For the daring: explore the Hell Cave (Jama Pekel) in Slovenia

Slovenia has a very diverse landscape consisting of various types of rocks, water, and soil. In southwestern Slovenia, the dominant type of surface is a karst relief, ideal for the creation of numerous underground caves and other karst phenomena. There, you can visit the most famous Slovenian cave – the Postojna Cave, or the magical Škocjan Caves. But, not exclusive to the karst region, underground tunnels, and caverns are present in other places all over Slovenia. One example is the unique Jama Pekel (eng. Hell Cave), where the shape of a devil's face can be seen above the entrance of the cave, daring you to step inside and explore. 

An underground waterfall 

The karst Hell Cave (Jama Pekel) is located only a 20-minute drive from the third largest Slovenian city, Celje. I would recommend buying a ticket for a guided tour of the cave, as the pleasant local tourist guides will give you a lot of very interesting and thorough information about its history. Make sure to check the official times of the guided tours, as there is a limited amount of them in a day and they depend on the month of your visit. The tour lasts approximately an hour, within which you will see magnificent stalactites and stalagmites, as well as bats on the ceiling and crabs in the water. Additionally, you'll encounter the 4-meter-high underground waterfall, the highest of its kind in Slovenia, created by the Peklenščica Creek. 

Charming in all seasons 

The Hell Cave (Jama Pekel) has a unique charm, whether you decide to visit it in the summer or winter. During the hottest months of the year, it can be a lovely refreshment, as the temperature inside is usually only around 10 degrees Celsius. In the winter, a Christmas tale unravels in the cave each year, when a live scene is set, and children’s choirs and other vocal groups perform outside. The name of the cave was created during the cold months when the temperature inside of it was higher than the one outside, which is why steam started to appear from the entrance. This sight scared some of the locals so much that they gave the cave its distinctive name, that remains until today. 

The Hell Cave (Jama Pekel) is a not a mass touristic destination, but rather a hidden gem in the surroundings of Šempeter village. The daring type of people will enjoy it here - they can dive into the underground world and explore its beautiful creations in a peaceful environment. There is also an outdoor path all around the cave and through the woods if you are up for a short hike or a walk after you have dived into the mysterious insides of the hollow.