KOČEVSKI ROG

A 35 km long and 15 km wide karst massif covered with forests, with the highest point Veliki Rog reaching 1,099 m, straddling the Dolenjska and Bela Krajina region. Kočevski Rog is a large wild plateau where wildlife abounds. This is home to the largest bear population in the country. There are also wolves and bobcats. As deer, roe deer and wild boar are numerous, these territories are the most famous hunting grounds in Slovenia.

Don't miss Baza 20, the Mecca of Yugoslav resistance during the last world war. After parking the car in the car park, follow the marked path. It takes about 15 minutes to walk to the barracks, some of which remain open.

The place is not very crowded and allows you to discover the partisans' huts scattered in the forest, between large boulders. Baza 20, the political and military headquarters of the national liberation movement, is a place steeped in the history and memory of the former Yugoslavia. Since 1952, the complex has been classified as a cultural monument. It is the only site of its kind in Europe. It was occupied from April 1943. In the autumn of 1944, 140 people lived here in 26 shacks. Baza 20 was never discovered by the German army. The hostel is open every day. A huge concrete block, it offers a place of choice to the liberator of the country, Marshal Tito. National reconciliation took place on these wild lands in 1990 during the Slovenian Spring.

Because of its wild side, Kočeski Rog is one of the most beautiful sites for hiking. The landscapes are not those of the Julian Alps or the Karawanken, but the charm of nature in its raw state works. Lovers of forest walks, you will be fulfilled. You will find a multitude of trails including the famous Roška Pespot, which is 60 km long and circles the massif. It takes three days to go through it in its entirety. Nevertheless, it is easy to cover several portions during the day, the best being the one leading to Veliki Rog, the highest point on the plateau. With a little luck, you'll find bear tracks, and maybe you'll spot one. However, it is better not to stray from the marked trails and to inform yourself about the itineraries as it is very easy to get lost. For forests, it is advisable to discover the Rajhenavski Rog forest, one of the six primary forests of the massif. No human activity took place in these woods. The atmosphere is truly special.