If you feel like caving while in Bled, visit The cave under ‘Babji zob’ (Hag’s Tooth’) that is one of many karst caves discovered in Slovenia. However, this cave is special for unique mineral formations and its location.
When in the cave, you will see millions of years old calcite crystals along with other cave formations.
But before that you will need to hike for about one hour as this ‘hidden cave’ lies at 1008 m (3300 ft) above sea level. ― Do not forget to take your hiking shoes with you!
8 km (5 mi) from Lake Bled
Not wheelchair accessible
Admission
QUICK FACTS
8 km (5 mi) from Lake Bled ⋆ Not wheelchair accessible ⋆ Admission
The cave under 'The Hag's Tooth'
Probably everyone who lives in Bled has heard of the rock formation that looks like a tooth and is part of a massive plateau called Jelovica that lies southwest of Lake Bled.
Yet not all of them know that under ‘Hag’s Tooth’ (or Babji zob in Slovenian) as we call that rock in the shape of a cone on Jelovica, there is a cave.
Hag’s Tooth and the cave are located near the village of Kupljenik. That little village with around 30 inhabitants lies above the gorge of Sava Bohinjka River and the road Bled-Bohinj.
The cave that is known for calcite crystals ‘opens its doors’ in summer. You can visit it on Sundays (in July and August) accompanied by local cavers who will open the door for you at 10 am, as well as take care of the lighting in the cave.
Visits to the cave are limited in order to preserve the cave’s system. ― And you will be asked to stick to the caver’s motto: ‘Do not bring/take anything in/from the cave, except for the mud on your shoes’.
The cave with some of the oldest calcite crystals in Europe
Like other karst caves, including Postojna Cave that is the most known cave in Slovenia, The cave under Babji zob features beautiful cave formations.
There are thousands of years old cone-shaped stalagmites growing from the ground and stalactites hanging from the cave’s ceiling. Those cave formations continue to expand ― but only for a few centimetres per 1000 years!
Nevertheless, the oldest formations in the cave – that are older than the cave itself are called calcite crystals. Calcite is the most common mineral that can be found in Slovenia. It is interesting that skeletons of some sea animals, such as corals, also include calcite.
The oldest calcite crystals in the cave are around 10 million years old. Unfortunately, many of them are severely damaged (they were broken off) due to human ignorance. Calcite crystals occurred even before the glacial water slowly carved the cave that you can visit today.
History of the cave that is home to millipede
Caving was an attractive leisure activity already at the beginning of the 20th century and The cave below Babji zob was one of the most visited caves in Central Europe.
Caving enthusiasts from the village of Kupljenik ― a charming alpine village with a pilgrimage church ― guided curious visitors through the cave.
Today the cave is being taken care of by local cavers united under ‘Cave Exploration Society of Bled’ (‘Društvo za raziskovanje jam Bled’). They also offer guided tours which is the only way to enter the cave.
On the 1st of May each year when Slovenians like many other nations observe Workers’ Day the members of this society organise free guided tours of the cave (usually from 10 am until 2 pm; a single tour lasts around one hour).
Nevertheless, it can be quite crowded in the cave on the 1st of May. If you prefer to be in a smaller group, then you might want to visit it some other time.
The cave tour will take you through 300 metres (around 0.3 miles) of cave passages and chambers. Have your eyes wide open ― in some cave formations you might see shapes of animals or even human faces! The cave chamber that is ‘decorated’ with stalagmites and stalactites is probably the most appealing.
The cave is home to several animal species, including bats, cave spiders and a kind of millipede that is native to Bled area.
The route to the cave in pictures
To get to the cave entrance at 1008 m (3307 ft) above sea level, you will need to hike for about one hour. The starting point of the hike is in the forest near the village of Kupljenik.
– PRACTICAL INFORMATION –
LOCATION: The cave is situated near the village of Kupljenik (in Bled Municipality).
The cave under Babji zob (Jama pod Babjim zobom)
ENTERING THE CAVE: You can visit this cave on Sundays in July and August when local cavers open the cave and offer a guided tour.
The tour starts at 10 am and lasts one hour. They ask you to be at the cave entrance 15 minutes before the tour starts. There is a small admission.
Caving outside the opening hours: Please contact the Cave Exploration Society of Bled for more information: dzrjbled@gmail.com, their website (in English).
INSIDE THE CAVE: The terrain inside the cave is not challenging, it is mainly even, there are ropes and steps to make the passage easier. It is a bit muddy and slippery though, so make sure to wear appropriate shoes.
STARTING POINT (BY BUS): Take a bus from the main bus station in Bled (located across Bled Rose Hotel) heading towards Bohinj. Take off at the bus stop ’Kupljenik’ (see on the map) that is situated by the road Bled-Bohinj. You can buy the ticket from the bus driver.
From the bus stop, you will need to walk for about 3 km (1.8 mi) to get to the starting point of the hike to the cave’s entrance.
RECOMMENDATIONS: The hiking trail to the cave entrance is steep and narrow in some places, so hiking shoes with good grip are highly recommended. Trekking poles will make your hike easier.
The temperature in the cave is low (8°C / 46°F), so make sure to take some warm clothes with you.
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