Two crystal-clear rivers in the most northern part of the Notranjska Park have, with their character, added some Alpine touch to the Notranjska region.
The Iška surfaces on the marshy edge of the Bloke plateau and works its way north through a narrow gorge cut deeply in dolomite. It is fed from both sides by clear streams, the longest and most furcated among them are the Opečnik and the Črni potok streams.
The Zala river surfaces under the Vid plateau. On its way towards the Iška, with which it unites at Vrbica, the Zala has created a picturesque valley with gorge character where numerous rapids, cascades and waterfalls supply the stream with oxygen and make the valley difficult to pass.
The rivers with Alpine character, above which rise steep carbonaceous walls with typical flora, have been included in the Natura 2000 Network because of their intactness and importance for nature conservation.
Gallery
Fauna
In the embrace of wilderness of isolated and hardly-accessible gorges, shy otters, wildcats and black storks find their peace and food. Golden eagle glides above the steep walls, peregrine falcon shoots by, two ravens greets us from above the tree crowns, grey wagtail flies over the rapids, and white-throat dipper dives into the stream...
In the embrace of wilderness of isolated and hardly-accessible gorges, shy otters, wildcats and black storks find their peace and food. Golden eagle glides above the steep walls, peregrine falcon shoots by, two ravens greets us from above the tree crowns, grey wagtail flies over the rapids, and white-throat dipper dives into the stream...
Flora
The Alpine character of the Iška and Zala, steep slopes, carbonaceous rocks and areas around the upper course of streams give promise of special and diverse vegetation.
The Alpine character of the Iška and Zala, steep slopes, carbonaceous rocks and areas around the upper course of streams give promise of special and diverse vegetation.
Nearby attractions
Križna Cave
Križna Cave is one of the most beautiful tourist water caves in Slovenia.
Križna Cave is one of the most beautiful tourist water caves in Slovenia. 22 emerald lakes are connected by an underground crystal-clear stream, within side passages ancient bones of cave bears can be seen, and by the number of specialised cave dwellers, the Križna Cave ranks among the richest caves in the world.
Slivnica
The beautiful vista of Lake Cerknica and valleys of the Notranjska region made witches and their mistress Uršula choose Mount Slivnica as their home.
The beautiful vista of Lake Cerknica and valleys of the Notranjska region made witches and their mistress Uršula choose Mount Slivnica as their home.
Javorniki
The immense back of the Javorniki hills has been watching over intermittent Lake Cerknica and shaping the character of the Notranjska region landscape and its people since the old days.
The immense back of the Javorniki hills has been watching over intermittent Lake Cerknica and shaping the character of the Notranjska region landscape and its people since the old days.
