Parks & Nature
Lake Cerknica is one of the largest intermittent lakes in Europe. It appears every year on the karst polje (plain), caught between the Javorniki hills and the Bloke plateau on one side, and Mount Slivnica on the other. During the dry season, the lake disappears, which enables paddling, fishing, hiking or grass mowing in the same area in just one year. Through all seasons it shows completely different faces and to truly feel what Lake Cerknica is, you have to come back many times. The lake can be seen from several sides, but I suggest that you start in the village of Dolnje Jezero, where locals have put up a museum about their mysterious attraction.
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Cerknica lake
Lake Cerknica is one of the largest intermittent lakes in Europe. It appears every year on the karst polje (plain), caught between the Javorniki hills and the Bloke plateau on one side, and Mount Slivnica on the other. During the dry season, the lake disappears, which enables paddling, fishing, hiking or grass mowing in the same area in just one year. Through all seasons it shows completely different faces and to truly feel what Lake Cerknica is, you have to come back many times. The lake can be seen from several sides, but I suggest that you start in the village of Dolnje Jezero, where locals have put up a museum about their mysterious attraction.
The path through the wild and scenic Pekel Gorge, carved by the Borovniščica brook and well known for its waterfalls, begins at the Gostišče Pekel restaurant and crosses the gorge in various directions. It includes several demanding sections, but it is well maintained and protected. At the entrance to Pekel, whose name translates as 'Hell', stands a coloured wooden sculpture depicting the Devil dominating over the route through the gorge. The inscription mentions five waterfalls, but actually there are seven, measuring from 3 to 29 metres high.
Canion Hell
The path through the wild and scenic Pekel Gorge, carved by the Borovniščica brook and well known for its waterfalls, begins at the Gostišče Pekel restaurant and crosses the gorge in various directions. It includes several demanding sections, but it is well maintained and protected. At the entrance to Pekel, whose name translates as 'Hell', stands a coloured wooden sculpture depicting the Devil dominating over the route through the gorge. The inscription mentions five waterfalls, but actually there are seven, measuring from 3 to 29 metres high.
The Podpeč Lake is a small, but in many ways special natural pearl on the edge of the Ljubljana Marshes. It is small, almost completely round but very deep (up to 51 meters), filled with water coming from seven karst springs located below the forest nearby. In summer time, there is a small bathing site arranged at the lake. There is also a pleasant restaurant with delicious Slovenian dishes. However, the ascent to the peak of St. Anne hill nearby is significantly less demanding (just over 30 min of walking).
Jezero
JezeroThe Podpeč Lake is a small, but in many ways special natural pearl on the edge of the Ljubljana Marshes. It is small, almost completely round but very deep (up to 51 meters), filled with water coming from seven karst springs located below the forest nearby. In summer time, there is a small bathing site arranged at the lake. There is also a pleasant restaurant with delicious Slovenian dishes. However, the ascent to the peak of St. Anne hill nearby is significantly less demanding (just over 30 min of walking).
The nature reserve situated between the villages of Ig and Podpeč at Ljubljana Marshes is dedicated to conserving the unique natural environment of the wetland area known as Iški Morost. The reserve is crossed by a 1.3-kilometre nature trail called Koščeva pot (Corn Crake Trail). The trail, called after a rare and endangered bird species, offers a unique insight into the wetland wildlife and animal species. The wetlands of Ljubljana Marshes are inhabited by as many as 89 butterfly species and are the nesting habitat of a hundred different bird species, a half of all bird species living in Slovenia.
Iški morost
The nature reserve situated between the villages of Ig and Podpeč at Ljubljana Marshes is dedicated to conserving the unique natural environment of the wetland area known as Iški Morost. The reserve is crossed by a 1.3-kilometre nature trail called Koščeva pot (Corn Crake Trail). The trail, called after a rare and endangered bird species, offers a unique insight into the wetland wildlife and animal species. The wetlands of Ljubljana Marshes are inhabited by as many as 89 butterfly species and are the nesting habitat of a hundred different bird species, a half of all bird species living in Slovenia.
Five ponds along the Ljubljanica river were formed after the suspension of clay pits of former Kotnik brickworks. Here is home to many species of birds, fish, and rare shells, crabs and European pond terrapin. Two ponds on the grounds are used for natural reproduction of fish and the other three are intended for fishing. Nearby, in the river Ljubljanica in Verd, during archaeological excavations in 2009, a wooden spear point was found dating back to the Early Stone Age (38,000 to 45,000 years). According to information currently available, it is the first such discovery in the world.
