loka`s cycling track - Turizem Škofja Loka

LOKA'S CYCLING TRACK
1. TO ST. OŽBOLT ABOVE ŠKOFJA LOKA
STARTING POINT: Škofja Loka - Puštal
TRACK LENGTH: 20 km
DIFFERENCE IN HEIGHT: 511 m
TIME OF THE RIDE: 2 hours
HIGHEST POINT: 859 m
DIFFICULTY: *
Tourist facilities:
- Puštal Castle
- Nace House, Home and museum of the Polenec
familiy, Puštal 74, tel.: 040 295 916
- Devil's wooden footbridge
- Mini hotel, Metka Demšar, Vincarje 47, 4220 Škofja
Loka,
tel.: 04 515 05 40, fax: 04 515 05 42
- Hunting Family of Škofja Loka, Studenec 9, 4220
Škofja Loka, Hunting lodge Sv. Ožbolt, Sv. Ožbolt 35,
4220 Škofja Loka, tel.: 04 512 28 79
We ride through Puštal past the Puštal castle and to the Hrastnica valley. We follow the asphalt road
and signposts to St. Ožbolt. After 6,7 kilometres we turn right. Cycling a pleasant slope, we get to a bit
steeper part leading to the Hribovec farm. After almost 10 kilometres we reach St. Ožbolt church. In
nice weather you have a magnificent view from here. You can find the STAMP (KT 1) in the box
attatched to the house of Hunters' Hut, situated
behind the church below the path. The first Sunday
after August 5 is the most vivid on Ožbolt. It is the
annual
village
fair
of
St.
Ožbolt.
The descend to the valley goes further on along the
same path. However, at the first branch we turn right
to the Bodovlje gorge. In Bodovlje at the crossing
before the bridge we turn right again. First we cycle
through the village and than we follow the cart track
on the right bank of the Sora river. We can finish our
ride in Puštal and see the nace house or the near
Devil's wooden footbridge.
2. ALONG THE OLD BLEGOŠ ROAD
STARTING POINT: Škofja Loka – Mestni trg
TRACK LENGTH: 42 km
DIFFERENCE IN HEIGHT: 576 m
TIME OF THE RIDE: 3 hours
HIGHEST POINT: 924 m
DIFFICULTY: ****
Tourist facilities:
- Nace Inn, Franc Vizjak, Breznica below Lubnik 26, 4220 Škofja Loka, tel.: 041 758 973
- The Žgajnar tourist farm, Jana and Matej Demšar, Zapreval 3, 4223 Poljane, tel.: 04 518 80 32, 051
663-232, fax: 04 518 81 36, e-mail: [email protected]
- Apartments Gornik, Četena Ravan 3, 4223 Poljane, tel.: 031 334 910, fax: 01 362 81 08, e-mail:
[email protected]
- Public house Blegoš Javorje, Janez Šturm, Javorje 5,
4223 Poljane, tel.: 04 518 91 00
- Public house Na Vidmu, Poljane, Tomaž Poljanšek
s.p., Poljane 27, 4223 Poljane, tel.: 04 510 96 10
- Tavčar mansion, Visoko near Poljane
- Visoko educational forest path, Visoko near Poljane
- Public house Pri Kajbitu, Janez Prevodnik d.o.o.,
Zminec 5, 4220 Škofja Loka, tel.: 04 512 67 00
- Lubnik Cave and Kevdrc Cave – visit possible on
previous agreement – info. Walter Zakrajšek, Sv. Duh
271, 4220 Škofja Loka, tel.: 04 513 50 74, tel.: 041
532 613
We ride from Škofja Loka along the Poljanska dolina valley and at Podpulfrca we turn to the old military
road. The remains of rocks standing beside the road remind us of the past.
Below the saddle between the Selška valley and the Poljanska valley you can stop at the Nace Inn,
where you can find the STAMP (KT 2). This part of the track is very popular among cyclists. From here is
the shortest path to mountain Lubnik, 1025 m, where you can ascend – on foot of course.
We continue cycling along the road below the ridge. The road preponderates downhill after 11.3
kilometres from the starting point. The macadam road is not very well maintained on certain places
therefore we recommend you to be a bit more cautious.
After almost 16 kilometres we ride again on to the ascending asphalt road. We can enjoy a magnificent
view on the Selška valley, Karavanken Mountains and Alps, which in beautiful day fascinate everyone.
