI - 4260 Trenta, SI - 5232 Soča International signifi cance: Phone: +386(0) 4 57 80 200, fax: +386(0) 4 578 02 Phone and fax: +389(0) 5 388 93 30 (031 671 675) • European Diploma of Protected Areas 01; email: [email protected], web- email: [email protected] 2004 site: www.tnp.si Open: May to October, 10 AM to 6 PM • UNESCO – MAB biosphere reserve Info center Triglavska roža Bled Pocar Homestead in 2003 Ljubljanska cesta 27, SI - 4260 Bled Zgornja Radovna 25, SI - 4281 Phone: +386(0) 4 5780 200, +386(0) 4 5780 205; fax: Phone: +386(0) 4 5780 200, fax: +386(0) 4 5780 201 +386(0) 4 5780 201; email: [email protected] email: [email protected] Open: May to September, Tuesdays through Sundays, Open: May 16 to June 24 and in September, Saturdays 10 AM to 6 PM; October to April, Tuesdays through Fri- and Sundays, 11 AM to 6 PM; from June 25 to August days, 12 PM to 4 PM and Saturdays and Sundays 10 AM 31, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 11 AM to 6 PM to 6 PM Th ere is no charge to enter the park. 8

On the Soča trail, Trenta

Apart from preserved natural and cultural • Beautiful gorges and valleys, e.g. “fossilized” landscape, the Triglav National Park is a space Pokljuka gorge (trail from Krnica or , 2 for research, education, leisure and experienc- to 3 hours), Tolminka troughs and Zadlaščice ing nature. Mountain peaks, wild and deep on the marked circuit trail from the parking gorges, the riches of the plant world, cultural area above Zatolmin, can be combined with landscape with mountain pastures and pictur- a visit to the village of Čadrg (1.5 hours, in- esque villages with their rich cultural heritage cluding visit to Čadrg, 3 hours), Martuljščica all invite you to visit. troughs, Martuljek waterfalls and Za Akom basin (starting from , 4 hours), on the Radovna river, WORTH SEEING Mostnica troughs (starting from the parking • Th e amazing alpine world. North Face of area above Stara Fužina). Mostnica river gorge Triglav, the second highest rock face in the • Natural assets, e.g. nature reserve Eastern Alps, numerous natural windows (the spring of the Dolinka river between (one of the largest being Veliko okno in • Architecture – the typical , Tolmin, Rateče and ), peat bog Prisank, Okno in Zadnji Prisank, Hornovo Bovec-Trenta and Gornjesavska hous- (starting from Mrzli Studenec). okno in Jalovec), Ajdovska deklica (pagan es, shepherds’ settlements, picturesque girl) – a stone face nature has carved in the • Picturesque pasture meadows, e.g. Bohinj churches of St. John and Holy Spirit on north face of Prisank. pasture meadows (starting from the park- , memorial chapel on Javorca, ing area above Stara Fužina – Hudičev most Russian chapel under Vršič, fortresses • Th e diverse plant world, remains of virgin – Mostnica troughs – mountain cabin at Voje Kluže in Predel. forests, dwarf pines above the tree line, bogs – Voje gable – Planina Grintovica – Planina at Pokljuka, alpine fl owers and numerous Below are the principal marked park trails Krstenica – Planina Blato – Stara Fužina), plant species. that guide visitors through many key points sheep pastures Za Skalo (starting from Na of interest in the park. • Multiple rivers, in particular the emerald skali village, Soča). green Soča, considered by many the most • Triglavska Bistrica trail in the Vrata val- • Visiting TNP info points, e.g. Stari Tamar beautiful river in the Alps; waterfalls and ley Experience one of the most beautiful on the way to Vršič, and ascending from Vršič karst springs (Savica, Peričnik, Spodnji Mar- glacial valleys in the Alps (starting from through Vratca to Slemenova špica (3 hours). tuljkov slap and Zgornji Martuljkov slap, Šum Mojstrana (at Ros), 4 to 5 hours). in Vintgar, waterfall of Ribnica, Nadiža in the • Cross-country skiing on established tracks • Soča trail combines exceptional natural (Upper and Lower Bohinj valley, Zgornje Tamar valley, the spring of the Soča river, beauty and typical cultural heritage, and ex- Gorje, Zgornja Radovna, Gorjuše, Pokljuka, waterfalls in the valley of , water- tends from the Soča spring along the valley Gorjuše, Zgornja Radovna, with Tam- falls under Planina Zapotok and numerous of Trenta and Soča to the border of the park ar, Trenta valley). smaller waterfalls on tributaries of the Soča at Kršovec, Kal Koritnica (starting from and Tolminka rivers), glacial lakes (Lake Bo- • Historic Bohinj, the villages of Stara Fužina Soča spring, to Info centre in Trenta, 2 to 3 hinj), groups of alpine lakes (Triglavska jez- and Studor with their museums (Alpine dairy hours, entire trail length is 20 kilometers). era, Kriški podi, Krn), etc. museum and Oplen house) and hay-racks. 9

