Julian Alps Biosphere Reserve
Mighty peaks that offer exceptional views, crystal clear waters sparkling in the sun, a green landscape that fills with serenity and delivers fresh energy. All this awaits you in the embrace of the Julian Alps, where the mountains also rise more than 2500 m high. The king among these peaks is Triglav, the highest Slovenian mountain, which has a great symbolic meaning for Slovenes.
The Julian Alps are the highest mountain group in Slovenia. They are located in north-western Slovenia and north-eastern Italy, covering a total area of more than 4,400 km2. Appropriate to their majesty, they were named after Gaius Julius Caesar. Most of the Julian Alps are covered by the Triglav National Park – the only national park in Slovenia.
Even though the Julian Alps are a completely uniform, complete mountain group, the deep transverse valleys and passes divide them into individual subgroups. The mountains are mainly divided into two parts: the Eastern Julian Alps and the Western Julian Alps. The much larger eastern part lies almost entirely on the territory of Slovenia, and of the Western Julian Alps only half of the Kanin group extends across the Slovenian-Italian border, and the most beautiful part of the Western Julian Alps – the Viša and Montaža group lies in Italy.
The plant life of the Julian Alps consists of a large number of rare and endemic species. The Triglav Rose is considered a symbol of Slovenian mountain flowers, which grow in the higher altitudes. The Julian Alps, with their rocky slopes, are also home to a diverse animal world – chamois, ibex, grouse, golden eagles, etc. have all found their home here.
Since 2003, the Julian Alps have been declared a biosphere reserve as part of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere International Program, which means special protection of their natural resources and biodiversity. The Julian Alps were the first Biosphere Reserve in Slovenia, thus becoming part of a global network of model regions for sustainable development.
The Julian Alps community unites 12 Slovenian municipalities (Bohinj, Bled, Radovljica, Kranjska Gora, Gorje, Jesenice, Žirovnica, Brda, Bovec, Kobarid, Tolmin and Kanal ob Soči) and their local tourist organizations and the public institution Triglav National Park. The purpose of cooperation between tourist areas and the operation of the Julian Alps Community is the coordinated and efficient management of the Julian Alps biosphere reserve as a sustainable tourist destination. Destinations working together to create tourism based on mutual respect, quality experiences and the preservation of the natural balance. We combine local cuisine, Alpine wellbeing, local brands and sustainable business meeting facilities to build a distinctive and authentic identity for the region.
The Julian Alps area is interwoven with a network of hiking and cycling trails, making it the ideal choice for an active break. For hikers and mountaineers, cyclists, climbers and other adrenaline enthusiasts, there are countless opportunities for active exploration of destinations.
