From the spot...
Pri Gorjancu Inn , , where there is the motorway junction with traffic signalisation on the left (in direction of Vrhnika), turn right and set the daily counter to zero. A small piece of advice: if you set out to the starting point by car, know, that the otherwise spacious car park is accessible only during the working hours of the inn. The situation will probably improve as a new car park P+R is planned in the vicinity.
At the edge of the crossroads in front of the inn, a commemorative monument to the War for Slovenia has been erected . The first blockade to prevent the Yugoslav People's Army from reaching the city was placed here.
So let's start today's trip. Go along the road to the north, paddle for some time and you already reach the Municipality of Dobrova - Polhov Gradec. Warm-up while cycling past two huge garden centres in Podsmreka , a scattered and partially roadside settlement. A part of the settlement is called ﾊmartno, named after the Church of St. Martin mentioned already in 1528 . Behind the church, the inn carrying the same name is located - St. Martin's Inn . After another two kilometres of cycling through the settlements of Komanije, Draﾞevnik and Razori, you arrive to the road leading from Ljubljana towards Dobrova, Polhov Gradec and Horjul . Turn left carefully and drive to the roundabout, then head towards Horjul . The roundabout is in Dobrova . This is a bigger settlement at the junction of Horjulka and Gradaﾚ￨ica valleys . The most important sight of the town is the large baroque Church of the Assumption of Mary which is also a monument of art. It used to be one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in Carniola. The old church, built before 1231, was demolished and a new baroque one was built in 1716 .
... to Horjul and little further
Up to Horjul, the road runs along the Horjulka valley , through villages, along the forest and across the fields - enjoyable cycling indeed. Recreational sports enthusiasts as well as hikers and more demanding cyclists can be found there. You cycle to the Brezje pri Dobrovi, a settlement scattered at the edge of the swampy valley with the Church of St. Agnes mentioned as early as 1526 . The settlement lies below the wooded ridge with Klju￨ as its highest peak (623 m). During the National Liberation War, a partisan stop was here as already in 1941. On 12 May 1942, a great battle between the partisans and the Italian army took place. The day after the combat, the Italians burnt down the village. In the memory of these events, a hut has been built below the Klju￨'s peak and a marked hiking path leads to it from the village.
Between Podolnica and Zaklanec, a hike ascending to the 428-metre high hill, where a Church Camp of St. Ulrich enclosed with the medieval walls is located, is possible. The church is so typical of this town that the Municipality of Horjul used it on its coat-of-arms. If not yet in the mood for the steep slope, observe the church from below and take a look to the left where there is a newly built mansion on the spot of the Baumgartner's Castle on the opposite slope in the village of Lesno Brdo. The original castle was burnt down and demolished during World War II. This visit can be left out and the cycling can continue in a fast tempo along the beautiful, asphalted road that runs along the nice field landscape and which after thirteen kilometres brings you to the starting point in Horjul , the biggest town in the Horjul valley . Horjul is a bigger clustered village. Since it has been declared the seat of the independent municipality (in 1998), it has progressed rapidly. Losing its village image, it is gradually becoming a city. It bears an unusual name and many tried to unravel its meaning and find the origins. It is assumed that the name Horjul originates from the Roman times when this area was called Hortus Julianus, meaning the Julian garden (romantic, indeed) and it is quite possible that a bored Roman soldier who wanted to skip writing the whole name of its garrison in the report, thought of the abbreviation Hor. Jul. Got it. The other assumption is that Horjul originates from Forum Julianum, meaning the Julian square. In this case, the abbreviation would be For. Jul. Indeed, Horjul used to be called Frjuj. It is obvious that Julius was essential in the name. Especially, if Julius was the Julius Caesar, after whom the Julian Alps were named as well.
In Horjul, quickly look at the frescoes of the academic painter Janez ﾊubic in the Church of St. Margaret , and the Pieta relief, the work of Franc Kralj from 1922 , in the chapel at the cemetery built according to Joﾞe Ple￨nik's plans.
