About Križna Cave
Križna Jama (Cross Cave) is one of the most pristine and best-preserved karst cave systems in Europe, famous for its emerald-green underground lakes. Located in the Lož Valley near the village of Bloška Polica, 30 km south of Cerknica, the cave stretches over 8,275 metres in length and has 22 underground lakes connected by narrow passages. What makes Križna Cave exceptional is its almost untouched condition — very few caves in Europe allow visitors to see such pristine formations in their natural state. The cave was formed by the Bloke Creek (Bloščica), which still flows through the system, maintaining the delicate ecology. The first written records of the cave date to 1832, but its most famous discovery came in 1926 when archaeologists found remains of the cave bear (Ursus spelaeus) — over 7,000 bones have been uncovered, making it the richest cave bear site in Slovenia. The cave's most remarkable feature is the labyrinth of emerald lakes, whose crystal-clear waters reveal stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones beneath the surface. The largest lake, 'Malo jezero' (Small Lake), has an eerie beauty with perfect reflections of the cave formations. The cave is open only for guided tours, with strict visitor limits to protect the fragile environment (maximum 2,000 visitors per year — just 6-20 per tour). The standard tour (1.5 hours, 1.5 km) includes a boat ride across several underground lakes. The extended tour (3 hours, 3 km, by prior arrangement) takes you deeper into the system. The cave maintains a constant 8°C — bring warm clothes regardless of the season. The surrounding Bloke Plateau is a beautiful, sparsely populated area of forests, meadows, and traditional wooden architecture.
🗓 Best Time to Visit
The cave is open May-October only for guided tours (closed November-April due to high water levels). May-June and September-October offer the most comfortable conditions for the drive and walking. July-August brings more visitors, but the strict limit of 6-20 people per tour means it never feels crowded. Spring (May) has the highest water levels and the most dramatic lake views. Autumn (September-October) has lower water but clearer reflections. Book tours at least 4 weeks ahead in July and August.
🍽 Food & Drink
There are no restaurants directly at the cave — the nearest options are in Cerknica (12 km) and Lož (5 km). The tourist office in Lož can recommend local tourist farms that serve traditional Notranjska meals. Pack a picnic — the Bloke Plateau is a lovely spot for outdoor eating. The area is known for jota (€8-10), game dishes (€12-16), and wild blueberry desserts (€4-6).
🚗 Getting There & Around
By car: 30 minutes from Cerknica (20 km), 1 hour from Ljubljana (75 km) via the A1 to Unec then south through Cerknica. The last 5 km to the cave entrance is a narrow country road — drive slowly. Free parking at the cave. No public transport directly to the cave. The nearest bus stop is in Lož (5 km away), served by buses from Cerknica and Ljubljana — then a taxi (€8-10) or a walk. By bike: The Bloke Plateau has quiet country roads suitable for experienced cyclists (45 km from Cerknica).
🏨 Best Hotels Near Križna Cave
The nearest accommodation is in Cerknica (12 km north, see Cerknica section). Tourism farm Pri Močilniku in Lož (€50-65/night with breakfast, 5 km from the cave) is the closest option. The tourist farm Pr' Pice (€55-75/night, Jezero 11) in the Cerknica area also offers access to the cave. For a unique stay, the Koča na Blokah mountain hut (€25-35 per person, basic but atmospheric, 3 km from the cave) provides forest accommodation. There is no luxury accommodation near the cave.
🍽 Where to Eat Near Križna Cave
No restaurants at the cave itself — the nearest proper dining is in Cerknica (12 km). Gostilna pri Lojzetu (Dvorska vas 50, Cerknica, €15-25 mains) is the closest high-quality option and worth the drive. For basic pub food and drinks, the Gostilna Turšič in Lož (5 km, mains €7-10) serves traditional lunch. Pack a picnic — the Bloke Plateau has beautiful picnic spots. Takeaway pizza from Cerknica (Pizzeria Tri Zvezdeice, €6-9) is a practical option.
🎯 Things to Do at Križna Cave
Take the Križna Cave guided boat tour (€20/adult, €12/child, 1.5 hours, includes boat ride on underground lakes, maximum 20 people per group — book at the Cerknica or Lož tourist office). For the extended tour (€30/adult, 3 hours, deeper into the system, includes cave bear exhibit — book at least 1 week ahead). Visit the cave bear museum at the cave entrance (free with tour, displays of the 7,000+ bear bones found in the cave). Explore the Bloke Plateau on foot (free, marked trails including the 14 km Loški Potok nature trail). Visit the Lož Ethnographic Museum (€5, small but interesting, traditional rural life exhibits). Fish in the Bloščica stream (€5 per day permit from Lož tourist office, catch-and-release). For a longer excursion, combine with Cerknica Lake (see Cerknica section, 15 min drive). Learn about traditional charcoal making at the Bloke Municipality tourism centre (€5, includes demonstration, book ahead). Visit the abandoned villages of the Kočevje forest (see Kočevje section, 25 km east).
💡 Insider Tips: Book the cave tour at least 4 weeks ahead for July-September — the strict visitor cap means tours sell out fast. Wear sturdy shoes (the cave surface is uneven) and warm clothing (constant 8°C). The standard tour is fine for most visitors — the extended tour involves some crawling through narrow passages. The blue-green of the underground lakes is best in May when water levels are highest. Photography is allowed but no tripods permitted (to protect the formations). Combine with a visit to Cerknica Lake in the same day — the cave tour takes 2-3 hours total.