In Zapreval we turn to the road leading from Luša and only a few metres from the near Žgajnar tourist
farm there is a small trough with spring water on the right side of the road. The water is potable and
the local people jokingly say that it also has positive "side" effects but only if you drink it often enough.
There are the STAMP (KT 3) and the entry book beside the trough.
On Preval between the Selška and Poljanska valleys you can once again look about the beautiful valleys
and then you can descend. If you are in a hurry, you can descend through the idyllic little villages of
Četena Ravan, Murave, Javorje to Poljane. If you have enough time, you can turn right at Murave and
cycle to Gora (Malenski vrh), and those with a lot of energy may decide for a ride to Blegoš (which is
planned for stage 7). For some time there
awas a weather station at Javorje. This little
village is one of the most sunny villages in
Slovenia according to the data of the
exposion to the sun rays – the same goes
for the neighbouring Murave, Dolenčice,
Podvrh and Četena Ravan.
In Poljane we cross the main road and go
along the track on the right bank of the
Sora river and come to the Tavčar mansion.
There is also an educational forest path
near here. The cycling track ends here and
we return to the starting point along the
main road.
3. TO VINHARJE
STARTING POINT: Poljane - Hotovlja
TRACK LENGTH:25 km
DIFFERENCE IN HEIGHT: 434 m
TIME OF THE RIDE: 2 hours
HIGHEST POINT: 820 m
DIFFICULTY: *
Tourist facilities:
- The Ljubica farm tourism, Vinharje 10, 4223 Poljane,
tel.: 04 510 73 50, fax: 04 510 73 51,
e-mail: [email protected]
In Poljane we turn to the bridge and then left to
the village of Hotovlja. We follow the signposts to
Vinharje. After five kilometres we reach the Ljubica
tourist farm. We are always pleasantly surprised
there with their excellent offer. The STAMP (KT 4)
and the entry book are here. We continue cycling
along the macadam road to the crossing with a
chapel. We can continue our ride straight uphill
and then turn right on the upper road or we ride
on lower road, which leads us past the farms
Stržinar, Premetovec and Zare. The two roads join
in any case and then follows the descend to Prelesje and to the Brebovščica river valley. We avoid the
main road from Gorenja vas to Poljane if we turn right at Dolenja Dobrava and then follow the
macadam track through Žabja vas to the starting point in Poljane.
We recommend everybody who will find this tour too short and too easy (it is really one of the
shortests and easiests) to ride past Sivka to Planina above Horjul through Suhi dol to Lučine and along
the Brebovščica valley to Gorenja vas. Some people decide cycling towards Črni vrh and before
reaching it, they descend to Visoko near Poljane. It is possible to contiunue the tour along the polhov
Gradec hills, and then descend through the Hrastnica valley to Škofja Loka. Everyone should choose the
track according to their ability, difficulty of the track and the starting point.
4. ŽIRI CIRCLE - Eastern Part
STARTING POINT: Gorenja vas
TRACK LENGTH: 42 km
DIFFERENCE IN HEIGHt: 518 m
TIME OF THE RIDE: 3 hours
HIGHEST POINT: 920 m
DIFFICULTY: ***
Tourist facilities:
- Tourist information Žiri – IMPULSE, Loška cesta 1, 4226 Žiri, tel.: 04 510 55 80, fax: 04 510 55 81, email: [email protected]
- Hunting lodge na Javorču, Žirovski vrh nad sv. Urbanom,
4224 Gorenja vas, tel.: 04 518 23 00 and 04 518 14 59
- Public house "Kasarna" Smrečje, Hribernik Anica s.p., Smrečje 48, 1373 Rovte, tel.: 01 754 01 67
- Home na Goropekah, Marta Maček s.p., Goropeke
15, 4226 Žiri, tel.: 04 519 11 22
- Rupnik Line Bunkers, visit possible on previous
agreement (TS of Žiri–Benjamin Kavčič,
Gregorčičeva 27, 4226 Žiri, tel.: 04 510 40 50)
- Public house Pri Aleksu and Night club Čarli,
Dobračevska 92, 4226 Žiri, tel.: 04 519 15 00
- Public house "Pri županu", Loška cesta 78, 4226
Žiri, tel.: 04 505 00 00, fax: 04 519 22 47
We ride from Gorenja vas past the church of St. John the Baptist towards Lajše. From there we have to
cycle to the Žirovski vrh ridge and there is the Hunter's Hut on Javorč. Don't forget on STAMP (KT 5)
and entry book. Here we join the so called Žiri circle. This is a circular bicycle track around Žiri. We will
follow it in this stage and the next one. You can also join them and ride them like on the traditional
cycling along the Žiri Circle. Everyone who is interested in history will surely return, especially if you are
curious what the inside of the Rupnik line bunkers looks like. You can simply not imagine them without
seeing them.
