Skocjan Caves, Slovenia
We headed to Skocjan Caves which was a magical experience. They don’t let you take photos whilst in the have so unfortunately you’ll just have to take my word for it. This underground cavern makes you feel like you've stepped into the Mines of Moria as you enter the one of the vast chambers, so deep you can barely make out the bottom. You will adventure through many chambers filled with impressive stalactites and stalagmites, before entering an incredible chamber with roaring river making it one of the worlds largest underground canyons, no wonder UNESCO has made it a World Heritage Site.
Guided Tours
They run tours every hour from 10am to 3pm in the high season but less frequent during the winter, so check the times before you go as you have to take a tour to go into the caves. The Tour started at the visitors centre where they walk you down to the cave entrance, about a 10 minute walk, note this is outside. The cave tour lasts about 1.5 hours and includes 400 steps just to warn you. You go deep into the cave system where at first you get to see some incredible stalactites, stalagmites and columns. As you delve deeper into the cave you open up into a huge chamber which has the Reka river running through it. This chamber is about a 100m high and is just beautiful with the roaring river craving its way through the space. It is such a magical experience, that is not one to be missed. For the more adventurous there are certain dates (1-2 a month) that you can get into caving gear and go deeper into the cave system and explore a different path through the cave. This lasts 3-4 hours and costs 100 EURO/pp.
When you exit the cave you enter a big opening where the cave roof collapsed many years ago (Big Collapse Doline). When you get into this opening you have a few options of how to exit (depending on season), there is a short 15 minute route with 100 steps that takes you up to a lift to take you out of the collapsed cave (green route), a 25-30 minute walk that takes you past waterfalls that make up the river before it flows into the cave. This is the route we took and I would highly recommend as the views are stunning, it does have another 400 steps though to get you out of the cave (yellow route). The 3rd option in a 2.5 km route that goes around the nearby village which takes approximately an hour and a half and involves 700 steps (red route). This route also goes past the waterfall as well as the little collapsed Doline as well as going through another cave system. This 3rd route is unfortunately closed at certain times of year, summer if best time to visit if you wish to do this route.
Official tour map (courtesy of the Skocjan Caves Website).
Getting there
Very easy to drive and takes approximately 55 minutes from Ljubljana. Public transport - You can get a bus to the two of Divaca which is about a 30 minute walk from the visitors centreDuring summer months they do a free shuttle in the local area so check that out here.
If you don’t have a car during your trip to Slovenia and want to check out Skocjan caves and Piran as well as San Servolo Castle check out this tour:
Cost
Adults - 16-24 EURO depending on season.
Students/seniors - 12-18 EURO
Children - 7.50-12.50 EURO
<6yrs old - FREE
You can book in advance online or book at the visitors centre when you arrive.
Duration
The tour itself takes about 1.5 hours and then you need to walk up or get the lift back to the car park, the yellow route walk is lovely and I would recommend but takes about 25 minutes. I’d give yourself 2-2.5hours to enjoy the caves. Even if planning to take the lift, give yourself at least 2 hours.
What to bring
Comfortable clothing & shoes - the path can get a bit wet and is steep in some places along with steps.
Warm jacket - it gets down to about 12 degrees Celsius in the cave.
Rain coat - no mater which route you take there are sections where you'll be walking outside.
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