PREŠEREN HIKING TRAIL
Length
20.8
Length 20.8 km ​
Time needed
08:00
Time needed 08:00 ​
Največja strmina vzpona[%]
18
Greatest slope of the ascent: 18 %
Greatest slope of the descent: 15 %
Average slope of the ascent: 5 %
Length of ascents above 5%: 2.70 km
The lowest point of the route: 465 m
The highest point of the route: 323 m
Difference in altitude: 449 m
​
Poraba kalorij
7838
Consumption of energy for men: 7838 kJ (1872 kcal)
Consumption of energy for women: 6431 kJ (1536 kcal)
​
Difficulty
Difficulty: Very demanding ​
Quality of the surface
Quality of the surface: Mixture
Primerna obutev: Hiking boots
​
Short description

Where Slovenian poet France Prešeren dwelled is best revealed on the route across the Radenci Plain which offers not only the beauties of the nature, but its fruits too. Mushroom basket is a must if you set out on the route in the spring or early autumn.

Course

Grosuplje – Spodnja Slivnica – Predole – Velika Račna – Kopanj – Zagradec – Boštanj - Malo Mlačevo - Grosuplje

Grosuplje–Spodnja Slivnica
The route starts in Grosuplje, at the railway or bus station . Head to Turjak. Do not go on the overpass over the railroad, but continue on the road around Grosuplje to the crossroads for Dobrepolje and along Cesta na Krko Road. Then cross the railway line and turn right towards a cemetery where you proceed along the lower side of the cemetery to a field and further to a macadam road and continue across the field to the foot of Spodnja Slivnica. This is the E-6 European footpath which offers a view of the surrounding villages all the way to Polževo . Cross the railway line again and steeply ascend to Spodnja Slivnica . Turn left at the church and up the hill (not to the marked path of Grosuplje footpath towards Zavrh ), and continue through the village.

Through the forest
At the end of the asphalt road continue along the macadam path and for about 300 m through the forest. At the cross , you'll arrive to a clearing which is a part of the former large dominion of Zavrh. The property is in private ownership nowadays (enclosed area). Turn towards the path to Zavrh, and when half way there, turn right at individual spruces to the meadow towards the forest . You somewhat ascend through the forest , then stick to the left at the crossroads and continue steeply up the hill. You arrive to a wider forest path which leads parallel with the terrain. At the crossroads turn right, and then descend along a quite steep section to the holiday homes in Senožeti nad Predolami.

To Kopanj
Continue along the asphalt road through Predole to Velika Račna. The path leads under the renovated railway line Grosuplje-Kočevje , and then it descends to Velika Račna , where you have to turn left at the first houses and continue on the main road or the church. You can take a look at the renovated village well located at Velika Račna-Mala Račna road. Information boards about the Radenci Plain are also there . Cross the main road and turn towards Kopanj at the church with information board. Ascend to the top, to the church and parsonage. Turn off the asphalt road at the first right turn and continue along the footpath to the top. After the parsonage, turn left across the courtyard and a meadow into the forest and return to the eastern side along the northern side of Kopanj through the forest. You'll arrive from the forest to the renovated Kopanj School which is the Subsidiary Primary School of Louis Adamič Grosuplje.

Radenci Plain and caves
Descend along the road to Velika Račna and continue to the fire station . Turn to the macadam path along the field and further to the crossroads where you turn to the left and then twice to the right. Just next to the edge of the forest cross the bridge (in poor condition) over the Zelenka Stream. You'll reach the crossroads at the forest's edge where two paths lead in the forest and the right one to the meadow. The path across the meadow leads along the Šica Stream and to its efflux to Zatočna jama Cave . The entrance to the cave is closed. If you cycle on the planned route, you have to turn left into the forest and continue further to the branching that runs along the edge of the forest . You'll reach the second cave, Lazarjeva jama, where there is also the second efflux of the Šica Stream. The entrance to this cave is also closed . A few metres above the cave entrance is the wooden staircase which leads steeply up to the Viršnica collapsed sinkhole .

Picking mushrooms
Ascend to the north, to the well-trodden macadam road which leads along a kilometre long flat area. When you reach the clearing in the ravine below the road , a view of Kopanj and the Radenci Plain opens up. Only after a few metres, the forest path branches from the road into the valley so continue on it. Cycle along right turnings and orientate according to north . When you descend from the hill, you'll reach a solid macadam forest road which leads along the edge of the Radenci Plain to Zagradec. In spring and autumn, the area along the entire route is full of mushrooms which lure you away from the macadam road and parallel into forest , . So bring your mushroom basket with you.

