Julian Alps and Triglav National Park
Basic info
Development
Idea for creation: 1908. Establishment of the Alpine Protection Park: 1924 (1,400 ha). Designated as Triglav National Park: 1961 (2,000 ha). Extended to current area: 1981.
Interactive Map
Triglav National Park (TNP) lies in the Julian Alps. The park is the only national park in Slovenia and features a special nature conservation regime that is stricter than in landscape parks. The park area is dominated by high mountain karst. The vegetation is typical alpine, but due to the proximity of the Adriatic Sea and Mediterranean climate in the south-western area, Mediterranean plants are also present.
Naming: Triglav National Park is named after the highest Slovenian mountain, Triglav, which lies in the central park area.
Triglav (2,864 m)
Brief description of hydrology in TNP
There are two major sources in the Triglav National Park: the Soča River, which flows into the Adriatic Sea, and the Sava River, which flows towards the Black Sea. On the mostly varied mountain terrain of the karst, many permanent waterfalls are also worth mentioning. Waterfalls are particularly numerous in the Soča part of the park.
Soča
The Loška Koritnica springs between Mangrt (2,679 m) and Jalovec (2,645 m). Its tributaries have an extremely varied riverbed with many waterfalls. Predilnica is the right tributary of the Koritnica. Its highest waterfall is the 50 m high Predel waterfall. Also notable are Zaročenca (30 m) and the Oblique waterfall (20 m). Fratarica is the left tributary, springing below Oblica (2,246 m).
The stream covers 1,000 m of altitude difference over its short route. The highest waterfall is the three-stage Veliki Drsnik (112 m). In the Loška Koritnica valley, the Skok (Parabola; 48m) waterfall is easily accessible. Further down, the Koritnica meets the Možnica stream, featuring an 18 m waterfall under a natural bridge. The river flows through a 1 km canyon between Rombon and Vrh Krnice, with 60 m deep troughs visible from the Kluže fortress bridge.
In 1981, the picturesque Trenta Valley was included in the park. The Suhi potok flows through the Zapoden valley, featuring the highest permanent waterfall in TNP: Slap pod planino Zapotok (121 m). The Soča River itself originates in one of the most beautiful karst springs at 1,050 m. An old name for the upper Soča was Šnita.
The Mlinarica is known for its deep troughs. Nearby is the Juliana Alpine Botanical Garden. Above Na Logu, the Kloma stream falls down a 200 m slope. In lower Trenta, the Soča enters the Small Troughs, joined by the Vrsnik stream, which carved a 150 m long and 15 m deep canyon. The Lepena valley leads to Lake Krn, with the Lepenca and Šumnik streams. The Tolminka and Zadlaščica headwaters hide the Pščak waterfalls and a unique spiral waterfall in the Jelovšček ravine.
Sava
Below Lake Črno, the 78 m high Savica waterfall springs forth, feeding Lake Bohinj. North of the lake is the Voje valley with the Mostnica troughs. The Radovna river flows through the Bled Vintgar Gorge, ending with the 13 m high Šum waterfall.
In Tamar, the Nadiža springs, then disappears to emerge at Zelenci as the Sava Dolinka. The Črna voda waterfall falls 70 m here. The Mala Pišnica valley features a 30 m waterfall, while Martuljek features a spectacular four-stage waterfall. Guarding the Vrata Valley is the 52 m high Peričnik waterfall, and the Kot Valley contains the Kot waterfalls.
Lakes
The largest is the tectonic-glacial Lake Bohinj. High-altitude gems include the Triglav Lakes (Black, Double, etc.), Kriška Lakes, and Lake Krn.
Lake Bohinj
See also: (list of documented locations)
Author: Boštjan Burger, 1998 (1999)