Modern management of traffic regimes in Vrata Valley and on Vršič is of great importance for achieving the objectives of Triglav National Park, we emphasize in the Public Institute Triglav National Park (JZ TNP).
Introducing changed traffic regimes in Vrata Valley and on Vršič – and in other areas of increased pressure from personal motor vehicles – is crucial, given the exceptionally increased visitation, for the long-term achievement of the conservation objectives of Triglav National Park as the largest protected natural area in Slovenia. The changed regimes limit the number of individual motor vehicles within regulated areas to the capacity of the arranged parking lots and introduce regular public transport during the high tourist season.
The manager of the state road in the Vršič area and Vrata Valley is the Directorate of the Republic of Slovenia for Infrastructure (DRSI) under the Ministry of Infrastructure, while the regimes are directly managed by the Municipality of Kranjska Gora and the Municipality of Bovec, which determine the amount of the parking fee, provide on-site informers, and together with the ministry ensure the implementation of public transport. The Public Institute Triglav National Park was, in accordance with the Triglav National Park Act, the proposer of the changes to the traffic regimes, and in their implementation, it cooperates primarily from the perspective of nature conservation, directing visitation, and supporting public awareness of the importance of sustainable visitation of the protected area.
Triglav National Park is not merely a tourist destination, but an extremely sensitive alpine ecosystem and one of the most valuable natural areas in Slovenia, where the fundamental guideline is preserving the balance between humans and nature. People in this area have respected nature and its rhythm for centuries.
Precisely the areas of Vrata and Vršič are among the most visited parts of Triglav National Park, so they are particularly exposed to pressures from mass motor traffic, noise, unregulated parking, and excessive burden on space. This negatively affects both the natural environment and the quality of space experience and the well-being of visitors, who often face stressful and inappropriate conditions for visiting the protected area during peak loads.
The recommendations for visiting Triglav National Park clearly state that visitors should leave their vehicles in designated parking spaces and use public transport. Such regimes are not intended to restrict visitation, but to direct visitation in a way that enables nature protection and at the same time a quality experience for the visitor of the mountain world.
We emphasize that we are "only guests" in nature and that "the wonderful and at the same time sensitive nature must remain unchanged after our visit." High mountain areas, forests, waters, and quiet areas represent living spaces for numerous sensitive plant and animal species. In Triglav National Park, more than 130 quiet areas are designated, where visitor activities are temporally and spatially adapted for the protection of endangered species and habitats. Increased traffic and unsupervised visitation directly affect the quality of these habitats, increasing erosion, burden on waters, and disturbances for animals.
Vrata Valley is also a symbol of Slovenia's alpine heritage and one of the key starting points for visiting Triglav. Even in the official guide of Triglav National Park – Julian Alps Biosphere Area – it is specifically emphasized that access to the valley is limited by a barrier and that visitors must check the parking regime before visiting.
Together with other locations where access by personal motor vehicles is limited, modern traffic regimes pursue a clear goal: to enable a quality experience of the space and to long-term preserve peace, authenticity, and pristine nature, which represent the essence of Triglav National Park.
The purpose of this notice is to provide the public with clear and accurate information on the reasons for establishing traffic regimes and on the roles of individual institutions in their management. The Public Institute Triglav National Park, as the manager of the protected area, cooperates with road infrastructure managers and local communities in establishing regimes, directing visitation, and raising awareness among visitors about responsible behavior in the protected area.
Source:
https://www.tnp.si/sl/javni-zavod/medijsko-sredisce/novice/novica/386/sodobno-upravljanje-prometnih-rezimov-v-dolini-vrata-in-na-vrsicu-.html