Trail nr. 2: Along Rake – the Path of Idrija’s Natural Scientists
HIKING AND CYCLING TRAILS
The path along Rake is the only path in Idrija that offers a leisurely walk that doesn’t go uphill. It leads you along the left bank of the Idrijca River, past suspension bridges, from which you can admire the beautiful Idrijca River, to the dam at Kobila. It is no secret that the Rake water channel was built to serve the needs of the Mercury Mine. Already at the end of the 16th century, the Idrijca River was dammed at Kobila and the first rake was built – a water channel that fed water to the huge mining pumps called kamšt (pumping devices). Originally it led to the centre of the town, but today it only runs from the dam at Kobila to the Kamšt. The first dams were made of wood, but in 1776 they were walled with stone.
The nature trail along Rake reveals the varied rock structure, forest communities and special botanical features of Idrija. A turn off the Rake trail over a suspension bridge to the other side of the Idrijca River leads you to the Wild Lake. The trail is interesting in all seasons and in all weathers.