DOMŽALE STRAW HAT
Length
49.4
Length 49.4 km
Time needed
04:00
Time needed 04:00
Največja strmina vzpona[%]
16
Greatest slope of the ascent: 16 %
Greatest slope of the descent: 31 %
Average slope of the ascent: 5 %
Length of ascents above 5%: 6.10 km
The lowest point of the route: 588 m
The highest point of the route: 278 m
Difference in altitude: 882 m
Poraba kalorij
8139
Consumption of energy for men: 8139 kJ (1944 kcal)
Consumption of energy for women: 6632 kJ (1584 kcal)
Difficulty
Difficulty: Very demanding
Quality of the surface
Quality of the surface: Mixture
Type of bike: Trek bike
Short description

This diverse cycling path leads us to the northern and southern slopes of the Kamnik-Bistrica plain. The diverse landscape of the Moravče Valley offers plenty of cycling pleasures. The route is accompanied by a rich offering of cultural and natural heritage. Those who love to enjoy culinary delights will also come into their own.

Course

Domžale – Mengeš – Homec – Radomlje – Rova - Žiče - Rafolče - Brdo - Lukovica - Videm - Krašce - Spodnji Tuštanj - Vrhpolje - Sp. in Zg. Javoršica – Vinje – Goropeče – Ihan – Bišče – Mala Loka – Domžale

Domžale's Finest
The route starts at the Domžale Sports Park , where there is plenty of parking space. Start in the direction opposite to the traffic light. The goal of the first stage is the Menačenk Homestead – Museum House . When crossing the railway track, the Church of the Mary's Assumption with a chapel can be seen on the right , . A fire station and a mighty linden tree are just a bit ahead. The France Bernik Culture House , one of the most beautiful Secession buildings in Slovenia, is located on the right. Carefully cross the Domžale radial road and the bypass road. A small linden tree alley starts at the Rodica railway station, leading towards the Church of St. Hermagoras and Fortunatus . The church is considered one of the most distinguished monuments of Baroque art in Slovenia. Continue along a mighty linden tree alley , through which you can take a peek at Mengeš .

Over the field to Mengeš
Go past a plague column and along a well-maintained macadam cycling track to the traffic light, where you cross the Mengeš bypass road , which is an exemplary act worthy of praise. Go through Mengeš by using side streets until arriving at the Pšata Canal, which was constructed to relieve the pressure of water in case of flooding. The canal is dry most of the time. The last street is a dead end , and it is not intended for car traffic . Cross the road and go along the canal. The surface of the road at the end of Mengeš turns into poor asphalt, which is soon replaced by poor macadam. Be very careful when crossing the main road. It is best to do this on foot, pushing your bicycle. Another section of poor macadam road and you are already at the unsecured level crossing in Homec . The old Repanšek Inn, located just by the traffic light, is a perfect opportunity for a refreshing drink.

Climb to Homec
Go past the chapel and the well to start the pilgrims' trail . Pilgrims' trails are steep, because one has to work hard for their penance. On the first plateau, there is a chapel , and the Pirnat Villa , designed by Jože Plečnik, on the left. There are only a few turns left to the church . The wooded hill top offers a beautiful view of the Kamnik Alps and the Ljubljana Basin . Take the same route to return down to Homec, continue past the pyramidal chapel , over the Kamniška Bistrica River , and to Radomlje.

Where they love to mill
At the roundabout, there is the still operable Kralj Mill , while the thirsty ones are welcomed by the Pri Špornu Inn . There is the Slovenian House showroom in the refurbished old house . The showroom showcases an interesting collection by a restorer and manufacturer of bio furniture, which is worthy of the attention . Near the church of St. Margaret there is a mighty linden tree, measuring more than five metres in circumference. . In the village of Rova, the Church of St. Catherine is located in a prominent position which can supposedly be seen all the way from Ljubljana. The Pirc Inn welcomes you at the end of the village.