We continue our track along the ridge to Smrečje. There we turn to Vrh sv. Treh kraljev. Let us point out
the beautiful view seen from here in fine weather.
Numerous cyclists coming from Logatec know about it
and they stop at the near mountain hut or they go to the
Petrač farm as the line of the Logatec Cycling Transversal
also runs here. We go back along the left bank of the
Rače valley to Goropeke STAMP (KT 6) and Žiri. The ride
along the main road will take us to the starting point.
Interesting sights, places worth seeing and peculiarities
of the Žiri Circle and its near surroundings are presented
more in detail in a brochure which you will find at the
tourist information point in Žiri.
5. ŽIRI CIRCLE - Western Part
STARTING POINT: Žiri
TRACK LENGTH: 29 km
DIFFERENCE IN HEIGHT: 482 m
TIME OF THE RIDE: 2,5 hours
HIGHEST POINT: 960 m
DIFFICULTY: **
Tourist facilities:
- Tourist information Žiri – IMPULSE, Loška cesta 1,
4226 Žiri, tel.: 04 510 55 80, fax: 04 510 55 81,
e-mail: [email protected]
- "Možina", Oblak Boris, Koprivnik 41, 4226 Žiri,
tel.: 04 519 18 23
We continue our ride from Žiri along the Sovre valley to Logatec. Then we turn to the Žirovnica river
valley to Pek. We ascend along the old Italian military road to slightly rolling country of Gornji Vrsnik
and we cycle to Govejek. The descend to the Srnjak farm follows a short ascend. We continue our track
to Ledinske Krnice, and there we turn right
towards Korita. There we start a bit longer ascend
along the ridge and again we will enjoy a
marvelous view. We recommend you to descend
past Možina (do not forget to STAMP (KT 7)) and
Mrzli vrh to Jarčja valley and to Selo, the same
way as the Žiri Circle goes. If you want to cycle
longer, just descend to Sovodenj. From there you
can return to Žiri along the main road past
Trebija. If you combined this stage with the
previous one, you will come to Gorenja vas, the
possibility described as the last one is the best.
6. TO CERKLJANSKI VRH, ERMANOVEC AND SLAJKA
STARTING POINT: Hotavlje
TRACK LENGTH: 32 km
DIFFERENCE IN HEIGHT: 590 m
TIME OF THE RIDE: 3 hours
HIGHEST POINT:1000 m
DIFFICULTY: *
Tourist facilities:
- Mountaineering Society of Sovodenj, Stara Oselica, 4225 Sovodenj, tel.: 04 519 50 22; Mountain Hut
on Ermanovec, tel.: 04 519 52 14
- Hut on Slajka, Tourist Society of Slajka Hotavlje, Hotavlje 85, 4224 Gorenja vas, tel.: 04 518 16 62
- Public house "Lipan", Filipič Matilda s.p., Hotavlje 5, 4224 Gorenja vas, tel.: 04 518 13 10
We ride along the main road from the Lipan public house in Hotavlje towards Sovodenj. We
recommend you to turn from the main road at Podgora, not only because of higher safety but also
because the village is nice and the side road is well maintained. From Trebija on we continue cycling
along the main road to Sovodenj, and at the crossing we follow the signs for Nova Oselica. The track
uphill is steep so we can enjoy a beautiful view on the slope above the village. At the top of the ridge
we join to the road leading from Bevkov vrh (if we turn left) and Kladje, to where we descend.
