SAVA GRAVEL
Length
43.9
Length 43.9 km ​
Time needed
02:00
Time needed 02:00 ​
Največja strmina vzpona[%]
4
Greatest slope of the ascent: 4 %
Greatest slope of the descent: 4 %
Average slope of the ascent: 1 %
Length of ascents above 5%: 0.60 km
The lowest point of the route: 327 m
The highest point of the route: 260 m
Difference in altitude: 263 m
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Poraba kalorij
4070
Consumption of energy for men: 4070 kJ (972 kcal)
Consumption of energy for women: 3316 kJ (792 kcal)
​
Difficulty
Difficulty: Medium demanding ​
Quality of the surface
Quality of the surface: Asphalt
Type of bike: Road bike
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Short description

A classic route along the Sava River that runs on roads with less traffic and passes more attractive sights. Entirely flat, asphalt and easy route, passable in all weather conditions, is an ideal choice for starting a season and preparing for more demanding excursions. A beautiful afternoon bike ride.

Course

Tacen – Gameljne – Črnuče – Brnčičeva ulica – Šentjakob – Brinje – Beričevo – Videm – Dol – Dolsko – Podgrad – Zalog – Zadobrova – Sneberje – Obrije – Jarše – Tomačevo – Stožice – Mala vas – Ježica – Vižmarje – Tacen

Possibility to choose: a kayak or a bike...
This time you start at the car park in Tacen. For introductory refreshment drive to the Sava River. A race track for kayak racing has been arranged on its rapids since 1939; in 1955 even a world cup took place there. You can look at the river from the bridge and try to imagine how it used to be when the banks of the Sava River were still connected by a ferry. Only in 1844 was the ferry replaced by a wooden bridge over the Sava River. It was named St. Mary's Bridge and was built by the lord of Rocen Castle, baron Franc Feliks Lazarini. Naturally, users had to pay a bridge toll. The bridge stood for more than 60 years until it was washed away by the risen Sava River in 1907. Afterwards, the ferry came back for a couple of years, until in 1910, the authorities of that time built a new bridge with iron construction.
After you've enjoyed the refreshing cold water and listened to the singing of the river, set out on the cycling route and ride through the settlement of Tacen to Šmartno pod Šmarno goro. Along the way visit the Church of St. George and an interesting fountain in front of it. The church, which is situated on the site of the former chapel of Rocen Manor, was probably Gothic at first – taking into account the entrance vault under the bell tower – and the Baroque reconstruction was finished in the second half of the 18th century.

Day of uprising
When you pass Tacen, you are not quite sure if you have already arrived in Šmartno or not. You can see a large monument in a shape of a millstone somewhat above the road on your left. The monument marks a place where the first Partisan gun in Slovenia went off. In former Yugoslavia, the event was commemorated on 22 July, the Day of Uprising of Slovenian Nation. On this day in 1941, an organized attack of the Partisan group of Šmarna gora took place which planned to liquidate some of the national traitors in agreement with the Gameljska group. The Gameljska group carried out its own action the previous day but it was not very successful. However, the Šmarna gora group completed its mission successfully in the morning of 22 July. This event was marked as the beginning of the fight against occupying forces on Slovenian soil.

Between mills and barrows
Since Šmartno pod Šmarno goro has a 'mini' bypass, you do not have to go through this settlement if you go towards Gameljne. Therefore, ride across the bridge that crosses the motorway and turn left. The road leads across the field to Gameljne. This is a long settlement, so long that it was divided into three parts: Zgornje, Srednje and Spodnje Gameljne. The Gameljščica Stream runs through it and is sufficiently rich with water and humble at the same time to turn mill wheels. Indeed, there were seven mills in the village in the past. None of them works today but they have something else there instead: a real Russian dača , the only one in Slovenia. Dačas are Russian holiday houses, similar to our weekend homes. They were a symbol of the rich who used them for relaxation, usually in summer. Gameljne also used to be famous for its rich locals. This is not odd at all since the settlement is located on a fertile plain. And is not just fertile; it also has mineral resources which are witnessed by discoveries of ancient slag and other remains, connected with mining and processing of iron. In addition, a written source in the form of a splendid Roman tombstone exists, which is today built in the Church of St. Leonard in Spodnje Gameljne. It was built by the Caesernius family, a famous and rich Aquileia family which settled in the area of the then Emona in the 1st century AD. They were engaged in iron industry and if they were buried in Gameljne that probably means they had a larger estate there. More Roman tombstones were found nearby but most of them are lost today.

