Pekel pri Borovnici (700 m)

Don’t let the name fool you! The Pekel gorge (Hell Gorge) near Borovnica, carved deeply by a lively stream through the forest, is one of the most beautiful natural features in Ljubljana’s rural surroundings, especially renowned for its picturesque waterfalls. It’s especially pleasant to visit during the summer heat, thanks to the shade of the trees and the cool water nearby. However, a carefree visit isn’t guaranteed, and safe exploration of the entire gorge requires proper hiking footwear and experience walking on demanding and exposed terrain.

The entrance to the gorge is at Gostišče Pekel inn, known for its excellent trout dishes. You’ll find an information board describing the gorge’s special features at the start of the marked trail, and a little further on a wooden sculpture of a devil, a reminder of its sinister name.

At first you’ll walk over flat terrain alongside the lively Borovniščica stream sheltered by the forest, but eventually the trail begins to climb.

The first waterfall can be viewed with little effort, but the path to the second requires greater caution. To reach the remaining three waterfalls you’ll need good hiking shoes, experience with exposed and unsecured terrain, plus negotiating steep stairs with the help of steel cables, iron rungs and pitons. Extra care is needed after rain, as the path may be slippery in places, and a slip could be fatal. The trail winds mostly along narrow and sometimes very exposed, steep forest paths, crossing the stream occasionally on footbridges.

The first “official” waterfall in Hell Gorge cascades over boulders and is the smallest, standing at just five metres. The second waterfall – at 16 metres – makes a far stronger impression: a narrow stream of water falls between cliffs before spreading at its base.

Beyond the second waterfall, the trail becomes more challenging: to reach the third, you must climb steep wooden stairs aided by a steel cable. From the plateau, where you’ll find a table and bench, there’s a stunning view of an 18-metre waterfall, which thunderously spills into an emerald-green pool below. You then continue along newly installed steep steps, where steel cables, iron rungs, and pitons will help you in your ascent – especially on the rockier sections. At a fork with signposts, take the path towards the fourth waterfall (17 metres). This route will also lead you to the fifth, final and highest waterfall. There’s an alternative route that goes by the Devil’s Tooth (Hudičev zob), a rocky outcrop – or inselberg – towering above the steep slopes. However, this path climbs higher above the stream and bypasses the fourth waterfall, and so you’d miss this natural marvel. And that would be a shame, as the fourth waterfall is exceptionally picturesque: a narrow ribbon of water that plunges freely, fanning out over a dolomite mound in the middle of the pool.

Next, you face a climb to the fifth, and highest, waterfall (20 metres), where water cascades gently in ribbons over rocky cliffs.
You can approach the top of this waterfall via concrete steps, before ascending to an iron footbridge. Crossing this bridge marks the end of your gorge exploration – just a short, pleasant walk remains along a path beside the stream, which flows much more gently than before, until you reach a junction of forest roads. The trail also takes you past two old millstones – reminders that mills once operated on the Borovniščica stream, as signposted by a restored mill at the gorge entrance.

Descent: at the forest road junction, look for the red mountain trail signpost marked “Gostišče Pekel (lažja)”, indicating the easier path. We recommend taking this way down. Descending via the ascent route or the path past the Devil’s Tooth is considerably steeper and more demanding. In contrast, the easier path brings you back to the start along comfortable gravel forest roads, woodland trails, meadow tracks, and finally the road leading into Pekel. On the way, you’ll pass through the village of Pristava, home to the Košir tourist farm.

Of interest: the gorge is also renowned for its rich flora, and the symbol of Pekel is the Carniolan primrose, an endemic flower with beautiful red-purple blooms.