FOLLOWING THE PATHS OF THE ROBBER KNIGHTS
Length
10.8
Length 10.8 km
Time needed
03:30
Time needed 03:30
Največja strmina vzpona[%]
13
Greatest slope of the ascent: 13 %
Greatest slope of the descent: 18 %
Average slope of the ascent: 14 %
Length of ascents above 5%: 3.00 km
The lowest point of the route: 772 m
The highest point of the route: 331 m
Difference in altitude: 576 m
Poraba kalorij
3429
Consumption of energy for men: 3429 kJ (819 kcal)
Consumption of energy for women: 2814 kJ (672 kcal)
Difficulty
Difficulty: Medium demanding
Quality of the surface
Quality of the surface: Mixture
Primerna obutev: Hiking boots
Short description

The Polhov Gradec Hills are a diverse area, full of valleys, gorges, ridges and peaks, with dispersed settlements in the form of solitary farms and hamlets. Along the route you get to know the history of the village of Žlebe and natural features of the area around Jeterbenk Hill. On the top of Jeterbenk you can enjoy the luxurious views of the Sava Plain and the Kamnik Alps.
The tour is of medium difficulty and is interesting in all seasons; the special event being the traditional Hike along the Paths of the Robber Knights, annually organised by the Žlebe–Marjeta Tourist Association.
The route Following the Paths of the Robber Knights is marked with special signs; moreover, a marked hiking trail runs to Jeterbenk which with its 774 metres denotes the highest point of the route. Double marking and numerous crossroads can cause some problems but you should not be confused – follow the direction of Jeterbenk; the only important objective is to come to the top and back to the starting point.

Course

Preska – Žlebe – cerkev Sv. Marjeta - vrh Jeterbenk – cerkev Sv. Jakob – kmetija Branovec – Seničica – Bonovec – Preska

Start in Preska at the elementary school
The route starts at Preska Elementary School; leave your car at the car park. Follow the board directing you to Jeterbenk . Pass the gym and sports field and turn right to Cesta v Žlebe Road. When the asphalt ends, you can continue towards the village of Žlebe along a macadam road through the forest or turn right onto a marked path. The beginning of the route is flat, perfect for warming up .

Through Žlebe and past the Church of St Margaret to the top of Jeterbenk
The village of Žlebe is a scattered settlement, consisting of numerous hamlets and solitary farms; therefore, you should not be surprised if you, considering the house numbers, walk along Žlebe throughout. When arriving to the first hamlet of Žlebe, one of the largest, turn towards the Pr'Andrej Homestead, famous for fruit pressing and cider . Cross the courtyard of the homestead – in autumn you can pick some apples along the way – and turn towards the bridge . On the other side of the stream starts the first ascent along a forest path which is relatively short and not too steep. When the forest ends, you come to a meadow with an abandoned farm. The terrain flattens and soon the view of the Church of St Margaret opens up . Walk along the field route to the junction with direction boards. A minimalist, but exemplary park arrangement of the junction indicates that the citizens of Žlebe take care of the appearance of their village . In addition to the hiking tables and signs which lead you to the top of Jeterbenk, there are also some special signs for the Path of the Robber Knights .
Ascend to the Church of St Margaret where you can have a rest on the bench in the shape of a dragon, read the legend about this dragon and admire the Kamnik Alps. The route to the top of Jeterbenk continues with the ascent along a marked forest path. There are many crossroads, but sign boards lead you all the way.
When you come out of the forest near the top, cross a small meadow and you will see a house below the path. Walk into the forest again, but the path through the forest is short and when you get out, the view of the central part of the Polhov Gradec Hills and Sveti Jakob opens up. Along the macadam path, you arrive to the chapel with red bricks. From there you set off towards the 774 high peak of Jeterbenk. The path is wide at first, but then it narrows down and steeply ascends; however, the ascent takes only a few minutes. From the top of the hill with a large cross, there is a wonderful view of the Ljubljana Basin and Gorenjska in clear weather.

From the top of Jeterbenk past the Church of St James and the Branovec Farm to Seničica
Follow the boards that lead you to Petelinc to descend into the valley. Firstly, walk through a light forest along the ridge and then descend towards the Church of St James on Petelinc Hill . Although the church lies at an exposed and scenic position, you notice it only when standing right in front of it. High trees completely block the view of the Church. Below it, there is a direction board with numerous directions to the valley. One of the options is to go towards the solitary Branovec farm. When you come to the farm with beautifully preserved outbuildings, continue along a macadam road. Descend to the asphalt road leading to Žlebe. There turn right towards Seničica. When you arrive to another road leading to Žlebe (nearby is a junction Žlebe left and Žlebe right), cross it and continue straight on through the forest towards Bonovec.

Past Bonovec to Preska
After you exit the forest, the view of the farmlands and Bonovec opens up . A Nordic centre for skiing and ski running operates there in winter. Return to Preska along a field route which is also a popular walking trail.