• Pokljuka trail through forests, alpine pas- • Second half of May: Guided tour of the Pok- and fi lm evenings on the subject of moun- tures and past many historic points of in- ljuka Education Trail (European Park Day and taineering, theatre performances by drama terest which connect into a thematic park Forest Week program). groups from the Triglav National Park and trail (starting from Mrzli Studenec, 3 hour • June: Summer cultural evening at the Pocar surrounding area. tour). Homestead. • Lectures and children’s workshops (Malo • Goreljek peat bog education path to learn • Second half of July: Trenta fair with accom- središče TNP) at Triglavska roža Bled Info about the uniqueness and signifi cance of panying events, Trenta International Music Center, where adults can listen to lectures peat bogs, among most precious natural Forum for talented young musicians from on protecting and conserving nature, while environments in Europe (starting from around the world sponsored by the Vienna children create and play in educational work- Goreljek, 1 hour). Philharmonic with two concluding concerts shops. • Radovna bike trail. Experience Radovna for strings. • Presentations of the Triglav National Park – the valley, the river and villages – on a Periodic events: in words and pictures, the legend of the bicycle, and get to know its natural and cul- Goldenhorn, organization of creative work- • Friday afternoons in the park: last Friday of tural peculiarities (starting from Krnica pri shops in schools, in the outdoors or in Info the month from May to September – creative Zgornjih Gorjah, 2.5 to 3.5 hours of biking centres (as agreed). workshops in nature for the young (and the with stops at info points and visit to the young at heart) where you will discover the • Photography workshops for amateur pho- Pocar Homestead (museum – 1 hour), un- secrets of the park. tographers, advice on how to best capture dulating meadows and Gogala linden tree). on fi lm the natural, cultural and ethnological • Triglav farmer’s market and Brihta: the features of the park. Triglav farmer’s market is held every third REGULAR ANNUAL EVENTS Saturday of the month in front of the • 18 May: Museum Day: Open-door day at Triglavska roža Bled Info Center between 10 the Info centre Dom Trenta, Info centre AM and 12 PM, where farmers sell crops and Triglavska roža Bled and Pocar Homestead products from the Triglav National Park and in Zgornja Radovna. surrounding areas. At the same time, there is • 24 May: European Park Day: International a children’s program called Brihta to discover, Belar Natural Science Day – orienteering explore and learn about nature in creative-re- hike, tracking a system of hidden clues search workshops. from the spring of the Soča River to the • Wednesday evenings at the Triglavska roža TNP Info center in Trenta (for elementary Bled Info Center: every Wednesday at 7 PM schools from the park region and from Aus- – throughout the year: openings of visual arts tria, Italy and Croatia). and photo exhibitions, professional lectures

Chamois Lake Bohinj Alpine poppy

Julian Alps PARK ACCESS Bus route from Ljubljana through Bled to Bo- hinjska Bistrica, Lake Bohinj and Zlatorog Hotel on the west shore of Lake Bohinj, to Jesenice and Mojstrana, Gozd – Martuljek, and Rateče. In summer, it’s possible to take a bus from Kranjska Gora across Vršič pass to Bovec. Th ere are also bus routes to Tolmin, Kobarid and Bovec from Nova Gorica, Idrija and Ljubljana. Th e train from Ljubljana will take you as far as the Lesce–Bled train station where you can continue your trip by local bus. Th ere is also a train from Jesenice (connections to Ljubljana and Austria) that goes to Nova Gorica and back. Finally there is a car-train which travels be- tween , Podbrdo and Most na Soči, with a dedicated space for bicycles. 10 ŠKOCJAN CAVES ŠKOCJAN PARK Mysterious and magical world underground Mohorčič cave ABOUT THE PARK Location: southwest part of Slovenia, on Th e deepest and largest underground canyon in Europe, Škocjan is an enchant- the edge of the Karst Surface area: 1,021 acres (4.13 km2) ing underground network in the mysterious depths of the Karst plateau where Establishment of the park: 1996 the River disappears. A symbol of underground Slovenia and consisting of Natural signifi cance: Valuable natural a maze of tunnels, caverns and abysses, the caves are decorated with magnifi cent features: 52, the entire park is an ecologi- cally important area, part of the Natura stalactites and stalagmites of many forms and sizes. Th e Karst landscape on the 2000 (SPA) area, part of the Natura 2000 surface of the caves with all the common karst features, such as dolines, caves, (SCI) area shafts and deep collapse dolines is itself an archaeologically rich area; there was International signifi cance: • UNESCO – World heritage 1986 a Bronze Age sacrifi cial site nearby and many valuable prehistoric fi nds have • UNESCO – Ramsar site (underground been made locally. karst wetland) 1999 • UNESCO – MAB karst biosphere reserve 2004 Management: Javni zavod Park Škocjanske jame Open: Every day from 9 AM, Jan-Mar and Nov-Dec to Škocjan 2, SI - 6215 Divača; Phone: +386 (0) 5 70 82 1 PM or 3 PM on Sundays and holidays, in April, May 100, fax: +386 (0) 5 70 82 105; email: [email protected], and October till 3:30 PM and Jun-Sept till 5 PM, cave www.park-skocjanske-jame.si viewings throughout the year from 10 AM (according to schedule). Škocjan Caves are open every day, during Info Center summer season (June-September) there are guided tours Matavun 12, SI - 6215 Divača; Phone: +386 (0) 5 70 each hour, from 10 AM to 5 PM. During this time, you 82 110, fax: +386 (0) 5 70 82 111; can also view museum collections which are freely acces- Reservations: Phone: +386 (0) 5 70 82 104, fax: sible to all cave visitors. +386 (0) 5 70 82 105; email: [email protected]