Gorenje Jezero by Lake Cerknica: Springs and Trails

Lake, Springs and Birdwatching

Gorenje Jezero lies on the southeastern edge of Lake Cerknica. The lake changes with the seasons, alternating between an extensive body of water and meadows or fields. Lake Cerknica is also designated as a Ramsar Wetland and a Natura 2000 site.

Malnšče is a birdwatching station in Gorenje Jezero, right by the Stržen watercourse, and also a meeting place for visitors. The station offers a view of the Stržen; in exceptionally clear weather, the view even reaches as far as Triglav. The view of the watercourse should therefore be distinguished from the weather-dependent long-distance view.

Most of the water that feeds Lake Cerknica rises in the area between Gorenje Jezero and Laze, where more than 33 springs emerge. At the Kotrjaž spring, Viktor Ponikvar of Gorenje Jezero discovered an olm in 1964. To date, this is the only documented olm find at Lake Cerknica.

Hiking, Cycling and Activities on the Lake

Pot Izvirov is a four-kilometre circular hiking trail. Signposts and information boards point to 14 particularly interesting springs, as well as local wildlife and plant life. The route also includes an exceptionally large maple tree, more than 100 years old and protected as a natural asset.

Another hiking route leads from Šteberk to Karlovec Castle through Gorenje Jezero and offers a beautiful view of the Julian Alps in good weather. The Kosec (The Corncrake) cycle route runs from Laze pri Gorenjem Jezeru and continues through Gorenje Jezero. At Lake Cerknica, visitors can row, cycle, walk along educational trails and watch birds; conditions vary with water levels. The hiking routes differ in their described orientation: Pot Izvirov is a four-kilometre loop with information about springs and nature, while the route from Šteberk leads to Karlovec Castle and offers a weather-dependent view of the Julian Alps.

In the area of Lake Cerknica where navigation is restricted, boating on the Stržen is permitted as long as the water level at the Gorenje Jezero gauge is above 100 cm. Water-level and boating regulations may change, so check the latest official notice before setting out.

Traces from Different Eras

Settlement finds from the Bronze Age have been discovered in the Hrastene njive area. On the Stražišče hill above Gorenje Jezero is an Iron Age hillfort. The Church of St. Cantius in Gorenje Jezero is mentioned in 1526. These references mark different periods: the settlement finds and hillfort date to the Bronze and Iron Ages respectively; the year given for the church is the year it was mentioned.

Through a pumping station, Laški Studenec spring supplied drinking water to the residents of Laze and Gorenje Jezero until 2014. Historically, the residents of Gorenje Jezero were regarded as guardians of the lake.

Discover more destinations: Cerknica, Rakek, Dane, Stari Trg Pri Ložu, Grahovo, Radlek, Iga Vas, Runarsko.

Back to the main travel overview: Cerknica.