TO THE TRENCHES
Length
34.8
Length 34.8 km
Time needed
03:00
Time needed 03:00
Največja strmina vzpona[%]
6
Greatest slope of the ascent: 6 %
Greatest slope of the descent: 8 %
Average slope of the ascent: 5 %
Length of ascents above 5%: 5.90 km
The lowest point of the route: 588 m
The highest point of the route: 287 m
Difference in altitude: 765 m
Poraba kalorij
6104
Consumption of energy for men: 6104 kJ (1458 kcal)
Consumption of energy for women: 4974 kJ (1188 kcal)
Difficulty
Difficulty: Demanding
Quality of the surface
Quality of the surface: Mixture
Type of bike: Trek bike
Short description

This diverse tour leads you across the hilly landscape to the trenches where Slovenian forefathers defended their land. National consciousness became stronger with the resistance. You will ascend to the highest settlement in the Municipality of Domžale, Sv. Trojica. Unique panoramas are full of memories of the harsh times which people went through during Turkish invasions, World War II occupation and Slovenian Independence War.

Course

Domžale – Ihan – Goričica – Brdo – Oklo - Žeje – Sv. Trojica –Zg. in Sp. Javoršica - Vrhpolje – Spodnji Tuštanj – Krašce – Imenje – Videm – Imovica – Krtina – Dob - Gorjuša - Domžale

To the south along Zelena os (the Green axis)
Set out from the Sports Park Domžale . Begin counterclockwise from the traffic lights through the Sports Park to the Green axis – cycling and footpath along the Kamniška Bistrica River in the direction of the river current. As a very young city, Domžale hasn't got an old city centre, but it has got the beautiful Green axis along the Kamniška Bistrica River. Too soon does the idyllic path along the water end . Cycle through the forest to Ihan. There is a detailed map of the settlement and its vicinity in the middle of the village at the crossroads under the horse chestnuts . At the chapel turn right past the Church of St. George . The former church and the entire village were burnt down six hundred years ago by the Turks. Most of the present churches in Slovenia were built or renovated after the end of Turkish invasions. At the end of Ihan start ascending to Brdo. The 'To the trenches of our forefathers Route' is indicated by number 5 .

Commemoration at Oklo
From a sharp turn at Brdo quite a steep ascent through the forest begins. Adjust the gear and indulge in the embrace of the forest. Forest protects and shelters, but at the same time gives a feeling of uncertainty. At the beginning of Dobovlje, continue straightforward to the macadam road . At the triangular crossroads turn right to Oklo S09]. At the platform behind the renovated ruins is a commemorative monument . Under the impression of a tragic event from the fresh February morning in 1944, return along the same way.

To Sv. Trojica (Holy Trinity)
Continue through the forest to the village of Žeje and ascend to the centre of the village where one of the biggest monuments of St. Florian in the world is located. The connection between the greatest protector of fire-fighters, St. Florian, and the name of the town is still not clear. There is not much water in this karst land and it is difficult to quench thirst, let alone put out fires. Start the Stations of the Cross (meaning: continue the steep ascent) to the Church of the Holy Trinity in the eponymous village. The Stations of the Cross are marked in Roman numbers so that you know how far it is to the top . This is the highest settlement in the Municipality of Domžale (560 m). There used to be a magnificent view from the church, but nowadays you can only peep through the treetops . Return and continue along the ridge past the pond and to the chapel at Konfin . It is only a stone's throw away to the observation platform. Steep ascent has been long forgotten, so just enjoy the beautiful view of Sv. Trojica and Domžale , the Moravče Valley and the Kamnik-Savinja Alps .

Towards the Moravče Valley
A steep descent starts in Zgornja Javoršica at the crossroads . The Moravče Valley is as clear as a day . At the beginning of Spodnja Javoršica, there are a lot of antiquities collected in the hayrack . Collector Miro will gladly show you his rich collection . Descend through the forest to Vrhpolje. There is an old house at the crossroads, dating back to 1893 . In the centre of the village is the Church of St. Peter and Paul .Next to it is Pečar Homestead . Leave Vrhpolje past the school and fire station. Continue along the diverse landscape to Spodnji Tuštanj.

Tuštanj Castle
A signpost informs about the nearby castle . 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 castle gardener Luka Pirnat is also a little patriotic. Slovenian forefathers did not just defend. A mighty plane tree and a castle chapel are in front of the castle. The castle garden is renewed as the old one was probably neglected after Luka had married the countess. At the end of Sp. Tuštanj along the main road, there is a wooden construction at the dilapidated outbuilding from which a construction method can be observed. Continue downwards to the valley of the Rača River and to the village of Krašce. 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 .

Over hills to Krtina
Carefully cross the main road at the first crossroads and continue left while enjoying the beautiful views of the Posavje Hills . Cycling across the hilly land of the Moravče Valley is as if cycling across molehills. However, these molehills are populated, cultivated and, if you're lucky, sunlit . Only one turning away from Imenje is the saddle. A view of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps opens up . Descend past Spodnje Koseze . At the end of Imovica, you can see the church at Krtina ahead and the Church of St. Canzian in Škocjan on the left which is only few paddles away . At the monument in Brezje turn right towards Krtina. You can feel the spirit of the village at the beginning of the settlement . You can cycle up the 'molehill' amid Krtina (Molehill) where an interesting camp fort with church and individual belfry is located . How did the Turks see the walls, which was once even a few metres higher ? A house where you can ask about a visit to the church leans on the walls. Visit it; you won't be sorry . Descend down the path back to the road.

