MALI PLAC
Length
29.8
Length 29.8 km
Time needed
02:00
Time needed 02:00
Največja strmina vzpona[%]
5
Greatest slope of the ascent: 5 %
Greatest slope of the descent: 3 %
Average slope of the ascent: 2 %
Length of ascents above 5%: 0.90 km
The lowest point of the route: 379 m
The highest point of the route: 288 m
Difference in altitude: 271 m
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: Mixture
Type of bike: Trek bike
Short description

Picturesque and exciting route, full of natural, geological and cultural highlights from the treasury of the Horjul Valley and the Ljubljana Marshes. The route runs along asphalt roads; only a section on the Ljubljana Marshes runs along cart tracks and macadam roads. Few short sections run along cycle lanes (Tržaška Road). The route is mostly flat; the main ascent is over Lesno Brdo from the Horjul Valley to the Ljubljana Marshes.

Course

gostilna Gorjanc (Ljubljana) – Podsmreka – Komanija - Draževnik – Razori - Dobrova – Brezje pri Dobrovi – Podolnica – Zaklanec – Lesno Brdo – Drenov Grič – Bevke – Bliše – Vnanje Gorice – Brezovica – gostilna Gorjanc (Ljubljana)

From Ljubljana to Dobrovo...
The route starts at the crossroads at Gorjanc Inn, an old cart drivers inn from 1813 . A commemorative monument to the Ten-Day War for Slovenia is located at the edge of the crossroads. The first blockade to prevent the Yugoslav People's Army from reaching the city was placed here. . If you get to the starting point by car, there are many parking spaces (car park at the bar - pavilion, car parks of Gorjanc Inn and Hotel and at Rajski vrt florist's shop and tree nursery), at least at first sight; however, you can only park there when the inns and bars operate, so be careful where and when you park your car. This will, nevertheless, improve when a new P&R car park at Tržaška Road, opposite Gorjanc Inn will be built.
Let's start with the route. Begin towards Dobrova. A long section of the asphalt road ahead ensures quite comfortable cycling. Turn right to Podsmreka. Warming up begins while you slowly ascend and descend through the settlement of Podsmreka, past the Church of St. Martin (1528) and eponymous inn, through the settlements of Komanija, Draževnik and Razori. A view of the western edge of Ljubljana and the land of Kozarje Plain opens up on your right. When you arrive to the crossroads with a regional road Ljubljana-Dobrova in Razori, carefully turn to left due to low visibility . Continue to the roundabout at Dobrova.

...from Dobrova to Sv. Urh...
Take the second exit at the roundabout, towards Horjul . Just after you exit the roundabout, a marvellous view of the town opens up, with the Church of the Assumption of Mary on the left and a convent of Sisters of Mary on the right . If you take time for a shorter stop, cycle almost to the end of the settlement where you'll notice a signpost on the right showing directions to the cemetery and the Church of the Assumption of Mary. Paddle up the short slope. Leave your bike in the shade of the old trees, walk through the cemetery and take a look at the church.
Continue along the valley of the Horjulščica Stream. The asphalt road which runs through the roadside villages, along the edges of forests and across the fields and meadows enables pleasant and enjoyable cycling. When you cycle to Brezje pri Dobrovi, you can check the time on the Church of St. Agnes (if the weather is sunny, of course) and then continue towards Zaklanec. After Zaklanec board you'll arrive to the T-crossroads where a large farm is located just below Sv. Urh. You'll turn left there towards Lesno Brdo . If you have time and most of all, will, take a hike in Zaklanec to a 428 m high hill with the camp Church of St. Ulrich, enclosed by the medieval defence walls. The church can be also seen from the valley , so just continue past Ferjanov grič Hill to the settlement of Lesno Brdo.

