Rakov Škocjan is a wonderful karst valley between Planinsko (Planina) Polje and Cerkniško (Cerknica) Polje, and along with Lake Cerknica, the cave of Križna Jama and the mountain Slivnica is one of the major attractions of the Notranjska Regional Park.
The entire area of Rakov Škocjan was once a large cave, carved through the rock by the river Rak. Eventually the cave ceiling collapsed and the valley began to form. The area was proclaimed a nature park in 1949 and thus became the first protected landscape in Slovenia.
Together with Lake Cerknica and Križna Jama, Rakov Škocjan has been added to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.
The entire area is full of karst phenomena. A nature trail through the valley leads visitors through this unique natural environment.
The highlight of the visit is the sight of two masterpieces of nature:
- The Small Natural Bridge (20 m long and 6 m wide) rising 42 m above the Rak, a sinking stream
- The Big Natural Bridge (40 m long and 10 m high) on the other side of the Rakov Škocjan valley.
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