 

Church of St Margaret in Žlebe
The church on the slope of Jeterbenk is a late-Gothic building with a star-vaulted nave and figural keystones. The interior includes four Baroque altars and frescoes from the 17th century. A statue of St Margaret is built into the front side of the bell tower. The church was allegedly built in the early 16th century from the ruins of Jeterbenk Castle. A legend says that it was built by the last owners of Jeterbenk, Jakob and Marjeta Hertenberg, who wanted to repay for all bad things that their ancestors, the robber knights, did. Therefore, the church in Žlebe is dedicated to St Margaret (Marjeta in Slovenian) and the church on Petelinc to St James (Jakob in Slovenian). In the past, the church was a popular pilgrimage church of farmers from the surrounding areas.

Church of St Jacob on Petelinc
This church is also connected with a legend which says that it was built by the last lords of Jeterbenk, Jakob and Marjeta Hertenberg. The Renaissance church was built in 1751.

Ruins of Jeterbenk Castle and historical remains of the Hertenbergs, archaeological site of Gradišče
Jeterbenk is the Slovenian version of a name Hertenberg. That is to say, the people simplified the name Hertenberg into Jeterbenk. On the board by the route to Jeterbenk, which also denotes the archaeological site of Gradišče, you can read the following description of the history of the castles: "The old Hertenberg Castle on the slope of Jeterbenk was built in the late 12th century for the needs of consolidation of the Spanheim estate in Carniola. At the end of the 13th century, the castle was no longer suitable for this purpose, so the Jeterbengs built a new Hertenberg below it in the early 14th century. This castle also included the fortress or the separate tower of Nebojs. When the family died out in the late 14th century, all three castles quickly decayed. Historical sources suggest that they were already in ruins in the mid-15th century.

The demolished building was archeologically confirmed as medieval fortification architecture with a wall on the western side and the central building (palladium), leaning against this part of the wall, in the central section. Two bulges are visible in the northern and southern sections which could be the remains of the towers. Based on the remains of glass, pottery and some small finds, the architecture can be place into the 14th or 15th century. Therefore, the finds are from the time when Jeterbenk, as assumed by historians, was already abandoned. Considering this fact, the later, new Jeterbenk, which was also mentioned in the sources, could be discovered in the remains of the building."

Village of Žlebe
The village of Žlebe is a scattered settlement in the northern part of the Polhov Gradec Hills. It consists of numerous hamlets and solitary farms, separated by gorges with streams. The largest stream, the Zakonjščica, springs under Jeterbenk and flows into the Malenščica Stream at Seničica. The hamlets of Žlebe include Kršlje, Pristava, Stežica, Pri Kajžah, Ravanški Grič or Hrušica and Žlebe. In the past, the village was in terms of population even more important than Medvode. The sources indicate that in 1715, there were 39 houses in Žlebe and only 14 in Medvode.

 

Slavkov dom Inn
The inn is not located directly on the route but if you are hungry, turn towards the Slavkov dom Inn at Sveti Jakob and not towards the Branovec Farm. The inn is renovated and its specialities include traditional "white kidneys".

 

Legend of a Dragon in Žlebe
In front of the Church of St Margaret in Žlebe you can read the legend about a dragon who lived in this area: "Once upon a time, a scary dragon lived in a deep chasm near the Church of St Mary. He demanded a well-fed calf and a barrel of wine from the villagers each day. It happened that the calf of a poor cottager, intended to dragon, died and dragon demanded his daughter instead. But the dragon was tricked! People filled the dead calf with quicklime and threw it to the dragon. He got thirsty after eating the calf and quicklime, filled up with wine, started to boil in his stomach. The evil dragon finally perished! It fell in a chasm and was covered with a huge rock. A belfry was placed next to it and the church was dedicated to St Margaret."

Legend of the Robber Knights
There are many legends about the demolished Jeterbenk Castle, connected with the Hertenberg robber knights. They rebelled against their master, robbed the people and hid the robbed goods somewhere on Jeterbenk. The legend also says that the treasure will be found by the one who kisses a snake. The Hike along the Paths of the Robber Knights is organised annually by the members of the Žlebe–Marjeta Tourist Association.

 

Traditional hike Following the Paths of the Robber Knights
The Hike along the Paths of the Robber Knights is organised annually by the members of the Žlebe–Marjeta Tourist Association. The route runs to Jeterbenk where the knights, famous for their raids, lived in the Middle Ages. At the end of the path between Žlebe and Jeterbenk, a book is waiting for the participants, intended for them to sign in and confirm that they have walked or cycled the entire path.

 

Bonovec Medvode Nordic Centre
Bonovec is a modern centre for skiing and ski running with a snowmaking system and polygon for evening training and recreation. It is intended for competitors, as well as for recreationists and hikers. The ski running track is regularly maintained and illuminated in the evening. Consequently, it is available to the recreationists all day throughout the season. What is more, the young competitors do not have to drive to Gorenjska to train and thus the coordination of school and sports obligations is easier.