Visitor Information
IDRIJA UNESCO GLOBAL GEOPARK
Upper Idrijca is the area of the Idrijca and Belca rivers and their tributaries together with their surroundings; and area of such geologic, geomorphologic, hidrologic, and botanical richness and of such a high level of natural preservation that it has been declared a landscape park since 1993. In the landscape park, you can discover its natural and cultural heritage, as well as enjoy in recreational activities.
Visitor Information
The Upper Idrijca Landscape Park is not only home to numerous plants and animals but to people, too. The inhabitants of Idrijska Bela and other hamlets welcome the visitors kindly; however, they expect them to respect what the park so generously offers.
The nature and the inhabitants will appreciate you journeying to the park by bike or on foot instead of taking your car, as well as cleaning after yourself and throwing the waste in the rubbish bins.
To contribute to preserving the favourable conditions for animal- and plant species and to help yourself and others have an unforgettable experience, respect the rules of behaviour during your stay. If you do not follow them, you may be fined.
Traffic and Parking
In the summer months of July and August, it is recommended to not enter the Upper Idrijca Landscape Park with motor vehicles. During the weekends, you are welcome to use the free bus that will take you to the centre of the park (Lajšt Bathing Area) from Idrija and Črni Vrh nad Idrijo, or use other sustainable modes of transport (cycling, hiking, etc.), Those who opt for motor vehicles should pay attention to keep their vehicles on the roads. Driving motor vehicles in Slovenia’s natural environment is prohibited by law.
Park only in designated spaces and public car parks. In the Upper Idrijca Landscape Park, it is prohibited to park on the roads.
Parking options for motor vehicles:
- Free parking in Idrija or Črni Vrh nad Idrijo, from where you can take the free bus to the park
- From July to August, in accordance with the DECISION on the change of the traffic regime of the Municipality of Idrija, parking in the Strug gorge is only allowed in marked spaces (with a P sign and a side parking regime).,
- 3 smaller car parks available at the Lajšt Parking Area. In July and August, during weekends and public holidays, between 00:00 and 24:00, parking is CHARGEABLE, at a rate of EUR 3 per hour of parking. Parking in the car parks is charged for all single and double-track motor vehicles. During the week, parking is free.
Pedestrians and cyclists, please note that the narrow road in the Strug gorge is also occupied by motor vehicles, so keep to the right and move in goose order.
Free Public Bus
From 27 June to 30 August 2026, visitors will be offered a FREE BUS service on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays on the routes Idrija–Lajšt–Idrija and Črni Vrh–Lajšt–Črni Vrh.
*In bad weather the bus does not run.
Swimming
At the confluence of the Idrijca and Belca rivers in Idrijska Bela, there is a natural swimming area called Lajšt. There in also a bar with food offer. Visitors can rent picnic areas, and there are facilities such as a volleyball court, basketball court, and tables for table tennis. Sanitary facilities are also available at the location.
Wild Lake is a protected nature area where swimming and diving are prohibited under teh Decree declaring the Zgornja Idrijca Landscape Park.
Picnics
Picnics are allowed in three picnic areas in the Lajšt area, which must be reserved in advance via this LINK.
WARNING: Using the picnic area is only possible with prior reservation!
Open fire outside the regulated areas in the area of Lajšt and upstream on the Idrijca and Belca rivers is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.
Tenting, Camping and Campers
Tenting, camping and caravanning in the Upper Idrijca Landscape Park is NOT ALLOWED. Burning fire is also not allowed.
Please use the official RV stops for overnight stays. The nearest camper stop is Idrija.
Waste Disposal
In the Upper Idrijca Landscape Park, we are part of the natural environment and guests of nature. Like in other protected areas, NO LITTERING is allowed in the park.
The best way to dispose of litter is to take it outside the park and dispose of it separately in recycling bins. You can find also organised drop-off points outside the park at the Podroteja entry point, the Barbara car park in Idrija, etc. Of course, you can also dispose of your rubbish at organised recycling points in your home town.
