Lake Cerknica
A whole-day nature excursion to the lake, that sometimes isn’t there
Guided by: Paul Veenvliet, Licensed Guide and Biologist
Imagine a lake, that is the largest lake in the entire country. This is not an ordinary lake, because sometimes, the entire lake disappears. Then, what you will see is a vast open plain with meadows, full of flowers. This is Cerkniško jezero, the magical Lake Cerknica, in Slovenia.
Lake Cerknica is characterized by its fluctuating water level. After, rain, a large part of the Cerknica valley fills with water and the vast lake appears. In as little as three weeks, all the water flows away through caves and sinkholes in the ground, and the lake dries up again. Unless additional rain showers give the lake a re-fill.
Just like the water from the lake disappears into underground, it also appears from deep below: from Karst springs. Please note that I use the words “lake” and “valley” as synonyms, because they indicate the same place, which is sometimes filled with water and sometimes dry.
We start our day with a hike to discover the most hidden corner of the valley: the springs, where much of the lake’s water comes from. Like the lake, also the springs have water one day, and the next day they can be dry. In any case, they are a place with a magical tranquility, so much so that I am getting in a poetic mood while I am writing about them.
After a delicious mid-day picnic, we set out to discover other parts of the lake. Also here, what we can see differs from day to day. We may be lucky and see a beautiful lake. Or, we may be even more lucky and see a moon-like landscape of dry sinkholes. It all depends on the season and the rainfall in the previous weeks.
Some days, especially in spring and autumn, Lake Cerknica can give the appearance of a regular lake. This is deceptive. One day, you may go swimming in chrystal clear water, only to find that, the next day, the water is gone and all you can do is hike on the dry lakebed.
The lake is always changing: in addition to the fluctuating water level,the seasons determine what we can see. In spring and summer, it is full of flowers. In winter, the lake can be frozen solid, and flocks of Eurasian cranes fill the sky.
Practical information:
Tour itinerary:
9:00 – 12:00 easy hike to the springs of the lake
12:00 – 12:45 delicious picnic lunch
12:45 – 15:00 we drive around the lake and have stopovers at points of interest like sinkholes, caves or, if there is a lot of water, places to see flowers and waterbirds
What to bring:
- Comfortable hiking shoes (we may walk through wet grass)
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Water bottle
- Packed lunch for the picnic (if not pre-arranged)
- Photo-camera: we are in one of the most stunning ature areas in Slovenia!
Important notes:
- Exclusively for your family or group! I do not combine groups. Small group sizes minimize disturbance to wildlife.
- Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
- We hike a total of about 5 km over level ground
Meeting point:
At the bridge between villages Gorenje jezero and Laze: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VHLbjfUMmtDmSVyv7
Tour duration:
9:00 – 15:00 h
Price (per person):
1 person: 115 €
2-6 persons: 80 €
Larger groups: please contact me for an offer
Children under 12 years of age are free of charge.
Picnic price (per person):
Adults: 15 €
Children under 12: 10 €
Contact me for booking biologist.paul@gmail.com or tel ++386 41 902 110