Cerknica: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

Lake Cerknica usually remains on the Cerkniško polje for about eight months of the year. At its maximum extent, it covers around 26 km² and is the largest lake in Slovenia.

Those planning a stay in Cerknica can choose to rent a holiday apartment.

Nature

Lake Cerknica, together with Rakov Škocjan and Križna jama, forms part of an internationally important Ramsar wetland and a Natura 2000 site. Rakov Škocjan is a karst valley formed by the collapse and disintegration of the roof of a karst cave. It is home to the 42-metre-high Mali naravni most and the 37-metre-high Veliki naravni most. 303 bird species have been observed in the area of Lake Cerknica.

Križna jama is a world-famous karst water cave with numerous underground lakes, sinter barriers, an important site where cave bear bones were found, and largely preserved natural conditions. As a naturally preserved show cave, it has no electric lighting or concreted paths; visitors are provided with rubber boots and a portable rechargeable lamp for the tour.

Things to Do

The Drvošec Trail leads from the Rešeto swallow holes to a point just over 500 metres before the bridge near Otok and is 3.7 km long in one direction. The first section can be visited by wheelchair users on a level gravel path, provided that their wheelchair is suitable for this surface.

Mount Slivnica lies above Cerknica on the north-eastern side of Lake Cerknica. The marked hiking trail to Slivnica begins at the bowling alley on Brestova ulica in Cerknica. It offers views of the Javorniki ridge and Lake Cerknica; the finest view is located just below the summit at Dom na Slivnici.

The Menišija nature trail is marked and equipped with information boards. It illustrates the connection between natural and cultural heritage.

The 29-km Jezerko cycling route begins in Dolenje Jezero. It runs along Lake Cerknica and through Rakov Škocjan; apart from the more varied section through Rakov Škocjan, it is predominantly flat. The route is marked with pictograms of the water figure Jezerko. The combined cycle and pedestrian path between Cerknica and Dolenje Jezero is 1,393 metres long in total.

Culture

The Museum of Lake Cerknica in Dolenje Jezero is a cultural and informative experience centre. The Okusi Notranjske experience presents traditional regional cuisine made with local ingredients, from typical stews to sweet dishes.

The Cerknica Carnival includes the traditional customs of “Žaganje babe” and “pokop Pusta”. The carnival events in Cerknica take place throughout the entire carnival week, culminating in the famous procession.

Hiša izročila is an educational centre for intangible cultural heritage under the UNESCO Convention. In Dolenja vas, it operates in a protected essential-oil distillery that is registered with the Ministry of Culture as the first essential-oil distillery in Slovenia.

The branch church of St Lawrence in Dolenja vas is first mentioned in 1581; the year 1616 is carved into its church portal. The Church of St Lawrence in Dolenja vas preserves three altars, including a gilded high altar dedicated to Saint Lawrence.

Visitor Information

The Cerknica Tourist Information Centre provides visitors with information on fishing, caving, bird and bear watching, horse riding, hiking and cycling.

In front of the Lake Cerknica Visitor Centre in Dolenje Jezero, there is a car park with three spaces reserved for people with special needs.

Other Local Pages

Other local pages: Rakek, Cerknica, Grahovo, Markovec, Iga Vas, Stari Trg Pri Ložu, Kozarišče, Žerovnica, Gorenje Jezero, Dane, Nova Vas, Radlek, Runarsko.

To the higher-level travel overview: Slovenia.