Rakov Škocjan (and surroundings)
Caves, cliffs and an underground river!
Guided by: Paul Veenvliet, Licensed Guide and Biologist
Rakov Škocjan is one of the better know nature phenomena in Slovenia. In this excursion, we will experience it a bit differently. We will not only see Rakov Škocjan itself, with its famous natural bridges, but we follow the water from upstream to downstream. This is why we start with a beautiful view over Lake Cerknica. Both the lake and Rakov Škocjan are parts of what is locally known as the river with seven names. This river, in reality a stream, flows partly above ground and partly deep below the surface. But I guess I have lost some of you now: lake-river-stream, and these are all parts of the same?
Lets’ start with a little explanation. A large part of Slovenia has an underground of limestone, which is water-soluble. When a limestone rock is exposed to rain, nothing much happens from one day to the next. But after a couple of milions of years, the rock can dissolve completely. Whenever it rains in a limestone area, water flows into the ground, gradually widening cracks in the rocks. Eventually, the water arrives at a deeper, less dissolvable layer, and here it continues to flow in the form of underground streams and rivers. Wherever there is a deeper valley, the water flows at the surface. And wherever the valley ends at some hills, the water continues underground, straight through those hills.
The Cerknica valley is one of these places where the river with seven names flows at the surface. Sometimes, the entire valley fills with water, and it is no longer a stream then, but a vast lake, which is the subject of another excursion. On this excursion, our day starts at the lowest part of teh Cerknica valley, with a view to the stream, and a brief visit to the entrance of a cave, which is one of many places where the water disappears underground.
Several kilometres downstream, the water resurfaces at the place called Rakov Škocjan. Here¸, the water flows out of a spectacular cave. In the prehistory, what is now Rakov Škocjan, used to be a long, continuous, underground cave, that was formed by the river. Over time, the water dissolved more and more of the limestone rock. Eventually, the cave became so big that the cave-ceiling became instable and collapsed. Then, the water dissolved the remaining fallen rocks, until all that was left, is the small valley that we now call Rakov Škocjan.
Much of the river still flows deep underground, through largely inaccessible caves. In Rakov Škocjan, it enters the surface for only 2.5 km. Downstream, it disappears in another cave, only to reappear several kilometres away.
Animals can be elusive in Rakov Škocjan. Besides fish in the river, we likely see gray wagtails. High up on the cliff and almost out of view, ravens are nesting. They breed early in the year and their young have fledged by summer. However, they hang around throughout the year and may well fly past. This is also a good area for woodpeckers: grey-headed, pied and black are most common.
There are a few lizards around too, and it pays to take a good look at them. Besides common wall lizards, we may be lucky and spot the rare Horvath’s rock lizard and the Carniolan viviparous lizard.
Close to the viewpoint, there are several caves, where the water disappears into the underground. From here, the water flows underground for several kilometers!
During our excursion, we will see the small and large natural bridge: the famous stone arches where the valley is still being formed by the underground river. In between, we will see hidden springs and some wild parts of the river, which most tourists never learn about.
The last place that we visit today, is again further downstream. Deep in the forest, there is another collapsed cave. There is no surface water here, because the underground river flows deeper underground. What is left at the surface, is a vast crater with steep cliffsides. Besides a spectacular view, this place holds a secret. In the walls of the crater, there are abandoned military tunnels that reach so deep, that their lowest parts are connecting to the underground water. Here, aquatic cave-animals enter small pools in the concrete tunnels, and we can have a rare glimpse of the underground fauna.
Practical information:
Tour itinerary:
9:00 – 10:00 Lake Cerknica: we see where the water comes from – the lake and a cave entrance
10:00 – 12:00 the small natural bridge at Rakov Škocjan & caves & the wildest part of river Rak
12:00 – 12:45 delicious picnic lunch
12:45 – 14:00 the large natural bridge at Rakov Škocjan, at low water levels we may hike to the entrance of the Weavers cave
14:00 – 15:00 collapse ravine, deep in the forest
What to bring:
- Comfortable hiking shoes (some parts, we walk over slippery rocks!)
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Water bottle
- Photo-camera: we are in some of the most stunning nature areas in Slovenia!
- Torch or headlight
Important notes:
- Exclusively for your family or group! I do not combine groups. Small group sizes minimize disturbance to wildlife.
- Reasonable fitness required because some parts will be steep.
- We hike a total of about 5 km over partly rough, irregular rocks.
Meeting point:
Behind village Dolenja vas near Cerknica: https://maps.app.goo.gl/B7FLXYP8G4Q745BC8
Transport:
Up to two people can comfortably join me in my car. If you come with more people, you have to use your own vehicle to drive behind me.
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