Rake
Že leta 1596 so bile zgrajene prve Rake, ki so vodo pripeljale od zajezene Idrijce pri Kobili vse do središča mesta. Moč vode je poganjala številne rudniške naprave; žage, črpalke, dvigalne, drobilne in izpiralne naprave, težka kovaška kladiva, pa tudi mline.
Vodi iz Rak gre zahvala, da katastrofalni požar l. 1903 ni zahteval še več žrtev, čisto vodo pa so v »žehtnici«, ki stoji tik pred vstopom na Rake koristile za pranje perila tudi žene rudarjev.
Sprva so bile rake povsem lesene, šele po 170-ih letih so jih obzidali s kamnom. Z izgradnjo Kamšti se je vodni kanal skrajšal in ni več potekal v središče mesta.
Po naravoslovni učni poti ob Rakah je od Botaničnega vrta do jezu dobre pol ure nenaporne, ravninske hoje v družbi bujnega zelenja in zvokov narave. Pot ves čas poteka ob vodi, v senci dreves in nižje ležeči reki Idrijci. Vodi nas mimo drevesnih orjakov, rečnega okljuka pri Zagodu, studenca, večih brvi čez reko Idrijco, do Kobile. Je najbolj znana pot zaljubljencev in oddiha željnih krajanov mesta Idrije. Po njej pridemo tudi do Zagoda, Stare mejce, Divjega jezera, od jezu pri Kobili pa tudi naprej po slikoviti dolini Idrijce do naselja Bela.
ENG:
Rake
Built in 1596, the Rake water channel long served the mine as an important power source – the water ran into the channel at a dam about 3 km upstream, and by the time it reached the town it accumulated a substantial drop, and could thus power various pump, lifts, ore-crushers, saws and such in the service of the mine. The water from the channel has saved many lives in the catastrophic mine fire of 1903, and the miners’ wives used to wash the laundry in the clean water at the mouth of the channel in little hut, called ‘Žehtnca’ (‘laundry hut’).
With a beautiful trail built by the water channel that runs through beautiful nature up to the Kobila dam, Rake remain a vital part of the town, facilitating people who wish to let their minds wander on a relaxing walk through nature, avid runners and lover-birds.
Following the trail you can visit the already mentioned Kobila dam, the Divje Jezero (Wild Lake) siphon lake, or follow any of the unmarked footpaths below or above the trail that take through the wilderness of the river Idrijca.
Bonus: There is a bonus stage hidden in the geocache. The bonus stage is a experience (not a physical container). It is made out of little pieces (puzzle) that must be connected together. When done, make a picture with your mobile phone so you can use it to find the bonus stage. THE PUZZLE IS NOT TRANSFERABLE!
