"The Slovenia we are exploring is wet, even soaked. For four weeks, it rained almost every day. As we get used to it, we find that it adds to the charm of the mysterious scenery.
There are as many inhabitants in Slovenia as in Paris intra muros, on an area comparable to that of Picardy, while 60% of the territory is covered by forest. In this country 31 times smaller than France, there are 20 times more bears. It is a varied playground for nature lovers like us: steep mountains, crystal clear rivers, picturesque lakes and enchanted forests...
We ended up spending a lot more time in Slovenia than we had planned, because we felt comfortable there and because we felt that there was a lot to discover here. We found open and welcoming people, an overflowing nature and extraordinarily clean paths.
Considered one of the most beautiful rivers in the world, its amazing turquoise color is due to the minerals that run through it. From its source in the Triglav National Park, the river is punctuated by gorges, waterfalls and suspension bridges. If the river is widely used by whitewater tourism in summer, in autumn we were absolutely alone to enjoy it.
It is often said that Slovenia is a country of forests, less is said about its hundreds of waterfalls. At the end of 2018, the storm Adrian that hit northern Italy had also passed through northwestern Slovenia. When we arrived in the country, the rivers had rarely been so full and the many waterfalls were supplied with water like never before.
We didn't know it, but Slovenia is home to more than 8000 caves, especially in the Inner Carniola region, in the west of the country. Only 20 of them are open to the public. We had the chance to visit the Krizna cave. An underground wonder, incredibly preserved. We loved the fact that the cave is preserved as naturally as possible. The number of visits is limited and the layout is simple and rough in order to respect the fragile balance of this place.
The lake of Cerknica is known to be the largest intermittent lake in Europe. A real geological curiosity, it goes from a few pools in summer to a surface of 38 square kilometers in winter. The water flows through natural siphons in the limestone subsoil. In the rainy season, the lake can appear suddenly.
"All the border crossings of this adventure will remain engraved in our memory. All are different and full of emotions. We cross some borders with regret and others, full of excitement to discover the next country.
This crossing of the Alps, let's be honest, is a certain pride. The final bouquet is there, at the height of the rest, on this windy and snowy pass".
After four months in the Alps and with winter approaching, we chose a forest rather than a mountain route for our crossing of Slovenia. The forest could be the symbol of Slovenia. It covers almost 60% of the territory making Slovenia the fourth most forested country in Europe.
Following rivers, discovering picture-postcard waterfalls, exploring caves, crossing forests and crossing legendary lakes, all that nature has to offer is concentrated in this small country. Slovenia is the country with the most protected land (as a percentage of its area) in the world. 54.5 % of the territory is a protected area.
Discover the photos of our crossing of Slovenia from the Sella Prevala, overlooking the Soča valley to the primary forests of the south of the country. A dive in the heart of Slovenia, its caves, its waterfalls and its mythical forests.
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