Škocjan Caves

What it is

The Škocjan Caves (Škocjanske jame) are next to Divača, about half an hour by car south of Postojna along the motorway. They were Slovenia's first natural monument on UNESCO's World Heritage list, in 1986. If at Postojna it is the shapes that impress, here it is the size: the River Reka goes underground and has carved out an underground canyon 2.6 km long and up to 146 m high, one of the largest in Europe.

The Martel Chamber, the largest in the system, is about 146 m high, 120 wide and 300 long. The best-known point of the visit is the Cerkvenik Bridge, which crosses the canyon about 50 m above the water.

What the visit is like

Always with a guide. You set off from the reception centre, at Matavun, and walk down to the Globočak sinkhole, where the entrance is. Through an artificial tunnel you first reach the Silent Cave (Tiha jama), a dry, fossil gallery full of stalactites, with the Great Hall and the Giant, one of the largest stalagmites in the system. Then you move on to the Murmuring Cave (Šumeča jama), where you hear the Reka, walk the canyon and cross the Cerkvenik Bridge.

On emerging into the light you continue on your own through Velika dolina, one of the largest collapse sinkholes in Slovenia, pass the Tominc cave, with archaeological finds, and under a natural bridge to Mala dolina. From there you enter the Mahorčič and Marinič caves and climb back to Matavun.

The full route takes 2 to 3 hours, with 5 km and about 1,000 steps. If it gets too long, you can leave early through Velika dolina: 3 km and 500 to 800 steps. From October to April, the visit always finishes by that exit. Inside it is 12 °C.

Opening hours

Departures are at set times. According to the park's timetable:

• January, February, November and December: 10:00 and 13:00.
• March: 10:00, 11:30 and 13:00.
• April to June, September and October: every hour from 10:00 to 15:00.
• July and August: every hour from 9:00 to 16:00.

Closed on 1 January and 25 December.

Tickets and price

Tickets are bought in the park's online shop or at the reception centre. Prices per person:

• January to March, November and December: adults €16, pensioners and students under 26 €12, children €7.50.
• April and October: €18, €14 and €9.
• May, June and September: €22, €16 and €10.
• July and August: €24, €18 and €12.50.

The child rate is for ages 6 to 17; under-6s do not pay, according to the park's online shop.

The park also organises the Hanke Channel visit, a 3 to 4 hour caving route for over-15s, for €100 and with a booking at least 10 days ahead.

How to get there and park

By car, leave the motorway at Divača, turn right onto the regional road, after a kilometre turn left towards Škocjan and, a kilometre later, left again towards Matavun, where the information centre is. The website does not detail the parking; ask there or call +386 5 7082 110.

By train, get off at Divača: from the station a signposted path of about 4 km sets off, about 50 minutes on foot.

What to bring, children and dogs

The park asks for comfortable sports clothing, suitable footwear, something for your head and enough water, and an umbrella if it rains, because part of the path is in the open air. Photography is not allowed inside the cave. Dogs cannot take part in the visit. Because of the steps and the distance, it is a visit for children who already walk well; there is no wheelchair accessibility information.