Ribniki Opekarna (Divjak)
Five ponds along the Ljubljanica river were formed after the suspension of clay pits of former Kotnik brickworks. Here is home to many species of birds, fish, and rare shells, crabs and European pond terrapin. Two ponds on the grounds are used for natural reproduction of fish and the other three are intended for fishing. Nearby, in the river Ljubljanica in Verd, during archaeological excavations in 2009, a wooden spear point was found dating back to the Early Stone Age (38,000 to 45,000 years). According to information currently available, it is the first such discovery in the world.
The nature reserve Mali Plac is located at Kostanjevica Hill near Bevke. The area has special recognition as the southernmost bog in Europe. It is protected as a nature reserve and has a unique ecosystem with special flora and fauna. Many endangered plants and animals (for instance moor tortoise, newts, dragonflies, several species of frog, rare marsh birds and birds of prey) live at this area.
Mali plac
The nature reserve Mali Plac is located at Kostanjevica Hill near Bevke. The area has special recognition as the southernmost bog in Europe. It is protected as a nature reserve and has a unique ecosystem with special flora and fauna. Many endangered plants and animals (for instance moor tortoise, newts, dragonflies, several species of frog, rare marsh birds and birds of prey) live at this area.
Rakov Škocjan is a wonderfully wild karst valley. It was formed by Rak river, which springs from Zelške caves on one end, runs on the surface for 3.5 km and then goes underground again in Tkalca cave on the other end of the valley. The whole area is packed with karst phenomena, and a route with educational boards runs through the valley. Natural environment is incredible and the highlights of the trip are two natural bridges at each end of the valley - the "Great natural bridge" and the "Small natural bridge". Rakov Škocjan is proclaimed a regional park.
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Rakov Škocjan
Rakov Škocjan is a wonderfully wild karst valley. It was formed by Rak river, which springs from Zelške caves on one end, runs on the surface for 3.5 km and then goes underground again in Tkalca cave on the other end of the valley. The whole area is packed with karst phenomena, and a route with educational boards runs through the valley. Natural environment is incredible and the highlights of the trip are two natural bridges at each end of the valley - the "Great natural bridge" and the "Small natural bridge". Rakov Škocjan is proclaimed a regional park.
Lake Rakitna is the base for a popular 40-minute circular walk and a one-and-a-half-hour archaeological trail leading to the remains of a 3rd century tower and wall, part of a Roman defence system known as Claustra Alpium Iuliarum. The village of Rakitna is also the starting point for several longer hiking and cycling routes, the most popular leading to the nearby Mount Krim (1,107m). The area offers ample opportunity for cross country skiing.
Rakitna
Lake Rakitna is the base for a popular 40-minute circular walk and a one-and-a-half-hour archaeological trail leading to the remains of a 3rd century tower and wall, part of a Roman defence system known as Claustra Alpium Iuliarum. The village of Rakitna is also the starting point for several longer hiking and cycling routes, the most popular leading to the nearby Mount Krim (1,107m). The area offers ample opportunity for cross country skiing.
Arts & Culture
The Ljubljanica river exhibition (Vrhnika) is dedicated to the natural and cultural heritage of the Ljubljanica River and its immediate surroundings. It is located in the town of Vrhnika, where this fascinating river has several of its many springs. The exhibition covers the period of the last 40,000 years, starting with a replica of the wooden arrowhead found here and presumably used by the Neanderthals. Many of the artefacts presented were found in the Ljubljana Moors, whose prehistoric pile dwellings legacy is included in the the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Opening hours: from Thuesday to Sunday: 10:00-18:00, Monday closed
my Ljubljanica
32 Tržaška cestaThe Ljubljanica river exhibition (Vrhnika) is dedicated to the natural and cultural heritage of the Ljubljanica River and its immediate surroundings. It is located in the town of Vrhnika, where this fascinating river has several of its many springs. The exhibition covers the period of the last 40,000 years, starting with a replica of the wooden arrowhead found here and presumably used by the Neanderthals. Many of the artefacts presented were found in the Ljubljana Moors, whose prehistoric pile dwellings legacy is included in the the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Opening hours: from Thuesday to Sunday: 10:00-18:00, Monday closed
Technical museum of Slovenia (Bistra) - the Slovenia’s largest museum is located in a former Carthusian monastery and is known for its permanent and occasional collections from agriculture, fishing, wildlife and hunting to electricity, wood working, forestry, water driving machinery... In the museum you can also admire the fascinating collections of prestigious cars used by the former Yugoslav president Tito,the oldest preserved car in Slovenia, an impressive collection of bicycles, the veneer sawmill, the blacksmith’s workshop, the trophy of a bear that became the world’s champion in 1973 and so much more.
