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With its rolling hills and green valleys, the Cerkno region makes for an excellent hiking and cycling destination. In winter, you can have some fun in the snow on the most modern ski slope in Slovenia. Cerkno is located on the Idrija Fault, a source of thermal water for the only Slovenian spa in the Julian Alps. It is home to the world's oldest whistle and a unique Partisan hospital.
This was not the right valley, Marko. Maybe that's the right valley, Marko. That valley has to be somewhere.
Lotti (Evelyne Wohlfeiler) in the film The Valley of Peace (Dolina miru), 1956
Alpska Slovenija
Cerkno
Cerkljansko imenujemo tudi »zibelka svetovne glasbe«, saj je bilo v jami Divje babe leta 1995 izkopano najstarejše glasbilo na svetu, 60.000 let stara Neandertalčeva piščal.
Top 5 attractions
Slovenia is replete with awe-inspiring natural and cultural riches. Are you interested in what you need to see in Cerkno?
TOP experiences
Cerkno's diverse landscape attracts active explorers in both summer and winter. Experience the rich cultural heritage in Cerkno's gorges and valleys, and relax your thoughts in the embrace of green natural beauties.
Winter fun on the most modern Slovenian ski slope
Immerse yourself in the Cerkno Ski Resort’s winter fairy tale, which offers ski slopes for both beginners and more seasoned skiers. If you still lack the necessary carving skills, you can get help from our experienced skiing and snowboarding instructors. Children can enjoy the carpet lift and roundabout in the training area. Next to the ski slope, the resort also has five kilometres of cross-country skiing trails and is an excellent starting point for exploring the Cerkno region.
MoreUnforgettable panoramic views from a bicycle
Unforgettable panoramic views from a bicycle
Embark on an authentic adventure and explore hills and gorges, valleys and passes with spectacular views, riding through woods, above ravines, past pastures and colourful meadows. You can choose between short and easy, and longer, more challenging tours. You can, for instance, journey over the Cerkno Hills from Tolmin to Idrija or enjoy the circular route through the Nature 2000 area and the picturesque villages with homesteads typical of Idrija and Cerkno.
MoreExplore the Cerkno region on foot
Explore the Cerkno region on foot
Choose one of the mountain paths and transversal hiking trails winding through the Cerkno region. The marked and well-maintained hiking paths, which are also great for Nordic walking, allow you to enjoy hiking in all seasons. Conquer Mount Porezen, which, at 1,630 m, is the highest peak in the Cerkno Hills and affords breath-taking views of the Lower Bohinj Mountains and the Julian Alps, or set out to France Bevk's homestead in Zakojca from Cerkno.
MoreNeed an adrenaline rush?
Need an adrenaline rush?
Grab a mountain bike and ride down the winding forest trails of the Cerkno Bike Park. There are several downhill trails of various difficulties and a flowtrail under the mountain’s six-chair lift. Visit the Lutne Skale climbing area, which offers 46 climbing routes and is ideal for both beginners and experienced climbers, as the difficulty levels go all the way up to grade 9.
MoreFollow the paths of Cerkno's rich cultural heritage
Follow the paths of Cerkno's rich cultural heritage
Take a walk to the Franja Partisan Hospital, hidden deep inside the Pasice Gorge, or descend from the Šebrelje Plane to the Divje Babe I Cave, where a 60,000-year-old Neanderthal whistle was found. Get to know the region's history and cultural heritage in the Cerkno Museum.
MoreTraditional Shrovetide carnival with Cerkno's Laufarji
During Shrovetide, you can meet Laufarji, one of the most distinct traditional Shrovetide groups in Slovenia. Dance with the 25 Shrovetide characters carrying larfe, special masks carved from linden wood. The main character is Pust (the Shrovetide Man), wrapped in a mossy dress and carrying a young spruce tree in one hand, accompanied by other characters, such as ta bršljanov (the Ivy Man), ta tierjesta (the Two Thread Men), ta star (the Old Man) and ta stara (the Old Woman).
