Kingfisher Nature Learning Trail: A Forest Adventure for the Whole Family Near Ljubljana

Take on the Kingfisher Nature Learning Trail and venture into the vast forests just outside Ljubljana. It’s almost surprising to find such peaceful woodland so close to urban areas, and especially the capital city itself. And you don’t need to go very far before you find yourself deep in nature.

The excursion begins in the village of Cerovo, where well-maintained parking is available. You can also reach the trail by train on the Grosuplje–Kočevje line, getting off at Spodnja Slivnica station and walking from there to the trailhead.

Ljubljana and its surroundings offer plenty of hiking trails and unique outdoor experiences.

A hiking trail with a distinctive character

The Kingfisher Nature Learning Trail is a 5.2 km loop hiking trail that takes nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts from the village of Cerovo to Kingfisher Grove (Vodomčev gaj), and through the edge of the forest, past wet meadows, to the hamlet of Podlom and the source of the Podlomščica stream. From here it rises up gently through karstified woodland to the Mayor’s Cave (Županova jama), one of the most beautiful show caves in Slovenia, and Tabor nad Cerovim – a rare surviving example of a medieval tabor, or defensive compound, built to protect the local population against raiding Ottoman Turks. The trail then returns back down towards the starting point. 

Visit one of the few preserved fortified churches of its kind in Slovenia.

Nature, knowledge, and peace in perfect harmony

Along the way, you will find 22 educational boards. One hundred nesting boxes have been installed along the learning trail for the Eurasian blue tit, the tree creeper, great and tufted tit, Ural owl, spotted and wood owl, and other forest birds as well as nesting sites for bats. In the village centre of Cerovo there is an information board informing visitors about the route and a board with photographs and short descriptions of the birds, which plays birdsong that you can listen to. Drinking water is also available for hikers. 

Three gems you won’t want to miss

– Kingfisher Grove (Vodomčev gaj) protects and preserves the different habitats of many animals and plants. There’s a herb garden, orchard and bee hive on the bank below the forest, while bird observatories, a hedgerow with shrubbery and a wooden jetty leading to the heart of the wetland. A special experience for children and nature enthusiasts is the bird ringing demonstration. 

– Mayor’s Cave (Županova jama) is a stunning karst cave with rich stalactite decorations and a total of seven chambers to explore. It’s around 700 metres long, illuminated, and only accessible with a guide. 

– Tabor nad Cerovim is a rare preserved 15th-century military compound that was built to defend the area against Ottoman raids, and constructed around the church of St Nicholas. It once served as a refuge and food storehouse. 

All three attractions can be visited according to the regular tour schedule and by appointment. As this is a loop trail, you can also start the hike at Mayor’s Cave or on Tabor, where parking is available.

See how bird ringing is done in Kingfisher Grove and learn about the bird species that live in this area.

Set out on this hike whenever you crave nature’s embrace — on foot, with no challenging climbs, plenty of points of interest, and a length suitable even for the youngest hikers. Let the stories of the forest, water, and enchanting underground world guide you on the Kingfisher Trail. Get access to Hike Slovenia Green routes here.