Karawanken Geopark, from Europe to Africa without leaving Koroška

A UNESCO geopark across two countries

The Karawanken-Karavanke UNESCO Global Geopark covers 1,067 km² and brings together 5 municipalities in Slovenia and 9 in Austria. Its aims, according to its website, are to protect the geological, natural and cultural heritage, raise awareness of it, support sustainable tourism and strengthen cross-border cooperation. It belongs to the European and Global UNESCO geopark networks and was a finalist for the European Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism 2024. On the Slovenian side it’s one of the great draws of Koroška, and its main gateway there is Mežica.

Walking from Europe to Africa?

Because two continental plates meet here. The tourist board sums it up by saying that in the geopark you can walk from Europe to Africa in the geological sense. That collision explains the rare minerals, the unusual flora, the underground passages and the dripstone caves the board highlights.

Things to do on the Slovenian side

The main event is Mežica Mine, beneath Peca, which you can explore by train, kayak or bike. Mežica is also home to the geopark’s information centre. At Črna na Koroškem, the Olimpline is, according to the geopark, Slovenia’s fastest and longest zipline, running 1,263.5 m from Navrški vrh at up to 250 m above the ground. The tourist board also singles out Topla Landscape Park as one of the most attractive green corners.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Mežica for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.

What to do on the Austrian side

The Obir caves, with their colourful dripstones, Hemmaberg, one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in this part of Europe according to the geopark, and the Geo.Dom on Peca, with an interactive exhibition. The Flow Country Trail runs 11 km down Peca with jumps and bends. You can cross the Drava between the two countries by raft. In July 2026 a new information centre opened at Bad Eisenkappel.

In winter

The geopark runs snowshoe outings, such as the climb to Feistritzer Spitze, at 2,112 m the second-highest peak of the Peca massif, and routes over the Luschaalm and the Freiberg with views of the Koschuta ridge. There’s also a geopark long-distance hiking trail and an annual environmental education theme, and events such as the Drau Drava Run, which drew a record 407 runners in 2026.

So you do not lose the morning at the ticket office, browse tickets and tours in Karawanken Geopark on GetYourGuide.

Fitting it into a trip

I’d pick a couple of highlights to suit you, the mine if you have children, the zipline or flow trail if you want adrenaline, and stay in the Meža valley. With an extra day, I’d cross into Austria for the Obir caves.

If you are staying the night, see the best hotel deals in Mežica for your dates: the well-placed rooms go fast.