Visiting the Rajhenavski Rog virgin forest in Slovenia

As one of the final activities of the Forest Encounters project, the Slovenian team visited the edge of the virgin forest Rajhenavski Rog in Kočevski Rog in December 2025. This approximately 51-hectare forest has been excluded from forest management for over a century and has been left to develop through natural processes. It consists mainly of beech and fir trees and is one of the first designated nature reserves in Slovenia. The forest is also an important habitat for large carnivores such as brown bears and grey wolves.

Along the way, we spotted animal tracks of brown bears, wolves, and foxes, and visited the Queen of Rog, which, at 55 meters in height, is considered one of the most magnificent fir trees in Slovenia.

In Slovenia, there are 14 virgin forest remnants—relatively small forest areas that have developed without direct human intervention. Together, these virgin forests cover around 540 hectares and represent a valuable natural heritage as well as a living classroom for understanding how forests adapt to climate change.

The visit was guided by Petra Draškovič Pelc, a researcher, photographer, and responsible nature guide, who shared her extensive knowledge of Rajhenavski Rog and its history, coexistence between humans and large carnivores, and responsible, nature-friendly tourism.

Photo credits: Urška Jurman, Petra Draškovič Pelc

Read more about close-to-nature forest management in an interview with Teo Hrvoje Oršanič, and about coexistence between humans and large carnivores with researcher Miha Krofel, in the Forest Encounters book.