Savus Fluvius
A trail to Črnuče leads through the forest. Antique barrows, where urns, a sword, a glass tear vessel and an oil lamp were found, are located in the forest. A notable Amber Road from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean ran nearby which crossed the Sava River right in Črnuče. It is well known that the Romans buried their deceased by the roads, even more often at the crossroads. Therefore, the existence of tombstones and barrows is not coincidental. Črnuče had to be an important traffic location since the Romans built a magnificent wooden bridge on stone pillars across the Sava River and a post station Savus Fluvius nearby. Due to the crossing over the Sava River, Črnuče was strategically interesting in later periods as well. In times of Illyrian Provinces, Straški hrib Hill (452 m) was a French post from where they fended off the Austrians. During World War II, a border between German and Italian occupying forces (bunkers near the bridge are still visible) ran nearby. And finally, in times of Slovenian struggle for independence in 1991, the barricades were situated there as well.

Paths through villages
At the crossroads, you cross Dunajska Road, turn towards Črnuče and immediately continue to the right, across the railroad, along Cesta 24. junija Road and Šlandrova Street until you come to Štajerska Road. Cross it and continue to Brnčičeva Street, ride along it towards the bus turnaround and just in front of it, turn perpendicularly left to Zasavska Road. Turn right there towards Šentjakob and before you come to the first houses, turn right onto a side road through the settlement This is approximately opposite of the Belinka Factory . Turn right at the first crossroads and continue slightly down to the last left turning that leads to Šmartinska Road which you have to cross in order to continue along the new road that connects Šentjakob to the settlement of Brinje (Perkova Street). The route continues along this road through the villages of Brinje, Beričevo and Videm to Dol.

The Versailles of Carniola
In the 19th century, Dol was well known all across Europe – and you should know why. A mansion was located in Dol, whose owner was baron Jožef Kalasanc Erberg, cultural historian, patron, and a collector of antiques and works of art. The mansion was nicely decorated, surrounded with a large, beautifully arranged park. Therefore, it is no surprise that it was named the Versailles of Carniola. The baron built two pavilions for his collections on the east side of the estate. He arranged for the mansion to become a meeting place of the lords and nobility of that time, thus of all important persons in near and distant surroundings. In spite of its brilliance in the past, today's image of the mansion is very, very sad. The main building is roofless and crumbling, the park is more or less destroyed, there is no track of flowerbeds, the pond is empty and the paths are overgrown. Only the northern part of the mansion, which got a new roof, the accompanying buildings and, of course, both pavilions, which are nicely renovated, are preserved to a certain degree.

Across the Sava River to the sister rivers
Continue towards Kleče and Dolsko where you turn right to the Sava River. A lower slope and you are already on the bridge across the river. After the bridge you must quickly turn right on Kresnice-Ljubljana road which very pleasant for cycling and it soon takes you to the confluence of three sister river: the Sava, the Ljubljanica and the Kamniška Bistrica. In Valvasor's times there were even four rivers – the Besnica River being the fourth one. Their confluence was a little bit higher upstream. Later, when the bed of the Sava and the Ljubljanica rivers were being regulated, the confluence of the Kamniška Bistrica, the Sava and the Ljubljanica rivers was moved to the current location and the Besnica River stayed at its old spot. It now first flows into the Ljubljanica River and then reaches the other two sisters a little bid blended already. It is more of a cousin rather than a sister.

... Under Ostri vrh
Podgrad, a settlement under Osterberg Castle , one of the oldest castles in central Slovenia, is located just a stone's throw away. Valvasor claims that the old castle was built by the Lords of Svibno back in 1015. Contemporary historians place it in the middle of the 12th century. We are of course talking about the old castle because there are two Osterberg castles. The old one has been in ruins for a long time but the new castle , significantly remade, is still standing. It is interesting that, in spite of all modifications, a part of the original, about a meter thick castle wall which still juts out of the northern façade, has been preserved.

Along city streets towards 'home'
Then ride to Zalog, cross the Ljubljanica River and turn right on Agrokombinatska Road in the middle of the settlement (at the traffic lights near the National Liberation War monument). Continue along Snebrska Road, cross Zadobrovška Road and the east branch of the motorway and join a very busy Šmartinska Road from the left – luckily, you do not have to cycle there for a long time. In Šmartno ob Savi turn towards Obrije and Jarše (signpost). The traffic is less dense there so you can relax somewhat when looking around the surroundings. Cycle through Obrije, Jarše and Tomačevo, slip through the underpass under Štajerska radial road and continue towards Stožice (the settlement). On your way you can see the hippodrome , where you can swap your bike for a horse, and the Stožice Sports Complex with its renowned hall in a shape of a shell . Then go past Stožice and Mala vas and cross Dunajska Road to Udvančeva Street in Ježica. After the underpass under the railway line, turn left to the Ježica Sports Centre . When arriving to Savlje after a short slope, turn right, along the plain to Kleče and continue past the water plant to the traffic light. There, turn right again and arrive at a new traffic light. On Obvozna Road (also called German Road) turn left. Šmarna gora is clearly visible now; it is practically impossible to get lost. Press the pedals hard, beat the rambling intersection on the motorway junction and pass the traffic light in the direction of Brod. Go down the slope and you are already at the bridge over the Sava River – the one where you started the route.

