Different zones of the Alps — of different ages and from different rocks, different in appearance, separated by tectonic faults. There are three zones in Slovenia: the Julian Alps, the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the Karavanki Alps.
Julian Alps (Julian Alps)
The largest massif in northwestern Slovenia and a little bit in Italy. These are the largest and highest mountains in Slovenia. Almost the entire area is occupied by the Triglav National Park, and its eponymous mountain at 2864 meters is the highest in Slovenia. For comparison, the highest peak of the Alps, Mount Mont Blanc on the border of France and Italy, is almost 2 km higher.
This region is the most touristy, so when people talk about the «Slovenian Alps», they usually mean it. There are several lakes in this area: Blajsko, Bohinj, Jasna — just the most famous of them. In winter it is the country’s main ski resort, and in summer it is the center of hiking.
Kamniško-Savinjske Alpe (Kamniško-Savinjske Alpe)
The mountains in the northern part are named after the town of Kamnik and the Savinja River. Therefore, the western part of this massif is called the Kamnik Alps and the eastern part the Savinja Alps.
The Kamnik-Sawinja Alps have several compact and beautiful valleys, each of which can be hiked in a day. The main hiking routes in the region are the Solčava Panoramic Road and the Logar Valley.
The Kamnik-Savinja Alps are one of the most forested areas in Slovenia. Forests cover almost 70% of the territory. The highest point is Mount Grintovec (Grintovec) with a height of 2558 m.
Karavanke
The Karavanka ridge is the natural border between Austria and Slovenia. It is mainly located in Austria, enters Slovenia in the north and ends in the east with the low Pohorje Mountains. Thanks to them, there are also ski slopes near Maribor.
The road from the Kamnik Alps to the Savina Alps runs just along the Karavanki, through two passes and the two borders of Slovenia and Austria. Along the eastern part of the ridge runs the border separating the Austrian region of Carinthia and the Slovenian region of Upper Carniola (Krajna). The triple border between the former Austro-Hungarian duchies of Carinthia, Carniola and Styria runs on Mount St. Ursula (Uršlja gora).
Dinarides
South of the Julian Alps, near the town of Nova Gorica, another mountain range begins on the Karst Plateau — the Dinaric Highlands, or Dinarides. These mountains run from Slovenia through Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro and end in Albania. The highest peak of the Dinarides within Slovenia is Mount Snežnik (Snežnik), at 1,795 meters, which is the highest non-alpine peak in the country.
The Dinarides in Slovenia are low mountains and hills, stony and windswept. Almost everywhere there are views of the Adriatic Sea.
Although the Dinarides are often referred to as the Dinaric Alps, they have nothing to do with «those» Alps — it’s just that the ancient Romans called all high mountains alps.
