Opening of the renovated Alpine Garden in Golte

Golte, which lies on the western edge of the Kamniška Savnjske Alps, is most easily accessed by swing or gondola, as the locals call it. Golte is a high karst plateau with characteristic karst phenomena such as larger and smaller sinkholes, dry valleys, underground caves and natural windows. Golte is part of the landscape park, and in winter it is better known as a ski resort.

Alpine garden it lies on the southern slope of Okenc near Mozirska koča and extends over 1.4 ha. The altitude of 1380 m above sea level gives this area the characteristic of a subalpine belt. It is characterized by the pronounced ruggedness of the terrain and the vibrancy of the landscape: sharp peaks, incised narrow ridges, natural towers and precipices. The vegetation period lasts 6.5 months and the soil consists of reef limestones and dolomites.

This area was covered by a forest fire in 1950, which is why it is known by the name BURN. The wider area includes a landscape park, which was declared in 1986, and a part of the alpine garden is located near the forest reserve, which is studied by the biotechnical faculty.

The landscape park is represented by pastures created by logging. With the slow expansion of pastures for cattle and horses and temporary watering holes in the form of lakes, this part has evolved into an idyllic pre-alpine world, which is especially shaped by picturesque passages and a unique world of mountain flowers. They want to preserve this in Golte and present part of it to visitors, guests of the mountain world. The diversity of the plant world is thus preserved and is shown in Alpine garden. Today, you can admire the beauty of over 70 mountain plants that thrive wonderfully in the relentless mountain conditions. Among them you can find planica, gentian, auricle and others.

Reopening of the Alpine Garden

The idea for the Alpine Garden was given by Mr. Jože Skornšek, gardener and then director of Mozirski gaj, she realized it with the help of an expert in alpine gardens, Mr. Miha Ogorevac and the then director of Golta, unfortunately already deceased Marjan Preloga. The work was produced in 1996 under the leadership of Mrs. Cvetke Golicnik. At that time, there were 8 mountain alpine gardens in Europe, and Golte is said to be the wildest and highest. In 2002, the project saw the light of day.

Today, the Alpine Garden came to life again at the initiative of the current director of Golte.doo, mag. Mitje Terčet, who took us with his words to the wonderful world of alpine flowers. On this occasion, he stated: "I am happy that we have revived the Alpine Garden, one of the most beautiful and highest mountain botanical gardens in Europe. The Alpine Garden is one of the most important projects that we are developing in Golte for the expansion of summer mountain tourism." The Alpine Garden will now be open every day between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. until the beginning of September.