SlovenianBears – in the footsteps of the brown bear

Learn about the mysterious life of the brown bear in its natural habitat of the forests of the Notranjska region.

Get your lens ready – here comes a brown bear!

Slovenia is a country rich in forests, as no less than 60% of its area is covered in green forests. The most vast forests are in southern Slovenia. Due to their density and scarce population, these forests are an ideal habitat for numerous animal species, from various varieties of birds to beasts, such as the wolf, the Eurasian lynx, and the brown bear. If you would like to learn about their life in their natural habitat from up close, join organised observational groups or photo hunts. To experience a genuine encounter with brown bear, head to the forests of the Lož Valley. SlovenianBears is a bear-friendly and human-friendly boutique photo hunt experience which won the Sejalec 2018 Award.

The brown bear – the king of the Kočevsko and Notranjska forests

The brown bear can mainly be found in the forests of the Notranjska and Kočevsko regions. According to estimates, approximately 560 brown bears live there. This is an ideal opportunity for everyone who wishes to learn about the life of brown bears in their natural habitat. Join a guided observational expedition and photo hunt for the brown bear. This way, you can learn that it is quite possible for humans and brown bears to coexist.

A bear-friendly photography experience

Miha Mlakar, the man who created the unique boutique brown bear photo hunt experience SlovenianBears, has been excited about these furry brown beasts since he was little. During guided tours, which are limited to a maximum of 6 people, guests follow the migration paths of the brown bear from Čabar to Cerknica and try to get the best possible photograph of this animal in its natural environment. The experience is safe and animal-friendly. There are 20 observation posts, which have the best conditions for filming and taking photographs of brown bears. At these observation posts, there are camera stands and supports, and only 2–4 guests can be in a single observation post at a time. The best conditions for observing and taking photographs of brown bears are in the afternoon. You can enjoy the brown bear photo hunt and observation experience from May to September.

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Take a trip to the Lož Valley and its surrounding area

Once you have taken your ideal photograph or video of a brown bear, go exploring the Lož Valley and its surrounding area too.

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Snežnik Castle

Snežnik Castle is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved castles in Slovenia. In addition to having a museum collection, the castle is also an attractive wedding destination, and in summer it hosts the renowned art festival called the Floating Castle Festival.

The Križna Cave

A special feature of the Križna Cave are subterranean lakes on which you can go on a guided tour on inflatable boats. Once, this cave offered shelter to cave bears, which we know because their bones have been found here.

Mt Snežnik

At 1796 m (5892 ft), Mt Snežnik is the highest peak in southern Slovenia. It connects the Loka Valley with the town of Ilirska Bistrica. It is known for its flora, as the tree line on Mt Snežnik is created by beech forest. On the Ilirska Bistrica side of the mountain, the Snežnik Ždrolce nature reserve is located, which is, together with the Krokar primeval forest, on the UNESCO Natural World Heritage List.

Notranjska Landscape Park

Explore the Notranjska Landscape Park, which is also the abode of the brown bear. The intermittent Lake Cerknica, the natural bridges of Rakov Škocjan, Mt Slivnica which is, according to legend, home to witches, and many other special karst phenomena are just waiting for you to explore them. Do so by bicycle, canoe, on horseback, or on foot.

Discover the world of large carnivores

If you would like to learn more about the life and habitat of the brown bear and the other large carnivores found in Slovenian forests, such as the wolf and lynx, make a stop in Pivka. There, an interactive exhibition that presents the importance and role of large carnivores in natural ecosystems and the ways in which humans and large carnivores coexist is on display in the Krpanov Dom Centre.

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Via Dinarica

When you visit the Lož Valley, do not forget to put on your hiking shoes. Among the many trails that you can take, there is also an international long-distance trail that takes you across the Dinaric Alps and through seven countries in the Balkans. In 2017, National Geographic Traveler ranked it among the best destinations in the world. In Slovenia, the trail will take you from the Nanos Plateau to Babno Polje Field, and on the way, you can witness many special features of the karst world.

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Did you know ...?

The Lož Valley and its immediate vicinity is home to some interesting features you may not have heard of.

Babno Polje Field is the coldest inhabited place in Slovenia. It is known as Slovenian Siberia. The lowest recorded temperature was -36.4ᵒC.

Ostrnice hay-drying poles are a special feature in the Loka Valley. They are trimmed spruce tops intended for drying hay and other farming products.

Lož is Slovenia’s smallest medieval town. Above the town, you can find the remains of Pusti Grad Castle.

The inhabitants of the near-by Bloke Plateau were among the first people ever to use skis to walk or meander downhill on snow. For this reason, the Bloke Plateau is considered to be the cradle of skiing in Central Europe.

From the brown bear to the special features of karst landscape

The Lož Valley is only a few kilometres from Ljubljana. From the valley, you can follow the footsteps of bears towards the Kočevsko region or explore the mysterious beauty of karst phenomena on or beneath the surface of the ground.

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Karst

The world of underground wonders, stunning natural phenomena and unique tastes.

Kočevje Region

Together with the Krokar primeval forest, which is inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List, the Kočevje Region makes for a truly mystical forest landscape.

Mediterranean & Karst Slovenia

Global surprises from salt pans to karst caves.

Ljubljana & Central Slovenia

Liveliness of the capital and nature hikes – to primeval forests.

Postojna cave

Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle are world-class attractions!

UNESCO World Heritage

Slovenian treasure troves of world heritage

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SlovenianBears – in the footsteps of the brown bear

Get your lens ready – here comes a brown bear!