The Triglav National Park

by David Robertson ~ 17-Oct-2009 ~ updated 03-Dec-2009

The Triglav National Park is the only national park in Slovenia and is named after the country’s highest peak, Triglav (2864m).

Triglav, Slovenia's highest mountain

The park is one of the oldest in Europe and it originally covered the Triglav Lakes Valley (aka the Seven Lakes Valley) area only. In 1981 its present day borders were defined and it now covers most of the Slovenian Julian Alps, nearly 84.000 hectares.

The primary aim of the national park is . . .

“. . . the protection of nature, conservation of outstanding nature and culture, protection of endemic, rare and threatened plant and animal species, natural ecosystems and elements of inanimate nature, as well as the conservation and maintenance of the cultural landscape”.

Triglav National Park map

The management of the Triglav National Park is the responsibility of the Triglav National Park Public Institution, based in Bled. There is a lot more information on their website.

Less than 2500 people live in the park but around 1.6million people visit each year and the park tries to balance the needs of its inhabitants and those of its visitors, whilst at the same time protecting the natural environment. The strictest regulations are in the mountain areas but in the valleys more relaxed protection is in place in order to help those people who live and work in the park.

For the visitor there are some simple “Do’s and Don’ts”, which are mainly common sense.

Triglav National Park rules

Do not pick plants/flower or disturb birds and animals
Do not start or cause fires
Take your litter home
Wild camping is not allowed – this applies throughout Slovenia
Do not damage alpine huts, signs,visitors’ book or altitude stamps
Keep dogs under control
Take care not to cause rock falls
Keep gates closed
Keep on tracks and paths
Heed warning signs
Make no unnecessary noise
Greet other walkers – “Dober Dan” and a smile are sufficient!

In our guidebook to Slovenia there are 41 walks, 16 of which, at least in part, are within the Park. Click here to see our walks in the Triglav National Park.