Slovenia - Sunflower Books

‘Small is beautiful’ certainly applies to Slovenia, which is only half the size of Switzerland. With a population of just two million, the landscape is still essentially rural. The jagged snow-capped peaks of the Julian Alps contrast with fertile valleys, full of colour and activity. Porous limestone rock has created the karst landscape; typical features can be seen everywhere and are exciting to explore — from underground rivers emerging as cascading waterfalls to narrow gorges, caves and rock arches. The mountain valleys are immaculate, with strips of vegetables and corn amidst the hayfields and orchards. There are hop-growing areas and beautiful vineyards. Amongst these industrious people one senses an orderly contentment and a feeling that everything is in tune with nature.

Tour Slovenia by car or on foot; the opportunities are endless. This book covers the whole country except for the very northeast and southeast; there is an emphasis on the Julian Alps, with a large-scale touring map.

The best months for walking in Slovenia are May and June, September and October.


Car tour 1: A Circuit in the Julian Alps 16
Car tour 2: A Tour of Two Rivers 22
Car tour 3: Horses and History, Caves and Coast 25
Car tour 4: The Disappearing Lake and other Wonders 28
Car tour 5: Water and Wine 30
Car tour 6: Valleys and Mountains 33

The Walks
1 Circuit of Lake Bled 44
2 Bled · Selo · Kupljenik · Bohinjska Bela · Bled 46
3 Rudno Polje • Planina Prapropnica • Planina Zajamniki • Planina Prapropnica • Rudno Polje 49
4 Bled · Zasip · Vintgar · Podhom · Bled 51
5 Pokljuska Soteska 53
6 Rudno Polje · Visevnik · Blejska Koca · Rudno Polje 55
7 Aljazev Dom · Luknja · Aljazev Dom 57
8 Kranjska Gora · Spodnji Martuljkov Slap · Kranjska Gora 60
9 Kranjska Gora · Srednji Vrh · Kranjska Gora 62
10 Vrsic · Slemenova Spica · Vrsic 64
11 Izvir Soce · Zapoden · Vrsic · Izvir Soce 66
12 Soska Pot: Trenta · Izvir Soce · Trenta 68
13 Bovec · Cezsoca · Kal · Koritnica · Bovec 71
14 Gornje Drezniske Ravne * Krasji Vrh • Gornje Drezniske Ravne 74
15 Planina Kuhinja · Krn · Batognica · Jezero v Luznici · Planina Kuhinja 76
16 Kobarid · Tonocov Grad · Slap Kozjak · Kobarid 79
17 Na Gradu • Kuk • Na Gradu 81
18 Dreznica Waterfalls 84
19 Strzisce · Kal · Crna Prst · Rodica · Strzisce 86
20 Ribcev Laz · Ukanc · Slap Savica · Ukanc 88
21 Koca pri Savici · Crno Jezero · Koca pri Savici 91
22 Stara Fuzina · Mostnica Gorge · Voje · Slap Mostnice · Voje · Mostnica Gorge · Stara Fuzina 93
23 Ribcev Laz · Rudnica · Srednja Vas · Studor · Stara Fuzina · Ribcev Laz 95
24 Ski Hotel Vogel · Planina Zadnji Vogel · Vogel · Sija · Ski Hotel Vogel 98
25 Idrija · Divje Jezero · Idrija 100
26 Slap Prsjak 101
27 Predmeja · Koca A. Bavcerja · Kucelj · Koca A. Bavcerja · Predmeja 102
28 Hrastovlje · Sv. Stefan · Dol · V. Gradez · Lacna · Hrastovlje 104
29 Skocjan Caves Visitor Centre · Grad Skolj · Famlje · Grad Skolj · Skocjan · Matavun · Skocjan Caves Visitor Centre 107
30 Cerknica · Velika Slivnica · Cerknica 109
31 Rakov Skocjan 111
32 Rogaska Slatina · Tuncovec · Sv. Florjan · Zgornje Secovo · Rogaska Slatina 114
33 Virstanj · Sela · Volavsek · Virstanj 116
34 Rogla · Sedlo Komisija · Mulejev Vrh · Lovrenska Jezera · Sedlo Komisija · Rogla 118
35 Areh · Veliki Sumik · Areh 120
36 Upper Cable Car Station · Velika Planina · Gojska Planina · Mala Planina · Sv. Primoz and Sv. Peter · Stahovica 122
37 Slevo · Kamniski Vrh · Planjava · Planina Osredek · Ravne Senozeti · Slevo 125
38 Robanov Kot · Robanova Planina · Robanov Kot 127
39 Logarska Dolina · Slap Rinka · Logarska Dolina 129
40 Slap Rinka · Okreselj · Slap Rinka 131
41 Podolseva (Sv. Duh) · Potocka Zijavka · Govca · Podolseva (Sv. Duh) 133