Kras-Carso Cross-Border Geopark Week 2026

Kras-Carso Cross-Border Geopark Week 2026

  • Where
    Kras
  • When
  • Hour
    08:00 – 08:00

The mysterious underground world, walks across typical gmajna grasslands, and exploration of the rich natural and cultural heritage of the Karst once again invite you to discover this cross-border region.

Between 24 May and 7 June, you are invited to a diverse programme of free events connecting the cross-border area of the emerging Kras-Carso Geopark into a space of new experiences and adventures. 

Come and explore the cross-border area of the Classical Karst. 

www.ita-slo.eu/sl/kras-carso-ii

The “Kras-Carso Cross-Border Geopark Week” series of events is organised within the framework of the KRAS-CARSO II project, which is co-financed by the Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia Cooperation Programme 2021–2027. 

Programme

Saturday, 23 May 2026 9:30 – A Speleologist for a Day (Basovizza/Bazovica)

Come and explore the Basovizza Cave (Grotta di Basovizza)! For the visit, the organisers will provide helmets to ensure safety; visitors are required to bring their own lamp. Inside the cave, exhibitions on bats and the history of speleology will be on display, along with a special section “The Cave under the Microscope”, where various samples can be observed under a microscope. Guided tour in Italian.

Meeting point: Basovizza – Cave III, karst pond in Basovizza
45.6428743N 13.8659799E
Registration: The number of places is limited; register by e-mail to cat@cat.ts.it.
Further information: tel. +39 327 846 16 35 (Mr Franco Riosa)
Organised by: Trieste Mountaineering Association

Saturday, 23 May 2026 10:00 – Guided Tour of the Divača Cave (Divača Cave Information Centre)

Accompanied by experienced guides, set out to explore one of the richest dripstone show caves in Slovenia. Guided tour in Slovenian and English.

Meeting point: Divača Cave Information Centre
GPS: N 45° 40.513′ E 013° 57.035′
Registration: The number of places is limited; register by e-mail to info@divaska-jama.info. Further information: tel. +386 31 522 785 (Mr Borut Lozej)
Organised by: Gregor Žiberna Divača Caving Club

Sunday, 24 May 2026 15:00 – Slivje – Between Karst Nature and Art (Slivje)

An easy interpretative walk through the village of Slivje connects natural features with cultural heritage. The route leads past a pond and sinkholes to viewpoints overlooking the Brkini Hills. A special highlight is the church featuring paintings by Tone Kralj, which lend a symbolic meaning. The event is suitable for all generations, enriched with stories and a relaxed interpretative approach. The experience concludes with a tasting of Brkini rolled dumplings and plum brandy. The event is held in Slovenian and English.

Meeting point: Car park in front of the church, Slivje
45.57136856295622, 14.045633971813102
Registration: Register by e-mail to info@mitski-park.eu. Further information: tel. +386 70 569 882 (Ms Vesna Vodnik)
Organised by: Rodik Mythical Park, in cooperation with Petika, Peter Česnik s.p.

Sunday, 24 May 2026 9:00 – Karst Stone – From White to Black (Lipa)

A common stereotype is that karst stone is only white; however, a closer look reveals a full palette of shades, extending all the way to black, each characterised by its distinctive seashell-like structure. The event will explore the theme of different colours of karst limestone and will be divided into two groups of participants. The first group, with priority given to children and people with physical disabilities, will explore the various shades of karst stone through a stone-cutting workshop. The second group will head out into the field to visit former quarries of rare black karst limestone, one of which is located not far from the village of Lipa. The event is held in Slovenian, Italian, and English.

Meeting point: Village event site in Lipa
45.849014, 13.703511
Registration: Register by e-mail to info@gremozeleno.eu. Further information: tel. +386 40 264 433 (Ms Irena Hlede)
Organised by: TA GremoZeleno/TakeGreenway in cooperation with the Atelje Oštarini stonemason’s workshop

Monday, 25 May 2026 10:00 – Hike to Žabnik – to the Love Bench (Golac)

An interpretative hike to Žabnik (Ostrič) reveals the natural features and stories of life in the Čičarija area, at the southernmost edge of the Kras-Carso Geopark. The route leads across flowering meadows and vast pastures to viewpoints with wide views of the landscape. The hike takes place at a moderate pace with stops along the way and is suitable for all generations. The experience concludes with refreshments at a tourist farm. The event is held in Slovenian and English.

