Be respectful to livestock

How should visitors behave around sheep, cows and other livestock?

When hiking near Erjavčeva koča mountain hut, Vršič Pass and Triglav National Park, you may meet sheep, cows and other livestock grazing on mountain pastures. Please be respectful and keep a safe distance.

Mountain pasture farming is an important part of Slovenian alpine tradition. Farmers work hard to preserve this way of life, care for their animals and maintain the cultural landscape of the Julian Alps.

Keep your distance from livestock

Do not approach, touch, chase or disturb livestock. Cows, sheep and other animals may look calm, but they are still animals with their own space, instincts and behaviour.

Be especially careful around cows with calves, groups of animals, animals resting near trails, or livestock standing close to gates, fences or narrow paths. If animals are blocking the trail, walk around them calmly and safely when possible.

Dogs must be on a leash

If you are hiking with a dog, keep it on a leash at all times, especially near livestock. Dogs can frighten sheep, cows and wild animals, even if they are friendly and well trained.

In Triglav National Park, dogs should always be kept under control and on a leash to protect wildlife, livestock, sensitive habitats, other visitors and your dog.

If livestock becomes nervous because of your dog, move away calmly. Do not run, shout or try to force your way through a herd.

Close pasture gates behind you

If you pass through a fence gate on a mountain pasture, please close it behind you. Open gates can allow livestock to leave the pasture, move onto roads, enter unsafe areas or create problems for farmers.

Use marked hiking trails whenever possible. Do not damage fences, gates, signs, water troughs, pasture equipment or private farming infrastructure.

Do not feed livestock or wild animals

Please do not feed sheep, cows, horses, goats, birds, wild animals or any other animals around the hut or on mountain pastures.

Human food is not suitable for animals. Bread, sweets, fruit, snacks, salty food and other “treats” can make animals sick and may even be dangerous for them. Feeding animals also teaches them to approach visitors, which can create unsafe situations later.

In the summer season, there are often many sheep and cows around Erjavčeva koča mountain hut. Please do not disturb them and do not feed them under any circumstances.

Respect farmers and local mountain life

Mountain pastures are not only a beautiful landscape for visitors. They are also working areas for farmers and shepherds. Livestock grazing helps preserve open alpine meadows, traditional farming and the cultural identity of the Slovenian mountains.

By behaving respectfully, staying on marked trails, keeping dogs on a leash, closing gates and not feeding animals, you help protect the animals, support local farmers and preserve the mountain environment.

Final advice

Enjoy watching livestock from a respectful distance. Take photos without disturbing animals, keep your dog close, close gates behind you and leave the pasture as you found it.

A good visitor in the mountains respects nature, animals, farmers, other hikers and the traditions of alpine life.