5 Slovenian trips completely FREE
In my first article about Slovenia I focused mainly on the most popular places - lakes Bled and Bohinj + Vintgar Gorge and Peričnik waterfall. All beautiful, of course, but let's face it, often under a huge influx of tourists in high season. Which in turn means higher prices for services (accommodation, food, parking...) than anywhere else in Slovenia. So for those who don't want to push through the crowds anymore, or who would like to save a bit and not pay any entrance or parking fees, I've put together an article with 5 tips for trips that won't cost you a penny! So which ones are they?
1) Grad Kamen
We probably wouldn't have visited these parts, but luckily we were staying
near this large 12th century castle ruin (Apartman Peter1a), so when we had time left one afternoon, we went for a tour.
You can leave your car by the main road, where there are two off-street
parking spots + possibly by the side of the road if you don't mind. The castle
itself is only 100m away, so there is literally a trip for everyone.
Only kids have to walk it on their own or in a stroller, as there are enough
stairs for a stroller tour. Anyway, a great place for us, also because you're
quite likely not to meet anyone else here.
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TIP for families: if you find yourself in coffee time, stop by
Bar Jurček in the village of Begunje. There is a terrace on the other
side, with a nice children's playground right underneath.
2) Zelenci natural reserve
A small nature reserve with a small lake where the Sava River rises. It is located near Krajnska Gora, and in my opinion you should definitely not miss it. Especially if you're coming from Villach, Austria, and avoiding the motorway section, because in that case it will be an absolutely minimal detour for you.
At the free parking lot you will find a restaurant and a playground,
where you will connect to a short forest trail. After about 400 m, you will
find yourself at a beautifully coloured pond with a lookout tower. The
shades of blue and green here are really fabulous! Unlike Kamen Castle,
however, expect a slightly higher concentration of people here - just a "run
out of the car for a photo" type stop, and it's free, isn't it. They try to
regulate the crowds with a traffic light at the entrance - if there are too
many people, the light turns red. However, on our afternoon visit it wasn't a
drama, hard to say what it's like on weekends or mornings.
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TIP: there is another parking lot by the main road closer to Krajnská
Gora and a very nice view of the clear springs. This time without people.
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3) Pokljuška soteska
First of all, when planning this trip , work with mapy.cz, where the
route is beautifully visible (can be designed as a circuit).
The free parking lot is located near the village of Krnica, from where
you can walk about 1.5 km to the main part of the gorge (gallery) + you
can make a short walk to the cave (luknja). Then it's up to you how far you
decide to go and whether you take the same way back or complete the circuit.
The minimum you need is 3 km and then individual walks or a circuit.
10,000 years ago, a river flowed through these parts, today you will only have to cross a small stream shortly after the start, otherwise you won't encounter any water. The trail runs through a dry riverbed and is therefore completely unsuitable for strollers, so leave them at home for now. I wouldn't recommend it for too small children either. Although the distance is not very long, the terrain here is really very rocky, so unless you have little chamois at home who thrive on jumping over rocks and roots, bring a carrier/luge. Kobliha (3,5 yrs) trod it herself, but it was a ceiling I guess :) Definitely bring good shoes for everyone involved and some motivational snacks will come in handy.
I had assumed that Pokljuka Gorge is not a particularly busy place. This
idea was supported by the fact that we were only the second car to park here
in the morning. When we left (around lunch time) there were no spots left.
You couldn't tell at all on the trail though, people kind of spread out here
so you don't have to worry about walking in a gridlock.
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4) Plateau Zajamniki
This place has become my private TOP. We arrived here in the morning and were here all alone for a while. In the morning, when the grass was still wet and Nina was knocking the scythe in her softshell jacket. In the morning, when the sun illuminated this isolated settlement with its still weak rays and the mountain peaks peeled off in the distance. Just beautiful!
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Accessibility - normally we would have walked the route from Rudny Pole, but even with the return journey it is almost 10 km, which we didn't really want to do with the kids. However, Zajamniki has the advantage that you can drive right above the settlement. Just don't count on asphalt, the last 6 km or so is rocky, sometimes there is a pothole, so if you are very fixated on your car, you'd better walk so you don't have to worry :) The second thing I have to mention, definitely don't use google maps here! They are totally confused here and will guide you in a completely nonsensical way. Be sure to turn on maps.cz and enter the village of Goreljek in the first place, from which you will then drive to the plain via Spodnji Goreljek.
TIP: don't drive all the way to the end of the road, leave the car at the top of the road, from where you can run straight down to the viewpoint (marked on maps.cz). The first two dwellings you will see are these:
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First, we enjoy the view from above and then we go to see the traditional houses. It's completely peaceful and quiet, no commerce. One of the shepherd's huts looks like an airbnb accommodation with tourists, the other one has local grandmothers running out to start sugaring Joník in a pram :) but the rest looks uninhabited for the moment. We even find a little cottage where you can buy fresh cheese and milk, but unfortunately there is a lock on this one too. Bit of a shame, as we were looking forward to some local gastro experience. But we will at least fix our taste when we return to civilization for lunch in Goreljko, specifically Hotel Jelka Pokljuka. Very good food in pleasant surroundings, a children's promenade and a fine view (see the last photo below this paragraph).
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5) Radovljica
And finally, a bit of urban tourism, but not such a crowd madness as in the case of Bled or Ribčev Laz. Radovljica is a small town with a cute square, which will be appreciated especially by sweet lovers. It is home to both the Lectarjev muzej (Gingerbread Museum) and the Čebelarski muzej (Beekeeping Museum), both of which have a rich history in Slovenia. And to make matters worse, there is also an annual chocolate festival in April. So the souvenirs from Radovljica are pretty clear :)
Be sure to run to one of the local viewpoints (nicely marked on the map.cz), where you will get a view of the Sava River. I'd consider sitting in one of the cafes/sugar shops and enjoying some Slovenian delicacies, such as Bled creme resina or Prekmurje gibanica (= layered puff pastry dessert with cottage cheese, poppy seed and apple filling) as a must-stop.
TIP: we parked in Kajuhova street (free of charge), where there is a viewing point and a playground, which is ideal :)
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