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The beautiful Notranjska Regional Park, located in the center of Slovenia, features both cultural and natural wonders. The park is home to 193 named peaks, all within the Javorniki region of the Dinaric Alps; Veliki Javornik (1,270m / 4 167ft) is the highest, while Velika Slivnica (1,114 m / 3,655 ft) is the most prominent.
The Notranjski Regional Park was established in 2002 by the Municipality of Cerknica to safeguard indigenous flora, fauna, and ecosystems. The entire municipal area is a natural park with a protected expanse of 222 sq. km (85.7 sq. mi).
The park’s centerpiece is the Cerkniško Jezero Lake, which spans 2,600 ha at 553 m (1,814 ft) above sea level. Križna Jama, a massive cave system discovered in 1878, is globally renowned for its subterranean lakes and sinter dams, with 2000 cave bear bones unearthed. Rakov Škocjan, between Cerkniško polje and Planinsko polje, is a diverse karst valley with natural wonders like caves, springs, sinkholes, a gorge, and swallow holes. The park also encompasses the dense forests of Javornik and Menišija and the Iška and Zala Gorges.
Notranjska Park is a geological wonder with caves, lakes, and numerous other karst forms, as well as diverse rock types. The area features red sandstones, mudstones, breccias, and bauxite from the Triassic, transforming later into dolomites. The region south of the Slovenian Basin, with shallow-water sedimentation from the Upper Triassic to Upper Cretaceous, is known as the Outer Dinarides.
Križna Jama cave is one of Slovenia's most beautiful water caves. It boasts 22 emerald lakes connected by an underground stream. It ranks among the world's most biologically diverse caves and is Slovenia's seventh-longest cave system. It has been explored since the Neolithic Era.
The crystal-clear Zala and Iška Rivers carve picturesque gorges in the northern part of the Notranjska Regional Park. The Iška emerges on the marshy edge of the Bloke plateau, flowing north through a deep gorge cut in dolomite, fed by clear streams like Opečnik and Črni potok.
The Zala River surfaces under the Vid plateau, creating a scenic valley on its way to the Iška. This area, featuring rapids, cascades, and waterfalls, is vital for nature conservation and, due to its intact ecology and alpine character, is part of the Natura 2000 Network.
The slopes, plains, forests, and ravines of the Notranjska Regional Park are teeming with wildlife. The diversity of rare habitats, such as the ephemeral Lake Cerknica and the extensive Križna Jama cave, make the Notranjska Regional Park one of Slovenia's biodiversity hotspots.
Lake Cerknica alone has recorded over 270 bird species and is home to 50% of mammal, 25% of amphibian, and 30% of butterfly species in Europe. Recent surveys identified 690 beetle and 43 dragonfly species.
The brown bear (Ursus arctos), Slovenia's most immense beast, has a 30-year lifespan and is a versatile omnivore. While it rarely preys on larger animals, it indulges in mushrooms, fruits, bulbs, rootstocks, and green plants, particularly enjoying ant and wasp larvae. Despite past conflicts with hunters and farmers, the brown bear plays a crucial role in the forest ecosystem and is numerous in the park.
The lynx is another important apex mammal. The largest lynxes can take down a deer four times their weight. Hunted nearly to extinction in western and central Europe, the lynx, wolf, and bear now play a vital role in Slovenia's forest ecosystem.
Lake Cerknica, an integral part of the Notranjska Regional Park, has captivated people's imaginations for centuries. Strabo, a Greek geographer in the first century, was the first to mention it, while Johann Weikhard von Valvasor provided a detailed description in the seventeenth century.
Extensive archaeological explorations of prehistoric mounds in the Dolenjska region and its surroundings were undertaken in the late nineteenth century. These settlements, known as gradišče, were constructed on hills or elevated grounds, fortified with stone or earth barrows, evident today as raised rock deposits surrounding some hilltops.
Churches in the area showcase architectural marvels, such as the church of St. Wolfgang, with its unique floor plan. In Notranjska, the earliest houses typically consisted of three rooms: a kitchen, a living area (hiška), and a small bedroom (kamra).
Mount Veliki Javornik (1,270 m / 4,166 ft), the highest peak in the Notranjska Regional Park, offers two marked trails starting from the village of Dolenja Vas and the Rakov Škocjan valley. Both paths traverse the forest and minimize exposure to direct sunlight, providing a cooler ascent than Mount Slivnica.
Commencing from the crossroads at the end of Dolenje Vas, the 6 km (3.7 mi) trail with an elevation gain of 819 m (2,687 ft) and descent of 820 m (2,690 ft) takes approximately 2.5 hours. Follow the signpost and traverse a field on the footpath. Initially, the path ascends gradually, occasionally intersecting a macadam road along Lake Cerknica. After four kilometers, the mountain trail climbs steeply through the forest, leading to the summit of Veliki Javornik, providing a stunning view of Lake Cerknica and Mount Slivnica from below the top.
This one- or two-day expedition allows you to encircle the Cerknica valley, conquering four peaks: Veliki Javornik, Križna Gora (965 m / 3,166 ft), and Slivnica (778m / 2,552 ft). Regarded as the ultimate hiking challenge in the Notranjska region, the trail spans 55 km (34.17 mi), with climbs and descents totaling 2,048 m (6,719 ft) each.
Starting in Selšček, the path spans 11 km (6.83 mi), features a climb and descent of 470 m (1,542 ft) each, and can be completed in approximately 4 hours. The path is adorned with benches featuring views of nearby villages, hills, and valleys. Along the way, information boards provide insights into the surrounding environment.
Nestled in the heart of Slovenia, Postojna is renowned for its natural wonders. With a population of approximately 9,000, the town is home to the world-famous Postojna Cave, an intricate underground marvel. Visitors can explore the enchanting Predjama Castle, perched dramatically on a cliff, and savor local delights.
Slovenia's vibrant capital, Ljubljana, exudes charm with its population of around 300,000. The city showcases architectural gems like Ljubljana Castle, Dragon Bridge, and the Triple Bridge. Ljubljana's lively atmosphere is complemented by cozy cafes along the Ljubljanica River and a rich cultural scene.
Explore Notranjska regional park with the PeakVisor 3D Map and identify its summits.
