Tag Archives: theme trails in Radol’ca

Grabnarca

Posted in Adele in Slovenia, ifeelsLOVEnia, Jelovica, Radol'ca, Radovljica, Slovenia, Slovenia blog, Tourism Radol'ca, Visit Radol'ca by

Although it’s not far from Radovljica, it’s been many years since I last went for a walk along the Grabnarca Waterside Nature Trail. In fact, looking back, I realised it’s actually eight years, so it was high-time to revisit!

The start of the trail (marked in Slovene as: Vodna učna pot Grabnarca), is in the hamlet of Kolnica, which is a continuation of the village of Spodnja Lipica in the Lipnica Valley. At the start of the trail, there is a small parking area for a few cars, next to the bridge over the stream, and an information board about the trail (in Slovene only).

In places the trail follows the Grabnarca and Lipnica streams, which in the past powered mills and sawmills in the valley, and also leads to the spring of the Lipnica stream.

The trail starts on the left-hand side of the gravel road that leads up to the Jelovica plateau then soon crosses the road and continues on the other side.

The waymarkers and information boards (in Slovene only) show pictures demonstrating the importance of the streams for people in the Radovljica area – both then and now.

The undulating trail crosses several wooden bridges.

It makes a great family walk, as children will love crossing the bridges, looking for frogs in the streams and generally having fun outdoors, rather than being at the computer or on their phones!

After about half an hour you reach the Vošče pond.

From the pond you could either retrace your steps or, as we did, continue to make it a circular walk. If you choose the latter, continue past the pond to reach a yellow sign for Lancovo and keep following the signs for Lancovo up through the village of Vošče.

Where the road levels out there is a field path to the right, which leads across pastures with wonderful views of the Karavanke mountains.

Keep following the obvious path.

Eventually you reach a house, where a gravel road leads down to the right and back to the start of the trail in Kolnica.

It took us just over an hour to complete the circular walk, but, of course, if you take your time you could easily fill a couple of hours. Whilst you are in the area, you could also visit the former iron forging villages of Kamna Gorica and Kropa.

You can read more about this and other themed hiking trails in the Radol’ca area here.

© Adele in Slovenia

 

 

 

 

 

Theme Trails in Radol’ca – Take Your Pick!

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Following a themed hiking trail is a great way to discover more of a place, whether its history, culture, and/or natural features.  In the Radol’ca area you are spoilt for choice with a total of 11 such trails. Some are relatively flat, short trails, while others involve a bit more effort; all of them, however, are unique in their own way.

The Begunje Shepherds’ Trail is a 10km circular trail and is by far my favourite of the bunch! It leads from the Draga valley up to the Preval mountain pasture, then along the ‘ćez Roza‘ path to reach the Roblekov dom mountain hut. The start of the trail involves a short section of climbing, followed by a steep section through the forest.

On emerging from the forest the path levels out somewhat, and you can start enjoying the views. You can read more in a previous blog post here.

The Brezje Path of Peace starts close to the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians, Slovenia’s main pilgrimage site, in Brezje. It leads via forest paths and country roads to the Peračica waterfalls.

The Sava River Trail, as the name suggests, runs along the banks of the Sava river from the Fux footbridge to the Šobec camp. It is a linear walk that can be walked in either direction.

St. Peter’s Trail is a short trail that leads up to St. Peter’s church above Begunje na Gorenjskem. From the church there are fantastic views of the Radovljica plains, the Jelovica plateau and, on a clear day, all the way to Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain.

The Lipnica Castle Trail leads across the Fux footbridge over the Sava river to the ruins of Lipnica Castle above the Lipnica valley.

Photo: http://www.radolca.si

The Lamberg Trail leads to the ruins of Kamen Castle in the Draga valley. It begins at the Krpin recreation area in Begunje na Gorenjskem and leads through the forest past the ruins of Kamen Castle, passing two small archeological sites, ending in the  Draga valley at the Gostišče Draga restaurant, where you can enjoy a drink, snack or slap-up meal to gather your strength for the return journey, or you could even continue further on one of the trails that lead into the Karavanke mountains.

Photo: http://www.radolca.si

The Grabnarca Waterside Nature Trail is pleasant, shady trail over wooden footbridges. It begins at the source of the Lipnica stream, crosses the Grabnarca stream and ends at a small lake. The walk can easily be extended further by walking on country roads to return to the start.

The Otoče-Brezje Pilgrimage Trail begins at the railway station in Otoče, runs through the village of Ljubno, known for its numerous frescoes, and on to Brezje, home to the Basilica of Mary Help of Christians.

The Mošnje Archeological Trail explores the village of Mošnje, home to the Villa Rustica archaeological site and the Mošnje Ethnological Museum. 

The Rosary Bead Trail is a circular trail that leads along ancient pilgrimage routes. It gets its name due to the rosary bead-like shape of the trail. The trail is rated as easy, though it covers a total of 12.2km, across fields and meadows, through forests and along country lanes, with wonderful views of the surrounding countryside.

The Begunje Village Trail takes you on a tour of the village of Begunje na Gorenjskem, the birthplace of Slavko Avsenik, the founder of Slovenian folk music. You can also visit Katzenstein Mansion, which today houses a psychiatric hospital and, at the rear, the Museum of Hostages.

Now all you have to do is choose which one, or ones, to walk – a tough choice indeed!

© Adele in Slovenia