The best walks and hikes around Žiri

Divje jezero is a karst siphon lake (Vaucluse spring), located approximately 2 km south of Idrija. The type of karst spring - Vaucluse spring is named after the Fontaine-de-Vaucluse spring in the Vaucluse region of Provence in southern France, east of Avignon. Springs of this type are characterized by the fact that water flows to the surface from great depths under pressure through steep channels. The lake lies in a stone cauldron under the hundred-meter cliffs that border this northern edge of the Črnovrška plateau. Divje jezero is also a karst spring, as water flows into the lake from a steeply descending trench, which has been explored to a depth of 160 m so far. Although the lake surface is usually calm, after heavy rains there can be strong eruptions of water, up to 60 m³/s. The Jezernica River flows from Divje Jezero, which is the shortest surface-flowing river in Slovenia and flows into the Idrijca River after 55 meters. The water temperature in the lake fluctuates only between 7 and 10 °C throughout the year. The lake was protected as a natural monument in 1967 and since 1972 has been arranged for visitors as the first Slovenian open-air museum.

The Path of the Idrija Naturalists – The path of the Idrija Naturalists leads along the left bank of the Idrijca River. At the end of the 16th century, the Idrijca River was dammed at Kobila and the first rakes were built – a water channel that was initially led to the city center. Today, it only runs from the dam at Kobila to the kamšta. Initially, the rakes were made of wood, but in 1776 they were walled in stone. It is no secret that the rakes were built for the needs of the Mercury Mine. Today, the mercury heritage of the two largest mercury mines in the world, in Almadén and Idrija, is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. For centuries, the water flow from the rakes powered the kamšta mining equipment, which pumped cave water and lifted ore. The last kamšta, which is still preserved, was built in 1790 and operated continuously for 160 years. It pumped 300 liters of water per minute from a depth of 283 m.

The Idrija Kamšt is a pumping device in the Idrija mercury mine with the largest wooden wheel in Europe. Kamšt is the mining name for a water-powered pump for pumping cave water, typical of Idrija. The name comes from the German word "Kunst" (art). In the past, there were several Kamšts in Idrija, but only the largest of them has survived, which pumped water from the Jožef shaft. It was built in 1790, and the diameter of the wheel measures 13.6 meters. The wheel was connected to a 75-meter-long horizontal wooden frame. The horizontal movement was transmitted to a vertical wooden pole, which was connected to step-by-step piston pumps. In one minute, the Kamšt pumped up to 400 liters of water, first from a depth of 235 m, and later even from a depth of 283 m. Due to its efficient pumping, it operated until 1953, i.e. for 163 years. The driving water flowed through a special canal called Rake, 3.5 km long, which was built around 1600 for the supply of driving water. The power of the Kamšti was between 75 and 100 horsepower, and the wheel took 13 seconds to make one revolution.

A solitary rock above has always been a fascinating sight for hikers, especially because of the depression on the top of the rock, which resembles a human footprint. Folk tales tell two interesting stories that give the rock its name. Both are connected to the Turkish raids at the beginning of the 16th century, when a mercury mine was in operation in Idrija.

A bridge over the Idrijca River. The water has an interesting color: emerald green.

Beautiful hut at an altitude of 957 meters. Information about opening hours and facilities can be found here: https://www.pzs.si/koce.php?pid=352.

I recommend a visit by bike or on foot. The lake is truly beautiful but at the same time eerie, as we do not know its exact depths. The shortest river, Jezernica, flows out of it, which flows into the Idrijca after a few meters. You start at one of the larger parking lots in Idrija, from where it is about 3km to Divje Jezera. An ideal starting point also for those who visit the city with a camper. On the way to the lake (if we pay attention), we can see the remains of the Italian caves and bunkers.

Great view