Meeting point: Turistična kmetija Pri Cepčovih, Golac 4, 6243 Obrov
45.51553744490933, 14.063996555821804
Registration: Register by e-mail to info@mitski-park.eu. Further information: tel. +386 70 569 882 (Ms Vesna Vodnik)
Organised by: Rodik Mythical Park, in cooperation with “Pri Cepčovih” tourist farm

Thursday, 28 May 2026 16:00 – Stone upon Stone: Dry-Stone Walling Workshop (Kregolišče)

An interactive dry-stone walling workshop brings participants together with local residents to help restore dry-stone walls along the path between the villages of Kregolišče and Veliki Dol. The hands-on workshop also highlights the geology of the Karst and the traditional technique of dry-stone construction without binding materials (UNESCO heritage). The event is adapted to different groups, and is followed by a tasting of Karst “jota” stew. The event is held in Slovenian and English.

Meeting point: Kregolišče 3
45.7863° N, 13.7424° E
Registration: The number of places is limited; register by e-mail to info@hostelkras.com. Further information: tel. +386 5 764 02 50 (Ms Laura Fornazarič)
Organised by: Pliska Development Society

Saturday, 30 May 2026 9:00 – Cross-Border Hike from Pesek to Golič (Pesek)

This circular cross-border route invites you to enjoy views of a diverse landscape in spring bloom. The route begins on gmajna grasslands at the foot of Kokoš Hill, then continues through the green and fertile Krasno polje valley near Grozzana/Gročana, followed by an ascent through beech and hornbeam forest to Golič Hill. After a stop at the picturesque Church of St Thomas, the route descends back to the starting point along a trail leading through a beautiful beech forest. The route is approximately 7 km long, with an elevation gain of 150 m.

Meeting point: car park near the church in Pesek (along the state road SS14, approximately 700 metres before the border with Slovenia).
Registration: The number of places is limited; register by e-mail to curiosidinatura@gmail.com. Further information: tel. +39 340 556 93 74 (Ms Barbara Bassi)
Organised by: Curiosi di natura soc. coop.

Sunday, 31 May 2026 10:00 – Geo-Steps Along the Rilke Trail (Rilke Trail, Duino/Devin)

As part of the Kras-Carso Cross-Border Geopark Week, join us on a unique journey through the geological history of the Duino Cliffs. Accompanied by a geologist, we will explore the most fascinating karst features and learn to recognise their formation and development. Geo-Steps will reveal a new perspective on the Rilke Trail through the prism of the geological characteristics of the nature reserve. The walk is suitable for adults or families with children over 8 years of age. Guided tour in Italian.

Meeting point: Tourist Information Centre in Sistiana/Sesljan
GPS: N 45° 40.513′ E 013° 57.035′
Registration: The number of places is limited; register by e-mail to info@ampmiramare.it.
Organised by: Duino-Aurisina Municipality and Miramare Marine Protected Area

Wednesday, 3 June 2026 9:30 – Hike Above the Beka–Ocizla Cave System (Ocizla)

A guided interpretative hike above the Beka–Ocizla cave system reveals the key geological and natural features of the cross-border Karst. Along the way, we cross a natural bridge, observe the contact between limestone and flysch, and explore a rock shelter, cave entrances, waterfalls, and characteristic vegetation. The hike takes place at a moderate pace with stops along the way and is suitable for a wide audience. The experience concludes with socialising and local culinary offerings. The event is held in Slovenian and English.

Meeting point: Ocizla, karst pond in the centre of the village
45.59036164326593, 13.908738828791561
Registration: Register by e-mail to info@mitski-park.eu. Further information: tel. +386 70 569 882 (Ms Vesna Vodnik)
Organised by: Jana Jurič s.p. and Rodik Mythical Park

Thursday, 4 June 2026 17:00 – Karst Rock Identification Workshop (Škocjan Caves Park)

Discover the most characteristic rocks of the Karst and see for yourself how its geological diversity rivals the area’s rich biodiversity. The introductory presentation will be followed by a hands-on session in identifying rock samples. Stones tell stories to those who know how to read them. Join us and learn a few words of this ancient language. The event is held in Slovenian and Italian.

