The peat bogs on Pokljuka are the southernmost high bogs in Europe that are still preserved. The Goreljek peat bog covers an area of two hectares and is located at an altitude of 1,240 m.
These bogs are vital habitats for rare and endangered plant species and contribute significantly to biodiversity. They have been preserved only in specific areas, notably in the lower reaches of the Goreljek mountain pasture and below the Castle mountain pasture. Major bogs include Šijec, Veliko Blejsko barje, Goreljek, and Mlake pod Javorovim vrhom.
The formation of these bogs began after the last ice age, approximately 12,000 to 18,000 years ago. As the Bohinj Glacier retreated, it left behind small bodies of water in hollows with impermeable bottoms. Over millennia, these basins filled with organic remains. The water's pH became increasingly acidic, promoting the growth of bog mosses. These mosses rooted in upper layers while lower layers underwent carbonization, eventually raising the base into the typical dome shape of a "high bog."
Characterized by acidic soil, low nutrients, and large daily temperature fluctuations, the bog forced plants to adapt. Some developed carnivorous traits, like the Round-leaved Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), while others developed thick waxy leaves to prevent water loss.
Today, a 1 km long educational trail with informative boards allows visitors to explore this unique ecosystem responsibly.
Literature: A. Melik, Slovenian Alpine Council, pp. 172-175, 1954.
Text: Boštjan Burger, January 18, 2022