Reka river below the Škoflje bridge
The Reka, Slovenia's largest sinking river, flows through the Vremska valley before disappearing into the Škocjan Caves. Between Škoflje and Famlje it enters a narrow gorge, and a weir creates a deep pool at the Škoflje road bridge that is popular for swimming and diving. The deepest point, just over 6 m, is under the bridge; after a left-hand bend a second pool exceeds 4 m before the bed shallows towards the weir. At low flow there is a striking contrast between warm, murky surface water and cold, clear water at depth; fish are scarce because the still water is low in oxygen.
Facts
- Region: Slovenia – Lakes, Rivers & Caves
- Area: Vipava valley & Karst (Škocjan)
- Depth: 0–6 m
- Level: beginner
- Current: low
- Type: channel, drift
- Coordinates: 45.6577, 14.0225
- Highlights: 6 m pool under the bridge, 4 m pool on the outer bend, weir, steep rocky banks with overhanging rocks, strong thermocline (warm murky surface, cold clear depth), old pottery shards and road signs
- Tips: Legal status: under the Škocjan Caves Regional Park Act (ZRPŠJ, Uradni list 57/96, as amended) the park boundary runs from the Reka bridge between Vremski Britof and Škoflje along the Reka gorge towards Famlje, so the dive downstream of the bridge is at or inside the park edge, and the whole Reka basin is its influence zone. The Act bans changing the Reka's water regime and taking gravel or stones from the bed, but does not mention swimming or diving; the park manager's position on diving could not be confirmed. Leave the Koper motorway at Divača or Senožeče, take the road into the Vremska valley and at Vremski Britof turn for Škoflje; park just before the bridge. Overgrown steps lead to the water on both banks; start and finish upstream of the bridge where the banks are gentler, since under the bridge they are too steep to exit. Swim downstream to the weir, rest, and return against the current – up to 1.5 hours. Watch out for swimmers jumping from the 11 m diving platform on the bridge. Avoid high water; best at low to medium flow. The SPZ sheet dates from 2012; river gravel, banks and access roads may have changed since.