Summer reveals a completely different side of Notranjska Park. As Lake Cerknica disappears, its hidden lakebed comes to light, forest trails invite visitors into nature, underground caves offer a welcome escape from the heat, and guided experiences uncover stories and natural wonders that are easy to miss on your own.
Explore Lake Cerknica
Notranjska Park offers numerous hiking and cycling trails that lead you through a diverse karst landscape, past meadows and forests, and along the intermittent Lake Cerknica.
One of the most popular hiking trails is the Drvošec Trail, which takes you to the Kuharca and Klejni vrh birdwatching points and the Otočec observation tower, offering stunning views of the lake and its surroundings. Families can enrich their walk with the Jezerska dogodivščina booklet, which guides children along the trail in a playful way. By solving puzzles and tasks, exploring nature becomes a true adventure that keeps children engaged while encouraging them to observe their surroundings.
Whether you choose a relaxed walk or a longer cycling tour, you can experience nature at your own pace – with opportunities to stop, listen to the silence, and observe life awakening all around you.
Discover the Story of Lake Cerknica
To better understand this remarkable natural phenomenon, visit the Museum of Lake Cerknica. Interactive exhibits explain how the lake appears, disappears, and returns throughout the year. A special highlight is the live model that vividly demonstrates the lake's dynamic behaviour.
You can continue your journey at the Visitor Centre Lake Cerknica, where a modern exhibition presents the lake's wildlife, natural processes, and rich cultural heritage.Visitors also receive a 10% discount voucher for selected museums and visitor centres across the Green Karst destination.
Into the World of Karst Mysteries
Few places allow you to walk across land that spends much of the year underwater. During the Moon Walk experience, visitors explore the dry lakebed of Lake Cerknica and discover sinkholes, karst formations, and the fascinating processes that shape this extraordinary landscape.
Another must-see destination is Rakov Škocjan, one of Slovenia's most beautiful karst valleys. The valley was formed by the collapse of the ceiling of a former cave system. Today, the 42-metre Small Natural Bridge and the 37-metre Large Natural Bridge stand as impressive reminders of its geological past.
For those looking to venture deeper into the forests of Notranjska, the Unbound Wanderings guided hikes reveal the wilderness of Rakov Škocjan and the Javorniki forests through stories, viewpoints, and hidden natural features.
Discover the Underground World
When summer temperatures rise, Križna Cave offers a refreshing retreat. The temperature inside remains around 8°C throughout the year.
Visitors can join a one-hour guided tour leading to the first underground lake, where the experience continues with a boat ride across crystal-clear waters. Its underground lakes and exceptionally preserved environment make Križna Jama one of Slovenia's most unique cave experiences.
Experience Nature with All Your Senses
The Sounds of Nature experience invites visitors to explore the hidden soundscape of the forest and wetlands. Birdsong, rustling leaves, flowing water, and subtle natural sounds reveal a side of nature often overlooked. Creative visitors can join the Wood Carving in the Forest workshop, held in an outdoor classroom beside Lake Cerknica.
A Touch of Adrenaline
Mount Slivnica, known in local folklore as the Witches' Mountain, offers breathtaking views over Lake Cerknica and the surrounding forests.
After reaching the summit, visitors can enjoy an exciting downhill ride on a monster roller – a unique combination of adventure, scenery, and outdoor fun.
The Mysterious Bird Life of Lake Cerknica
Lake Cerknica is one of Slovenia's most important birdwatching areas. More than 300 bird species have been recorded here, representing over half of all bird species found in Europe, while around 100 species breed in the area.
During The Mysterious Bird Life of Lake Cerknica guided experience, visitors can discover the rich birdlife of this internationally important wetland and learn about species such as the White-tailed Eagle, Eurasian Bittern, Black Stork, Penduline Tit, Yellow Wagtail and many others.
Summer in Notranjska Park offers endless opportunities for exploration, learning, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences. Discover for yourself why the Mystical Land of Lake Cerknica is truly a very special piece of the world.
