National park · Slovenia
Goričko Landscape Park
Enter Goričko Landscape Park for free; walk the 1.7 km (1.1 mi) Forest Educational trail (≈30 min) any day, but avoid peak summer weekends; best months May–Sept for weather.Enter Goričko Landscape Park for free; walk the 1.1 mi (1.7 km) Forest Educational trail (≈30 min) any day, but avoid peak summer weekends; best months May–Sept for weather.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²)
approximate
Established
2005
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Slovenia ↗Slovenia is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Slovenia ↗Motorways and expressways need an electronic vignette (e-vinjeta) bought before you drive on them.
- Slovenia ↗Triglav National Park has rules on parking, camping and drones; follow the signs and do not wild camp.
- Eastern Slovenia ↗A car on Slovenian motorways needs the e-vignette; rental cars normally include it — confirm before you drive off.
- Eastern Slovenia ↗Prekmurje borders Hungary and Austria; carry your passport or ID card even though there are no routine checks inside Schengen.
At a glance
- Country
- Slovenia
- Area
- 200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²)
- Approx. 200 km²; figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 2005
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Maribor
Goričko Landscape Park protects a hilly, forested region of Prekmurje with diverse habitats—forests, meadows, wetlands and cultural sites—offering easy countryside walks, bird‑watching and local heritage.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2005.
Size and age
200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²) · national park since 2005
Approx. 200 km²; figures vary by source (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Maribor.
Why go
- Easy countryside walks through forests, meadows and wetlands.
- Bird‑watching among 174 recorded species.
- Cultural sites such as the Chapel of St. Vitus and Grad castle.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but quiet.
- FebLow visitor numbers.
- MarEarly spring, trails dry.
- AprFlowers bloom, mild weather.
- MayWarm, dry, good for walking.
- JunSummer start, pleasant.
- JulHeat, occasional thunderstorms.
- AugHot, higher visitor flow.
- SepCooler, still dry.
- OctAutumn colours, fewer crowds.
- NovCool, occasional rain.
- DecCold, quiet.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bats (three rare species)All year · Observe from a distance, no disturbance. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (≈174 species)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre | Information desk, maps and parking. | Open daily, free. |
| Forest Educational trail | 1.7 km (1.1 mi) loop around Bukovnica Lake, mild elevation change.1.1 mi (1.7 km) loop around Bukovnica Lake, mild elevation change. | Open year‑round. |
| Cultural sites | Chapel of St. Vitus, Grad castle, Rotunda. | Public access, no fee. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on the visitor centre; other points are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Free access to marked trails. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Park rules
- Off‑road vehicles
- Not allowed outside designated roads.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins are limited.
- Dogs
- Must be on a leash at all times.
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds outside the park core.
Where to stay
Near the park
Murska Sobota
Hotels and guesthouses 15 km (9.3 mi) from the park gate.Hotels and guesthouses 9.3 mi (15 km) from the park gate.
Near the park
Gornja Radgona
Bed‑and‑breakfasts and small hotels.
Safety
Heat in July–August medium
Insects low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre reachable by car with a short walk to the trailhead.
- Forest Educational trail is flat and suitable for most walkers; not wheelchair‑compatible on some sections.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked paths to protect fragile habitats.
- Support local accommodation and food producers.
- Do not feed wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Goričko Landscape Park?
Entry is free; no ticket or permit is required for the marked trails.
What are the best hikes in Goričko Landscape Park?
The 1.7 km Forest Educational trail around Bukovnica Lake (≈30 min) and the longer Bukovnica Lake loop (≈1 h) are the most accessible. Longer routes to Grad castle are also available.
When is the best time to visit Goričko Landscape Park?
May to September offers mild weather and dry trails; early summer is popular, while late September gives fewer crowds.
Are dogs allowed in the park?
Yes, but they must be kept on a leash at all times.
Is camping permitted inside the park?
Camping is only allowed in designated campgrounds outside the core protected area.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Goričko Landscape Park
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