Lokvarka Cave

Lokve is a small village in Gorski Kotar, the forested highland between Rijeka and Karlovac, set beside a long artificial lake that was created in the 20th century to supply a hydroelectric power plant. The surroundings are a mix of beech and fir forest, damp meadows and limestone hills, and below the surface the rock is riddled with caves, as is typical of the Dinaric karst, the limestone region of the Dinaric Alps in Croatia. Lokvarka Cave, close to the village, is the best known of them and is a fine introduction to the underground world of the region.

The Dinaric karst is a landscape formed by the slow dissolving of limestone by rainwater, and it covers much of the Croatian mountains, from Gorski Kotar down to Dalmatia. Rain and meltwater sink into cracks, widening them over thousands of years into shafts, passages and chambers, and in the dark, drip by drip, minerals are laid down as stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites growing up from the floor. Lokvarka Cave shows many of these features. The visitor walks through a series of passages and chambers, some narrow and some opening out into higher spaces, where the formations catch the light of the lamps, and an underground lake has been noted in the cave, a reminder that water is still at work in the rock.

The cave is a living natural system, and visitors are asked to follow the rules. Do not touch the formations, since oils from the skin can stop them growing, and do not leave rubbish or take souvenirs. The temperature inside is cool and constant throughout the year, usually only a few degrees above freezing in winter and moderately cool in summer, and the air is damp, so warm clothing, sturdy shoes and a light waterproof layer are advisable. The floor can be wet, uneven and slippery, and some ceilings are low, so take care with your head. Access may be limited to guided visits, which are best arranged in advance through the local tourist office or the municipality, since opening depends on the season and on staff availability.

The area has other places to enjoy. Lokvarsko Jezero (Lake Lokve) offers walks, a place to fish and picnic spots, and Golubinjak Forest Park, an area of old forest with deep valleys and a stream, is a fine place for a walk in the woods. The village is easy to reach by road from Rijeka and Delnice, and local restaurants serve dishes of trout, game and mushrooms.

The cave suits families, walkers and anyone curious about geology. Bring a torch if the cave is unlit.