Up and down towards Lukovica
What a joy it is to cycle in the embrace of tree tops, even when the road ascends. There is a chapel on the plateau before Žiče . The climb in the hilly landscape leads to the village of Rafolče . As a rule, every climb is followed by a descent, but here there's another climb to Brdo pri Lukovici, which is 'against the rules'. The descent is yet to come. Cycle through a chestnut three alley , past the fish pond and the park to the walls of the Brdo Castle . The view stretches across the valley to the Posavje Hills , which you will soon ascend. The castle walls leads you to the baroque Church of St. Mary . The birth house of Slovenian composer Franc Marolt, is a little bit ahead on the right, while the Slovenian Beekeeping Centre is on the left . You can have a drink or snack there, buy a souvenir in the shop and find out many things about beekeeping. So many interesting things in such a small place. The steep descent takes you to Lukovica. The old Bevk Inn welcomes you before reaching the square. The main square testifies of the importance of this place, where furmani used to make their stops (furmani were horse carriage drivers.) The Furman Inn , which serves Rokovnjač beer, is located at the square. Cross the motorway and say goodbye to Lukovica and rokovnjači (bandits).

Across the wavy valley
In Spodnje Prapreče, there is the Gothic Church of St. Luke in the middle of the slope. Go past Videm pri Lukovici and Spodnje Koseze and make a climb to the saddle, from where the story about cycling pleasures continues along the northern side of the Moravče Valley. During the ride, one can enjoy in beautiful views of the Posavje Hills . Descend into the valley near Krašce, and cross the main road at the old Frfrau Inn .

Tuštanj Manor
In Krašce near the fire station, starts the Rača water-themed educational path. Ascend to Spodnji Tuštanj through the Rača Valley. First take a look at the place where Tuštanj farmers lived, and then into the home of the owners of the manor . The owner of the manor will gladly show the part of the manor containing an exceptional collection. You will need about half an hour for the tour. You will be told the story about how the manor became property of the Slovenian family Pirnat, which still owns it today. A mighty plane tree and a beautifully painted chapel are located in front of the manor. Return by the same road that led to the manor, and continue across the diverse landscape to Vrhpolje pri Moravčah. Go past the school and the fire station and to the old Pečar Homestead and the Church of St. Peter and Paul . Turn left towards Spodnja Javoršica .

Onto the Posavje Hills
The climb, which starts very steeply, continues through a forest. The hayrack at the end of Spodnja Javoršica holds a major collection of old artefacts . The collection will be gladly presented to you by collector Miro . After all, making a stop during the climb is suitable. Continue towards Zgornja Javoršica. The higher the climb, the more beautiful the views . The last steep slope before the plateau deserves all respect. At the top, one can enjoy the unforgettable panorama, the unique view of Domžale , the Moravče Valley and the Kamnik Alps . A slight descent will take you to the chapel at Konfin . The road to Sveta Trojica is on the right; but go straight on, steeply downwards on the macadam road.

Onto the slopes of the Dolsko Valley
The descent is rather steep, so be careful. When coming from the forest, a new view of the slopes of the Dolsko Valley opens up. Go through Osredek on the side road to Vode Fruit Farm. Two hairpin turns away is the village of Vinje . There is a preserved fruit drying house at the end of the village. Continue on the side road, which offers a beautiful view. Turn right among the houses onto the cart track, cross the yard, go past the hayrack and then right, first on the macadam road to the hairpin turn, which offers a beautiful view of the nearby Posavje Hills with its highest peaks - Murovica and Cicelj . Ascend to Goropeče Organic Farm . When you get to the chapel , one option is to take a walk to the Church of St. Nicholas, which is some 200 metres away. Then go downhill through the forest towards Ihan.

Along Mlinščica
The road going past the Church of St. George will take you to the centre of Ihan. Under the mighty chestnut trees by the chapel, there is a good map of the surroundings . At this point, you have almost forgotten about the traffic, which is why attention is desired. Ride past the Ihan Farm . Turn right in Selo pri Ihanu, cross the Kamniška Bistrica River, and you are already in Bišče. At the middle of Mala Loka, there is a cloister of the Sisters of the Holy Cross with a chapel . Wind along the Mlinščica Stream and the remains of lowland oak forests. The Green Axis, a bicycle path and a footpath along the Kamniška Bistrica River , starts at the motorway overpass. The idyllic path along the water ends very soon . At the crossroads, turn left to the path which leads past the tennis courts back to the Sports Park.

