The Karst Edge: a half-day guided hike
Guided by: Paul Veenvliet, Licensed Guide and Biologist
Just inland from the Slovenian coast lies a spectacular cliff: the Karst edge. It is known for its eagle owls and peregrine falcons, although both can be elusive. It is also a spectacular landscape where gently sloping meadows abruptly change to low forests. And then, rather unexpectedly, we stand above the Karst Edge itself from from where we can see the sea! The rocky landscape gives a harsh impression. Rainwater seeps deep down through cracks in the limestone, which leaves the surface dry.
Countless small animals have adapted to this place: butterflies and grasshoppers are abundant. In turn, they are prey for lizards and praying mantis. The vegetation is just as surprising: dry in winter with an abundant flush of flowers in spring, only to become dry again in the summer months. Here we can find wild orchids, irises and paeonies, as long as we are in the right place at the right time.
This area is one of my favourite places to explore, and I decided to add it to my programme of guided excursions in 2026. We meet at the new Karst edge information centre. From here, we have a short drive to the starting point of the hike. We start out at the edge of a typical Slovene karst village. We then walk walk over ever smaller paths along orchards, meadows and forest until we reach the Karst Edge cliff. After we take a break to admire the view (we can take as many breaks as you like, of course!), we follow the upper cliff edge. Eventually, we turn back to this village, where our delicious picnic lunch is waiting in my car.
Contact me for booking biologist.paul@gmail.com or tel ++386 41 902 110
What to bring:
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Water bottle
- Photo-camera
Important notes:
- Exclusively for your family or group! I do not combine groups. Small group sizes minimize disturbance to wildlife.
- Suitable for all ages but we have some altitude differences and walk over uneven rocks.
Category:
After driving to the starting point, we make a circular hike.
Meeting point:
At the Karst Edge visitors’ center in Črni Kal.
Tour duration:
9:00 – 13:00 h
Price (per person):
1 person: 120 €
2-6 persons: 70 €
Larger groups: please contact me for an offer
Children under 12 years of age are free of charge.
Picnic price (per person):
Adults: 15 €
Children under 12: 10 €
Sharing Nature with Bears
Brown bears are making a comeback in Slovenia: from a low of about 600 in the last years of the previous century to well over 1000 at the moment of writing. In response to the population growth, bears also disperse into areas where they were not seen for decades and even centuries. For many nature-loving tourists, the prospect to share the area with bears is an exciting and positive one; some of my guests specially choose to come to Slovenia because of the bears. At the same time, brown bears are large and strong animals and confrontations are not without risks. During this hike, I will tell (and hopefully show) how to recognise the tracks and traces that bears leave in the landscape, as well as what to do, and what not to do, when you see a bear.