A beautiful and interesting tour, not too short and not too long, suitable for an afternoon trip or an easy training session.

Church of St. George in Tacen
It was mentioned for the first time in 1526 in a list of ecclesiastical valuables in Carniola. It is likely that the Rocen castle chapel was located there. The predecessor of the Church of St. George was a Gothic church which was enlarged and redesigned into Baroque style in the 17th century. It got its present form in the second half of the 18th century, as evident from a barely visible inscription of year 1772. The roof of the tower bell is newer since it was completely modified after the earthquake of 1895. A space where the vault of the Rocen lords used to be is located in the middle of the church under the pavement.

Russian dača, Zgornje Gameljne 18
This is the only example of a holiday house in Russian style in Slovenia. The ground floor is built of stone, the upper floor is completely wooden and surrounded by decoratively made balcony. Dača was built in 1886 by a Russian family who moved to the area.

Roman Tombstone, built into the wall of the Church of St. Leonard in Spodnje Gameljne
A famous Roman tombstone of the Caesernius family, found nearby, is built into the southern external wall of the Church of St. Leonard in Spodnje Gameljne. It is decorated with dolphins which were supposed to take the souls of the deceased into heaven; the inscription on it says: "DIS MANIBUS / LUCIO CAESERNIO / PRIMITIVO / QUINQUEVIRO ET DECURIALI COLLEGII FABRUM / ET OLLIAE PRIMILLAE / CONIUGI EIUS / LEGATIS EX TESTAMENTIS EORUM / DECURIIS IIII COLLEGII FABRUM / UTI ROSAS CARNARIIS / DUCANT DENARIOS CC". In translation, this means: "To the divine spirits. To Lucius Caesernius Primitivus, one of the five and a member of decuria of craft association, and to Olia Primila, his spouse. According to their wills, four decurias of craft association were given 200 denarii for eulogy flowers."

Dol Mansion (Lustthal), Dol pri Ljubljani
The mansion was built before 1532 by the Gallenberg family from Ostri vrh as a Renaissance one-storey four-track building. In 1635, it was robbed by revolting farmers and in 1688 it was bought by the Erberg family. In the middle of the 18th century, it was rearranged in Baroque style; another floor was added and a park was arranged around it. In the first half of the 19th century, two pavilions were built by baron Jožef Kalasanc Erberg who also additionally arranged the park, pond and botanic garden. Before the end of the 19th century, the mansion was bought by the Povše family. In 1943, the partisans burnt it down.

Pavilions at Dol Mansion
Two beautifully renovated castle pavilions are situated east of the ruins of the mansion. They were built in 1827 (the northern one) and in 1829 (the southern one) in Neoclassic style. The construction was ordered by baron Jožef Kalasanc Erberg – the northern one for a library and the southern one for an art collection and museum. The colonnade near the entrance contains sculptures of four muses: of painting, architecture, poetry and music. Today the pavilions are mostly used for various events and exhibitions.

Ostri vrh Castle (New Castle, New Osterberg, Povše Castle or Kansky Villa), Podgrad
The castle was first mentioned in 1256, as possession of Spanheim, the patriarch of Aquileia. In times when the old castle was still standing, pristava (administrative-residential building) was situated there. It existed and evolved until 1562 when its owner, Jurij Gallengerg, died. Once abandoned, it quickly started to decay; therefore, it is mentioned by Valvasor in the Glory of the Duchy of Carniola (1689) as a ruin. The walls moved from hands to hands, until baron Jožef Kalasanc Erberg from Dol bought the ruin, demolished the walls and in 1789 built a mansion or a one-storey hunting villa in Renaissance style. The ground plan of the villa had a surface of 5 x 10 meters; it leaned against a part of the old castle wall. The villa had a red façade. Therefore, it was also called Red Castle. The fragments of blue ceramic (probably originating from the former castle oven) were built into it, together with stone cannon balls and a part of the old Roman tombstone which was brought from the valley. In 1822, another housekeeping house was built on the southern edge of the courtyard. The villa changed its owners many times; amongst others was twice the lord and regional delegate France Povše. Thus, the locals also called it Povše Castle. Later it was bought by the Kansky family, owners of the chemical factory in Podgrad, who began to reconstruct it in 1932. The western part of the property was levelled and the villa was rebuilt, making it nearly twice the size. During World War II, the German checkpoint used to be there and today it is used for apartments.

Pri Peclju Inn, Cesta v Kresnice 19, Podgrad
Type: inn. Gastronomic offer: Slovenian cuisine, homemade dishes, fish dishes. Distinguishing features: organized picnics, parties, banquets for closed groups. A large car park.