Menačenk's Homestead in Domžale
The Menačenk Homestead is an authentic example of an old house and life of a family involved in farming and crafts. The house was build at the turn of the 20th century as the residence and workshop of the tailoring family Ahčin. It is an L-shaped house, with the residential part meeting the commercial part of the building at the corner . It has been arranged into a museum and equipped with old artefacts and furniture .

Church of the Mary's Assumption in Domžale
The church was walled up until the 19th century . The population of Domžale grew significantly at the end of the 19th century with the development of straw weaving and the town needed a larger church. The wall was demolished, while the church was extended to become cross-shaped. Its interior is embellished by Slavko Pengov frescoes, while the chancel is Plečnik's work.

The church of St. Hermagoras and Fortunatus
It used to be the manor church of the Groblje Manor, and today, it houses the Department of Animal Science of the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana . Between 1759 and 1761, the church was painted by Franc Jelovšek of Mengeš, who is considered one of the most important Slovenian fresco painters. His frescoes make the observers feel like the church is open to the sky. The church is known for its good acoustics.

Church on Homec
Between 1722 and 1728, a new Baroque church was build instead of a chapel. The construction was entrusted to famous master Gregor Maček. A magnificent, 17-metre dome rises above the central part of the church . During the Turkish invasions, a strongly fortified camp stood on Homec. The current bell tower, which stands independently by the church, served as a defence tower . The church was badly damaged by the 1895 Ljubljana earthquake. During the repair works on the bell tower, the onion shaped roof was replaced by a spire, which still protrudes from the forest around Homec today .

Brdo Castle
The Lamberg family built the magnificent Renaissance castle of Brdo in 1552 . Famous Slovenian writer Janko Kersnik was born there exactly 300 years later. A memorial plaque dedicated to Kersnik was built in the wall of the south-western tower . History was being written behind the castle walls up until the Second World War, when it was burned down never to be repaired again. The castle park is nevertheless still interesting .

Tuštanj Castle
The Tuštanj Castle is one of the rare castles in Slovenia which was nether plundered, burned down nor nationalised in more than 500 years of its existence. Excellent samples of interior equipment used in former aristocratic residences are on display in castle chambers , , , . The castle, which has an arcade courtyard , was built by the counts of Hanau-Lichtenberg in 1490. How the castle became property of the Slovenian family Pirnat is an interesting story.

The Holy Cross Cloister in Mala Loka
A manor owned by Kerel Dragotin Rudež used to stand there. It was purchased in 1918 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross, who turned it into a cloister. In 1920, a small electrical generator powered by a mill wheel on the Mlinščica Stream was set up. The building was remodelled and a chapel was constructed in 1932 .

Furman Inn, Lukovica
It is known for its dishes prepared in furmanska ponev (a type of pan). Rokovnjač goulash and Rokovnjač beer are among their specialties.

Frfrau Inn, Krašce
The old inn offers Sunday peasant lunches, and home-made sausages in the autumn. Home-made smoked ham, sausages and salami are served throughout the year.

Juvan Inn, Domžale (1km)
Every hungry mouth gets what it wants at Juvan's. The selection is rich, and the staff will gladly offer their advice. Dishes are prepared very quickly, and the size of portions is just right.

How the Tuštanj Castle came into Slovenian hands and has remained there since?
The first owners of the castle were the counts of Hanau-Lichtenberg. The castle was build in 1490 and was completely rebuilt between 1667 and 1671. It has not changed since then. Between 1800 and 1854, it was governed by the counts of Schari. The owners kept changing due to inheritance and debts. The castle came into Slovenian hands in 1854 when Maximiliana, the last 'blue blooded' owner, married castle gardener Luka Pirnat from Krtina. They had no children and after her death Luka married for the second time. The castle has been owned by the Pirnat family ever since.

The France Bernik Culture House in Domžale offers a rich programme of events and exhibitions. More at http://www.kd-domzale.si/

The Ihan tourist society organises a local holiday, an event including a market every 26 June.

The tour includes some dangerous crossings of busy main roads, so be careful. Cross railway tracks at a right angle.