Visit the “Queen of Rog” and take a walk along the edge of the RAJHENAVSKI ROG Primeval Forest – one of the world’s first nature reserves
Kočevsko is one of the best-preserved and well-rounded forest habitats in Europe, offering an authentic experience of nature and contact with a variety of flora and fauna. Almost 90% of the region is covered by forests, including some of the most preserved areas in Slovenia and even Europe. There are 13 primeval forests in Slovenia, 6 of them in Kočevsko, the most famous of which are the Rajhenavski Rog and Krokar primeval forests.
On this experience you will visit the “Queen of Rog”, one of the oldest and most majestic fir trees far and wide, and get to know one of the first nature reserves in the world – the Rajhenavski Rog Primeval Forest. Primeval forest remnants are rare anywhere in the world, and have survived because they have been left alone and untouched by man. In Kočevsko, the idea that nature should be preserved first appeared as early as 1892, when Dr Leopold Hufnagel, Chief Forester on the estate of Prince Auersperg, remarked in a forest management plan that part of the forest should be preserved as primeval forest. The Rajhenavski Rog Primeval Forest was declared the first protected natural area in Slovenia and the second in the world in 1892, only 20 years after the famous Yellowstone National Park.
Programme duration: 6 hours
Execution of the programme: March – October
Difficulty: medium
Suitable for: nature lovers, families with children, couples, individuals, small groups
Required equipment: good hiking boots, water
Programme features:
The adventure starts in the town of Kočevje, in the heart of the Kočevsko region. An experienced local tourist guide will first present the full programme and explain everything the group members need to know before entering the forest. This is because we will spend the day in the largest dense forest area in Slovenia, surrounded by mighty trees, silence and primeval forests.
First, we will visit the Željne Caves, a 1,600-metre-long horizontal cave system with several entrances. It is an easily accessible cave where natural light enters through numerous bridges and windows (holes in the ceiling), giving us amazing views. It used to be just one cave, but it was later divided into three parts by a series of landslides. The most famous cave in the system is the Gypsy Cave. More than 1,400 ancient artefacts have been found in this cave, proving that people lived here 20,000 years ago, during the Ice Age.
Next, we will drive into the heart of the Kočevsko forests to the remains of the Rog sawmill. Before the First World War, the Rog sawmill was considered the largest and most modern wood processing plant in Slovenia. The steam-powered sawmill operated between 1895 and 1932. To serve the sawmill and to transport logs from the felling sites to the sawmill, a 35-kilometre narrow-gauge forest railway was built across Rog, and its remains can still be seen today.
Here we will take a break and enjoy a forest picnic with delicious local ingredients.
After that comes the main part of our experience – a 2-kilometre circular hike to the Rajhenavski Rog Primeval Forest, which in 1892 became the first protected natural area in Slovenia and the second in the world. The area is mainly covered by beech and fir trees and serves as a habitat for many wild animals, especially birds. Here, one can almost feel the connection with prehistory, as the serenity of the centuries-old giants awakens inner peace. The trail will then take us to the primeval forest, where we can explore the edge and take in the breathtaking view. The guide will explain many interesting facts and stories about the surroundings, the primeval forest and its inhabitants, and will also make sure that all photography enthusiasts are satisfied by revealing the hidden corners of this mystical forest where they can take the best photos.
As entry to the primeval forests is strictly forbidden, you will begin your experience with the help of state-of-the-art technology that will allow you to “enter” the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Krokar Primeval Forest, to feel the silence of the area and the majesty of its trees. Using modern technology and a VR headset, you will “walk” between 15 different locations in the primeval forest and experience a 360-degree tour of these areas. You will also be able to watch 2 videos. In the first, you will observe the structure of the forests and trees, the cycling of nutrients, water, energy, the process of photosynthesis, etc. In the second, you will observe the life cycle of trees. It is all presented in a very graphic and aesthetic way, but based on scientific knowledge.
After the hike, we will make a short stop and visit the biggest attraction, “Her Majesty”, the Queen of Rog – one of the largest European fir trees (Abies alba) in our forests. It is a truly huge and mighty tree.
Before we return to Kočevje, we will finish our experience at the Lovski Vrh lookout point.
We have developed this programme in accordance with the standards of sustainable tourism and with the least possible impact on the environment, especially on wild animals.
Price:
160 EUR / person (2 persons)
120 EUR / person (3 persons)
90 EUR / person(4 - 8 persons)
Price includes:
- guided tour with an experienced local tourist guide
- all transport within the programme
- picnic basket with local delicacies
- organisation and execution of the experience
Contact and inquiries:
Zavod Kočevsko
T: +386 31 544 744
E: info@kocevsko.com
We look forward to your visit to Kočevsko - the Secret Forest of Slovenia!