Kolpa Landscape Park

The Kolpa Landscape Park follows the Kolpa River along the southern edge of Slovenia, where the river forms the border with Croatia in the region of Bela Krajina. The Kolpa rises in the mountains of Croatia and flows east, cutting a winding valley through limestone hills covered with forest, and in Slovenia it flows past villages, meadows and cornfields before eventually joining the Sava. What makes it famous is the temperature. The river is slow and fairly shallow in summer and heats up under the sun, and it is widely regarded as the warmest river in Slovenia for swimming, which makes it a favourite for families and for people who find the Alpine rivers too cold.

Swimming is the main summer activity, from small gravel beaches and quiet river bends to larger spots near campsites. Canoeing and kayaking are the other staples, with rental operators offering trips on gentler sections where the current is easy to manage and the banks are shaded with willow and poplar. The stretch of rapids in the Poljanska Dolina, at the upper end of the Slovenian part of the river, gives more lively paddling, and rafting is also available at suitable water levels. Water conditions change with the season and rainfall, so ask local operators about current levels and safety rules before setting out.

The valley is rich in wildlife. The river and its banks support fish, otters, kingfishers, herons and storks, and the gravel bars and side channels are good places to spot birds. The park protects a landscape where traditional farming is still practised, with small fields, hedgerows and meadows full of flowers in spring. Bring binoculars if you like birdwatching, and keep to marked paths in sensitive areas.

The history of the area is part of its character. Bela Krajina lay on the military frontier of the Habsburg lands, and communities of Uskoks, refugees from the Ottoman advance, and Serbs settled here over the centuries, so that Orthodox traditions sit alongside the Catholic ones elsewhere in Slovenia. Old mills, villages with traditional farmhouses and local festivals give a glimpse of this mixture of cultures. The wider area also has the famous White Carniola folk customs, with costumes, songs and dances at spring and summer celebrations.

Camping and glamping are popular, and campsites along the river provide a base for a few days. Cycling is another way to see the park, using quiet roads and paths along the valley, and the border with Croatia makes it easy to plan short trips on both sides.

The park suits families, couples and active travellers, and it is best from June to early September, when the water is warmest. Bring sun protection and sturdy water shoes, as the riverbed can be stony. Visitors will find Slovenia’s southern border river a calm, warm contrast to the Alpine north.