Triglav National Park

Triglav National Park protects a large area of the Julian Alps in western Slovenia. The park is named for Mount Triglav, the highest mountain the country (9,450 feet), which is located in the center of the park.

The mountain is a Slovenian national symbol and is featured on its flag. It is said that one cannot be truly Slovenian until one has climbed Triglav.

Several glacial lakes are inside the park, with Lake Bohinj the largest and along with the Bled, among the most popular. The highest lakes in Slovenia are the Kriska Jezera, three tiny lakes at altitudes ranging from 5,906 to 7,217 feet.

Waterfalls along the rivers and streams are another popular feature of the park.

Animal life in the park is varied. The soca trout, golden eagle, capercaillie and black grouse are especially well known in the region.

Chamois are the best-represented game species. In recent decades, species that long ago become extinct in the park, such as the ibex, the marmot and the mufflon, have been reintroduced.

Mountaineering is one of the oldest and most popular sports in Slovenia, and it is popular in the park. More than 100 peaks in Triglav exceed 6,562 feet. All the peaks are accessible from a network of more than 4,000 miles of trails, and there are numerous lodges for hikers and climbers to utilize.

The Vogel ski resort, located near Lake Bohinj, runs cable cars up the mountains year-round, allowing access to a 3,281-foot high lookout point. The Vrsic Pass is the highest paved mountain pass in the country at 5,285 feet.