In Kladje we cross the main road and start
ascending towards Ermanovec. STAMP (KT 8) is
waiting for us in the hayrack beside the mountain
hut. We continue to the crossing and there we
descend left to Stara Oselica and Slajka. Do not get
too enthusiastic about the descend as at Na
Slemenu (even above the church!) we ride straight
on a macadam road at the beginning leading uphill
and then turns downhill. After approximately 26
ridden kilometres we come to a crossing where we
can turn left and ascend to Slajka or we cycle
straight ahead and descend to Hotavlje.
7. BLEGOŠ INVITES
START POINT: Gorenja vas
TRACK LENGHT: 35–40 km
DIFFERENCE IN HEIGHT: 989 m
TIME OF THE RIDE: 3 hours
HIGHEST POINT: 1391 m
DIFFICULTY: ****
Tourist facilities:
- Public house "Lipan", Filipič Matilda s.p., Hotavlje 5, 4224 Gorenja vas, tel.: 04 518 13 10
- Open gate farm, Jernej Vodnik, Gorenja Žetina 11, 4223 Poljane, tel.: 04 518 81 74
- Hut on Blegoš, tel.: 050 614 587 (in season), Mountaineering Society of Škofja Loka, Kapucinski trg 13,
4220 Škofja Loka, tel.: 04 512 06 67, fax: 04 512 06 67, e-mail: [email protected]
We continue the track from Gorenja vas along the main road to Žiri. After half a kilometre we turn right
towards Hlavče Njive. We ascend to the ridge and the magnificent Blegoš is in front of us. We cannot
oversee numerous bunkers along the track. They are a part of the so called Rupnik Line and built as the
defence against Italians afterthe First World War. We cycle on through the villages of Gorenje Brdo and
Malenski vrh, and then past the Savec farm (there is
approximately 500 metres of worse road between
the two farms, therefore do not choose this track in
rainy weather!) and the Frtunc farm. On the Hleviše
saddle we join the main road from Poljane-Javorje
and continue through Gorenja Žetina to Črni Kal. We
follow the signposts and a nice macadam road takes
us to a parking space. The track to the 5-10 minutes
distant hut is intended for trekkers, however we can
take our bicycles to the hut, where we find the
STAMP (KT 9) and the entry book, but to the top of
Blegoš (1562 m) we should go on foot (15-20 min).
Possible descends:
1. The shortest: along the forest path Črni Kal-Suša to Hotavlje. Every September there is a mountain
cycling competition on this track – an ascent on Blegoš.
2. The most interesting: through the villages of Gorenja and Dolenja Žetina, Dolenja Ravan to Suša.
Museum in nature: wheels of all kinds and sizes. This track is also suitable for ascending.
3. the most beautiful, leads to the lower station (turning point) of the Cerkno Ski Centre past the Tomaž
farm through villages of Robidnica, Leskovica and Studor to Hotavlje. Everyone who will decide for this
descend, should be extremely careful in the upper part (from Špehovše to Smoletovše), as the track is
worse there, but the track from Robidnica downhill is wonderful on a nice day.
8. TO DAVČA TO THE DAVČA PEOPLE
STARTING POINT: Zali Log
TRACK LENGTH: 37 km
DIFFERENCE IN HEIGHT: 590 m
TIME OF THE RIDE: 3 hours
HIGHEST POINT: 1100 m
DIFFICULTY: ***
Tourist facilities:
- The Šoštar tourist farm, Peter Prezelj, Davča 46, 4228 Železniki, tel.: 04 519 60 46
- The Čumar tourist farm, Peter in Ivanka, Davča 19, 4228 Železniki, tel.: 04 519 61 19
- Jemec snack bar, Rozalija Jemec, Davča 25, 4228 Železniki, tel.: 04 519 60 74
- The Podhočar tourist farm, Milena Frelih, Podporezen 5, 5243 Podbrdo, tel.: 05 380 80 95
- Hut on Petrovo brdo, Mountaineering Society of Podbrdo, Podbrdo 73/A, 5243 Podbrdo, tel.: 031 585
468
We cycle from Zali Log to the side valley of Davča, known as the largest Slovene village. At the
beginning we ride along a narrow valley, before the gorge, we turn to the right and start a "serious"
ascent - we reach 1000 metres above the sea level. We continue along ridge and descend past the
Jemec inn where we certify our ascent with a STAMP (KT 10) and a sign in the cycling book. We ride on
to the Davča falls, then we return for a part and we continue our way past the Jurež, Majdelc and
Podhočar farms. You can extend the stage with descend in Baška grapa - first to the Robar farm and
then round of Črni vrh to Podbrdo. We ride back along the old Austrian road to the Hut on Petrovo
Brdo, STAMP (KT 11). The road is above the present road, which goes along the Mlečni potok gorge.
