Your guide to the beautiful Zelenci Nature Reserve, Slovenia

Zelenci are a 54 ha wetland nature reserve near Podkoren, just outside of Kranjska Gora. The Zelenci nature reserve is best known for the gorgeous emerald-green Lake Zelenci with the towering Julian Alps providing a breathtaking backdrop.

Zelenci are tiny, but their beauty is mighty! We keep returning to this little slice of paradise at every chance we get and we’re sure you’ll fall in love with with them too.

 

Where is Zelenci nature reserve?

The Zelenci reserve is less than 5 kilometres from Kranjska Gora Slovenia and is close to the Italian and Austrian border.

Zelenci Nature Reserve lies in the beautiful Sava valley at the northern edge of Triglav National Park and it is surrounded by the Julian Alps on one side and Karavanke on the other.

The beautiful Zelenci Lake is located on the west side of the reserve, furthest from Kranjska Gora.

 

Lake Zelanci

Lake Zelenci is also known as Zelenci springs or the springs of the Sava Dolinka, the longest river in Slovenia.

Very cold and marvellously clean underground springs boil trough a layer of lake chalk at the bottom, forming mini volcanoes of bubbles and giving the lake its distinct green color.

The water has a constant temperature of 5- 6°C throughout the year and it does not freeze in winter.

Zelenci get their name from the color of the lake, zelen, which means green in Slovenian. And this lake really is what this reserve is all about. Well, the lake and the views obviously.

 

 

Zelenci nature reserve

The Zelenci reserve is tiny and most of it is not accessible. It is only possible to visit the lake and cross a wooden bridge about 300 metres downstream.

Many endangered species of flora and fauna have found their home in the Zelenci wetlands. In the lake you’ll find trouts, in the bushes and marsh nearby you might see sortks, herons and blackbirds, but if you get off track you might stumble upon snakes too.

There are vipers nesting in the marsh. They like to keep to themselves and usually avoid the paths with loads of foot traffic so there’s no need to be afraid. Snakes feel the vibrations of people approaching and they usually hide. However, venturing off the path is not allowed for preservation reasons.

 

Walking path to Lake Zelenci

There is a well maintained walking path leading from the Zelenci carpark to Zelenci lake. The easy, mostly flat walk is only about 500 metres long and takes less than 15 minutes.

The path will lead you from the carpark into the forest. Stay left at the fork and you’ll soon arrive to a wide wooden pathway along the lake. The path is accessible year round and you will return to the carpark the same way.

There are two platforms above the water and a wooden tower where you can relax and enjoy the views.

 

Getting to Zelenci Nature Reserve

 

Getting to Zelenci Nature Reserve by car

The Zelenci carpark is located just off the road 202 between Kranjska Gora and the Italian border. It is a 4.5km drive from Kranjska Gora and you’ll see the carpark on your left soon after you pass Podkoren.

 

Getting to Zelenci Nature Reserve by bus

There is no bus stop at Zelenci. If you choose to travel by public transport you’ll need to first make your way to Kranjska Gora and then hop on the bus to Ratece. From Ratece you’ll have to backtrack to Zelenci. It is about 20min walk from Ratece to the Zelenci carpark.

 

Walking or biking to Zelenci Nature Reserve

It is possible to walk or bike to Zelenci from Kranjska Gora along a tarmac road with little car traffic and beautiful views. The walk takes one hour and is 5 kilometres long.

From Kranjska Gora town make your way to the ski field and continue along Borovška road to the Podkoren ski fields.

Soon after the Podkoren ski field carparks you’ll follow a walking path to the right which takes you over the wooden bridge over Sava river. This is already part of the Zelenci nature reserve.

Turn left as you cross the river and continue for another 5 minutes to the Zelenci carpark from where you continue the walk to the lake.

 

Best time to visit Zelenci

We’ve visited Zelenci park in all seasons and can honestly say that they’re beautiful year round. Observing the change of seasons in this nature reserve is quite a treat!

Lake Zlenci is especially stunning in winter when the surroundings are covered in snow and the mesmerising green color of the lake becomes even prettier. Remember, the lake does not freeze.

Spring is also a fabulous time to visit. The valley turns bright green with colourful blossoms everywhere while the mountains keep their white caps on.

Summer is high season and probably our least favourite time of the year to visit Zelenci. The lake is small and there’s limited space on the pathway and platforms so it can get very busy. If you’re travelling in summer, we recommend you try to avoid visiting on a weekend.

Autumn is another colourful season when the park looks absolutely stunning and in late autumn you’ll even get white capped mountains for that perfect backdrop.

When visiting Zelenci the time of day is more important than the season. The most beautiful views are towards the west and on a sunny afternoon you’ll be blinded by the sun. Particularly if you’d like to take photos it is best to visit Zelenci in the morning.

 

Where to stay

The closest villages to Zelenci are Ratece and Podkoren, however these are small and have limited facilities. If you’d like to spend more time around Zelenci, Kranjska Gora is the best place to base yourself.

 

Other attractions nearby

Zelenci Park is located just outside of Kranjska Gora making it the perfect pitstop as you explore the surrounding area or do some hiking in Triglav National Park.

We recommend you also check out:

• Lake Jasna
• Martuljek Forest & Martuljek Waterfall
• Pericnik Waterfall & Vrata Valley
• Planica Nordic Centre (Worlds biggest ski jumping hill and you can even zip line down!)
• Tamar Valley
• Vrsic Pass
• Triglav National Park

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Have you been to Zelenci? Would you like to go?
Let us know in the comments below!

 

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