...over the hills to the Marshes...
After the initial flat section, the road starts ascending at the beginning of Lesno Brdo. After entering the forest, 350 m of ascending up the hairpin bends awaits. You'll reach the first solitary house on the left. Shorter descents and ascents interchange onwards. Continue along the route, but be mindful of the first turn on the left . The turning appears on a smaller clearing, some 200 m ahead of the solitary house. Turn left at the turning to the macadam road which can be really weather-beaten after heavy rains . After a few metres, a turning for Lesno Brdo quarry appears on the left , but don't mind it, as you have to continue on the right side and descend down the forest path . Be extra careful at this section of the route, because the forest path is being used as a forest sledge due to agricultural and forest mechanisation. The road leads to the new crossroads . Take the left turning and cycle up a short, but steep slope at a S-turning. Beware, this section requires extra precaution, as the road can be bumpy due to heavy rain or forest mechanisation. Above the western edge of Drenov Grič quarry , also known as the western black quarry, you'll get to better macadam. You can only observe the quarry from the distance, as it is fenced. The road is asphalt from there on. If you did not take a look at the western black quarry, you can stop and take a rest in the cool of Kucler quarry or the eastern black quarry where you can see rocks , as well as origins of forma viva .
A winding descent to the village of Kurja vas will follow next. Don't be misled by the name of the village (kurja=chicken). A lot of tradesmen live in the village, and it is almost a rule that each house has at least three large cars, although the main road barely allows meeting of two middle large cars. So be careful when you meet other vehicles. After the descent from Kucler quarry you get to the Y-crossroads where you turn right and proceed through Kurja vas on the plain to Papežev grič Hill. Cross Štefanov graben at the foot and turn left towards the settlement of Drenov Grič. Pass Papežev grič Hill which is on the right. At the crossroads with a fire station, keep to the left and after 170 m cross the railway line of the abandoned railroad Vrhnika-Ljubljana. The railway line of the former railroad in Drenov Grič is arranged as a local road, along which you can return to Log pri Brezovici. You're halfway through the route, so if you're getting too tired or running out of time, you can now take a chance to shorten the route by cycling along the abandoned railway line to Log pri Brezovici and continue along Tržaška Road to the starting point.
If you have, however, decided to continue the trip, cycle through the rest of the settlement and as you get to the old Tržaška Road, turn left, cross the road at the pedestrian level crossing and proceed along the cycle lane, past the bus station to the signpost for Bevke, where you cycle over the motorway overpass. You've just entered the area of the Ljubljana Marshes Landscape Park.

...over the Marshes to the old Roman road...
While crossing the overpass, a panoramic view of the Marshes opens up. Descend from the overpass and enjoy the last metres of asphalt, as next 3 km will be cycled along macadam roads and cart tracks . Continue until you see the board for the settlement of Bevke. Along the way, the road makes two 90 degrees turns. Turn left at the Bevke board below Kostanjevica solitary hill and follow the signposts for Mali Plac . Cycle along the cart track to the entrance point to Mali Plac Nature Reserve . Cycle along the beaten paths and proceed on foot to Mali Plac . Just after the entrance point, the route leads to the left. In the forest, cycle continuously along the path that runs at the edge of the solitary hill and on the left side at all crossroads. The first access to the area of Mali Plac is about 260 m away from the entrance in the forest . When you get to the northern side of the solitary hill, the road becomes macadam and the latter can be, again, weather-beaten. Follow the macadam until the main asphalt road on the eastern side of the solitary hill . Beware! On the driveway at the end of the road, a gate and a sign 'forbidden for traffic in both directions' are situated. The sign is, however, seen only from the asphalt road . You'll have to step off the bike because of the gate and walk this short section to the asphalt road.
When you get to the road, turn left to Ljubljana. The road is asphalt and wide, but the comfort of the road soon ends as the latter drastically narrows when you cross the bridge above Bevke ditch . Be mindful of the traffic, as it is difficult to safely avoid vehicles passing in both directions. Cycle toward the motorway, but turn right before the overpass and descend behind a large farm to the crossroads where you turn right to the high Plešivica solitary hill. When you arrive to Bliše, cross Veliki graben and after around 280 m behind the hedge on the left, turn left to the cart track . A peaceful section of cycling is ahead, pleasant for eyes and soul, but little less for your bike and bottom . Descend along the cart track to Veliki Graben, cross it and continue, first along the left bank and then, when the cart track crosses the ditch again , along the right bank. When you get to the crossroads with Pot na Plešivico Road, cross it , and continue to Vnanje Gorice. You've returned to the busy roads, so mind the traffic.