To the solitary karst hill Gorjuša
When you cross the motorway, you arrive to Dob to the Church of St. Martin . There is a garden with the solar clock at the church. On the other side of the Rača River, in the forest, is Dob Open-air Theatre ,. In the park opposite the theatre is a monument to Slovenian Independence War . The pyramid monuments across Slovenia resemble roadblocks. Cycle over the motorway to Gorjuša, a solitary karst hill. There is Krumperk Castle in the distance . The path there leads across Gorjuša. The ascent is short, but demanding. You arrive to Jamarski dom Inn from the back. There are some permanent collections and the food is also on offer.

Krumperk Castle
When you descend from Jamarski dom Inn you see Krumperk Castle once again . Even today, although it has lost some of its former glory, it is still an impressive sight. The horses graze in its vicinity . What the mighty walls would tell you if they were able to speak. It was too hard of a teaser for the Turks to conquer. You can observe the castle for one last time at the next hill . At the ski jump continue straightforward along the motorway, cross it after Mgan Inn and return to the Sports Park. Slovenians had to be frequently in trenches in the past.

 

Ihan
A Roman road supposedly led through Ihan and later, a cargo route from the navigable Sava River at Dol to the north. The name of the church, St. George, indicates the old age of the settlement. The old pagan worshipping places were named after the abovementioned saint. The water of the Kamniška Bistrica River ran numerous spindles, but flooded at the same time, thus the settlement did not develop into a bigger centre.

Commemorative monument Oklo
On the 24 February 1944, the German units surrounded the Kamnik-Zasavje Detachment in the settlement of Oklo above Ihan, causing the death of 72 Partisans. Only few managed to escape from the rim of the enemy army. At the remains of the stall in the forest, a commemorative monument in the memory of the defeat of the Detachment was erected .

Tuštanj Castle
Tuštanj Castle is one of the rare castles in Slovenia which was neither plundered, burnt down nor nationalised in more than 500 years of its existence. Castle chambers keep excellent samples of interior equipment used by former aristocrats ,,,. The castle, which has an arcade courtyard, was built by the counts Lichtenberg in 1490 . In 1854, the castle gardener Luka Pirnat married the countess Maximiliana and the castle became Slovenian property. The Pirnat family owns it even today.

Church of St. Leonard and Roch at Krtina
The church is classified as one of the most valuable Gothic buildings in Slovenia. Due to the Turkish invasions it was enclosed by a five-metre wall with four towers , a wooden defence hall and embrasures . A ditch was dug around the walls and a drawbridge was built as well. The fortress was preserved until 1863 when the towers were demolished and the walls lowered. Even more evident than the military exterior is the church interior where two rows of five pillars with eight angles are located . They support the church circumference and divide the church into three equally high, long and wide naves which makes it unique in Slovenia . The Stations of the Cross are written in Bohorič alphabet, but this is only one of many peculiarities of the church.

Jamarski dom Inn and Železna jama Cave at Gorjuša
There are several permanent collections in Jamarski dom Inn : stalactite and straw-hat collections, and a special species of indigenous blind cave beetles which is a part of Robič Natural Science Collection. The archaeological collection consists of Palaeolithic findings and the remains of the fauna from the nearby Babja jama Cave. 15,000 years old dwelling of an Ice Age hunter was found there. The wreck of the bomber airplane B-24 from World War II is also on display. The entrance to the tourist karst cave named Železna jama which consists of two halls interconnected with a passage and bridges is not far from Jamarski dom Inn.

Krumperk Castle
Krumperk Castle became the property of the noble family of Ravbar in 1517. The most prominent was general Adam, the commander of the Carniolan noble cavalrymen who were outnumbered against the Turks in the Battle of Sisak in 1593, but won none the less. This victory lessened the Turkish threat to Carniola. Around 1580, baron Adam Ravbar rebuilt the original castle into today's two-storey building in a four-angled shape with four towers. The entrance portal is adorned with the coat-of-arms of the Ravbar barons. A Baroque chapel was built opposite the castle entrance in 1712.

 

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 entire year.

Gorjuša Jamarski dom Inn
In a pleasant atmosphere, encompassed by forests and rich history, you can eat good food and visit the museum collections and Železna jama Cave.

Juvan Inn, Domžale (1km)
Anyone can come into their own taste at Juvan's. The offer is rich, and the staff will gladly offer their advice. Dishes are prepared very quickly and the size of portions is just right.

 

The consequences of the Turkish invasions in Slovenia
Feudal lords defended from the Turks behind the walls of their castles and the peasants started building fortified settlements or camps around churches. A camp consisted of the walls with embrasures and defence towers, sometimes protected with a ditch, a rampart and a drawbridge. The camp held granaries too. Around three hundred camps emerged in Slovenia. Even an informative network of bonfires or stakes on the hills was organized in time. Hundred years of fighting left an indelible trace. Nowadays we sit by the Turkish coffee with great pleasure or lounge on a sofa or buy magazines in the kiosk which was originally the pavilion at the palace of the Turkish moguls. The traces of the Turkish invasions can be found in the names of these places: Tabor (Camp), Podtabor (Under camp), Grmada (Stake), Bežigrad (Run Castle); in the surnames: Beg (Run), Turk, Oman, Jančar (Janissary) and numerous folk tales, etc.

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

Ihan Tourist Society organises an annual local event, including a market, on 26 June.

It is necessary to cross several dangerous main roads during the tour, so be careful.