Karavanke: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Karavanke is a mountain range on the border between Slovenia and Austria.

Running for one hundred and twenty kilometers in total length, the Karavanke chain is the longest range in Europe. The highest peak is Hochstuhl (German)/Stol (Slovenian) (2236m). Some others are the Korošica Ridge, Golica, Peca, and Olševa.

Together with Kamnik Alps (also "Savinjske Alpe" in Slovene) Karavanke chain frorms a natural border between north-western and south-eastern Europe. There are therefore a number of mountain passes on important trade routs. One of them is Ljubelj (1370m), which is over three hundred years old and is the oldest mountain pass in Europe.

Karavanke with numerous mountain huts offer a good opportunity for mountaineering. Many of their peaks afford a good view over the Klagenfurt (Celovec in Slovenian) basin as well as over steeper valleys on the Slovenian side. The Austrian side is more rocky and steep while slovenian side is less steep and overgrown with forest, grass or pine bushes.