- DARK DEEP FORESTS IN SLOVENIA
It is a little known fact that Slovenia is one of the most densely
forested countries in Europe and is probably the only European country
whose forests have actually grown in the last half century.Half of the
country or a good million hectares is covered with forest.The extensive
forests of Pohorje alone, produce enough clean air for three countries the
size of Slovenia-wonderful for athletes, for cross-country skiing,bicycling,for
hiking,for health and relaxation!
In the autumn, the extensive larch groves turn gold and orange;in
one of the hidden corners of the Julian Alps grows a larch that is over
1100 years old, one of the oldest in existance.The forests are full of
wildlife such as red and roe deer, marmot,mountain sheep,chamois and mountain
eagle.The ground is covered with a rich abundance of flowers.More than
ten different species grow wild nowhere else in the world.
My advice is to visit absolutly the Vrtaška planina to the west
of Mojstrana, with its wealth of flora and fauna, constitutes one of the
most precious parts of the Triglav National Park.
Some of these flowers are true beauties: the Zois bellflower,the
Frolich gentian, and the Carniola cowslip.
One need only see the vast fields of daffodils that cover the slopes
of the Kravanke mountain range in spring or gaze upon the yellow Kerner
poppy that sprouts exuberantly from the most rugged scree, the Triglav
Heavenly Herald growing on the higest peaks or the blood red rhododendron
all over these slopes to understand one of the oldest known tourist inscriptions
in the Slovene Alps:My greatest joy is in the mountains.