...from Vnanje Gorice along the old road to Ljubljana
When you arrive to Vnanje Gorice, to the crossroads with Podpeška Road, turn left. Extra caution is recommended as this is a busy section with the S-turn priority road and level crossing. Return to Tržaška Road along Podpeška Road and back to Brezovica . If you decide to take a rest and a snack, you can choose between various providers of hospitality services, among which the old cart drivers Pri Kopač and Pri Poku inns have the oldest tradition. As you're returning to the starting point in Ljubljana, you'll turn right at the crossroads and peacefully cycle those last few kilometres.

Lesno Brdo
Lesno Brdo is an unusual settlement – due to its elongated character it extends in two municipalities, i.e. its northern part in Horjul and the southern part in Vrhnika. The settlement and its immediate vicinity are most known for the three quarries. Both black quarries (Drenov Grič and Kucler quarries) are abandoned, while the red quarry (Lesno Brdo) still operates.

Lesno Brdo Quarry - Red quarry
The operating quarry with gray and pinkish red limestone is exploited by the company Mineral d.d. The quarry is known worldwide and produces excellent stone. The beginnings of stone production at this location are unknown, but it is known that Vodnik quarry operated here between both World Wars. Stone is extracted in levels according to the classical method.

Drenov Grič quarry – Western black quarry (protected as the natural geological monument)
The abandoned quarry lies 370 m above sea level, northwest above the settlement of Kurja vas. It is a quarry of black limestone with white calcite veins and fossil remains of mussels and snails. The stone, extracted from the quarry, is considered one of the most beautiful natural stones in Slovenia - black Carnia limestone. Thus the name the black quarry.

Kucler quarry – Eastern black quarry (protected as natural geological monument)
It was named after its previous owner, while black and gray limestone used to be dug in the past. The fossils of mussels have been nicely preserved in the stones of Kucler quarry. There are many stone products in Ljubljana, made from the stone of the Kucler quarry. Among the most recognized are the statues of two giants on the portal of the seminary. The limestone in the quarry originates from the Trias period about 225 million years ago. Because the layers of limestone occasionally contain one and a half metre thick layer of coal - anthracite, no larger excavations occurred and the quarry is thus abandoned and almost overgrown nowadays.

Ljubljana Marshes Landscape Park
It was established in 2008 and represents the protected area of nature, which expands in the area of seven municipalities and covers 136 km2. The Ljubljana Marshes is an area of exceptional natural and cultural heritage. The vast Marshes plain is characterised by an endless mosaic of meadows, fields, ditches and borders, from which individual solitary hills rise like islands. For centuries, this landscape has been co-shaped by nature and men who appeared in this area already in the Stone Age.
The Ljubljana Marshes is a geographical name of the area, positioned between Ljubljana, Škofljica, Ig, Borovnica and Vrhnika. Barje is the name for the southern area of the Municipality of Ljubljana, which includes Črna vas, Hauptmanca, Lipe, Ilovica and the area of Ižanska Road.

Mali Plac (nature reserve)
With some imagination, you can, at Mali Plac (or Mali blatec) pri Kostanjevici, get an impression of how the Ljubljana Marshes used to look when the process of peat formation began and the area was still flooded. The level of water was artificially risen in this remote valley a few years ago, so that marshy plants, bulrush, sedge, yellow iris, peat moss and even sundews intensively grow there (.

Vnanje Gorice
The settlement is located in the central area of the Ljubljana Marshes Landscape Park, only 5 km away from Ljubljana. The old centre of the settlement developed in the saddle of two solitary hills, Veliki vrh and Gulča. The town was first mentioned in the medieval land register in 1414. It included only seven farms back then.
Vnanje Gorice was also the first ballooning centre in Slovenia.

Events at the Ljubljana Marshes
For up-to-date event calendar check: http://www.visitbarje.si/koledar.aspx.

The route runs mostly along the asphalt roads which can be busy or badly maintained at some sections, so you have to cycle carefully. A shorter section of the route (to Lesno Brdo quarries and the Marshes) runs along macadam roads and cart tracks.
Following locations need special attention:
– macadam from the turning after the Lesno Brdo quarry to the Drenov Grič quarry; especially the last section with an ascent at a S-turning;
– descent to Kurja vas (narrow road);
– macadam at the Marshes to Bevke;
– forest path round the solitary hill Kostanjevica;
– narrowing of the road about a kilometre away after the settlement of Bevke;
– crossroads of Pot na Plešivico and Podpeška roads in Vnanje Gorice.