Boštanj Castle
When you come to the asphalt road in Zagradec, immediately turn left and continue through the village onto the field, to the macadam road which will take you to Boštanjski hrib Hill and around it, past the church in Boštanj. You can refresh yourself in the nearby Grajski vrt Bar and read information boards ,,, then ascend to the top to see Boštanj Castle (or rather, its ruins). Head left at the commercial zone and towards the main road, which you cross and cycle through Malo Mlačevo , across the field to the crossroads of field paths under the power lines where you join the road that takes you back to the starting point (past the cemetery, over the railway line and left at the crossroads and then finally to the railway station).

 

Church of Saints Peter and Paul
The Church of Saints Peter and Paul in Spodnja Slivnica is a building of extraordinary cultural and historical value. Indubitable peculiarity of the church is the star-vaulted Gothic presbytery with three decorative painted window openings at the sides and several layers of partially uncovered frescoes from around 1530.

Radenci Plain Landscape Park , ,
The Radenci Plain, southeast of Grosuplje, has been formed during a millennium of interaction between nature and people. Typical karst phenomena, such as powerful karst springs and sink holes can be found there. In spring and autumn, the plain becomes an intermittent lake. Winter with snow and ice gives it a special charm, while in summer, it thrives in wonderful colours. The plain is surrounded by steep forest slopes of the surrounding hills reaching as high as 300 metres and in its centre, the solitary hill of Kopanj is mysteriously rising. This area also hosts numerous rare and endangered plant and animal species. Due to the rich habitat and endangered species, the Radenci Plain has been included in the European ecological area of Natura 2000. The area of the Radenci Plain Landscape covers 16 square kilometres, while the plain itself is four kilometres long and one kilometre wide. The Radenci Plain was declared a landscape park in 2012.

Church of St. Margaret
The Chapel of St. Margaret in Velika Račna was first mentioned in 1433. It was built as a vow to keep the constant floods at bay. It was renovated during the Baroque period. The chapel includes the tomb of the aristocratic family Lazarini.

Siberian iris
Siberian iris has a great symbolic character. Its natural sites are on the Radenci Plain. The plant is entirely dependent on people and sustainable use of soil and would disappear if the meadows where it grows ceased to be cut, because other plants would overgrow it. In this sense, Siberian iris symbolises the essence of the landscape park which is quality and long-term coexistence and cooperation between nature and people, which has a great landscape, biotic and ecological value. The lower three leaves of an iris also represent three watercourses of the Radenci Plain (the Dobravka, the Zelenka and the Šica) and depict bays, meanders and islets emerging upon high waters.

Village well
The village well, built in 1897, is located by the road in Velika Račna. The pump was renovated in 2011 upon the centenary of the Račna Volunteer Firefighter Association.

Kopanj with the Church of the Assumption of Mary
The morphological characteristic of the Račna local community and the entire Radenci Plain is the solitary hill of Kopanj which rises 68 metres above the bottom of the plain and is the most beautiful example of a karst solitary hill. There used to be a prehistoric fort on this hill. From the remains of the fort, the original Church of the Assumption of Mary, first mentioned in 1433, was erected. During the Turkish invasions, the wall, which has been partly preserved until today, was built around the church. Next to the church, there's a rectory, in which Dr. France Prešeren spent a few years of his childhood. Just below the top, an elementary school is located where classes have been conducted since 1865. An attraction of Kopanj is also a well on the northern side which springs ten metres above the level of the karst plain.

Caves of Viršnica, Lazarjeva and Zatočna jama (Šica cave system) , ,
Upon their normal level, the waters of Šica disappear into Zatočna jama. While upon heavier and longer lasting downpours, they even disappear into Lazarjeva jama which is 200 metres away. Above the cave, a collapse sinkhole of Viršnica, which water never reaches, is located. All three entrances form the cave system of Šica. The length of the system is 1,792 metres. It is unknown who discovered the caves. Due to the flooding of the Radenci Plain, the caves were first entered to widen the passages because the flow of the Šica through the cave system needed to be accelerated. The artificially formed path takes you to the wonderful entrance hall, which is geologically probably the most interesting, and further along artificial steps to the main passage of Viršnica. Viršnica is accessible in all weather conditions, as there is no danger of sudden floods. However, the dry period is still more appropriate for a visit if you wish to see the entire cave. We also recommend visiting the caves of Lazarjeva and Zatočna jama, which are interesting mainly due to the constant water activity.

