Votli kamen

Q: Where does the hiking trail to Votli kamen begin?

The journey starts at the Dom v Iškem vintgarju lodge, which serves as the welcoming starting point for visitors. This location also provides ample parking and picnic spots for those beginning their adventure.

Q: How difficult is the hike to the hollow stone, and how long does it take?

The trail is considered relatively easy, taking approximately one hour each way. However, hikers should be cautious of slippery or uneven sections, particularly after rain.

Q: What is the 'hollow stone' (Votli kamen) that is featured in the area?

It is a distinctive rock formation with a naturally hollowed-out center, shaped over millennia by the flow of the river. It serves as a notable landmark and a scenic spot for pausing during the hike.

Q: Are there other hiking options available near Votsk kamen?

Yes, adventurous visitors can extend their hike to the confluence of the Iška and Zala rivers. For a more challenging trek, hikers can continue further toward the location known as Krvava peč.

Q: What is the atmosphere like along the trail to Votsk kamen?

The trail offers an enchanting atmosphere characterized by dense forests and striking rock formations. Visitors are surrounded by the sound of rushing water and moss-covered boulders as they walk along the riverbank.

Hollow stone landmark at Iška and Zala confluence

#7 of 7 in Iški Vintgar

Where: Iški Vintgar, Ljubljana & Central Slovenia
Directions: Directions

Votli kamen, the hollow stone, is a rock formation beside the path in the Iški Vintgar gorge, south of Ljubljana, where the river has hollowed out the stone over a long span of time. The name is simply descriptive: votli means hollow, and kamen means stone, and visitors can see a rock with a rounded cavity worn into its flank by the action of water and by the weathering of the dolomite. It is one of the small features that give the gorge its character, and it rewards walkers who stop and look instead of hurrying along the path.

The route to the hollow stone begins at Dom v Iškem vintgarju, the lodge at the upper end of the gorge, where there is parking and a picnic area. From there, a marked path follows the left bank of the Iška, the Left Bank Trail, through shady forest and past mossy boulders, and it takes roughly an hour in each direction at an easy pace, depending on how often one stops. The path is generally easy, but some sections are uneven and can be slippery after rain, so shoes with a good grip are advisable. The sound of the river accompanies the walker all the way, and the walls of the gorge are covered with ferns and moss.

The formation itself is the kind of natural curiosity that appeals to children and adults alike. The cavity is large enough to look into, and the smooth, rounded walls show how running water, carrying sand and pebbles, can slowly grind away even hard rock. The surrounding stones, with their pale dolomite and thin white veins of calcite, add interest, and the gorge is a good place to look at rocks and plants. It is a pleasant place to pause, rest, take photographs and listen to the stream.

Visitors who want a longer walk can continue upstream toward the place where the Iška meets another stream, the Zala, and for strong walkers, tracks lead on toward the steep, rocky heights of Krvava peč. Others may choose to return along the same path, or to follow the marked routes to Rakitna, Krim and Bloke. The Unique rock formations and the Lush vegetation and alpine plants are covered in separate entries, and the Iški Vintgar Gorge is the main sight. The best seasons are spring, when flowers bloom, and autumn, when the beech leaves turn. Carry water, as the lodge may not be open.