The Cerknica Lake and its surrounding

Cerknica Lake

Nestled in a rolling landscape between Planinsko polje and Cerkniško polje are the villages of Unec and Rakek, the latter having accelerated its development since the coming of the railroad.

To the south below Javornik, concealed in the dense forests, is a natural jewel – Rakov Škocjan, also called Rakova dolina (Rak valley). In the past the ceiling of the cave that once existed here collapsed and now the Rak River flows in daylight. Parts of the ceiling at both ends of the valley have been preserved. On the east side this is the Small Natural Bridge, and on the west the Big Natural Bridge. The Rak flows from Cerkniško polje and has its source below Nesrečni grič.

Cerkniško polje (Cerknica polje) is the largest karst polje (depression) in Slovenia. Here you will find the largest intermittent lake in Europe – the Lake of Cerknica, extending over an area of 24 square kilometers. The lake usually appears after autumn rainfall, when the countless springs at the edge of the polje and the streams from the plateau enclosing it fill the polje with so much water that it can no longer “swallow” it. The lake usually disappears in spring.

So that much about the Lake. You will be impressed what a natural wonder can give to the people, who live in this area. Check for yourself.

From Cerknica Lake back to Inner Carniola