The Marsh Windows Trail – Ljubljana Marshes Nature Park

Ljubljana, Ljubljana Marshes Landscape Park, Nature reserves, Sights and Atractions, Sights in Ljubljana

Mysterious springs in the middle of the Ljubljana Marshes Nature Park.

The Barjanska okna trail offers an insight into the springs on the border between the moor and the bog. The viewing platform at the Strahomerski okna trail presents the soil profiles on the moor and the bog, as well as illustrations that help you learn why and how the moor windows were formed. The trail is suitable for walking or cycling. One of the trail’s starting points is in Podkraj, and the other is along the Jevšnik canal and the Iška River.

Access:

From the village of Podkraj, opposite Bar Pr Anzelc, turn onto the road towards Lipe. At the bend, a signpost leads you to a gravel path, which takes you to a viewing platform by the springs. After visiting the springs, continue along the gravel path, which joins the Okljuk trail by the Iška River (the intercity passenger bus line no. 40 Ig-Strahomer-Iška Loka-Ig will take you to the village of Podkraj).
From the Kolišče refreshment bar in Lipe, follow the path along the Iška River – Okljuk, where a signpost directs you to the Barjanska Okna Trail (city bus no. 19B will take you there).

Length and terrain of the trail: From Podkraj to the Jevšnik Canal along the Iška River: 1.7 km, mostly macadam trail

Starting point of the route:
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