Where is Zelenci Nature Reserve

The Zelenci Nature Reserve is nestled in the foothills of the Julian Alps in the very northwest of Slovenia, about 5 kilometres drive from the popular town of Kranjska Gora.

It is located at the crossroads of Central Europe, as the picturesque area borders with Italy on the west and Austria on the south.

The reserve itself is set within a stunning alpine valley on the northern edge of the Triglav National Park, only just off road #202 in the direction of Italy.

About Zelenci Nature Reserve

Covering roughly 15 hectares of untouched natural splendour, the Zelenci Nature Reserve is well-known for its emerald-green lake and the scenic wetlands surrounding it.

With incredible natural and geological feats, this reserve is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including Common Rosefinches, Viviparous Lizards and European Adders to name a few.

For the above reasons, it is highly advised to remain on the path at all times, so don’t think it’s okay to wander off the path to obtain a slightly different perspective of the lake.

Thanks to the combination of the reserve’s phenomenal appearance and the distinctive flora and fauna that is found here, Zelenci was officially declared a nature reserve by the municipality of Jesenice in 1992.

Named after its emerald-green colour (Zelenci meaning green in Slovenian), the eponymous lake is the absolute centrepiece of the reserve, and will not freeze during the colder winter months as the temperature stays pretty constant throughout the year at 6°C.

The reserve itself is relatively compact and is home to a short but scenic boardwalk, which eventually guides you to a scenic observation tower that is nestled on the edge of the lake.

As it’s located in the foothills of the Triglav National Park, the views that are obtained here are truly breathtaking and will leave visitors with an unforgettable outdoor experience.

How to get to Zelenci Nature Reserve

Zelenci is impressively easy to visit, especially if you set out on an adventurous road trip in Slovenia (coming soon).

If you’re travelling from Bled, Bovec, Mangart, Vrisc, or Lake Jasna by car, you have to make your way over to Kransjka Gora, before heading west along the #202 road in the direction of Italy. 

Once you’ve passed Kranjska Gora, it takes only 5km until you reach the Zelenci Nature Reserve, where you’ll notice a small parking lot on the left side of the main road.

If you’re spending a few days in Kranjska Gora, it’s also completely possible to walk to Zelenci. 

From Kranjska Gora, it takes about 1 – 1.5 hours to complete the 5km trail from Kransjka Gora to the reserve’s parking lot.

Since Zelenci is tucked away in the very northwest of Slovenia, public transportation options are limited, with no bus stop close to Zelenci Nature Reserve.

If you’re still keen to take the local bus, the closest bus stop is situated in Podkoren, about 15-minutes walk away from the reserve.

Zelenci Nature Reserve Path

When arriving at the reserve, it’s pretty straightforward to reach the Zelenci lake, as there’s only one walking path between the car park and the lake.

Guiding you through the dense forest of Zelenci, the path is scenic, well-maintained and only 500 metres long, and it should take only 15 minutes before you reach Zelenci Lake.

Once you’re done taking in the spectacular views, you simply follow the exact same path back to the car park.

Since the reserve is pretty well maintained, the path is accessible at any time of year.

The pristine Zelenci Lake

At the core of the Zelenci Nature Reserve is the utterly stunning Zelenci Lake, a pristine emerald lake that is also referred to as the Zelenci Springs.

Crystal clear, and as tranquil as can be, the lake is truly breathtaking, making it the perfect refuge for a wide variety of impressive water creatures, nesting birds, and even amphibians.

On top of that, the lake is home to an observation tower that provides even more impressive views of Lake Zelenci, not to mention the incredible surroundings; think towering pine trees, lush vegetation, and the snow-topped peaks of the Julian Alps that mirror in the calm waters of the lake.

A moment here is a moment well spent, and if you ask me, Zelenci is one of the absolute highlights on any adventurous road trip through Slovenia.

The best time of year to visit Zelenci Nature Reserve

As with most places in Slovenia, Zelenci Nature Reserve is truly stunning at any time of year.

I’ve visited Zelenci Nature Reserve twice now, and have seen it covered in snow during winter, and completely taken over by the golden hues of autumn in fall – both circumstances were exceptionally beautiful and great for photography.

Then there is summer (June to August), which is generally the best time to visit Slovenia given its excellent weather and lengthy days. 

However, it is worth noting that Zelenci gets extremely busy throughout the European summer months, so, therefore, I’d personally prefer a visit during the shoulder seasons.

The best time of day to visit Zelenci Nature Reserve

Since Zelenci’s is rapidly increasing in popularity, I would strongly advise arriving at the reserve early in the morning, when it’s a lot less crowded.

