Along 'Domžale Tivoli'
A trip across the land of bandits begins at Sports Park Domžale . The spotlights of the city stadium can be seen from the distance. There are a lot of parking spaces in the park complex. Make sure that you have all the necessary with you. Do not fall into a bandit trap already at the very beginning, so don't forget to lock your car. Proceed towards east over the Kamniška Bistrica River. Cycle around Šumberk Hill or 'Domžale Tivoli' on the southeast side below the treetops. Continue on the main road along the cycle lane to Podrečje. Unfortunately, the cycle lane ends there. The numbers on the traffic sign represent the cycling routes . The Rokovnjači Trap Route bears number 2. The cycle route is not marked in any other way. You will return there as soon as you are done with the bandits . Empty hayracks await in Podrečje, silently reminiscing of the past. They are mostly empty today and for some of them the tables turned and they became pantries for wood, bales and bundles.
Stretch your legs
Carefully cross the bypass that leads to Količevo. Ahead is the Church of St. Martin in Dob and left are the Kamnik-Savinja Alps . The Dob settlement got its name after the lowland flooded forests of the English oak. Careless attitude towards the wetlands and lowering of the level of groundwater altered the conditions for growing of the oak. 'Wood bandits' took care of the oak wood. Only the names of the places have been preserved up to today. Turn behind the fire station to the Church of St. Martin . There is a garden with a solar clock at the church. In the forest over the Rača River, is Dob Open-air Theatre ,. It is not as big as the one at Studenec, but is still worth a visit. Would the rocky scenery suit the staging of a bandit play ? A monument to the Slovenian Independence War is in the park opposite the theatre . On the other side of the motorway you arrive to Gorjuša. Castle Krumperk can be seen in the distance and the path leads left to Gorjuša. The ascent to this solitary karst hill is short, but difficult . At the second crossroads turn right downwards and circle the hill on a bad macadam road. You are warmed-up now. Will you be able to get out of possible bandits' trap more easily?
Open-air Theatre
Cross the Rača River and cycle towards Krtina. On the left is the Church of St. Leonard in Krtina . Are the bandits maybe hiding in the forest on the right side of the road? At the branching for Škocjan, a banner of Poletno gledališče Studenec (Studenec Open-air Theatre) appears . At the chapel and fire station continue straightforward to the large covered Open-air Theatre ,. When the bandits' adventures will be on the programme of the Summer Cultural Festival, you should see a play or two. When you cross the main road, you can quench your thirst at the terrace of Soklič Inn .
Hilly landscape whisper
Cross the Rača River in Zalog pod Sv. Trojico and be mindful of the number of barriers and dams for controlling the water . The water enables survival, but occasionally ravages when it floods. The road slowly ascends and is intertwined into the hilly landscape above the valley of the Rača River. As if it was made for the bicyclists. When you descend to the main road, turn right and start slowly ascending to Vrhpolje pri Moravčah. You get to Vrhpolje almost too fast. The Church of St. Peter and Paul is in the centre of the village. Next to it is Pečar Homestead . Leave Vrhpolje past the school and fire station and continue cycling along the diverse landscape to Spodnji Tuštanj.
At Modern Lord of the Manor
A signpost informs about the nearby castle . A short ascent leads you to the mighty building below the Posavje Hills . The modern lord of the manor will gladly show you the museum collection. You need approximately half an hour for the visit. The story of the caste gardener Luka Pirnat is also a little bandit-like. A mighty plane tree and a castle chapel , are in front of the castle. The castle garden has been renewed as the old one was probably neglected after Luka had married the countess. Take a look at where the farmers of Tuštanj Castle lived. Approximately fifty of them were on a list in the land registry. The neighbouring slope was a dwelling place for the descendants of the subordinate peasants. Continue downwards to the valley of the Rača River to the village of Krašce. This was the fifth time you've crossed the Rača River. In the old Frfrau Inn at the crossroads you can have a snack . The year 1849 on the entrance door indicates that the inn is really old .
Toward the bandits' land
Carefully cross the main road at the first crossroads and continue left while enjoying the beautiful views of the Posavje Hills . In Dole pri Krašcah continue straight to Lukovica. The pleasurable cycling story is repeating, only that you now cycle on the other side of the Moravče Valley . Only one turning away after Imenje is the saddle. A view of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and the bandits' land opens up . The Municipality of Lukovica where you've just arrived has a bandit in its coat-of-arms . Descend past Spodnje Koseze . Near the last house in Videm pri Lukovica (on the left) is a pond with an island . The mighty walls of Brdo Castle can be seen ahead in the distance . In Spodnje Prapreče, the Gothic Church of St. Luke is situated in the middle of the slope. Its pavement rises from the huge doors for 1.70 m, as if the church grew into the embankment. Drive across the bridge above the motorway and you arrive to Lukovica. The main square indicates the importance of this place, where furmani (carters) used to make their stops. Furmani were horse carriage drivers. The trade route through Črni graben towards Trojane, where the bandits plundered, ran through for centuries. You cannot bypass Furman Inn at the square, where Rokovnjač beer is served . In the old Bevk Inn you can try Rokovnjač goulash .
To Brdo
After Bevk Inn turn steeply upwards. Hopefully you didn't indulge yourselves too much in the Rokovnjač culinary delights, otherwise the steep slope will turn out a bandits' trap. The birth house of Slovenian composer France Marolt is a little bit ahead on the plain on the left, while the Slovenian Beekeepers' Association is in front of you . You can have a drink or a snack there, buy a souvenir in the shop and find out all about beekeeping. Otherwise continue along the Baroque Church of St. Mary with a beautiful solar clock . Next to it are the walls of Brdo Castle . You cannot enter the castle, but you can explore its vicinity. Find the beech-lined alley . Proceed through the chestnut-lined alley and turn sharply right at the modern mortuary.
Over the bandits' hills
Descend to the valley below Rafolče and ascend through the village. The bandits used to be much faster as they ran away with their plunder. There is a nice view of the valley at the end of the village . Descent towards Rova follows next . Did the bandits really run so fast? Before Dolenje turn right to the macadam road . A new house, built in a country style, is below Žiče . At the beginning of the village of Žiče continue along the left side of the road . There is a chapel at the end of the village from where a lovely view opens up . Cycle through the forest until the village of Rova. At the beginning of the settlement is Pirc Inn and left, on the observational side, the Church of St. Catherine , which can supposedly be seen from Ljubljana too.
The last bandits' trap
The last part of the route runs along busy roads. Beware of the modern bandits and their iron steeds. The priority road leads towards Radomlje. There is a mighty linden tree, measuring more than five metres in circumference, at the Church of St. Margaret . Little ahead is a nicely maintained old homestead which houses the House of Slovenia . The restorer and producer of bio furniture has an interesting collection on display . At the roundabout in Radomlje, you can have a drink in Šporn Inn . A millstone at the roundabout and Kralj Mill indicate the name of the settlement. There is a modern Church of St. Joseph on the left side in Vir. You are soon in Podrečje, at the crossroads where the bandits' route branched. Return to the starting point the same way. Did you manage to avoid all the bandits' traps?