Zelenci Nature Reserve

The Zelenci nature reserve is located near the beautiful alpine village of Podkoren (near Kranjska Gora), in the far northwestern corner of Slovenia, just a mere 5 minutes by car from both the Italian and Austrian borders. The unspoiled natural beauty of the multiple springs and emerald-green lake is phenomenal! Its serene atmosphere is so relaxing and the water is clearer than you could possibly imagine. Wildlife and wild flowers are everywhere. The maintained trails feature informational signage, as well as viewing bridges and an observation tower. Following a wooden footbridge, you can walk to the lake and around the swamps without harming nature. If you climb up the viewing tower you get great views of cows in the field, mountains, and an overview of the spring that is the source of the Sava Dolinka river. Very impressive and well worth a stop of you’re in the area.

The Zelenci nature reserve is a good half an hour’s drive from the Bled area. The path starts at the little restaurant at the parking lot.

Zelenci Nature Reserve near Kranjska Gora in Slovenia
Zelenci is a quiet and tranquil place. The emerald green water, the beautiful surroundings, the peace, the view of the Slovenian Alps. Just stunning! (photo: Matej Vranic / slovenia.info)

Zelenci Nature Reserve with its emerald lake near Kranjska Gora in Slovenia
With a length of only 1200 meters and width of 150 meters, Zelenci isn’t really a big nature reserve but the place is so beautiful. (photo: Alan Kosmac / slovenia.info)

Zelenci Nature Reserve with its emerald green lake in autumn
Not only humans like to be in Zelenci, it’s also home to various birds, amphibians and fishes. (photo: Bojan Kolman)

Lake Zelenci at Zelenci Nature Reserve near Kranjska Gora in autumn
Lake Zelenci with its crystal clear and 2 meter deep water! (photo: Ales Krivec / Dreamy Pixel)

Lake Zelenci at Zelenci Nature Reserve near Kranjska Gora in summer
Zelenci Nature Reserve was named after its colour: ‘zelen’ means green in Slovenian. (photo: Boris Pretnar / slovenia.info)

View of Lake Zelenci at Zelenci Nature Reserve near Kranjska Gora, Slovenia
To avoid some crowds, we’d recommend to visit the Zelenci Nature Reserve early in the morning or late in the afternoon. (photo: Bor Rojnik / slovenia.info)

Zelenci Springs, the emerald source of the Sava Dolinka River near Kranjska Gora, Slovenia
Zelenci is also the source of the Sava Dolinka River, a tributary of the Danube. (photo: Ales Krivec / Dreamy Pixel)

Aerial view of Zelenci Nature Reserve in Kranjska Gora in summer
Zelenci Nature Reserve is located in the far northwestern part of the country, basically almost on the border with Austria and Italy. (photo: Drazen Stader / slovenia.info)

Aerial view of Zelenci Nature Reserve in Kranjska Gora in late autumn
If you’re driving from Kranjska Gora, the parking lot is on the left side of the road shortly after the village of Podkoren (5-minute drive). From the parking lot to the lake, it’s a 10-minute walk. (photo: Matevz Lenarcic / slovenia.info)

The emerald green Zelenci lake at Zelenci Nature Reserve on a cold winter morning
There are a trail and a wooden boardwalk that leads to a viewing platform, where you can see the astonishingly clear and green waters of Zelenci. (photo: Bojan Kolman)

Lake Zelenci at Zelenci Nature Reserve on a cold winter morning
While it may look like just a lake, it’s actually a spring and the source of the Sava Dolinka River. The porous chalk bottom of the pool allows a continuous up-welling of groundwater. You’ll see bubble streams emerging from the bottom. (photo: Bojan Kolman)

Lake Zelenci at Zelenci Nature Reserve near Kranjska Gora in winter
Zelenci is the perfect leg-stretcher, with a short path to a green-coloured lake. (photo: Bojan Kolman)

Zelenci Nature Reserve in Kranjska Gora blanketed with snow in winter
Lake Zelenci never freezes no matter how cold the winter temperatures are. (photo: Iztok Medja / slovenia.info)

More info about the Zelenci Nature Reserve: All you need to know about the Zelenci Nature Reserve

Location:
Zelenci Nature Reserve Address: Podkoren 75b, 4280 Kranjska Gora, Slovenia
Zelenci Nature Reserve Latitude and Longitude Coordinates: 46.49429, 13.73437
Zelenci Nature Reserve GPS coordinates: 46° 29′ 39.4620” N     13° 44′ 3.7680” E
Traditional region: Upper Carniola (Slovene: Gorenjska)
Municipality: Kranjska Gora

Directions from Apartments Fine Stay to the Zelenci Nature Reserve (drive 34 km, 33 mins)

Directions from Apartments Fine Stay Bled to the Zelenci Nature Reserve (drive 43 km, 38 mins)

One thought on “Zelenci Nature Reserve”

  1. We stopped here while visiting Kranjska Gora. A lovely ten minute walk to the crystal clear spring waters and also a delicious cafe in the car park. Well worth a stop if you’re in the Kranjska Gora area.

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