Slovenia Mountains
Most of Slovenia is mountainous or hilly, particularly its northern part along the border with Austria. Running from east to west are the Julian Alps, the Karavanke range and the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Slovenia's highest peak, Triglav, is in the Julian Alps, while the foothills of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps are just half an hour's drive from the capital, Ljubljana. All the mountain groups include peaks over 2,000 metres high. Further to the east lies the mighty Pohorje, a highland area reaching heights of around 1,500 metres.
JULIAN ALPS
The wonders of the Goriška region include the beautiful Alpine peaks and valleys of the Triglav National Park, the enchanting wine winegrowing areas of Goriška Brda and the Vipava Valley, and the hills around Cerkno and Idrija. One of the most distinctive and recognisable sights of the region is the emerald river Soča.
In the upper part of the valley is the picturesque village of Trenta, which hosts the Triglav National Park Information Office, a museum, and the Julijana Botanical Garden, Slovenia's most important alpine botany center. The spots beside the emerald river attract seekers of tranquility as well as those seeking adrenalin challenges. Here, numerous water sports are available, from kayaking and canoeing to rafting and canyoning. Visitors can also experience the valley with parachutes, hang-gliders, and mountain bikes. Slovenia's highest ski center on Mount Kanin is accessible from the valley where the majority of accommodations and restaurants are to be found in Bovec, Kobarid, and Tolmin.
Idrija is home to a world-famous lacemaking tradition, a mercury mine that was once one of the most important in the world, and Gewerkenegg Castle with its museum collections.
Picturesque Goriška Brda, to the north of the city of Nova Gorica, is a winegrowing area that produces some of Slovenia's finest wines. Another interesting town is Kanal, which hosts an annual event involving jumping from a stone bridge into the river Soča.
Nova Gorica is surrounded by many other sights of interest (Kostanjevica Monastery, Sveta Gora, Kromberk Castle, the Solkan Railway Bridge). Not far from the city is the Trnovo and Banjšice Plateau, a wonderful area with its own microclimate, full of folk traditions and interesting natural sights. Towards the east is the green Vipava Valley, a well-known wine district above which paragliders and skydivers from all over the world spread their wings.
POHORJE
The wider region around the river Drava contains many attractive tourist destinations offering natural and cultural sights of interest and a wide range of recreational and sports activities and gastronomic pleasures. From Maribor, Slovenia's second-largest city, and green Pohorje, unique among Slovenia's mountain regions, to winegrowing areas and most famous Slovenia thermal spas (Terme Ptuj, Slovenia, Terme 3000, Moravske Toplice, Slovenia, Terme Banovci, Slovenia): the Podravska region has something for everyone.
The Mariborsko Pohorje ski area, overlooking the hill vineyards that reach right into the city, has the Snow Stadium, a venue for international ski competitions and romantic night skiing, and the Adrenaline Park, full of exciting challenges. Higher up, Bolfenk with its Natural and Cultural Heritage Centre and Areh with its little Baroque church can be reached by chairlift. This part of Pohorje is popular with locals and tourists alike. Those seeking relaxation can find it at the Terme Maribor spa. Destinations along the Drava are particularly attractive in summer - in the city itself there is the Lent district, famous for its Lent Slovenia, international summer festival. Other destinations on the river include the Mariborski Otok Nature Park and the nearby reservoir of Brestrniško Jezero.
From Mariborsko Pohorje the view stretches over the Drava-Ptuj Plain to the Haloze Hills and Slovenske Gorice. Here you can explore over 50 kilometres of wine routes. Along the way you will find wine shops and farms ready to serve excellent white varietal wines and delicious food to walkers and cyclists.
Source: STO
