We are only a visitor

How should we behave in the wild?

When visiting Erjavčeva koča mountain hut, Vršič Pass, Triglav National Park and the Julian Alps, please remember that we are only visitors in nature. The real host is the mountain environment: the forests, flowers, rocks, water, wildlife, pastures, silence and weather.

Nature is not only a background for photos, hiking and travel memories. It is a living ecosystem where plants, animals and people have existed together for generations. Visitors are welcome, but only if they behave with respect, patience and responsibility.

Admire flowers where they grow

When walking in Slovenian nature, you can enjoy the colours, shapes and smells of many alpine flowers and plants. Please admire them in their natural habitat and take photographs instead of picking them.

Flowers are most beautiful exactly where they grow. In protected areas such as Triglav National Park, plants must be allowed to grow undisturbed. Some species may be rare, protected, slow-growing or endangered. Even plants that are not protected still belong to the mountain environment.

Please do not pick flowers as souvenirs, do not dig out plants, do not damage moss, do not walk through sensitive vegetation and do not create shortcuts across meadows or alpine habitats.

Give wildlife peace and space

Animals living in natural ecosystems need peace and quiet. Please do not make unnecessary noise, shout, play loud music, chase animals, feed them or try to approach them for photos.

Wild animals may look strong and free, but they can be disturbed by human presence, dogs, drones, loud voices and sudden movement. In winter or early spring, disturbance can be especially harmful because animals must save energy to survive.

If you see wildlife near Erjavčeva koča or on the trails around Vršič Pass, observe quietly from a distance. Do not follow animals, do not block their path and do not try to attract them with food.

Keep dogs under control

Dogs should always be kept under control and on a leash in Triglav National Park, especially near wildlife, livestock, forests, pastures and other visitors.

Even a friendly dog can frighten wild animals or grazing livestock. A dog running freely can cause stress, chase animals, disturb nesting birds, create conflicts with other visitors or get into danger itself.

Gather only what you know and only where it is allowed

Slovenian nature is rich in herbs, berries, forest fruits and mushrooms, but gathering must be done with knowledge, moderation and respect for the rules.

Never pick or eat mushrooms, berries, herbs or plants if you are not completely sure what they are. Some can be poisonous, protected or important for wildlife and the natural balance.

In Triglav National Park, picking is restricted and depends on the protection zone and legal limits. If you do not know whether gathering is allowed, the best choice is to leave nature untouched and simply enjoy it.

Stay on marked trails

Marked trails exist for safety and nature protection. Please use them whenever possible. Walking off-trail can damage fragile plants, increase erosion, disturb animals and create new unofficial paths that harm the mountain environment.

A shortcut may look harmless, but if many visitors repeat it, it becomes a scar in the landscape. Staying on marked trails is one of the simplest ways to respect the mountains.

Leave no waste behind

Take all your waste back to the valley. This includes food packaging, bottles, cans, tissues, wet wipes, cigarette butts, fruit peels and all other personal rubbish.

Clean mountains stay clean because visitors behave responsibly. Please do not leave waste around the hut, in the forest, on trails, near viewpoints, in parking areas or anywhere in Triglav National Park.

Respect water, silence and natural resources

Water, silence and clean air are part of the mountain experience. Please use water responsibly, avoid unnecessary noise and respect the peace of the natural environment.

At Erjavčeva koča, water and energy are not unlimited resources. The same respect that applies in the hut also applies outside: use only what you need, avoid waste and leave the place better than you found it.

Nature around Erjavčeva koča

Around Erjavčeva koča mountain hut, visitors can enjoy rich mountain life, beautiful views, forests, pastures, alpine plants and sometimes wildlife. This is part of what makes Vršič Pass special.

Please enjoy this unique nature with respect. Take photos, breathe, observe, learn and move gently through the landscape. Do not take what belongs to nature and do not disturb what lives here.

Final advice

We are only visitors in the wild. The mountains were here before us and should remain beautiful, peaceful and alive after we leave.

Respect the host: nature. Respect the plants, animals, water, silence, trails, local people and other visitors. This is the best way to experience Triglav National Park and the Julian Alps responsibly.