Furthermore, the light conditions will also be more in your favour during an early visit, as the gentle morning light transforms the lake into a huge mirror reflecting the stunningly beautiful surroundings of the lake.

To me, the time of day is significantly more important than the time of year when visiting Zelenci, given the best views are acquired if you look towards the west, meaning you get blinded by the sun in the afternoon.

Another thing worth mentioning is that Zelenci becomes pretty busy during the weekends.

I personally visited Zelenci Nature Reserve in the early morning and had excellent light conditions and only a few other people around, which was great for photography.

Where to stay in Kransjka Gora

If you’re travelling around Slovenia slowly, I’d suggest spending some time in Kransjka Gora, so you can easily explore Zelenci and other surrounding highlights as a day trip from your base in this quaint little town.

Milka Boutique Hotel | By far the most luxurious option in Kransjka Gora, Milka Boutique Hotel offers an exceptional boutique experience in the heart of the Julian Alps. All rooms are decorated to perfection and offer breathtaking vistas over Lake Jasna.

Triangel Boutique Hotel | Located in a pristine alpine valley just outside Kranjska Gora, the Triangel Boutique Hotel boasts spacious well-designed rooms, a fitness centre, free parking and a pretty good in-house restaurant. Though the price is a little on the higher end at €250 a night, this stunning boutique will easily live up to its price tag. Not completely convinced? Let the superb reviews do the talking here. 

Hisa Kosobrin | Easily the best apartment I stumbled on during my research, Hisa Kosobrin is a collection of 6 incredibly stunning apartments only a few minutes away from the centre of Kranjska Gora, giving your overall experience a more intimate vibe. Some apartments come with a sauna, which is a great addition too.

Renting a car in Slovenia

If you’re keen to do an epic road trip in Slovenia, I’d highly recommend sorting out a rental car in advance, so you’ll have all the freedom to visit wherever, whenever suits you.

I always use Rentalcars.com for my car rentals, as they have all the major rental car companies on offer, excellent service, and additional insurance – plus, it’s super easy to find yourself a deal here.

Alternatively, Discover Cars is a great reliable option too.

I’ve also written a comprehensive guide on driving in Slovenia (coming soon), so make sure you give that a read too – you can find it here.

What’s next?

The Zelenci Nature Reserve is situated in one of the most popular areas of Slovenia, so there’s a lot more to be sought out and enjoyed here.

Besides Zelenci, this area is also home to other fascinating highlights, including Lake Jasna, the Vrsic Pass, Mangart Saddle, and the Pericnik Falls to name but a few.

If you’re keen to see how to fit these incredible places into your Slovenia itinerary, I highly recommend checking out my 10-day Slovenia itinerary (coming soon), which is packed with useful advice, first-hand tips, and all the Slovenia travel essentials.

Slovenia travel essentials

Though I wouldn’t necessarily label the Zelenci Nature Reserve as a challenging activity, I do think it’s a smart idea to bring some essentials, especially if you have intentions to combine it with other more adventurous natural highlights in the region.

To help you have a comfortable time here, I’d suggest bringing the following items:

A reusable water bottle | One travel essential that I carry with me at all times is the Grayl Geopress. This reusable water purification bottle allows me to fill up water from almost every water source, making it one of my best investments to date.

A hoodie | Depending on the time of year of course, I advise bringing an extra layer in the form of a hoodie to keep you warm if needed. Since Zelenci is surrounded by forest, this extra layer might come in handy at any given time.

A sturdy pair of sneakers | Though the walk in the Zelenci Nature Reserve is relatively easy, it’s not a bad thing to wear a pair of sturdy trail runners. I often use the New Balance Hierro V7, and I’m pretty satisfied with the grip and comfort they provide me with when I’m out in nature.

A camera | Like most places in Slovenia, Zelenci and its natural features are incredible for hobbyists and professional photographers alike. For that reason, I advise bringing your camera, so you can capture heaps of photos while there. Curious about my photography gear, make sure you see what’s in my camera bag.

Leave no footprints | Slovenia is a slice of untouched natural paradise, and it’s our responsibility to keep it that way. So make sure you expect the location at all times, and bring your trash when wrapping up your time in the Zelenci Nature Reserve.

Stay safe in Slovenia | Travel insurance

Since Slovenia has plenty of adventurous activities on offer, I advise everyone to sort out good travel insurance before setting out on their own adventure.

While I believe that it’s unlikely to experience any troubles when following the advice in this guide, something unfortunate can happen at any time, whether it’s an injury, a stolen camera, or an accident on the road.

For travel insurance, I use Heymondo, as they offer full covid-19 coverage, as well as a handy app with 24-hour medical assistance. Make sure you check it out – readers of WTSW receive 5% off any insurance policy too.