Although there are two places in the Lajšt area with bins for separating rubbish, the bins fill up too quickly and it is difficult to ensure that they are emptied on a regular basis. At the same time, this is an area with wild animals which can dive into the contents of the bins searching for food and causing great damage to the environment. Once more you are kindly asked to take your rubbish out of the park. Instructions for waste separation in the Municipality of Idrija are available HERE.
Upstream from Lajšt, in the upper reaches of the Idrijca and Belca rivers, no bins are installed. Please respect the TAKE AWAY WHAT YOU BROUGHT system.
Event Organisation
A public event is any organised gathering of persons for the purpose of cultural, sporting, entertainment, educational, religious or other activities, with a specific organiser and a predetermined programme, in which participation is open to everyone, unconditionally or subject to certain conditions.
As a protected area, the primary goal of the Upper Idrijca Landscape Park is the protection of nature and its conservation, but it is also attractive for sport and recreational activities and various public sporting and other events. These are allowed in the park, but must be carried out in accordance with the protection regime of the Upper Idrijca Landscape Park in order to minimise the disturbance to nature and its visitors.
Instructions and guidelines for organising public sporting events in the area of the Upper Idrijca Landscape Park are available HERE.
For more information, do not hesitate to reach out to us:
Idrija Municipality
+ 386 5 37 34 500
obcina.idrija@idrija.si
Idrija Tourism Board
+ 386 5 37 34 070
info@geopark-idrija.si
Animal and Plant Protection
By entering the Upper Idrijca Landscape Park, you have also entered the home of many rare, important, and protected species of flora and fauna. Just as you expect visitors to behave in your home, animals and plants expect you – their visitors – to behave in their natural habitat.
To help maintain favourable conditions for animal and plant species, please observe the PROHIBITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS during your visit:
- Collecting plants or parts of plants for commercial purposes,
- Hunting and gathering of animals, except for fishing and hunting management,
- Excessive noise,
- Pollution of any kind, and
- Any other activity likely to cause significant damage to the protected area.
Reporting Changes
Have you noticed a fallen tree, a broken fence, a destroyed protected plant area, wrongly parked vehicles, signs of vandalism, etc.?
As visitors to the park or those who carry out activities in the area, you are certainly its best and most critical observers, so please let us know what you see. There are two ways to do this:
- Via Word form (download)
- Via online form: Prijava nepravilnosti
Thank you in advance for your help!
Landscape Park Management
In 1993, Idrija Municipality issued a decree declaring the area of Upper Idrijca a landscape park. In 2020, the park was appointed a manager: the Idrija Tourism Board. In 2022, the first Management Plan for the Upper Idrijca Landscape Park was adopted.
+ Decree declaring the Upper Idrijca Landscape Park (.pdf)
+ 2022–2031 Management Plan (.pdf)
+ Carrying capacity study (.pdf)
+ Corporate Identity Manual of the Upper Idrijca Landscape Park (.pdf)
Divja bajta
In the heart of nature, a new place for connection, exploration, and experiencing heritage is taking shape – Divja bajta.
Divja bajta will serve as a new entry point to the Zgornja Idrijca Landscape Park, a place where nature, knowledge, local stories, and community come together.
Our goal is to create a welcoming space for local residents, visitors, families, researchers, and anyone interested in the rich natural and technical heritage of our region.
Divja bajta will feature a small shop offering local products, souvenirs, and items related to the area’s nature and heritage.
The space will also host a variety of exhibitions, lectures, gatherings, and events, where we will explore together the stories of the Zgornja Idrijca Landscape Park and Idrija Geopark.
Special attention will be given to forest education and experiential learning in nature.
We hope that Divja bajta will become a place of curiosity, discovery, and respect for the natural environment.
Visitors will be able to obtain information about the area’s natural and technical heritage, learn about the unique features of the Geopark, and discover the special character of the local landscape through a wide range of activities and content.
Divja bajta will be more than just an information point—it will be a vibrant meeting place for ideas, stories, and people.
A place where we can take time for nature, for learning, and for authentic experiences.
We look forward to creating the new story of Divja bajta together.
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