There are many opportunities for having an active holiday in Bela krajina. ‘The green tourism’ includes existing offer with natural and cultural heritage and an active holiday. This product is supported by interactive and mobile portal www.slovenia-heritage.net where you can find hiking, cycling, water and horseback riding trails.

HIKING

Hiking trails lead through forests of Kočevje to the southernmost places of Slovenia by the river Kolpa and through Gorjanci to Dolenjska and Suha krajina.

CYCLING

Cycling trails lead over forests of Kočevski Rog to Mirna gora, down the valley of the ever inviting river Kolpa, past the vineyards on wine roads of Metlika and Semič’s area up to nearby spa Dolenjske Toplice and further down to the valley of the river Krka. hile cycling you can meet friendly local people. There are vineyards, vineyard cottages, villages, forest, pastures, etc.

You can also try the cycling trail in Croatia called ‘Tri rijeke’ (www.sd-kupa.hr)

WATER SPORTS

Water trails are on two of the rivers: the Kolpa – from Fara to Božakovo near Metlika and the Krka. There are many entries and exists on different locations. There are also boats, kanus and rafts for rent. The river Kolpa is Slovene beauty and you can enjoy on it and near it with your family or friends.

RIDING

Horseback riding trails lead from Kočevska to the castle Kostel near the Kolpa, at the edge of Bela krajina and to the top of Gorjanci.

SKIING

Skiing and other winter sports are a true adventure in the winter months. There is a nearby skiing slope called Bela where there is a school of skiing with skiing slopes and cross-country skiing.

PARAGLIDING AND HANG-GLIDING

Above Semič there is 547m high plateau called Smuk where paragliders and hang-gliders take off amd experience an adventure over the surroundings. The picturesque landscape of Bela krajina can also be seen from an airplane. There is an airport in Prilozje.

SPA

For health reasons and relaxation you can visit the nearby Dolenjske Toplice spa and feel the benefits of thermal water while relaxing physically and mentally.  

TRIPS

The surroundings is rich in woods and waters and is a true heaven for fishermen, hunters or photo-safari lovers.

There are many locations suitable for ‘team building’ programs, gatherings or a picnic.  

You can explore the trails of natural heritage:

- the spring of the river Krupa is 3km away from Semič. It is the most water-rich of the karst springs in Bela krajina. The spring is a natural habitat of proteus and cave shell Congeria kusceri. The river Krupa with surrounding sights represents a part of - Karst nature trail from Lebica to the Krupa.

- Karst cave Judovska house, cave Malikovec, water karst cave Lebica, water cave Lipovski studenec

- Regional park Kolpa www.kp-kolpa.si

- The valley of the river Kolpa was the European destination of excellence in 2010 Regional park Lahinja.

Discovering the surroundings and the villages:

- Kal,  the neighbouring village with a renewed village pond

- Brezova Reber, the village with a church of St. Katarina (St. Catherine) from the 16th century, the famous 600 years old lime tree and various other fruit trees, amongst which is Kastelčev skorš the most popular

- Osojnik, has a renewed ‘osojnski zdenc’ (a spring and a well) beneath Vrbinca. It springs in 5m tall, 4m long and 1m wide opening in the midst of the rocks.

Traditional village architecture is much expressed here, a strong spirit of tradition is present and old customs are still preserved which are traditionally showed to the public.

EVENTS

Famous traditional events that are well organized and visited are:

- Semiška ohcet (Semič wedding),

- Jurjevanje v Črnomlju (celebrating St. George’s Day in Črnomelj),

- Vinska Vigred in Metlika (The celebration of wine spring in Metlika)

CULTURE

Local museum collection in the center of Semič displays the history of Semič and the surroundings, the life of the local residents from the prehistory up to the end of the World War II. As a part of the museum there is also natural science vinegrowing collection.

The outdoor museum on the Šrajf farm is in the village of Črešnjevec.

The rich sacral heritage can be seen in the small or big churches in the vicinity. The parish of St. Štefan (St. Stephen) in Semič and the well known pilgrimage baroque church of St. Trojice (Holy Trinity) in Vinji Vrh built in 1647.  Its main feature is domed nave and three-sided closing presbytery.

Mitrej nad Rožancem (Mitre over Rožanec) is one of the most attractive archaelogical statues in Slovenia. Mitre relief and a sign carved into a rock have been in the mistic valley since 3rd century. On the slope above the mitre there is a church of St. Jurij (St. George) with a mighty stone wall. The starting point to the mitre is the village Rožanec.