MoreInternational Jazz Festival
International Jazz Festival
In May, Cerkno becomes the Slovenian capital of jazz. The festival delivers three nights of both distinguished and up-and-coming performers from around the world who share a love of discovering new directions in jazz and expanding their musical horizons. It is accompanied by activities such as workshops, exhibitions, etc., and is also famous for its lively "after-party" scene in a select location in Cerkno.
MoreBevk Days
Bevk Days
In September, you can attend a series of cultural, entertainment and educational events for all generations, dedicated to the famous Slovenian writer France Bevk. Every year, the main event is held on Sunday. Walk along the Bevk Path from Cerkno to Zakojca where the author spent his childhood. After the cultural programme outside the Bevk homestead, treat yourself to a Bevk lunch on the tourist farm Pri Flandru.
MoreRelaxation in the Valley of the Idrijca River
Relax in unspoiled nature, in the shade of the trees, by the clear pools of the Idrijca River. There are pristine beaches on the banks of the river, and the water offers a nice refreshment in summer days. The great abundance of fish is a true paradise for sports fishing lovers. As an effluent of the Soča River, Idrijca is known for the thoroughbred marble trout.
MoreFor beneficial effects on your body
For beneficial effects on your body
Feel the beneficial effects of the thermal water flowing into Slovenia’s only Alpine spa, which is part of the Cerkno Hotel. The thermal water with a rich chemical composition is pumped from the depth of 2,000 metres. Visit the Šebrelje Plain to witness the powerful energies of the Idria Fault. Focus on yourself and refill your energy outdoors with a unique forest "selfness" service.
MorePamper your taste buds with authentic Cerkno flavours
Pamper your taste buds with authentic Cerkno flavours
The Cerkno region boasts a diverse and delicious cuisine that will impress even the most fussy of eaters. The Smukavc stew, Šebreljski želodec (a cured meat product), the Pajtičke pastry and Cerkljanska rezina (the Cerkno cake) are only some of the dishes on offer. To work up your appetite for the regional delicacies, try Cerkno Hotel's house walnut aperitif, which takes its name from the well-known Cerkno Laufarji.
MoreGreen Facts
Slovenia is writing its green story. Feel it at every step.
The entire bed of the Idrijca River is part of the Natura 2000 area and is a natural asset of national importance.
70 percent of Cerkno is covered by forest, which is higher than the Slovenian average.
The Cerkno Zaganjalka intermittent spring is an interesting karst phenomenon, whose main feature is its intermittent water flow. In Slovenian terminology, every such spring is named after it.
There are strong sources of natural energy around the Idrija Fault. One such source is at the Church of Saint Ivan in Šebrelje, which is considered the strongest Slovenian energy spot.
Pajtičke
Pajtičke are the miniature version of the real savoury onion loaf, a regional specialty. Savoury Pajtičke with onion and walnut stuffing are an excellent snack. They can also be a side and go well with vegetable and meat dishes as a substitute for bread. Some restaurants in the Cerkno region serve savoury pajtičke with a welcome aperitif.
Let the Cerkno delicacies awaken your taste buds!
The Cerkno region boasts a diverse and delicious cuisine that will impress even the most fussy of eaters. Find out for yourself.
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Nearby destinations
Don't forget to explore Cerkno's surroundings.Visit Idrija, a UNESCO-listed town only 20 km away that has a mercury mine and is the cradle of the famous Idrija lace. Another UNESCO heritage site 40 km from Cerkno is Škofja Loka, a historical town with a rich handicraft tradition. For more active experiences, drive a lovely 30 km to the Soča Valley, a paradise for adrenaline junkies. Anyone looking for peace and relaxation in unspoiled natural surroundings will find them in Bohinj, a picturesque Alpine valley in the Triglav National Park 45 km away.
Slovenia through the eyes of visitors
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