More at http://e-lookout.tripod.com/virsnica.htm.

Boštanj Castle and Church of St. Martin ,
The ruins of Boštanj Castle, originally called Zagradec, are located in Boštanjska vas. The castle was destroyed in the autumn of 1943 and later only partly renovated. Below, there's an early-Baroque Church of St. Martin; the church which stood here before was mentioned in the sources from the 14th century. The church was renovated in Baroque. The equipment of the church is of utmost importance – the high black and gold altar from 1716, and both side-altars from the first half of the 18th century. The nave comprises tombs with tombstones of the family of the Blagaj counts, which was then the owner of Boštanj Castle.

 

Boštanj Castle Bar
They manage Boštanj Guest House (Prenočišča Boštanj) and co-organise traditional events in the area of the Radenci Plain. They offer guided tours of the Radenci Plain.

Lunca Inn
If you turn right off the route in Lobček, you'll drive straight to Lunca Inn in Zagradec. Their menu includes homemade Slovenian dishes, venison, fish dishes and seafood, freshwater fish, vegetarian dishes and grilled dishes. They have enough space to organise parties for large closed groups.

Vodičar Inn
Vodičar Inn is located in the centre of Grosuplje. They offer coffee early in the morning, and daily fresh snacks which can also be taken home. In the afternoon or evening, you can refresh yourself or warm up with a selected drink in a pleasant company.

 

Well in Kopanj
The well doesn't dry up even during the greatest drought. Water is drinkable and, according to folk tradition, has healing powers, mostly for the eyes. The patroness of the well is Our Lady of Lourdes, the statue of whom is placed in a small chapel above it.

About a giant in Kopanj
On the origin of Kopanj, an interesting story has been kept alive among people. Once upon a time a powerful giant lived on Limberk. In anger, he once grabbed the summit of Limberk and dragged it along the slope into the valley. Then he lost his strength, and left a lump of stones and soil in the middle of the field. Hence Kopanj emerged. It is still visible on Limberk where the giant tore off its summit. And on its slopes, there are the remains of the stones which have broken off, as the giant was dragging the summit into the valley.

 

Prešeren Hiking Trail
The trail runs from Grosuplje through Spodnja Slivnica and Predole to Velika Račna and ends on Kopanj. The asphalt road alternates with macadam and a forest path. Each year on Slovenian Cultural Holiday, 8 February, a hike along the Prešern Hiking Trail is organised. On Kopanj, a cultural programme and mass take place.

Spring and autumn hike around the Radenci Plain
The area of the Radenci Plain is a natural and cultural gem, and its biodiversity is a consequence of a thousand-year interaction between nature and men. The plain stretches across more than four square kilometres at an altitude of 325 metres and is the smallest of nine distinct karst plains in Slovenia. The plain is surrounded by steep forest slopes all around, except for its north-western edge which opens towards the Grosuplje Basin with a flat stretch. In the middle of the plain, there are two hills, Boštanj Hill in the north and a solitary hill called Kopanj in the south, which is the most beautiful sample of a solitary hill in the Dinaric karst plains in Slovenia (Lampič and Smrekar, 1998, Topole 1998, Florjanc in Jernejc-Babič 1999). The wider area of the Radenci Plain was declared a landscape park in 2012.

Fantje po polj' gredo Event
The traditional concert of Zarja folk singers and guests from Slovenia and other countries takes place in Velika Račna in autumn.

Easter Fair in Boštanj
At the Easter Fair, you can see the exhibition of Easter dishes, making of clay products, baskets, toothpicks and wood shavings, display of sharpening scythes, making of Palm Sunday bundles etc. Gourmets will also be taken care of by the tasting of Easter ham and other meat products, and Easter pastry.

 

The route across the Radenci Field
The starting points to the Radenci Plain are at Grajski vrt Boštanj (Veliko Mlačevo) and in Velika Račna (fire station). There are eleven information boards which provide information on individual points of interest.

Grosuplje Footpath towards Zavrh
When the terrain is wet or snowed in, you can take the marked path of Grosuplje Footpath towards Zavrh. The first sign for Prešeren Hiking Trail is located at the church in Slivnica, which you follow through the village and into the forest until the sign for the hunting lodge. There is also a signpost for the footpath which leads to the left at the crossroads and takes you along the well-beaten and quite wide macadam road to Predole.