A lake that disappears and reappears – a fascinating karst phenomenon in the middle of the Slovenian landscape.
Cerknica Lake is the largest intermittent lake in Slovenia, located on a karst field in the middle of the Notranjska region. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it fills with water during rainy periods and completely dries up in dry months due to the permeable limestone bedrock. This phenomenon was known already in ancient times and was described by the famous traveler Janez Vajkard Valvasor in the 17th century.
The lake and its surroundings offer wonderful opportunities for hiking and cycling, with viewpoints such as Slivnica and Križna Gora. The area is a paradise for ornithologists – up to 250 bird species can be spotted here. When the lake is full, you can go sailing, boating, or fishing. In the town of Cerknica, you will find an information center and a museum dedicated to this phenomenon.
For Czech travelers, the location is easily accessible from the Ljubljana–Postojna highway. The best time to visit is spring and autumn, when the water level is highest. In summer, the lake often dries up. We recommend combining the trip with a visit to the Postojna Caves or Snežnik Castle. Parking is available at the entrance gates of the park, where marked trails begin.
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GPS: 45.7522, 14.3850
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Foto: Bob Ramsak · CC BY-SA 4.0
