Trail nr. 3: Upper Idrijca Landscape Park
HIKING AND CYCLING TRAILS
Starting point
Podroteja
The landscape park lies deep in the Idrija forests and covers an area of 4474 ha. It starts at the town of Idrija, covers the relief-rich world of the Idrija Hills in the upper Idrijca river basin and extends to the northern edge of the Trnovo Forest Plateau. It is a world of lonely paths, wild ravines, lush forests and rich technical heritage. The rugged world carved out by the Idrijca and Belca rivers and their tributaries reveals gorges, numerous waterfalls, picturesque pools, and springs of fresh water.
The extensive forest area retains its natural appearance despite five hundred years of exploitation for the mercury mine. Rare and endangered plants thrive on the steep slopes of deep valleys and ravines, and the diverse woodland provides shelter for many animals.
A trip through the landscape park is a real experience of unspoilt nature and the unique technical heritage of mercury.
Attractions
- Springs at Podroteja
- Wild Lake
- Strug Tectonic Window
- Strug Climbing Centre
More than 100 climbing routes on limestone walls 50 m high. - Lajšt Natural Bathing Area
- Hag’s Tooth
- Belca (Brus) klavže
- Putrih klavže
- Megalodontid shells
Well-preserved megalodontid shells are found in several locations. They are best preserved in the sediments along the Knipajs–Krekovše forest road. - Majnšek Forest
The landscape park is dominated by mixed forests of fir and beech, with beech forests in the higher altitudes. - Idrija Lauf Railway
- Bučke
- Trails in the vicinity
Along Rake
Local services
Trail map
Trail description
Reaching the starting point: From the direction of Ljubljana drive towards Idrija. When you pass Godovič, you will descend down a winding road through the Zala Valley. Towards the end of the valley, you will see the first cultivated meadow on your right with the Kolektor CPG company building on your right and a timber storage on your left. After the very next turn, there is a crossroads: take a left turn towards Idrijska Bela and the Wild Lake. Park your car approximately 0.5 km further on, at the Wild Lake parking.
Trail description: From the parking space, walk a few steps back towards Idrija, where you will see the Wild Lake from the bridge on your right – this is Slovenia’s first museum in nature and definitely worth a visit. Then continue along the main road towards Idrijska Bela, along the Idrijca River, past the tectonic window, to the Lajšt natural bathing area, located at the confluence of the Idrijca and Belca rivers. After crossing the wooden bridge, turn left towards Belca Klavže. The path first follows an asphalt road, which turns into a macadam road after about 1 km. At first it is flat, but then it starts to rise slowly. It leads you past a stone isolate (the “Hag’s Tooth”), a stone sign with a spring of excellent water, the Belca and Putrih Klavže to Krekovše, where you will see an abandoned hut on the left and a beautifully maintained hunting hut on the right. Continue along the road (to the left of the information board) and when you reach the crossroads, take the road to the right, which soon starts to descend. When you reach the next crossroads, take the right-hand path again, which leads along the Idrijca River back towards the Lajšt bathing area. Along the way, you can see the forest railway called the “Idrija lauf” and the natural attraction of kettle-like formation or “Bučke” in the Idrijca River. When you reach the confluence of the Belca and Idrijca rivers, follow the same route back to the starting point.
VISIT IDRIJA
