Path along the Iška River – Okljuk – Ljubljana Marshes Nature Park

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Path along the Iška River – Okljuk – Ljubljana Marshes Nature Park

The River of Three Faces.

The Iška River flows on its exciting path through the wild Iški Vintgar, through the fertile Iški Vršaj and the marshy Ljubljana Marshes. On the Iška-Okljuk River path, in the company of Okljuk, you will discover the Iška River and life along it in the past and today at 11 information points.

2 starting points for the path:

Lipe settlement (Okrepčevalnica Kolišče), access to the starting point is also possible by city bus no. 19B
Iški Vintgar (in front of the Iški Vintgar Guesthouse), access to Iška vas is also possible by city bus no. 19

Length and type of path: a good 13 km, a combination of asphalt and macadam

Marking and shade:
Information and directional signs guide us along the path, on which the trail mascot Okljukec greets us.

Starting point of the route: Iška 44-45, 1292 Ig, Slovenia
Google map Instructions

What they say about Ljubljana Marshes Nature Park at the visitljubljana.com

Ljubljana Marshes Nature Park

The Ljubljana Marshes are a picturesque and historically rich landscape stretching south-west from the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana. This nature reserve, which covers approximately 160 square kilometers, is a treasure trove of biodiversity, cultural heritage and natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy exploring a unique combination of wetlands, meadows, woodlands and riverbeds.

NATURE PARK ON THE EDGE OF THE CITY – PDF

A space of constant change

The traditional agriculture has preserved the great biological and landscape diversity. The mosaic of different habitats is home to many plant and animal species, which are only rare elsewhere in Slovenia and Europe. The wet meadows, flooded waterside meadows and thousands of kilometers of drainage channels attract mainly moisture loving plants and animals. Ljubljansko barje is home to several hundred species of birds, numerous colorful butterflies, dragonflies and amphibians.

The interdependent ecosystems of Ljubljansko barje clean the air, water and soil, and cool the hot summers. It also enables relaxation and new discoveries in the immediate vicinity of the capital city, as well as sustainable production of quality healthy food and the development of environmentally friendly farming and green tourism.

But not only nature, the heritage is also exceptional. In this small piece of territory, several cultures have left their mark, from the prehistoric pile dwellers and ancient Romans, to the determined drainers of the marsh, which was supposed to become the granary of the Hapsburg Monarchy. Due to their interventions into the once typical marsh, today’s Ljubljansko barje is probably the most anthropogenically modified landscape in Slovenia. Although many have tried and are still trying to limit the extent and duration of floods through drainage, Ljubljansko barje is still one of the largest flooding areas in Slovenia.

Source: naravniparkislovenije.si