Ljubljana Marshes Nature Park

Path among the alder trees – Ljubljana Marshes Nature Park

The path among the alder trees offers a glimpse into the lives of 6 selected endangered animal species (marsh shrike, stone gnome, hermit, mountain owl, black-footed anteater and reaper).

We also learn about the human impact on changing the Ljubljana Marshes and how challenging it is to maintain suitable habitats for endangered species. The path is suitable for visiting on foot or by bicycle.

Length and terrain of the trail: 3 km circular trail, a combination of macadam and field trails; trail route map. Please note that part of the trail on the southern side is in poor condition (due to potholes, there are large puddles and mud after rain, so suitable waterproof footwear is required) and along this part of the trail you may also encounter black garbage dumps (in cooperation with the Municipality of Ljubljana, we are trying to find a sustainable solution to regulate this issue).

Marking and shade:
The trail has 8 information stations, which are equipped with bike racks and benches. Most of the trail is not shaded, so protection from the sun and mosquitoes and ticks is recommended in the summer.

Access:
The path between the alders is suitable for visiting on foot or by bike. If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent one at P&R Barje (classic bike BicikeLj or electric bike NOMAGO Bikes).

You can get to P&R Barje:

by city bus number 9, direction Barje P+R. From the city center (Konzorcij) to the final stop (Barje P+R) it will take you about 10 minutes, and from the main bus and train station (Kolodvor station) it will take another 5 minutes
by car: in the immediate vicinity of the motorway ring road, at exit number 34 (Ljubljana Center), next to the final stop of the city bus, there is the Barje P+R parking lot.

From P&R Barje to the starting point of the Path among the Alders:

Walk across the highway bridge to the Rakova jelša City Park
past the children’s playground
across the marked pedestrian crossing and wooden footbridge
immediately after crossing the wooden footbridge, turn right at the fence of the city gardens and continue forward until you see the directional stake of the thematic path and large exhibition panels on your left.
Under the nearby trellis you will also find a map of the path with 8 marked information points.

The length of the path from P+R Barje to the starting point of the Path among the Alders is 750 m, which will take you just under 10 minutes.

Photo credits: Jasna Tarman, JZ KPLB, Janez Tarman

Starting point of the route:
Google map Instructions

What they say about Ljubljana Marshes Nature Park at the ljubljanskobarje.si

The Ljubljana Marshes Landscape Park is located in the Ljubljana Marshes, which lie in central Slovenia and are the southernmost part of the Ljubljana Basin. The Ljubljana Marshes Landscape Park area is the largest area of wetland grassland with a system of borders and forest, shrub and water areas in Slovenia.

Due to the method of cultivation (extensively mowed meadows), a high biodiversity has been preserved. There are two groups of prehistoric pile dwellings in the area of the landscape park, which are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

You can discover the attractions of the Ljubljana Marshes on your own, or you can also be accompanied by our guides.

NATURE PARK ON THE EDGE OF THE CITY – PDF

A space of constant change

The Ljubljana Marshes are a place of constant change.
The first changes in this area took place independently of man: lake – swamp – marsh. With his activities over the last two hundred years, man has transformed the marshes into a cultural landscape. But even these large-scale interventions cannot stop natural processes such as annual floods and subsidence.

The Ljubljana Marshes are the second most altered landscape in Slovenia.
Massive drainage works and the construction of transport links enabled settlement and farming in the central part of the Marshes. Once the largest and southernmost high bog in Europe, it was transformed into meadows, fields, hedgerows and a dense network of drainage channels.

The marsh mosaic of different habitats is home to many species.
Meadow bird species nest in the wet meadows and numerous butterflies forage. Drainage channels are crucial for the development of dragonflies and amphibians. Alders and willows along the edges of the plots provide a migration corridor, shelter, habitat and food source for reptiles, birds, amphibians and mammals. Shrubs in the borders provide pasture for pollinators, which are also important for cultivated crops in the fields.