A cup of coffee
The route continues straight through the town towards Vrzdenc, whereby a signpost for ﾊentjoﾚt comes in handy. Simply overlook all other signposts, although they point toward the selected direction of Koren. Continue along the longer and perhaps somewhat less demanding route. Drive through Ljubgojna and Vrzdenec , where water supplies should be checked and supplemented if necessary, as you have driven in the sun all this time (and more of it is ahead), not to mention the ascents. In Vrzdenc, the pilgrimage Church of St. Canzian from the 13th century with some of the oldest frescoes in Slovenia and a nearby sexton's house with its black kitchen and a memorial site dedicated to Cankar's mother Neﾞa Pivk, who was born there, have to be mentioned. South of Vrzdenc, a smaller zoo can be visited and the vicinity is known for its biodynamic farming. Organic is nowadays popular in all kinds of food and for all kinds - from yoghurt to diesel fuel.
Toiling up the hill
From Vrzdenc, go straight to ﾊentjoﾚt where the signpost directs you . The path ascends lightly until the road turn towards ﾎiri and ﾊentjoﾚt , where you turn right in the hairpin bend (along the priority road). There is no end to the ascent. After a kilometre, turn right again as shown on the signpost for Samotorica . It starts severely upwards, but soon the beneficent cool of the forest encompasses and refreshes you after all never-ending ascents. It is advisable to take a break at the first farm in Samotorica , , have a snack and enjoy the view of the valley. A lovely Renaissance Church of St. Michael with a wooden ceiling and frescoes from the 16th century can be found there. The slope ends for a while now and the road continues past two farms somewhat downhill to the crossroads.
To Korena with determination
At the crossroads, after conquering 23 kilometres, a series of signposts awaits, but they are mostly intended for hikers and cannot be of use to you - namely, the road leads you to the right (along the asphalt road towards Horjul). The path descends steeply through the shady forest to the road that leads from Horjul directly to Koreno (locals also call it Korena). How welcoming this descent was. But the physics is merciless as there is no descent without an ascent. Little to the left then and continue in low gear. After a kilometre and a half of breathing hard, you get to Koreno, cross the first part of the settlement and set out for the top. At least two open door farms are on the way, but continue to the last one, just below the top, with the picturesque Church of St. Hermagoras and Fortunatus from the end of the 14th century with a big cross beside it and the linden tree stricken by lighting . The church on the top is seen from a distance and naturally, marvellous views open up from the top of the slope in all directions , . The place is more than suitable for a short rest after half of the planned route is behind you.
Further to the valley
Descend down the asphalt road from the church past the inn towards Slevica . If in doubt, do not hesitate to ask for direction, as the locals are friendly and willing to help. However, this is the only asphalted road in the vicinity, excluding the one that brought you here. There is half a kilometre of the asphalted road ahead, and then you reach the crossroads where you have to decide whether to go left or right. Right is wrong, because the road takes you only to Slevica and has no exit, and thus turn left instead. Another two kilometres of gravel forest road follow and the path becomes quite demanding .. Do not be ashamed to step off the bicycle and stretch your limbs while observing the surroundings. If there is no alternative, you will have to continue on foot, but only to the Roﾞnik Homestead. Nice asphalted road begins there which leads to the main road, where you turn left. A light and gentle decent along the Prosca Stream follows. Quite decent access to the water is arranged in some places if in need of a refreshment. There will be plenty of opportunities to feel the cold Gradaﾚ￨ica River on the way to Dobrova.
Slowly approaching the end
When you get to Dolenja vas , cross the Gradaﾚ￨ica River over the wooden bridge and you are already on the road Ljubljana-Polhov Gradec where you turn right to Dvor , . The village is famous for its late Gothic Church of St. Peter [S29), one of the most beautiful sacral monuments in Slovenia. The beginning of its construction reaches in 1523 - the year is engraved in the portal -, and the end of construction in 1561. The interior decoration took decades, as it was consecrated only in 1613. The church is decorated with beautiful paintings, golden altars and other works of art. It has been proclaimed a national cultural heritage monument. Not even the historians know why such a monumental sanctuary was built in this small village.
Just across the road, a smaller and more simplistic Church of St. Nicholas is situated .
The route continues along the Gradaﾚ￨ica River which you cross just before Dobrova. In the roundabout (remember it from the beginning of the route?) continue straightforward to Ljubljana, through Razore, over a meadow to the first houses. There, turn right to the Pot ￨ez gmajno Road and cycle through the settlement on almost empty road to the crossroads where you turn right and left soon after. Paddle past several houses and you arrive at - where? At the end of the route - at Pri Gorjancu Inn.
46 kilometres have been cycled. If it was not enough for you, continue to the Marshes.