Guide to visiting Rakov Škocjan Park in Slovenia
Rakov Škocjan is a hidden gem located in the karst region in Slovenia. It’s a great option for a day trip from Ljubljana if you like being immersed in nature.
This spot is often confused with the Škocjan Caves which are a completely different attraction. Rakov Škocjan is a valley located around 30 minutes away from Škocjan Caves and it is a free, short, and really cool hiking trail.
We have lived and traveled through Slovenia for the past 5 years, and this guide is part of our mission of helping you explore this country. Here, we’ll go through everything you need to know for visiting the Rakov Škocjan valley.
What is Rakov Škocjan Valley and what to expect
Rakov Škocjan is the name of a beautiful karst valley formed by multiple caves and the Rak River which flows through them.
The entire karst region is known for interesting natural formations like these. Since the soil in this region is mainly made of limestone, the rivers and water bodies flow underground because this type of rock is permeable.
The Rakov Škocjan Valley is a very specific part of the land where the river comes overground for a short section between two caves, forming a stream and really unique caves. Through hundreds of years, the sinking and collapsing of the cave ceiling has formed the natural bridges and formations we see nowadays.
While many of these formations take years to be established, the valley is still being formed and changing through time. Nowadays, there is a 2.5 km long walking trail that will take you through the valley, from one cave to the other.
Rakov Škocjan was the first Slovenian regional park, established in 1949.
Where is Rakov Škocjan
Rakov Škocjan Valley is located next to the town of Cerknica, around 40 min away from Ljubljana.
This is a very remote spot but it’s quite easy to find since it is nicely tagged on Google Maps. You can see the exact location here.
How to get there
Considering this is quite a remote location, the best way to get to Rakov Škocjan is by car.
The location link above will guide you to the parking located at the start of the walking trail. Parking is free, it’s a small place by the side of the road.
Do you still need to rent a car?
We always use DiscoverCars to rent our car, so far it proved to be not only the cheapest option, but also the most reliable one. We used DiscoverCars to rent our car for our trips through Slovenia, Montenegro, Serbia, Italy, and so many more other countries, and we never had any issues. We even convinced all of our friends and family to use it. So that’s why we are also recommending it to you!
The road to reach Rakov Škocjan is a local gravel road. You will see the signs about the park on the side of the road.
There is no public transport connection to Rakov Škocjan, but a lot of people choose to cycle to the trailhead instead. If you will be staying nearby, this is also an option.
The trail through the Rakov Škocjan Valley
The best way to explore Rakov Škocjan is by following the local trail and also the caves below. As I mentioned above, the entire Rakov Škocjan Park is a natural site that is still transforming itself due to landslides, the cave ceiling collapsing, etc.
For this reason, the official trail will only take you through the main ground. If you want to explore the inside of the caves, you will be going at your own risk since they are not part of the officially marked trail.
That being said, exploring the inside of the caves was our favorite part and I highly recommend it! Keep reading to know more.
The Rakov Škocjan trail will pass through a few of the highlights of the valley, including:
- The ruins of the Church of St. Cantius
- Two natural stone bridges
- Two caves: Zelške and Tkalca
Stone bridges
Natural stone bridges are stone arches formed when the cave ceiling collapses. There are two stone bridges along the Rakov Škocjan trail:
- Little Natural Bridge (Mali naravni most)
- Great Natural Bridge (Veliki naravni most)
Both bridges are accessible and you can walk through them, as well as observe the stone arch from afar.
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Zelške Cave
If you are interested in visiting Rakov Škocjan because you saw pictures of this place online, the pictures you’ve seen are most likely from this cave.
The Zelške Cave is the main highlight of the Rakov Škocjan trail. What’s really special about this massive cave system is that you can walk through multiple caves, following the Rak River.
Between each of the caves, there is an opening and you can see walls of rock with the natural bridges formed on top. It’s a really special place!
The path through the caves is narrow, but it’s quite easy to follow. Make sure you bring a flashlight because it is dark.
Tkalca Cave
This is the end of the Rakov Škocjan Valley when the river goes back underground. It’s also where the trail ends.
This cave is also really cool to visit!
Where to stay near Rakov Škocjan
Considering this is a very remote place, I recommend visiting it as a day trip. You can get here easily from Ljubljana, from the Vipava Valley, or from the Slovenian Seaside.
If you want to stay really close by, there is a small local hotel called Hotel Rakov Škocjan which is located along the valley. You can also find good accommodation options in Postojna, such as the Postojna Cave Hotel or Hotel Kras.
Read also:
General tips for visiting Rakov Škocjan
- Make sure you bring a flashlight if you want to go down to the caves (we used the one on the phone which was doable, but a proper flashlight would have been better)
- Wear proper walking shoes because the terrain is very rocky and uneven
- Know that you will be going inside the caves at your own risk, so be very mindful when exploring
- The parking lot is very small, but we saw people parking on the side of the road as well.
- Phone signal inside the caves can be limited, but it works well around the trail
- We visited the Rakov Škocjan Valley during autumn and it was very empty
FAQ – Popular questions about Rakov Škocjan
What’s the difference between Rakov Škocjan and the Škocjan Caves?
These are two completely different places but a lot of people confuse them both.
- Rakov Škocjan is a valley located in the karst region in Slovenia. Here, there is a 2.5km walking trail where you can see and visit natural stone bridges and caves. Visiting Rakov Škocjan is free.
- Škocjan Caves is a very popular attraction in Slovenia and the second most visited cave system in the country. The caves can only be visited on a paid guided tour.
Both places are really worth a visit and they are located within 30 minutes of each other.
Can I visit Rakov Škocjan with kids?
Yes, but you’ll be doing it at your own risk. As I mentioned above, the path through the caves is not an official trail, which means it is not very well maintained.
We did see families with kids when we were there for the last time.
However, you know your kids best, so if they are used to these kinds of activities, I’d say it’s a really cool place to take them.
Do I have to pay to visit Rakov Škocjan?
No, both the trail and the parking are free of charge.
What is the best time to visit Rakov Škocjan?
The best seasons to visit Rakov Škocjan are spring, summer, and autumn. Winter is less recommended because the path can get very slippery with the cold temperatures.
We were there last autumn and we loved it. There was almost no one there and the weather was great for exploring the caves.
Read also: Best time of the year to visit Slovenia
Pro tip: I highly recommend combining a visit to Rakov Škocjan and Postojna Cave or Škocjan Cave. These places are located close to each other and they make a great day trip from Ljubljana.
Organizing your trip
To help you plan your trip to Slovenia, we have put together our favorite planning resources:
- Flights: Get affordable flights to Slovenia on Skyscanner.com.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you are protected during your trip. We use SafetyWing whenever we are traveling abroad.
- Renting a car: We always use Discover Cars to get the best car deals.
- Accommodation: Find the best hotels and apartments on Booking.com.
- Activities: Get fun ideas of what to do and buy unique activities with Get Your Guide.
- SIM Card: Stay connected during your trip with Airalo.
- Slovenia Map: Check out our custom-made Map with 290+ must-see spots!
- Recommended hiking gear: Check our recommendations on Amazon if you will be hiking in Slovenia!
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