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General information

History and vision of Triglav National Park 

Triglav TNP 1360 600 2

The Triglav National Park is the only Slovenian national park. The park was named after Triglav, the highest mountain in the heart of the park, which is also the highest summit in Slovenia (2864 m).

The Triglav National Park extends along the Italian border and close to the Austrian border in the north-west of Slovenia, that is, in the south-eastern section of the Alps. Its territory is nearly identical with that occupied by the Eastern Julian Alps. The park covers 840 square kilometres, or 4% of the territory of Slovenia. The Triglav National Park is one of the oldest European parks; the first protection dates back to 1924 when the Alpine Conservation Park was founded. 

The origin of the name Triglav is rather uncertain. Triglav (»three-headed«) owes its name to its characteristic shape as seen from the south-east side or to the highest Slavic deity who was supposed to have its throne on the top of the mountain. 

TNP history milestones:

1908 – first proposal by Prof. Albin Belar; unfortunately, the idea was not realized

1924 – The Alpine Conservation Park in the Triglav Lakes Valley was founded (1600 ha)

1961 – The decree promulgating the Triglav Lakes Valley as the Triglav National Park (2000 ha)

1981 – the Law on the Triglav National Park defined the park's present borders 

2010 – Adoption of the new TNP Act  

Total surface area:

83.982 ha

First protective regime:

31.488 ha

Second protective regime:

32.412 ha

Third protective regime:

20.082 ha

Highest point:

Triglav – 2864 m

Lowest point:

Tolminka Gorge – 180 m

Number of settlements:

33 (21 entirely, 12 partly)

Number of inhabitants:

2.337 (January 2018)

Municipalities in the park:

Bovec (30.1%), Bohinj (26.3%), Kranjska Gora (16.9%), Bled (1,8%), Tolmin (8.4%), Kobarid (3.7%), Gorje (12,7%) and Jesenice (0.1%).

Managing authority:

Triglav National Park Public Institution

International status:
  • National park IUCN category II (national park) and Category V (protected landscape)
  • Julian Alps Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO) since 2003
  • Natura 2000
  • Member of Europarc Federation (since 1986) and ALPARC Network (since 1995), international cooperation with Hochtaunus Natural Park (Germany), Snowdonia National Park (Wales), Hohe Tauern (Austria) Les Ecrins (France), Crater Lake National Park (USA) and Natural Reserve Kronotsky (Russia). 
  • European Diploma of Protected Areas (2004)
  • Federation Europarc's Certificate of Excelence for Transboundary Cooperation with Prealpi Giulie Natural Park (2009), Certificate for Ecological Transboundary Pilote region for Ecological Connectivity (2014) and Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (2016) with Prealpi Giulie Natural Park
  • European Union Prize for cultural heritage / Europa Nostra awards for the safeguarding of a rare and authentic example of 18th century alpine architectural and ethnological heritage on Pocar Farm in Zgornja Radovna (2007)

The vision of the Triglav National Park 

As a unique area of protected nature in the Alps, the Triglav National Park's priority objectives are conservation of ecosystems and natural processes, natural assets, diversity of habitats, plant and animal species, landscape quality and landscape diversity.

In the settled parts of the national park, the primary focus is to safeguard the cultural heritage and landscape quality, which is the result of long-term harmony between nature and man. With the support of competent government bodies, the inhabitants of the Park are ensured suitable economic and social conditions that promote sustainable development of activities that enable and encourage maintenance of populations and high-quality living and working environment, typical identity and traditional use of natural resources.  

Conservation of natural and cultural heritage, sustainable development and communication with the general public are the challenges and tasks of the Triglav National Park, which assists the inhabitants and visitors to the Park through active cooperation, helping them become fully aware of the role and importance of protecting nature, cultural heritage and sustainable development in the Alps.

The national park is a model example of successful harmonisation of different interests focused on a common goal: well-preserved nature, landscape and cultural heritage. The values of a national park are a motive and an attractive goal for visitors who respect the exceptional nature and cultural heritage as well as the peace and quiet of the area. Through various forms of sustainable mobility and suitable park infrastructure visitors are directed towards less vulnerable parts of the national park where they are offered a wealth of opportunities for nature experience and relaxation.