Discover Kočevje: Primeval Forest, Caves and History

Discover Kočevje through its nature, water and urban history. Krokar Primeval Forest, the Željne Caves and Lake Kočevje are complemented by historical attractions such as the Regional Museum, the city walking tour and Fridrihštajn Castle. Guided nature and culinary programmes also offer more ideas for your trip. You can choose what to focus on during your stay based on the experiences that interest you.

Forest, Caves and Water

Krokar Primeval Forest is a 74.49-hectare primeval forest reserve on Borovška gora and Slovenia’s largest remnant of primeval forest. The Pragozdna pot Krokar circular trail is about two kilometres long and has an elevation gain of 150 metres. It leads to the edge of the primeval forest, but not inside it. This clearly distinguishes a walk along the forest’s edge from a visit inside the primeval forest.

You can visit the Željne Caves independently or as part of a booked guided tour. The forest path to the caves starts at the car park in the village of Željne. Appropriate sports clothing, sturdy footwear and a lamp are required for the visit. When planning, you can choose between an independent visit and a guided tour; the necessary equipment is needed in either case.

The artificial Lake Kočevje was created between 1973 and 1978 in the basin of a brown coal mine. It covers about 39 hectares and is almost 40 metres deep. Swimming, surfing, sailing, diving and fishing are possible during the summer months. The lake’s history and seasonal water activities give it two distinct sides: it is both a striking landscape feature and a place for activities on and in the water.

Another natural highlight is Kraljica Roga: the fir tree is 55 metres tall and has a circumference of more than 500 centimetres. It stands not far from Rajhenav Primeval Forest. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider not only the large forest area but also a single tree with impressive dimensions.

Urban History and Historic Sites

The Kočevje Regional Museum was founded in 1952 and has been housed in Šešek House since 1963. The themed city walking tour visits 23 buildings and crosses two bridges, presenting key moments in the city’s history. You can also use a special app during the tour to view a 3D reconstruction of the former Kočevje Castle.

Fridrihštajn Castle also combines history with a specific outing idea: Count Friderik Celjski had it built for Veronika Deseniška between 1423 and 1425. From Kočevje, you can reach the ruins via a short climbing route or a hiking trail. Since trail conditions may affect access, it is best to check them before setting out.

There is one clear condition for visiting the Škrilj Bunker: you may not visit it without a guide.

Guided Experiences and Local Cuisine

“Okusi skrivnostnega gozda Slovenije” is a culinary cycling tour through Kočevsko, accompanied by a local guide. The programme includes a forest picnic at Rudniško jezero with Beljanov’s wild game goulash and MATT beer. The programme and menu may change, so check availability before booking.

The programme at the Borovec nature trail includes a walk starting from the village of Borovec, with views of the Kolpa Valley and Krokar Primeval Forest. It ends with a forest picnic featuring local specialities. As details of guided programmes may change, it is advisable to check availability before booking.

If you would like to discover Krokar Primeval Forest through a digital representation, try the experience “Secrets of the UNESCO-listed Krokar Primeval Forest”. Using a VR headset, it shows 15 different locations in the primeval forest, a 360-degree view and two videos about the lives and functions of trees. This experience is not a substitute for a hike: it presents the views through VR. Check availability before booking.

Getting There and Planning Your Trip

Regular passenger services run from Kočevje railway station to Ljubljana. Check the timetable before travelling. For information about Kočevsko, the TIC Jezero information centre provides details on cultural, tourist, sporting and other topics; check the visitor service details before your trip.

The attractions offer different things to focus on: the city walking tour and museum highlight the city’s history, while the forest, caves and lake offer nature experiences. The approximately two-kilometre route along the edge of Krokar, the cave visit with its required equipment and the summer activities at the lake also differ in what you need to plan for the day. Weighing up these interests for your stay can help you search more purposefully for hotels in Kočevje.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Banja Loka, Vrh pri Fari, Osilnica, Kočevje, Žalec, Celje, Vrhnika, Šmarje Pri Jelšah.

Go to the main travel overview: Slovenia.