Taking a break in the shades of century-old oak trees, enjoying the view of the splendid Big Natural Bridge (Veliki naravni most), travelling back in time at the ruins of the church of St. Cantianus, breathing in the fresh cave air under the slender arch of the Little Natural Bridge (Mali naravni most), or strolling along the soft and maintained trail by the tall-grown firs is an unforgettable experience over and over again...
Here on an afternoon stroll we witness geological processes that have lasted millions of years, which shaped this karst valley. Therefore the nomination of Rakov Škocjan for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List is not surprising at all.
Rakov Škocjan is a karst valley at the northern slopes of the Javorniki hills, formed by subsidence and collapse of the ceiling of a karst cave. This is evidenced by the 42 m-high Small Natural Bridge, the 37 m-high Big Natural Bridge, and the gorges behind them.
At the flat clayey bottom meanders the Rak stream, surrounded by cleared woodlands and flood meadows. The Rak is fed by underground waters discharging from the Cerknica plain and from beneath the Javorniki hills. This small river surfaces from the Zelška Caves in the eastern part of the valley and disappears in the Tkalca Cave in the west.
Together with Lake Cerknica and the Križna cave, the Rakov Škocjan valley has been designated as a wetland of international importance – Ramsar Site. The valley was also the first Slovenian regional park, established as early as 1949. As it is appropriate for such a natural sight, the valley also features an education trail.
Gallery
Fauna
Hidden from the eyes, in the eternal darkness of underground fissures and tunnels, true cave specialists roam. The most famous among them is the narrow-necked blind cave beetle, the first described cave beetle in the world.
Hidden from the eyes, in the eternal darkness of underground fissures and tunnels, true cave specialists roam. The most famous among them is the narrow-necked blind cave beetle, the first described cave beetle in the world.
Flora
Fir and beech forest surrounding the Rakov Škocjan valley ranks among the most diverse forests in Europe. Its most beautiful scenes can be admired in spring, when beeches turn green and colourful flowers enliven the undergrowth, and in autumn, when the forest's warm tints bid farewell to summer.
Fir and beech forest surrounding the Rakov Škocjan valley ranks among the most diverse forests in Europe. Its most beautiful scenes can be admired in spring, when beeches turn green and colourful flowers enliven the undergrowth, and in autumn, when the forest's warm tints bid farewell to summer.
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.
