Together to the Bohinj Iris, guided botanical tour to Rudnica with Dr Peter Skoberne and a floral menu at Hotel Jezero

An exclusive guided experience through the diverse plant habitats of Bohinj, where the wild beauty of nature meets the richness of plant species. A walk through meadows, forests, and rocky slopes offers insight into the incredible diversity of flora, from rare orchids to the iconic Carniolan lily.

Route description

The starting point of the botanical tour is TIC Bohinj in Stara Fužina, from where we follow the Bohinj cycling path. The trail leads us across meadows into a bright forest, home to hazel (Corylus avellana), field maple (Acer campestre), hawthorn (Crataegus sp.), wayfaring tree (Viburnum lantana), hop hornbeam (Ostrya carpinifolia), and flowering ash (Fraxinus ornus). Along a rocky slope, we will admire the Carniolan lily (Lilium carniolicum), a highlight of the tour, as well as the bloody cranesbill (Geranium sanguineum).

We continue through meadows covered with orchids and various species of marsh orchids (Orchidaceae). Higher up, we will encounter sweet William carnations (Dianthus barbatus), typical of dry alpine grasslands. As we pass through a beech forest, we can observe traces of historical mining activity. The trail then leads us through a hop hornbeam and flowering ash forest before reaching a scenic viewpoint overlooking the Lower Bohinj Valley. Here, we will also discover another botanical gem – the Southern Alpine iris (Iris pallida subsp. cengialti). After a short break, we return to the valley.

Peter Skoberne – Biologist and Nature Conservation Expert

Peter Skoberne graduated in biology in 1978 and earned his PhD in 2001. Since 1978, he has been actively involved in the field of nature conservation. From 2003 until his retirement in 2020, he worked at the Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning. Between 2013 and 2015, he served as the acting director of the Triglav National Park.

Throughout his career, he contributed significantly to technical aspects of nature conservation, including habitat mapping, flora protection, conservation methods, and conservation history. He also played a key role in enhancing legal frameworks, institutional structures, and capacity-building efforts related to nature conservation and the management of protected areas.

In recent decades, his primary focus has been on the EU approximation process, including the designation of Natura 2000 sites in Slovenia and the management of large carnivores. He possesses extensive international experience, particularly with the CBD Convention, Bern Convention, EUROBATS Agreement, Alpine Convention, and collaborations with IUCN, WWF, and EUROPARC.

Peter Skoberne has authored numerous scientific and technical publications, including co-authoring the Red Data List of Threatened Plants in Slovenia. He has also written many popular articles about Slovenia’s natural features, flora, and landscapes, along with several books: 100 Natural Wonders of Slovenia (1988), Triglav National Park (1989), Natural Features of Slovenia (co-author, 2001), Ljubljanica (2004), Protected Plants of Slovenia (2007), and Natural Pearls of Slovenia (2017).

Additionally, he is a dedicated photographer with an extensive photo archive documenting the rich and diverse nature of Slovenia.

Event information

• Meeting point: TIC Bohinj, Stara Fužina
• Difficulty level: Moderate
• Equipment: Hiking shoes and clothing, backpack, sun and tick protection, refreshing drink
• Price: €20 per person
• Minimum number of participants: 5

Special offer