Breathtakingly Beautiful Zelenci Natural Park

Photo: Zelenci Nature Park

It was another beautiful late-summer day as sunlight burst into my flat already early in the morning. I left Ljubljana around 10:00 a.m. and headed north-west, towards the town of Kranjska Gora. If you follow my blog with more attention, you would probably think that Slovenia is just Gorenjska – the northwestern region of Slovenia – but I promise you that there’s much more to see of my country, as you will see and learn in the coming posts.

Zelenci

It took me about an hour and a quarter to reach Zelenci, located a couple of minutes away from the town of Kranjska Gora, a popular ski resort. The nature park Zelenci has over the past few decades remained a hidden gem of natural beauty – not just for tourists from abroad but also for many Slovenians. Due to the growing exposure of Zelenci in social media posts in the past few years, the site has become a very popular spot to take photos of breathtaking colours of the water and the mountain peaks in the background. 

Photo: Relaxing in Zelenci

Photo: A new friend maybe ...

I’ve parked my bike along the main road leading from Kranjska Gora towards Planica. As it was already pretty damn hot, it was quite refreshing to step into the forest and walk for about five minutes in the shade of huge trees on pathways leading towards the Zelenci swamp-pond area. This was actually my second time visiting this place, yet it was even more majestic than the first time. The rays of sun coming from atop the mountains shone directly onto the water which seemed to be changing colours, depending on the angle from which I looked at it. 

I sat on the wooden pathway and just relaxed, taking in the fresh air and making some amazing photos of the emerald lake the forests and mountains surrounding me. Zelenci is a natural habitat with an approximately 1,200 metres long and about 150 metres wide swamp area, which in its western part boasts the emerald green lake with lots of clear water sources, giving the lake a distinctive green-blue colours. Since I had a plan to see much more on that day, it was time for me to head to my next stop, Planica.

Planica

My next stop – Planica – is just 15 minutes away from Zelenci; my bike barely got started when I already parked it underneath the biggest ski flying hill in the world. Planica is a world renowned ski centre, known as the cradle of ski jumping and ski flying. Boasting a modern ski jumping and cross country centre, it is a popular training area for all winter sports enthusiasts.

Photo: Underneath the ski flying hill in Planica

Photo: Ski Jumping Centre in Planica

I was surprised by the entrance fee that needs to be paid if one wants to visit the biggest winter sports centre in Slovenia. As I wanted just to have a look around the ski jumping hills and the ski flying hill, I managed to persuade the guy who was collecting the entrance fee to let me go in without paying anything – well, he said it was OK for fifteen minutes. It was an awesome feeling standing underneath the majestic ski flying hill, I actually felt so small and could not imagine the feeling of flying on such a big hill. I walked around a bit, took a couple of photos underneath the ski jumps and headed with my bike to my next stop ... 

Laghi di Fusine

My next stop was Laghi di Fusine, two beautiful lakes located just across the border with Italy. It took me about half an hour to reach them on my way to Planica, a couple of minutes longer than expected since I missed a turn on the road and needed to head back for a couple of kilometres. This was my first time visiting this beautiful region, boasting spectacular nature views across the mountains and forests surrounding both lakes.

Photo: Laghi di Fusine

Two glacial lakes – Lago Inferiore and Lago Superiore – are located just outside the town of Tarvisio. Both lakes are part of the Mangart mountain range (the highest peak being Mangart – 2,677 metres) and are connected to each other by paths hidden in a spruce forest. The breathtaking blue and green, almost turquoise colours of the lakes provide visitors and nature-lovers with a feeling of serenity. This site, which is also a very popular camping area, is a perfect destination for all fans of hiking, swimming, paddling, cycling, and other sports, truly an area where anyone can find something for themselves. 

Photo: Admiring the Mountain Peaks

I sat by the lake and drank a cup of coffee and dipped my toes in the water for a bit. The fresh air truly had a soothing effect, as I enjoyed the views of the mountain peaks to the north of the lake and of the forests to the south. It was freaking hot; luckily I had my motorcycle bag by Viking Bags with me and in it lots of water, otherwise I could spend a fortune on beverages.

Photo: By the lake (Photo taken with GoPro Hero 5 camera)

It was time for me to take my leave and slowly head back home ...

Although the days are getting shorts and the temperatures lower, the weather is still sunny and so inviting, which makes me confident that I still have a chance to put a ride or two under my belt in the coming weeks. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

Follow my blog to see what I will “discover” next ...