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I-Museum yaseTechnical yaseSlovenia
6 BistraTechnical museum of Slovenia (Bistra) - the Slovenia’s largest museum is located in a former Carthusian monastery and is known for its permanent and occasional collections from agriculture, fishing, wildlife and hunting to electricity, wood working, forestry, water driving machinery... In the museum you can also admire the fascinating collections of prestigious cars used by the former Yugoslav president Tito,the oldest preserved car in Slovenia, an impressive collection of bicycles, the veneer sawmill, the blacksmith’s workshop, the trophy of a bear that became the world’s champion in 1973 and so much more.
Getting Around
For renting a car you must make a reservation ahead: http://www.amt.si/rent-a-car
Amt 24 trgovina in storitve d.o.o.
ZabočevoFor renting a car you must make a reservation ahead: http://www.amt.si/rent-a-car
Train station Borovnica: Direct trains to Ljubljana, Postojna, Koper, Trieste...
http://www.slo-zeleznice.si/en/passenger-transport
Železniška postaja Borovnica
Train station Borovnica: Direct trains to Ljubljana, Postojna, Koper, Trieste...
http://www.slo-zeleznice.si/en/passenger-transport
Food Scene
Pekel (Pekel) is famous for its fish (trout) and delicious local sweet »Peklenšček« (»The small Devil« as "Pekel" in Slovene language means "Hell").
Opening hours: Mon, Thu, holidays: closed, Wed-Sat: 12:00-22:00 (kitchen open until 21:00), Sun: 12:00-18:00
Pekel gostinstvo, turizem in trgovina, d.o.o., Borovnica
22 OhonicaPekel (Pekel) is famous for its fish (trout) and delicious local sweet »Peklenšček« (»The small Devil« as "Pekel" in Slovene language means "Hell").
Opening hours: Mon, Thu, holidays: closed, Wed-Sat: 12:00-22:00 (kitchen open until 21:00), Sun: 12:00-18:00
Godec (Borovnica) offers all sorts of pizza, seafood and also traditional Slovenian food. The food can also be delivered.
MON-THU : 7.00 – 23.00
FRI, SAT : 7.00 – 01.00
Sun and Holidays: 7.30 – 22.00
Gostilna Godec
12 Paplerjeva ulicaGodec (Borovnica) offers all sorts of pizza, seafood and also traditional Slovenian food. The food can also be delivered.
MON-THU : 7.00 – 23.00
FRI, SAT : 7.00 – 01.00
Sun and Holidays: 7.30 – 22.00
KimVi (Borovnica) offers all sorts of pizza and bbq food which is typical for Balkans (čevapčiči…).
MON: closed
TUE-THU: 12:00-22:00
FRI: 12:00-24:00
SAT and Holidays: 10:00-24:00
SUN: 10:00-21:00
Kim-Vi gostinstvo d.o.o.
22 Cesta pod GoroKimVi (Borovnica) offers all sorts of pizza and bbq food which is typical for Balkans (čevapčiči…).
MON: closed
TUE-THU: 12:00-22:00
FRI: 12:00-24:00
SAT and Holidays: 10:00-24:00
SUN: 10:00-21:00
Pekarna in Slaščičarna MARTINI
7 Mejačeva ulicaCafe, Fast food, Sweets, Bakery
MON-SUN: 6:00-22:00
Sightseeing
The picturesque pilgrimage Church of St. Anne offers a beautiful vista of the Ljubljana Marshes, hilly areas of the central Slovenia and the Slovenian Alps rising in the distance. The St. Anne hill is one of the most popular photo sites in the central Slovenia.
Sv. Ana
JezeroThe picturesque pilgrimage Church of St. Anne offers a beautiful vista of the Ljubljana Marshes, hilly areas of the central Slovenia and the Slovenian Alps rising in the distance. The St. Anne hill is one of the most popular photo sites in the central Slovenia.