Peca, Eastern Karawanken

The Peca (German: Petzen) is a border mountain shared by Slovenia and Austria. At 2126 metres above sea level it is not particularly imposing, but viewed botanically, the Peca has several extraordinary things to offer.

Access is via the Slovenian Topla Valley. There are only seven farms at the top of this valley. For centuries, the farmers have ensured an exemplary cultural landscape:  Meadows and pastures lies on the mountain slopes and the farms are built into these almost like eagle's nests. The steep slopes are covered in beech forests, which are replaced by larches higher up. The purple-red-petalled Balm-leaved red deadnettle and the Hoary mullein are at home in the beech forests.

How southern the climate is here is evidenced by the existence of the warmth-loving Manna ash and Hop hornbeam. Above the forests, the chalk cliffs dominate the picture.

In these treeless peak regions you can find plants that will set any botanist's heart racing: Auricula, Dwarf primrose and Alpine toadflax are typical inhabitants of these rocky regions. The real peculiarities are however, Arabis vochinensis, Gentiana froelichii and Thlaspi kerneri, which can be found nowhere else in the world other than the Southeastern Alps - naturally, these rarities may not be picked.

To experience Alpine flora in all its glory, you should do this mountain hike between the beginning of June and the beginning of July.