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House On The Hill | Idrijske Krnice
Idrijske Krnice is a village located in the hilly Idrija region at the altitude of between 850 and 1,106 m above sea level with farms scattered across a diverse landscape. This plateau offers an almost pristine natural environment with traces of human activities. From generation to generation, the locals continue to nurture a respect for their natural environment and with their hard work and tenacity, they create a beautiful cultural landscape and preserve the values of farm work and mutual aid between neighbours so that this plateau remains populated and lively and each visitor receives their share of true country hospitality.
The undulating landscape and steep slopes at the edge of the plateau, the Idrija Fault in the Kanomljica Valley, which can even be seen from a satellite, the Idrijca River and the road winding beside it: as if God used all His creativity to form a plethora of forms and images of nature.
The combination of different climate characteristic and the diverse landscape create a variety of flora. The Jelenk Hill is home of a local endemic Primula x Venusta and on the Krnice Plateau, there are numerous other rare and medicinal plants to be found, such as gentian, lilies, orchids, dianthus etc. While walking around our remote and quiet meadows or steep slopes, you might also come across a deer, buck, chamois, wild boar, hare, fox, or even a bear.
You can climb Jelenk (1106 m), the highest hill on the Krnice Plateau, enjoy the views from Markov grič, a small hill only a kilometre away on foot, visit Lokvarski vrh (another nearby hill) to enjoy a view of the Cerkljanska Region or catch a glimpse of Slovenia’s highest mountain – Triglav – in the distance. If you take the old trail through the picturesque Govškarice Gorge towards Spodnja Idrija, you will see abandoned farms and lively tiny waterfalls.
Idrijske Krnice also offers many circular trails, each of them special in its own way. Many can be experienced on a bike.
Winter time is perfect to stay active at Pancala, a local sports venue, where – if the weather allows – you can use the cross-country skiing track and once a year, watch ski jumping at the 30 m slope.
During both world wars, there were several military barracks for infantry and artillery built in the area of Idrijske Krnice, near the Rapallo border. Many of their remainders are still visible near Jelenk.
In summer, you can swim in the fresh water of the Idrijca River at Lajšt near Idrija or relax at numerous other shingle beaches on the Idrijca or Kanomljica river banks.
Due to the richness of fish fauna, the clear Idrijca River with its source in the beautiful Zgornja Idrijca Landscape Park offers amazing possibilities for those who enjoy recreational fishing. It also features the unique marble trout.