Picturesque hiking trails in nature parks

Nature parks provide the most fascinating display of pristine nature. Enjoy them on picturesque hiking and themed trails.

Put on your hiking boots and experience nature sustainably

Offering exquisite wonders and beautiful locations, nature is abundantly generous in Slovenia. And we’re well aware of that. Protected areas amount to a third of the Slovenian territory. To preserve natural features to the greatest extent possible, we strive to promote sustainable visiting of nature parks and other protected natural areas.

The most sustainable way is to walk around nature parks. You’ll be surprised at how light your feet will feel when walking on maintained hiking and themed trails and admiring nature’s masterpieces and diverse wildlife.

Here are seven picturesque hiking trails in nature parks where you can get away from the crowds and get close to nature.

Logar Valley Landscape Park

A flock of sheep grazes on a lush green field, surrounded by tall, snow-capped mountains and scattered trees under a partly cloudy sky

The Logar Valley Trail

Length: 8km

Duration: 2h 40min

Ascent: 409m

Difficulty: moderate

The Logar Valley is known as one of the most beautiful Alpine valleys in Europe. An inspiring thought as you set off along this scenic trail. In addition to nature in its pristine form, this themed, natural and ethnographic trail also reveals the beauty of the cultural landscape, inviting the visitor to understand the profound connection between people and nature. While approaching the majestic amphitheatre of peaks towering above the valley, you’ll walk through forests, past farmhouses, across meadows, streams and torrent riverbeds to the Rinka Waterfall.

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Lahinja Landscape Park

A person walks over a wooden bridge by a calm pond with a green rowboat, surrounded by lush trees and vegetation under a clear sky

Circular trail along the Lahinja River

Length: 14km

Duration: 3h 40min

Ascent: 224m

Difficulty: moderate

The Lahinja Landscape Park lies in the heart of the Bela Krajina region in the area of the Lahinja River upper section. Although it’s considered one of the smallest parks, it boasts exceptional biodiversity. It’s home to beavers, shy otters, colourful kingfishers and the indigenous European pond turtle. Where the dry Karst and water meet, vast wild orchid habitats can also be found. The park offers an insight into the cultural and ethnological heritage of the area. You can venture on your own on a circular trail that will take you alongside watercourses and through nearby villages, or you can join the traditional hike which takes place every March.

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Kolpa Landscape Park

A serene river reflects the lush, autumn-colored trees lining its shore. The foliage displays shades of yellow, orange, and green. The sky is overcast, adding a soft light to the scene

Castle Trail Along the Kolpa River

Length: 14km

Duration: 3h 45min

Ascent: 125m

Difficulty: easy

While you’re in Bela Krajina, take a walk along another beautiful river, the Kolpa. The Castle Trail along the Kolpa River will take you to one of the most scenic sections of the Kolpa Landscape Park between Žuniči and Dragoši. Here, it’s possible to truly experience the peace and quiet of nature and learn about the abundance of natural and cultural heritage. The trail is easy, with no major ascents. It provides pleasant shelter from the heat in summer months. If you miss being in contact with civilisation, you can walk to nearby villages along trails and field paths.

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Pohorje Regional Park

A wooden bridge leads to a couple embracing by a serene lake surrounded by lush vegetation and tall pines

Black Lake Trail

Length: 8.5km

Duration: 40min

Ascent: 170m

Difficulty: moderate

Picturesque peat bogs with small lakes provide some of the greatest attractions of the Pohorje Regional Park. One such habitat is the Black Lake in the Ribniško Pohorje Hills. The thick layer of accumulated organic silt gave the lake its distinct colour and name. The Black Lake and its wooded surrounding area are protected as a forest reserve. You can start your hike to the Black Lake at the Trije Kralji ski resort and extend it to the Osankarica mountain hut.

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Green Karst – Notranjska Regional Park

Three people stand on a wooden platform overlooking a scenic view of a lake and distant hills

Drvošec Trail

Length: 4.5km

Duration: 1h 20min

Ascent: 108m

Difficulty: moderate

One of the most stunning themed trails in Slovenia will take you alongside Lake Cerknica into the heart of the Notranjska Regional Park. On the hike, you’ll come across several information boards with fascinating facts about the park’s most famous inhabitants, such as the lynx, brown bear and wolf. Many other animal species living near, on or in the largest intermittent lake can be observed from the viewing platforms along the route or from the 10-metre-high Otočec observation tower.

