»PRIŠJEK« BY THE GORGE OF RIVER BISTRICA, ZAGAJ Location: Bistrica ob Sotli Category: Natural heritage

The gorge of river Bistrica is the best preserved river gorge in eastern Slovenia. Its unbelievably preserved river eco-system shows signs of thousands of years of Nature’s work. Bistrica has cut most of its river-bed into Triassic* rock. The gorge is located between Trebče and Zagaj, stretches about 3 km in length and is famous for its picturesque water scenery and spectacular sights, clear water and diverse alternation between narrower and wider parts of the valley.

At certain sections the gorge becomes so tight that it is almost impassable. If you decide to squeeze through it anyway, do not forget to equip yourself properly. The riverbed is mostly surrounded by steep, rocky and forested slopes.

The diversity of the gorge is complemented by the living Nature. Here, we can find some of the less-known and endangered species: the Carniolan lily, the yellowish onion, the jovibarba, the yellow whitlow-grass, the tufted bellflower and the butcher’s broom. Among the attractions from the animal kingdom would be the chamois, birds of prey, wild hogs, amphibians, snakes and other reptiles, and an abundance of dragonflies, while the watercourse of river Bistrica boasts with trout and crayfish.

*Triassic is the first geological period in the Mesozoic Era, which began 248 million years ago and ended 202 million years ago.

 

Coordinates: 46.045601, 15.653300