{"id":2068,"date":"2019-01-26T00:47:33","date_gmt":"2019-01-25T23:47:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/?p=2068"},"modified":"2019-01-26T00:47:33","modified_gmt":"2019-01-25T23:47:33","slug":"koroska-natures-little-secret","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/the-slovenia.com\/en\/travel-lifestyle\/koroska-natures-little-secret\/","title":{"rendered":"KORO\u0160KA: Nature\u2019s little secret"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Most people associate Carinthia with Austria, but its south-easternmost province lies in the territory of Slovenia, close to the Austrian border 100km or so to the northeast of Ljubljana. Koro\u0161ka (Slovene for Carinthia) encompasses three valleys, the Me\u017ea, Drava and Mislinja as well as the three mountain ranges of Pohorje, Karavanke and the Savinja Alps.<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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It may be one of the smaller regions in Slovenia, but it\u2019s all the more diverse and picturesque. Its plentiful gems are scattered throughout numerous little towns, villages and the surrounding valleys stretching far below the mighty mountain peaks, which dominate the skyline. Koro\u0161ka is one of the hilliest and most forested regions in Slovenia. It is marked by white stones and the soft edges of the hills which form its distinctive vista with green forest tones of the deep, dark and at some points almost impenetrable woods. It\u2019s perfect for hikers as they have many options to choose from such as the European Long Distance Path E6 or the Slovenian Mountain Trail, which cut through the region. Trails popular with hikers include the Koro\u0161ka Alpine Trail, the peaks of Ur\u0161lja Gora, Pohorje, Kozjak and Smerkovec as well as the more demanding ascents to Peca, Ol\u0161eva and Raduha. The experience of unspoiled nature is enhanced by the solitude. You will almost never stumble upon hordes of mountaineers. Koro\u0161ka boasts more than 1,000 kilometers of marked (either on the ground or with maps) cycling tracks, so you can create unlimited combinations for a tour up, down, between or even (literally!) through the mountains. The strategic position of the turbulent border region has always dictated the lively cultural and artistic vibe of Koro\u0161ka, which can be viewed through its rich heritage. Koro\u0161ka boasts farms of the highest altitude in Slovenia, which are dispersed throughout the entire region. Local hospitality can be experienced at the numerous inns and tourist farms dotted across the countryside. Natural, homemade and traditional are the perfect words to describe the local cuisine, the best of which is the tasty brown or rye bread and the excellent cider made from age-old varieties of apple. Info: <\/strong>www.koroska.si<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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THE ME\u017dA VALLEY:<\/strong> The Me\u017ea Valley is a part of the cross-border UNESCO global Geopark Karavanke. Here you can find a truly inspiring and successful example of how to turn one industry into another, where the former mine in Me\u017eica has been cleverly transformed into the fascinating Tourist Mine and Museum, an underground visitors\u2019 attraction where it\u2019s possible to not only learn about the work that used to take place in the mine but to also indulge in things such as subterranean cycling and kayaking deep in the mine\u2019s former working shafts. For those who prefer to cycle outdoors and with stunning views, the nearby Peca Mountain Bike Park offers some incredible experiences. There is a veritable labyrinth of paths and tracks snaking around and through the valleys and mountains. The park currently consists of the Single Trail Park Jamnica and the heart-stopping 12km-decent Flow Trail Petzen (the longest in Europe) on the other side of the border. For the really adventurous mountaineers there\u2019s also the Koro\u0161ka Mountain Challenge, over 80km over and around five of the highest peaks in the region, which if completed in less than 24 hours earn the climber\u2019s membership to the prestigious Club 24. For others it’s recommended, these amazing trails should be savored over a period of several days. For the less adventurous, the region also has several other tempting treats including excursions to the 770-year-old \u2018mother of all Slovenian lime trees\u2019 and the amazing Topla Regional Park at the foot of Mount Peca. And, if you\u2019re craving something less wild, we suggest a visit to the charming little town of Ravne na Koro\u0161kem, the biggest in the region where you\u2019ll find the Forma Viva steel sculptures exhibition and a modern sports center plus plenty of things to see and do.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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