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Triglav National Park

A person with a rucksack stands in the forest and reads a sign for the educational trail in the Triglav National Park

Goreljek Educational Trail

Length: 1km

Duration: 1h

Ascent: 11m

Difficulty: easy

A walk in the embrace of the Pokljuka forests is a balm for the soul and body. The vast spruce forests provide refuge for many animal and plant species, and offer hikers clean fresh air and tranquillity. Special habitats – peat bogs – nestle in the Pokljuka forests and are some of the southernmost found in Europe. They are particularly invaluable due to their biodiversity. The Goreljek Educational Trail may not be long, but it’s very colourful and interesting. The information boards along the trail will help you learn about the importance and uniqueness of the peat bogs. The educational trail may also be taken as a detour whilst on the Juliana Trail.

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A narrow waterfall flows into a small, vibrant green pool surrounded by rocky cliffs and lush vegetation

Zapotok Waterfalls

Length: 7km

Duration: 2h 10min

Ascent: 236m

Difficulty: moderate

The wild Trenta Valley invokes deep respect with its steep slopes and awes visitors with its grandeur. Here is the spring of the Soča, one of the most stunning European rivers. But, if you walk from its subterranean source towards the ridge of the Zadnja Trenta Valley, you’ll encounter another glorious water spectacle. The Zapotok Waterfalls are certainly worth the effort. The access to the largest one is difficult and we recommend you visit it with an experienced mountain guide. Nevertheless, there are other, more easily accessed waterfalls in the Zapoden Valley; the tallest one cascading some 18 metres.

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Visiting nature parks respectfully

Protected natural areas usually include sensitive habitats, in which rare and endangered animal and plant species are found. To preserve these species and their habitats, it’s only right that you observe certain rules about how to behave in nature parks. In this way, future generations will be able to enjoy the beauty of nature and the richness of life, too.

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Numerous trails for hikers of various fitness levels

You may find yourself spoiled for choice about where to go hiking in Slovenia. Why? Because there are more than 10,000 kilometres of hiking trails and some 5,000 kilometres of themed trails. Irrespective of which trail or trails you choose, you’ll be in for an unforgettable experience of diverse landscape and picturesque nature.

Take the time to tackle the long distance trails

Explore the diversity of the Slovenian landscape along the long distance trails that connect various parts of the country. These take you from the mountains to the seacoast, across hills and plains, and past Slovenia’s natural and cultural attractions. Most long distance trails are part of an international network of trails that connect several European countries. The longest trail that runs across Slovenian territory, as well as the oldest European long distance trail, is the Slovenian Alpine Trail.

Take the time to tackle the long distance trails

The most beautiful hiking trails

Hiking trails connect you to nature. Every step you take is a new experience. Every breath you take is filled with the freshness and beauty that surrounds you. Every sound in nature is music to your heart. That’s why every path, no matter how challenging, is well worth the effort. Discover the ones that will capture your heart.

Themed trails = the best school in nature

Slovenia is intertwined with hiking trails that will bring the natural and cultural features of each region closer to you in an interesting way. They reveal interesting stories and special features of the places you visit. Some of the trails are also home to fairy-tale creatures.

The most beautiful walks by the water

In Slovenia, you will come across water at almost every turn, at the very least a small spring. And some trails deliberately lead you along rivers, lakes and the sea, revealing the beauty of the aquatic ecosystem. Many water trails are also educational, raising awareness among walkers and hikers about the importance of healthy and clean water. And best of all, they surround you with a pleasant freshness.

The best hiking trails in the lowlands

The hiking trails in the lowlands will take you through a stunning landscape and past interesting places where you can meet hospitable locals and learn about their everyday life and rich cultural heritage. What’s more, you’ll even get to climb a small vantage point hill.

Enjoy magical moments in nature

Escape the city’s hustle and bustle and find your oasis of peace in the embrace of nature. Listen to birdsong, murmuring streams, rustling forests and enjoy majestic views of the enchanting landscape. Nature is magical, let’s respect its laws.

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Nature parks

Discover a wealth of various plant and tree species.

Visit Triglav National Park with respect

Triglav National Park will delight you with its picturesque landscapes and unforgettable experiences!

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Hiking and Mountaineering

Slovenia is a hiking paradise. More than 10,000 kilometres of marked hiking trails.

Safely into the mountains

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Green story of Slovenia

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Picturesque hiking trails in nature parks