Rakov Škocjan: discover the canyon that once was a cave!
Guided by: Paul Veenvliet, Licensed Guide and Biologist
This is the place where I go with guests who are in Slovenia for the first time. Imagine a landscape with caves and underground rivers, where elves and trolls dwell. Ravens fly overhead (they actually nest nearby). It is really an unforgettable place, but beware: you better take a good look because the extreme contrasts between light and dark make it challenging to capture the beauty of this place on photographs.
The geological history has shaped this area. In the karst, rivers and streams flow deep underground. At this particular place, an underground river has created a vast cave. Eventually, the cave ceiling became instable and collapsed. The water continued to dissolve the limestone rocks, until a lovely valley remained. The river still quietly meanders through this lush green place.
But nearby, the process of cave formation and ceiling collapse continues. Fortunately (for us), this takes place over a geological timescale, and only frequent visitors to the place may notice the occasional differences, like a rock that came loose from a cliff. But what everyone notices, is the sheer beauty of this rugged place!
Contact me for booking biologist.paul@gmail.com or tel ++386 41 902 110
What to bring:
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Water bottle
- Packed lunch for the picnic (if not pre-arranged)
Important notes:
- Exclusively for your family or group! I do not combine groups. Small group sizes minimize disturbance to wildlife.
- Moderately difficult: some parts of the trail are steep and slippery!
Category:
Hike with the same starting and ending point
70Meeting point:
Cerknica or Rakek
Tour duration:
9:00 – 13:00 h
Price (per person):
1 person: 95 €
2-6 persons: 70 €
Larger groups: please contact me for an offer
Children under 12 years of age are free of charge.
Picnic price (per person):
Children under 12: 10 €
Sharing Nature with Bears
Brown bears are making a comeback in Slovenia: from a low of about 600 in the last years of the previous century to well over 1000 at the moment of writing. In response to the population growth, bears also disperse into areas where they were not seen for decades and even centuries. For many nature-loving tourists, the prospect to share the area with bears is an exciting and positive one; some of my guests specially choose to come to Slovenia because of the bears. At the same time, brown bears are large and strong animals and confrontations are not without risks. During this hike, I will tell (and hopefully show) how to recognise the tracks and traces that bears leave in the landscape, as well as what to do, and what not to do, when you see a bear.