Photo: Map of the Route

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Vogel – Reigning Triglav National Park

The warm and inviting September sun has immediately won me over. Well, it does not take much to make me jump on the bike and be one with the road, while admiring the nature of my country. Since it is already very cold in the morning, I waited until 10:00 a.m. before heading on the road. As I heard there were major traffic jams towards the southwest of Slovenia, towards the seaside, I decided to ride towards the mountains, to Gorenjska. The temperature rose just slightly over 13 degrees, as I started  my trip ... Off to my first stop – Lake Završnica.

Photo: Yamaha FZ8

Lake Završnica

I headed towards the north of Ljubljana, passed Šentvid, and rode past the town of Medvode, on the old regional road past Kranj on my way towards Bled. Coming to Radovljica, I turned right towards the well-known venue of catholic pilgrims, the town of Brezje. I passed the town before coming to Lake Završnica. It took me just shy of 45 minutes to reach it from Ljubljana. 

Photo: Lake Završnica

The artificial lake is situated underneath the Julian Alps and offers spectacular views of the surrounding forests and mountain peaks. The valley and the lake were formed by the stream Završnica, which comes down from the mountain peaks of Begunjščica and Stol. The road to the lake offers views across meadows and pastures to the left and right of the road. This is a popular venue of hikers and mountain bikers, as well as all adrenaline junkies who can find something for themselves in the adrenaline park. I am not sure whether the lake is suitable for bathing in the summer, yet it is a pretty cool spot to relax, unwind, have a picnic or simply enjoy the best nature has to offer. I sat by the lake for a couple of minutes before heading to my next stop – Castle Kamen.

Photo: Rest area by Lake Završnica

Castle Kamen

Photo: View towards Koroška at Castle Kamen

I’ve heard of Castle Kamen for the first time only a couple of weeks ago after a friend mentioned it to me. I spent just 10 minutes riding from Završnica to the entrance of Draga Valley, where the old medieval castle, or better said its ruins, is located. I walked around the ruins, climbed to the top of the preserved castle building and mainly enjoyed the views to the mountains towards Koroška to the north and towards the Julian Alps to the south. The nature there is truly magnificent with forests all around as far as you can see. As I was walking, I read a bit about the history of the castle and what actually happened to it, took some great photos and eventually left for the town of Bled.

Photo: Ruins of Castle Kamen

Vogel

I wanted to go to Bled to sit by the lake and enjoy a beautiful and warm sunny day, but just before entering the town I saw a big billboard sign inviting tourists to come and visit Vogel. The idea quickly crept into my thoughts and I didn’t even stop in Bled, but simply rode past the town and headed towards the town of Bohinj. It took me about 25 minutes to reach the lower cable car station underneath Vogel. I paid the ticket for the cable car ride to the top of Vogel at an altitude of 1,922 metres. Needless to say, I got quite a lot of odd looks and even stares as I was still in my full gear ...

Photo: Julian Alps from the top of Vogel

Photo: View over Lake Bohinj from Vogel

Vogel is a popular ski resort and a well-known destination for all hikers since the vistas on the top have visitors gasping for air at the sight of the Julian Alps and especially the Triglav peak – the national symbol of Slovenia. 

This was actually my second time on Vogel and if I hadn’t been in my full riding gear, I would probably go for a short hike or something. I sat down and admired the Julian Alps right in front of me, almost at the touch of my hand. The plateau was really lively and bustling with lots of people, mostly foreigners, to my surprise mainly tourists from the US. I had lunch at the tavern before heading to the cable car to descend back to the valley. It was almost 4:00 p.m. and the wind started to send shivers to my bones. 

Photo: Friendship for a lifetime :)

Lake Bohinj

Photo: Lake Bohinj

The cable car ride from the top of Vogel back to the valley to Lake Bohinj takes only about 5 minutes. After crowding with the Americans, I started my bike and found a spot for myself by the lake where I dipped my toes into the water which still had about 20 degrees Celsius, while admiring the mountains above the lake. The spot was really peaceful and I could enjoy the tranquillity of the nature around me. Lake Bohinj is twice as big as Lake Bled, but due to the distance from the motorway it is less known to tourists than Lake Bled. Over the last couple of years, Bohinj became a popular spot for all who enjoy camping, hiking, and the intact nature.

It was getting dark and I needed to get back to Ljubljana ... a perfect end to a perfect bike trip and one I will surely repeat soon. Hopefully, the weather will not spoil my plans for the coming weeks and I will manage to have a couple more trips under my belt before the freezing cold starts kicking in.

Photo: Before heading back to Ljubljana

Photo: Map of the Route