Gorenje Jezero lies on the southeastern edge of Lake Cerknica. The lake area changes with the seasons, alternating between an expansive body of water and meadows or fields. Springs, waterways and paths offer different perspectives on this landscape—from birdwatching to hiking and cycling routes.
Stržen, springs and birdwatching
MalnÅ¡Äe is a birdwatching station in Gorenje Jezero, right beside the Stržen watercourse. It also serves as a current meeting point for visitors. The station offers views of the Stržen; in exceptionally clear weather, the view even reaches as far as Triglav. The watercourse and changing long-distance views are among the distinctive impressions of this place, although views of Triglav depend on especially clear weather conditions.
Water from the surrounding area also plays an important role beneath the surface of the lake: most of the water that feeds Lake Cerknica rises in the area between Gorenje Jezero and Laze. More than 33 springs emerge there. In 1964, Viktor Ponikvar from Gorenje Jezero discovered a olm at the Kotrjaž spring. To date, this is the only documented olm find at Lake Cerknica. The lake area is designated as a Ramsar wetland and a Natura 2000 site.
Hiking trails and cycling route
Pot Izvirov is a four-kilometre circular hiking trail. Signposts and information boards cover 14 particularly interesting springs and the local flora and fauna. The trail also includes a maple tree more than 100 years old, which is protected as a natural asset. Its fixed length and circular route set it apart from the route from Å teberk to Karlovec Castle: this hiking trail passes through Gorenje Jezero and offers beautiful views of the Julian Alps in good weather.
A named route also passes through the village by bike: the Kosec (The Corncrake) cycling route continues from Laze pri Gorenjem Jezeru through Gorenje Jezero. Alongside the circular trail and the connection to the castle, there are different types of routes to choose from—a designated circular trail, a hiking trail through the village and a cycling route that also passes through the village.
Activities at the lake and water levels
Visitors can row, cycle, walk along educational trails and watch birds at Lake Cerknica. Conditions for these activities vary with the water level; the lake area also changes seasonally between open water, meadows and fields. Boating is subject to a specific water-level condition: in the restricted-navigation area of Lake Cerknica, travel on the Stržen is permitted as long as the Gorenje Jezero gauge is above 100 centimetres. Check the latest official notice before setting out.
Local history and archaeological traces
The history of the surrounding area can be seen at several named sites. Settlement finds from the Bronze Age have been discovered in the Hrastene njive area. An Iron Age hillfort is located on StražiÅ¡Äe Hill above Gorenje Jezero. The Church of St. Cantius in Gorenje Jezero is mentioned in 1526. Historically, the people of Gorenje Jezero were regarded as guardians of the lake.
The use of local springs is also part of the village’s history: until 2014, the Laški Studenec spring supplied the residents of Laze and Gorenje Jezero with drinking water via a pumping station. Together with the spring trails and the discovery at Kotrjaž, this connection to water reveals another facet of the place—not just as a landscape, but also as part of everyday life and its history.
Discover more destinations: KozariÅ¡Äe, Runarsko, Nova Vas, Žerovnica, Markovec, Rakek, Iga Vas, Grahovo.
For the main travel overview: Cerknica.