Vegov hram Inn, Dolsko 57, 1262 Dol pri Ljubljani
Type: inn with overnight accommodation. Gastronomic offer: authentic Slovenian cuisine, homemade dishes. Distinguishing features: a nice domestic inn right by your route. They also offer accommodation.

Sonček Pizza Restaurant, Tomačevo 33, 1000 Ljubljana
Type: pizzeria. Gastronomic offer: 60 sorts of pizzas, salad bar.

Kaval Inn and Pizza Restaurant, Tacenska 95, Ljubljana
Type: inn, pizzeria, café. Gastronomic offer: Italian (Tuscan) cuisine, lunch, desserts. Distinguishing features: welcoming atmosphere, arranged environment, large car park, and separate café with a confectionery.

Dol Mansion
In the 19th century, Dol was well known all across Europe. One of the last lords, baron Jožef Kalasanc Erberg, who was a special man, took credits for this. He was a passionate collector of art works, antiques, manuscripts and other interesting artefacts which he brought from all over the world, mostly of course from Carniola. He took care of the castle park which he transformed into a botanic garden with over 7,000 plants. Baron Erberg collected and kept the archives of noble families of Carniola; and he also had a strong sense of art. Ferdinand, the heir to the throne, visited him in 1819 and Emperor Franz II himself with his wife Caroline Augusta of Bavaria in 1821. This visit was very important, so the host erected a stone Dorian column in the park, with a inscription that reminds of this event. Moreover, the statues of the emperor were placed in front of the pavilions.

Pri Peclju Inn
The inn has a venerable tradition. When the Sava River was still navigable, a route along its bank ran by. The route was used for pulling (either on foot or by yoke) the river carriage boats counter current. Hungry and thirsty horse and cart drivers liked stopping at the inn. The origin of its name is interesting as well. The then owner (that was Vrhovšek at the beginning of the 19th century) sold fruit in addition to running the inn. The oral tradition says that he threw the cherry stalks, left from the cherries that were used in the inn, among the cherries for sale. Children first noticed that and named him Mr Pecelj (Stalk). Apparently, the name stuck.

Beginning of the uprising of the Slovenian nation after World War II
Soon after the occupation of Yugoslavia in 1941, partisan groups, preparing for armed fight against occupying forces, began to form. After the German attack on the Soviet Union on 22 June 1941, the Political bureau of the Yugoslav Communist Party's Central Committee adopted a decision on 4 July 1941 on the transition of individual actions and sabotages on general resistance against the occupying forces and their local accomplices. On 12 July 1941, the Central Committee of Yugoslav Communist Party harangued all nations of Yugoslavia to armed fight until total destruction of the fascist occupying forces and their local accomplices. On the basis of this decision and guidelines of the Central Committee of Slovenian Communist Party, the Slovenian command of partisan companies adopted several decisions, orientations and conclusions on 16 July 1941 about the beginning of the armed uprising in Slovenia. At the same time, the General Command of Slovenia passed a Partisan Act, defining the rights and obligations of the partisans, the solemn oath, the organisation of units, the form of the flag, etc. At that time two partisan groups were active in the area of Šmarna gora and Rašica: the Šmarna gora group and the Gameljne group. They carried out individual actions and sabotages. At the meeting of 19 July 1941, they agreed on further actions and reorganisation. Each of them was supposed to carry out another individual action before their uniting into a company. The Gameljne group was assigned to liquidate two well-known Hitler's supporter and the Šmarna gora group was to liquidate Franc Žnidaršič, a former gendarme who cooperated with the Germans and worked as an interpreter at the gendarmerie. They were in conflict with him before the war broke out. The Gameljne group struck first, but the attack in the evening of 21 July 1941 was not successful. The Šmarna gora group was more successful, as they severely wounded Franc Žnidaršič the next day, on the morning of 22 July 1941 in Pšatnik. Miha Novak, Mirko Knapič and Ludvik Bradeško participated in the action. In return, the Germans arrested many Novak and Knapič's relatives and even shot Ciril Knapič. The day when the first partisan gun went off was in Yugoslavia known as the Day of the Uprising of Slovenian Nation. It was a work-free day.

The route runs mostly along less busy roads, exceptions are the following sections:
Zasavska Road (1.4 km) from Nadgorica to Šentjakob,
Šmartinska Road (1.2 km) from Trbež to Šmartno,
Obvozna Road–Mihelič Street (1.2 km) from the junction with Ulica Bratov Komel Street to Tacenska Road
At these sections, the traffic is denser; therefore, caution is necessary.
The section between Gameljne and Črnuče runs through the forest. It gets dark quickly there, visibility is limited; therefore, the lighting of your bike is necessary in the dark and at night.