The track past Robar to Podbrdo is especially interesting for those who are interested in histrorical
remains - there are many bunkers here, built after the First World War by the Italians to defend the
new border after the First World War. From Petrovo Brdo we can descend to the starting point along
the well maintained road of Zadnja Sora. Those who want to cycle more should continue the track
towards Sorica to Podrošt. By the way - when you are in Sorica: the STAMP (KT 12) and the entry book
are in the Macesen guest house!
9. ALONG THE SUNNY SLOPES OF RATITOVEC
STARTING POINT: Železniki
TRACK LENGTH: 40 km
DIFFERENCE IN HEIGHT: 814 m
TIME OD THE RIDE: 3,5 hours
HIGHEST POINT: 1264 m
DIFFICULTY: ****
Tourist facilities:
- Lušina Restaurant, Jure Lušina, Češnjica 54, 4228
Železniki, tel.: 04 510 20 90, fax: 04 514 76 95
- Podrošt snack bar, Poldka Okorn s.p., Spodnja Sorica
1, 4229 Sorica, tel.: 04 519 70 40
- ALPMETAL & co., d.o.o., Selca 86, 4227 Selca; Guest
house Macesen, Spodnja Sorica 16, 4229 Sorica,
tel.: 04 519 70 60, fax: 04 511 78 39,
e-mail: [email protected]
- Grohar House, Miro Kačar, Spodnja Sorica 18, 4229 Sorica, tel.: 04 519 70 22 and 04 519 71 96
- The Petričk open gate farm, Prtovč 4, 4228 Železniki,
tel.: 04 514 61 18
- Železniki Swimming Pool, Na Kresu 25, 4228 Železniki, tel.: 04 514 63 81, faks: 04 514 63 81
We cycle from Železniki along the Selška valley to Podrošt, where we start the steeper part of the
ascent. Before Spodnja Sorica it straightens a little bit. The village is one of the most beautiful ones in
Slovenia and it inspires artistic souls even today. You can join a music workshop or a painting workshop
here or you can see Ivan Grohar's birthplace. There is a rich tourist offer at Spodnja Sorica and you will
find the STAMP (12) and the entry book in the Macesen restaurant (right beside the road at the end of
the village. We continue our track towards Soriška planina, which is also a very popular excursion point
among cyclists, but regretfully our track branches off to the right before we reach it. (You can also cycle
up to here along the road past Petrovo Brdo - the road is better, the ascent is not so steep and the
distance is a few kilometres longer, you only have to descend to the Macesen restaurant for the STAMP
(12).
We cycle on past steep hills covered with meadows. Fewer and fewer people from the villages below
Ratitovec cultivate these hills. We can
descend to the valley at Torka as the track
continues along the wide macadam road.
However, it becomes worse on the highest
point called Povden. If you do not have a
mountain bike or you are used to narrow
stony paths - you'd better get off your
bicycle! The track is the worst in the upper
part where you even have to carry your bike
over certain parts. When you come to Prtovč,
do not forget the STAMP (13) which is on the
open gate farm Pr' Petričk. You only have to
descend to Železniki now.
10. A LEAP TO DRAŽGOŠE
STARTING POINT: Selca
TRACK LENGTH: 16 km
DIFFERENCE IN HEIGHT: 380 m
TIME OF THE RIDE: 1 – 1,5 hours
HIGHEST POINT: 820 m
DIFFICULTY: *
Tourist facilities:
- Cabin and Inn in Dražgoše, Tatjana Šolar s.p., Dražgoše 67, 4228 Železniki, tel.: 04 510 11 50, faks: 04
510 11 51, e-mail:[email protected]
This stage is the shortest and the easiest as regards to the difference in height. Therefore it can be
combined with the next one which is also one of the short ones. We cycle from Selca along the main
road to Železniki. Then we follow the signposts for Rudno and Dražgoše. We start ascending along the
steeper road in Rudno. However, the road winds uphill in a series of hairpin bends so it is not too steep.
On the last bend before Dražgoše we stop at the cabin where among other stamps we can find the
STAMP (14) of our cycling track.
