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Renewed Škocjan Caves trail to attract thrill seekers

Adventurers enjoying a descend into the wonders of Slovenia's underground cave system will soon be able to walk a reconstructed trail through the Hanke Canal in the Škocjan Caves. The narrow and rocky path runs high above the river Reka and gives adrenaline junkies something to look forward to.
The Škocjan Caves remain the only monument in Slovenia and the Classical Karst region on UNESCO’s list of natural and cultural world heritage sites

The Škocjan Caves remain the only monument in Slovenia and the Classical Karst region on UNESCO’s list of natural and cultural world heritage sites | Author Jošt Gantar, STO

Following the reconstruction, the trail, which used to be closed off, will be available to guided groups including up to ten people. The special tours will be available only two times per month. The route was created by cave explorers in the 19th century who chiselled it with their own hands. Part of it consists of a steep and narrow stairs, winding up as far as 20 metres above the river.

The recent works revamped it to make it look like it did originally - there are no lights and no concrete was laid, the Škocjan Caves Park director Stojan Ščuka told ahead of the opening. The route is enveloped with a protective metal fence though and wooden panels have been placed at certain parts. Equipped with headlamps and special caving equipment, visitors will thus be able to experience the genuine underground wilderness, according to Ščuka.

Ending at the entrance to the Martel Hall, the biggest underground chamber in Europe, the trail runs for roughly a kilometre. Apart from offering breathtaking views of the Reka canyon, the route also takes visitors to some of the most extraordinary underground Karst phenomena. Even though the special tours have not been officially announced yet, they have piqued the interest of numerous adventurers and explorers, mostly from abroad - a group of German speleologists was particularly keen to make bookings in advance, Ščuka told the press.