Area description
Lake Cerknica is the largest intermittent lake in Europe and, with an area up to 29 km2, also the largest lake in Slovenia when flooded. The lake is the largest element of the Notranjska regional park and is included in Natura 2000. The greater part of the area is covered with stands of aquatic plants, of which reed is most numerous.

Access
We board a train (either from direction of Ljubljana or Koper) and get off at station Rakek. From here we continue on the main road to Cerknica with a bicycle (approximately 30 minutes of cycling). When reaching Cerknica, we can either do the whole 25 kilometre long circular route around the lake or return back to the starting point anytime during our journey. Another option is to go to Cerknica with an intercity bus and continue our trip on foot.

Trail description
In Cerknica we turn right after crossing the bridge over Cerkniščica and continue towards lake Dolenje. We stick to the main road. From lake Dolenje we continue on a macadam road, past Rešet where beautiful views towards the lake open up to us every now and then. Part of the trail leads through the forest as well. In Laze, we turn towards Gornji lake and stick to the main road. After a while we reach Grahovo and turn left. By going through Martinjak we soon reach Marof, where we turn left again and continue our way over the fields. By doing this we reach the starting point of our journey (Dolenje lake).

Birds
Lake Cerknica is an important wetland for many endangered nesting and migratory bird species. In winter, flocks of great white-fronted and greylag goose can be observed on fields and bigger flocks of different duck species (that are regular in Slovenia) appear on the lake. The white-tailed eagle, which most likely nests in the nearby forests, occasionally appears on the lake as well. Reed that covers much of the lakes area represents a suitable habitat for warblers, of which the sedge warbler is the most frequently encountered.

Large flocks of dabbling ducks (of the Anas genus) and waders (such as common and spotted redshank, common, wood and green sandpiper, common greenshank and ruff) can be seen on the lake during migration. The red-necked grebe and scarlet rosefinch can be observed here during their nesting period – the lake is the only regular nesting ground in Slovenia for the latter two. Other bird species nesting in the area are the ferruginous duck, bittern, corn crake, whinchat and western yellow wagtail. In summer, waterfowl can usually be observed only around Rešet, as the lake is completely dry most of the time. The area is also special due to its bird of prey diversity. Hen harriers appear in winter, whereas large flocks of red-footed falcons and individuals of other raptor species linger above the lake during migration. In summer we have to be attentive to the occurrence of the short-toed snake eagle.

Other plants and animals
Large mammals, such as bear, roe deer, red deer, lynx, badger, wildcat and wolf, live in extensive forest systems in the lakes vicinity. Esox and burbot are the most notable fish species in the lake. The underground karst system under and around the lake is the habitat of the rare and endemic amphibian proteus. The lake is an important area for numerous rare and endangered plant species, such as the insectivorous spoonleaf sundew. Another treat for plant enthusiast are over 150 species of orchids and other flowering plants that grow in the area.

Interesting links
Notranjska regional park