Spring of Lahinja
The Lahinja is 34 km long and originates from several karst springs at the end of a steephead valley between villages of Knežina, Belčji Vrh, and Mali Nerajec. In its upper flow, it flows towards the north in a narrow bed with a very shallow gradient, resulting in the fact that it meanders significantly. The river is popular with fishermen.
At Dragatuš it is joined by Podturnščica and at Črnomelj by Dobličica. From the outflow of Podturnščica, the bed of the Lahinja is narrow and up to 20 m deep, with many bends. In the vicinity of one of them stands castle Gradac. From Črnomelj to Gradac the river has no affluents, but in village Klošter it is joined by the high-volume and faster-flowing Krupa. After its confluence with Krupa, Lahinja turns east. It joins Kolpa at Primostek. The Lahinja's river basin is asymmetric because it receives the majority of its surface affluents from the right side. It is a part of the Sava Basin. The Lahinja Regional Park extends from Knežina to Pusti Gradec, along the first seven km of the Lahinja.
Where to discover
Spring of Lahinja is located below the village of Belčji vrh in the municipality of Črnomelj. To get to the spring, while driving on the Črnomelj-Vinica road towards Vinica, after village Nerajec follow the sign for Belčji vrh. Drive into the village, past the church of Saint Helen, and look for a crossroad to turn left. After the turn drive for about 200 m. On the left, you should see the parking space after the village ends. Walk down the path for about 250 m to the spring.
