Guide: Upper Carniola

Upper Carniola

Gorenjska (Upper Carniola) is a mountainous region that encompasses sunny mountain ranges and valleys of the Eastern Alps.

Several peaks reach above two thousand meters of which Triglav in Julian Alps is the highest that is also the highest mountain in the Republic of Slovenia (2864 m) and a symbol of Slovenian identity and is therefore also in the Slovenian coat of arms. The central part of the Julian Alps that has all the characteristics of high mountains of Karst was proclaimed as the Triglav National park.

Gorenjska is one of the economically most developed regions of Slovenia with strong and diversified industry, craft and winter as well as summer tourism. In the agriculture sector cattle-breeding and forestry are especially noticeable. Larger cities are Kranj, Jesenice, Tržič, and Škofja Loka. Gorenjska has a lot of marked hiking treks and climbing areas. More than half of Slovenian mountain huts are located in Gorenjska region.

Kranjska gora is a popular tourist destination that is inviting visitors in summer with recreation and sport (hiking, climbing, biking, riding horses, parachuting, and fishing) and in the winter with excellent skiing slopes and other winter pleasures. The nearby Planica is a traditional world renowned center of ski jumps.  

The pearls of Gorenjska are certainly the magical lakes of Bled and Bohinj. Bled with its romantic island in the middle of the lake and with a castle above the lake has been attracting visitors for centuries to which the bathing areas, hotels with pools, walking routes, tennis and golf courses, casino, airport in Lesce, near-by natural and cultural attractions provide a lot of reasons for visit.

Bohinj with its crystal clear mountain lake inspires the visitors with the natural beauties and near-by skiing slopes of Vogel, Kobla, and Soriška planina. The close-by Pokljuka is a paradise for hikers and mushroom-pickers as well as a sight of world-renowned biathlon competitions.

Gorenjska is typified by the specific Alpine house and festive folk costume that often appear as Slovenian national symbols in addition to the hay-rack, painted coffers, forged window frames and bee-hives.