Meeting point: Pr' Nanetovh Promotional and Congress Centre, Matavun 8, Divača
Registration: The number of places is limited; register by e-mail to david.medica@gmail.com. Further information: tel. +386 (0 ) 31 768 899 (Mr David Medica)
Organised by: Škocjan Caves Park Public Service Agency

Thursday, 4 June 2026 18:00 – Creative Workshop “Opening the Gate to the Karst Courtyard” (Rodik)

This outdoor creative workshop combines a short interpretative walk in the surroundings of Fukova Cave with artistic creation using natural materials. Along the way, participants learn about the basic features of the Karst landscape and collect stones, bark, and other elements from the environment. This is followed by a guided workshop, where they create their own mosaics from the collected materials. The programme encourages observation, creativity, and a personal experience of the place, symbolically “opening the gate to the borjač” – a world of Karst stories and identity. The event is held in Slovenian and English.

Meeting point: Fukova Cave, Rodik Mythical Park
45°37'23.3"N 13°57'16.1"E
Registration: Register by e-mail to info@mitski-park.eu. Further information: tel. +386 70 569 882 (Ms Vesna Vodnik)
Organised by: Rodik Mythical Park in cooperation with Maja Rastović s.p.

Friday, 5 June 2026 16:00 – Stone upon Stone: Dry-Stone Walling Workshop (Kregolišče)

An interactive dry-stone walling workshop brings participants together with local residents to help restore dry-stone walls along the path between the villages of Kregolišče and Veliki Dol. The hands-on workshop also highlights the geology of the Karst and the traditional technique of dry-stone construction without binding materials (UNESCO heritage). The event is adapted to different groups, and is followed by a tasting of Karst “jota” stew. The event is held in Slovenian and English.

Meeting point: Kregolišče 3
45.7863° N, 13.7424° E
Registration: The number of places is limited; register by e-mail to info@hostelkras.com. Further information: tel. +386 5 764 02 50 (Ms Laura Fornazarič)
Organised by: Pliska Development Society

Friday, 5 June 2026 16:00 – The Stunning Ferrari Garden in Štanjel with Natalija’s House (Štanjel)

Location: Štanjel – the Ferrari Garden and Natalija’s House

A guided walk through the Ferrari Garden in Štanjel reveals the distinctive features of the Karst landscape, culture, and tradition. Before the Second World War, the garden with the villa was designed by Maks Fabiani, PhD, a renowned architect, urban planner, and former mayor, and remains an outstanding example of cultural heritage, with its terraces, carefully selected vegetation, and unique water supply system. Part of the villa is the renovated Natalija’s House, featuring an exhibition on Fabiani’s ideas and a special room with a water bar, highlighting the importance of water in the Karst, past and present. The experience concludes with a glass of Teran and homemade prosciutto at the local Grajžarjeva marenda snack bar. Guided tour in Slovenian.

Meeting point: square in front of the castle courtyard in Štanjel
Registration: The number of places is limited; registration is required by 2 June (or until fully booked) by e-mail to info@visitstanjel.si. Further information: tel. +386 41 383 986
Organised by: ORA Krasa in Brkinov

Saturday, 6 June 2026 18:00 – Mass Extinctions: On the Brink of a New Catastrophic Extinction, Lecture (Bagnoli della Rosandra/Boljunec)

You are invited to a lecture on life on Earth, from its origins and evolution to critical moments on the threshold of a new catastrophe, the cause of which is well known: humankind! The lecture will be held in Italian.

Meeting point: Reception Centre of the Val Rosandra Nature Reserve, Bagnoli della Rosandra 507
45.612689, 13.857864
Registration: The number of places is limited; register by e-mail to info@riservavalrosandra-glinscica.it. Further information: tel. +39 329 128 63 25 (Ms Mojca Briščik)
Organised by: Val Rosandra Nature Reserve

Sunday, 7 June 2026 9:00 – Velike Loče – Where Anything Is Possible (Velike Loče)

An interpretative walk through the Loče Valley reveals the interplay of nature, history, and folk tradition. Through stories of the three crosses, we uncover the hidden meanings of the landscape and explore karst features such as sinkholes, along with its rich biodiversity. A special focus is placed on ice pits as part of everyday life in the past. The walk takes place at a moderate pace with scenic viewpoints and concludes with socialising by the fire and homemade refreshments. The event is held in Slovenian and English.

Meeting point: Velike Loče, before the village (on the right)
45°33'58.7"N 14°03'23.2"E
Registration: Register by e-mail to info@mitski-park.eu. Further information: tel. +386 70 569 882 (Ms Vesna Vodnik)
Organised by: Rodik Mythical Park in cooperation with the “Zavod zrno jezika in kulturne dediščine” institute

Information

Contact

ORA Krasa in Brkinov

What’s up in the Karst?

Don’t miss out on interesting tradition-inspired events accompanied by genuine flavours of the local culinary scene ...

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