More than sixty percent of Slovenia’s total area is covered with forests. The water of the rivers, brooks, and lakes are crystal clear and sometimes of turquoise blue and green colour. Many regions are protected by the government in order to preserve the natural and cultural heritage. These sanctuaries are divided in three groups:
Slovenian National Parks, Regional Parks, Nature Preserves. 

Slovenia has one National Park (Triglav), three Regional Parks (Kozjansko, Škocjan, Notranjska) and the Nature Preserve Goričko in the border triangle of Slovenia, Austria, and Hungary as well as 33 Regional Parks. More are in the planning stage.

The  Triglav National Park got its name from the  2,864 meter (9,396 feet) high Triglav mountain covering a total area of 83,807 hectares (app. 207,000 acres) and was created in 1981. The majority of the area is located in the Julian Alps with Lake Bohinj. At the edge of the park is Bled (www.bled.si) on one side and Bovec (www.bovec.si) on the other. The villages of Mežakla and Pokljuka are world-famous. Every year the international competition in Biathlon is held there. Also every year Kranjska Gora (www.kranjska-gora.si) is centre stage for the World cup in Slalom and Giant Slalom. The active and adventurous traveller discovers there one of the most breathtaking alpine valleys, the valley of Trent,   Vogel, the centre for winter sports, and the picturesque village of Log pod Mangartom. Summer is another season with lots of possibilities for the sporty visitor such as kayaking and canoeing down Soča or on one of many glacial lakes. The Triglav National Park was accepted into the UNESCO-Program “Man and Biosphere” (MaB).  The park received the European Diploma for protected areas from the European Council Committee for the preservation of nature and the environment.

The Kozjansko Regional Park (www.gov.si/kp/park_eng2.htm) is located in the Eastern part of Slovenia between the three rivers Savinja, Sava and Sotla. The village of Podčetrtek and the health resort of Olimje are well known.  Here at the ancient castle the visitor can discover the pharmacy of the Pauline Monastery, which is one of the oldest in Europe. The frescos are worth a visit by themselves. The vineyards of the Virštajn Region line the banks of the Sotla River. In the Centre of the Kozjansko region is the village of Kozje. The administration of the Kozjansko Regional Park has its offices in the old historical and fully renovated farm house Sotoška domačija located in the village of Podsreda. High above the village is the best preserved Romanesque castle Podsreda. 

The Caves of Škocjan (http://www.park-skocjanske-jame.si) were already discovered in the 19th Century. In 1986 they were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The park encompasses the entire limestone cave system of Škocjan, part of the regional Reka River as well as the Kras region (literally meaning Karst) above the caves. Many celebrities have visited the area and assured themselves about the uniqueness of this underground world. Sigmund Freud described them: “… as an eerie natural wonder with an underground river flowing through an enormous wonderful underground chamber …” 

Walking the underground passages, the visitor reaches Tihe jame (Quiet Grottos) and the large gallery with sculptures and reliefs. Here the rush of the river’s water gets louder and louder. A gallery (500m long) with stalactites and stalagmites leads to the surface. The total length of the grottos is over five kilometres or about 3 miles with a depth of 230 meters or 755 feet in certain places. In total there are 25 cascades along the river including a waterfall of 163 meters or about 535 feet. The river Reka surfaces again as river Timav in the Bay of Trieste near Duino. A visit to the Škocjan Regional Park can easily be combined with a stay or spa treatment in the nearby coastal resorts of Portorož, Piran, Izola und Koper or with a visit to the famous horse stables of Lipica ending the day with a culinary adventure at one of the local farms or “gostilnas.”

Notranjska (http://www.notranjski-park.si) Regional Park is the youngest park in Slovenia. Once a year the park is centre stage for a worldwide unique natural phenomena: The hide-and-seek game of Lake Cerknica.  Every year the water of the 2,600 hectare large lake disappears into the underground world of the Karst, only to reappear and disappear again. Next to the lake are wonderful places of natural and national heritage such as the Karst Valley of Rakov Škocjan, the Zelške jame and Križna jama Caves,  the village of Slivnica with its “Dance Floor of the Witches” as well as part of the village of Cerknica.

Goričko (http://www.park-goricko.org/) is the second largest Nature Park in Slovenia. It is located in the north-eastern part of the country along the border with Austria and Hungary. The village Grad is in the centre of the park. Moravske Toplice is a famous health resort with modern spa equipment, baths, and saunas like Terme 3000. Well known throughout Europe is also the health resort Rogaška with its “Donat Mg” (Magnesium) water. In close proximity, one can find many architectural jewels from the famous architect, Jože Plečnik, − for example the church in Bogojina. A large portion of the park extends over a wide flat area which is ideal for bicycling and hiking. There are six cycling and 21 hiking trails.

Throughout the Slovenian Parks there is an elaborate hiking and cycling trail system. All trails are identified by a white circle marked with red on the outside. Most of Slovenian Nature Parks are annexed to the natural preservation lands of Natura 2000. These Special Protected Areas (SPA) assure the survival of endangered plant and animal species. The latter are mainly birds in Slovenia which are protected in the Important Birds Areas (IBA).