We continue the track past the monument to Dražgoše and then branch off to Kališe. You can extend
the track to Jamnik. There is the pictoresque church of St. Primož. You will enjoy the beautiful view
there. We will return through Kališe (we can also cycle to the Church of the Holy Cross above the
village) to Selca. This stage is very nice and you can make it as you wish.
11. GOLICA, LENART, LUŠA
STARTING POINT: In Luša or Praprotno
TRACK LENGTH: 22,5 km
DIFFERENCE IN HEIGHT: 430 m
TIME OF THE RIDE: 1,5 – 2 hours
HIGHEST POINT: 820 m
DIFFICULTY: *
Tourist facilities:
- Guest house "Pri Zalogarju" Janez Košmelj s.p., Dolenja vas 1a, 4227 Selca, tel.: 04 500 50 00, fax: 04
500 50 24, e-mail:[email protected]
- Guest house Kveder, Alojz Eržen s.p., Spodnja Luša 16, 4227 Selca, tel.: 04 51 41 499, fax: 04 514 14
99, e-mail:[email protected]
If we have not combined this stage with the previous one, we start cycling in Luša (we can also start in
Škofja Loka, but then we have to go through Soteska, which is not very pleasant for cyclists). First we
ride along the Selška valley to warm up. Soon after Selca we turn left towards Golica where we start
ascending. Cycling a little less than four kilometres (but not ascending yet) we come to the top of the
saddle (we can go to St. Nicholas church from here on foot) and continue along the forest road to Rovt.
When we come to the asphalt road, we can
decide to continue cycling towards the Stari
vrh Ski Centre or Zapreval, or we can descend
immediately to Luša. The STAMP is in the
Kveder restaurant in Spodnja Luša (the right
branch from the road). You will be able to go to
Kveder without turning back even if you
prolong the tour to Mlaka above Luša and
descend past the Podmlačan farm. We
continue cycling along the valley to the starting
point.
12. ČEPULJE, KRIŽNA GORA
Starting point: Škofja Loka
Track Length: 27 km
Difference in Height: 412 m
Time of the Ride: 2 hours
Highest point: 760 m
Difficulty: **
Tourist facilities:
- Public house "Pri Boštjanu", Križna gora 8 a, 4220 Škofja
Loka, tel.: 04 510 33 20
- Tourist farm "Pri Marku", Jože Porenta, Crngrob 5,
4209 Žabnica, tel.: 04 513 16 26,
fax: 04 513 97 90 (you need to call in advance),
e-mail:[email protected]
- Guest house Crngrob, Mateja Bednar s.p., Crngrob 13, 4209 Žabnica, tel.: 04 513 16 01, tel.: 041 764
967
- Public house – Pizzerija Pri Ingliču, Cesta talcev 4a,
4220 Škofja Loka, 04 512 66 30,
e-mail:[email protected]
- Mini hotel, Metka Demšar s.p., Vincarje 47, 4220
Škofja Loka 04 515 05 40, fax: 04 515 05 42
The last stage is the one I personally prefer to ride
in the opposite direction from the cycling track (it
means ascending to Križna gora and descending
through Strmica). And yet - the starting point of
this stage is in Škofja Loka, from where we cycle
through Soteska to the Selška valley. This part goes
along the main road which is very busy at rush
hours. If you want to avoid this part, we
recommend you to ascend again along the old
military road (stage 2) to the Nace Inn or to the
saddle and then
descend to the
valley through the village of St. Thomas.
We continue along the Selška valley through Bukovica and then
branch off to Ševlje and Bukovščica. We start ascending before the
village Strmica (Steep slope - the name tells it all) and the raod takes
us to Čepulje, a very popular point of cyclists, who also ride up here
from Stražišče. We go on towards Lavtarski vrh. Then follows a part
of a very narrow path which is also very popular among
mountaineers, therefore we have to be careful and tolerant – cyclists
do
not
have
priority!
Coming to Križna gora we end these troubles – we only have to
descend now– do not forget the STAMP! You will find it at the
Boštjan restaurant. Before returning to Škofja Loka we recommend
you to see the old village Crngrob, known for its pilgrimage church
with the fresco of the Holy Sunday You can come to Crngrob through
the villages of Moškrin and Pevno.