Cerknica Lake
Cerknica Lake
4.2
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
Lake Cerknica is one of the largest intermittent lakes in Europe. It appears every year on the karst polje (plain), caught between the Javorniki hills and the Bloke plateau on one side, and Mount Slivnica on the other. During the dry season, the lake disappears, which enables paddling, fishing, hiking or grass mowing in the same area in just one year. The lake normally stays on the Cerknica plain for about eight months a year. Water usually spreads over the surface of 20 km2, but at its fullest, the lake covers a surface of about 26 km2. When full, Lake Cerknica becomes the largest lake in Slovenia.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.2
43 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
17
Average
3
Poor
2
Terrible
1
1Magnus
Anstruther, UK94 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
One of our favourite spots during a fabulous summer holiday in Slovenia. Lake uncommonly full of water after a few weeks of rain, so we made the most of this fantastic bathing opportunity; the water was heavenly. Best spot for getting in the water very near the excellent tourist information / exhibition; we also hired a canoe there, in an uncomplicated way. Great little cafe nearby serving drinks and snacks. Notice the bear-proof bins in the car park...!
Written October 31, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zverchy
Ljubljana, Slovenia20 contributions
Jan 2020
Ice. Sun. Breathe In & Breathe Out the fresh, cold, almost frozen air.
Ice skating. Divine nature walks. Swinging on a tree by the lake.
Cerknica Lake is one of the largest intermittent lakes in Europe. The lake lingers on Cerknica Polje for about nine months a year. Usually, water spills over an area of more than 20 km2, but when the water is at its maximum, the lake surface measures almost 30 km2. When full, Cerknica Lake is the largest lake in Slovenia.
Ice skating. Divine nature walks. Swinging on a tree by the lake.
Cerknica Lake is one of the largest intermittent lakes in Europe. The lake lingers on Cerknica Polje for about nine months a year. Usually, water spills over an area of more than 20 km2, but when the water is at its maximum, the lake surface measures almost 30 km2. When full, Cerknica Lake is the largest lake in Slovenia.
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ana
Moscow, Russia369 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
Lake Cerknica (Cerkniško jezero) is an intermittent lake in southwestern Slovenia. The lake is present for the most part of the year and when full, it is the largest lake in the country and one of the largest intermittent lakes in Europe. The plain is surrounded by the Dinaric Alps (Javornik Hills to the south and Slivnica to the north). When the lake is completely drained its bed is speedily covered with rich vegetation. The lake is an important wildlife resort, especially as a nesting place for many bird species. Lake Cerknica has been designated as a wetland of international importance because of its significance for the preservation of endangered flora and fauna. Also, it's rich in fish, which disappear and return with the water and home for mammal species. Botanically, it is distinguished by amphibious plants. Various water sports are popular on the lake. Rowing, fishing, biking, walking, bird watching, boating, ice skating and a lot more. The changing shape and size of the lake provides a different and unique experience every time. Perfect for an easy and wonderful stroll surrounded by nature. Great place to cycle. Suitable for all ages. Lots of photo ops! Recommended.
Written January 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Miha P
Maribor, Slovenia8,910 contributions
Aug 2017 • Couples
Dry land with meadows is far less attractive than rainy season with water in the lake or winter with ice. There are some dusty roads with pedestrians or people with bikes. They can travel around and visit a kind of a museum – restaurant in Dolenje Jezero. It is a shame that Cerknica is without decent Visitor’s center. Visitors can’t know enough about different plants, flowers or birds from the area.
Written August 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
izif_37
Ljubljana, Slovenia3,321 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
The lake is special in a way that it changes size and shape during the year. In the summer it almost disspears due to the carst soil- but even at that time is interesting as you can see the hols through which water runs underground. Lots of hiing possibilities, roads are good and not hard for biking. Using a boat is another option- I prefer SUP! And I like to come back in winter as well - good for skating or even sailing on the ice! Dont forget for the carnial! The one in Cerknica is one of the biggest in Slovenia - with giant witch and other fairy tail caracters...
Written August 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The_Travel_Bunch
Bristol, UK79 contributions
Aug 2019
Whilst not the most beautiful without water, walking around the sink holes and imagining the size of it when full was amazing. Glad we stopped at the tourist info in Cerknica where we heard about why they dam it and saw photos of the fishermen saving the fish from disappearing with the water. We then drove all around the lake on the tracks, if we had more time I imagine there are great walks in the woods and it definitely felt like bear territory, we had a great trip. Oh - and enjoyed the frog spotting, if you look closely there were loads....
Written August 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Olixplorateur
Luxembourg City, Luxembourg19 contributions
Sep 2018
A huge amount of locals are driving like very fast on a unpaved road.
They are also riding atvs around the protected lakes which makes the birds escaping this area.
They are also riding atvs around the protected lakes which makes the birds escaping this area.
Written September 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Igor Mavko
Grahovo, Slovenia30 contributions
Jun 2017 • Couples
As a local resident I can surely confirm that the place is one of a kind. The lake is the most beautiful to see in the summer when it dissapears so you fell like in the moon - surrounded by big holes. Really worth to see!
Written May 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kristina A
Ljubljana, Slovenia75 contributions
Mar 2018 • Family
Like others have said, each time you visit it looks and feel different, the lake is never the same! When it is full of water there is boating and fishing, or even ice-skating in winter, in the spring there are flowers and in the summer it looks like a martian landscape and you can even go swimming.
There is nice little cafe and a tourist information centre is being built at the moment.
It is also the perfect place for photographers and bird watchers, with several hundred types of birds documented here.
P.s. I saw a bear here!
There is nice little cafe and a tourist information centre is being built at the moment.
It is also the perfect place for photographers and bird watchers, with several hundred types of birds documented here.
P.s. I saw a bear here!
Written April 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EVAdinaricaProject
Zagreb, Croatia7 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
It's really worth to read into this lake before you visit, you don't want to miss out on the romantic legends and the interesting phenonomens in and around the lake. To me this is one of those places that touches me, straight to the heart. It's more than a beautiful place, more than a spectacular view or a exiting hike. It's a true wonder of nature. A lake that disappears for a few weeks or months per year which causes a unique biodiversity and has of course a huge influence on how the people around the lake live and lived their lifes. Take your time, pay a visit to the museum and give Cerkniško Jezero a change, than surely you will come back to get to know her better :-)
Written October 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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