Jama Pekel (parkirišče) - Požiralnik Ponikvice (via Pogorišče)

Access to starting point:
Leave the Styrian motorway at the Šempeter exit in the Savinja Valley and follow the signs for Šempeter. When we arrive in Šempeter, at the traffic-light-controlled intersection follow the sign for Jama Pekel and turn left. Immediately after crossing the railway track, turn right towards Podlog. In the settlement of Podlog in the Savinja Valley, at the roundabout follow the signs for Jama Pekel and Zalog pri Podlogu. Continue the route through the underpass under the motorway and through the village of Zalog pri Podlogu. Along the asphalt road follow the sign that directs us left and soon reach the arranged and spacious asphalt parking lot in front of the entrance to Jama Pekel, where we park.

Route description:
From the parking lot, continue on foot along the arranged, wide and reinforced path that leads north towards the cave entrance and runs to the right of the road. The path runs along the picturesque Peklenščica stream, which accompanies us on our left side. After a few minutes of walking, we arrive at the information point (hut), where there is a ticket office where we can buy a ticket for Jama Pekel before guided tours.
At the hut, go sharply left onto the path where the markers continue and which also leads to the Forest and Geological Educational Trail Pekel. Follow some cross ascent to the left, then the path turns right and climbs over a wooden footbridge, behind it turns left again and a little further joins a cart track, which we follow to the right (left unmarked shortcut towards the summit of Apno). Follow a cross ascent to the right, higher up we cross another steep path, i.e., the route of the return educational trail. Only a short easy ascent remains and we arrive at the stamping box at Pogorišče.
Bypass the stamping box on the right side and a few steps further arrive at a junction, where we go left towards Apno (right path leads towards the church of St. Jedert). Follow a few minutes of descent through the forest, when we leave the forest we go right across the meadow to a junction, where we reach a wider cart track. Follow the cart track to the left, along it we quickly arrive at the information board at Izvir Ločanke and five steps further to the spring.
Behind the spring, the marked path turns left, but we go right and continue along the unmarked asphalt road, which quickly takes us to Požiralnik Ponikvice, which we notice to the right of the road. There is a risk of slipping in the immediate vicinity of the sinkhole, otherwise the path is easy.

Starting point - Jama Pekel 0:05, Jama Pekel - Pogorišče 0:20, Pogorišče - Izvir Ločanke 0:13, Izvir Ločanke - Požiralnik Ponikvicee 0:02.

Description and photos refer to the condition in February 2026.

Along the route: Jama Pekel (300m), Pogorišče (412m), Source of Ločanka (356m)

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