Radovljica Mountain Views

Standing outside the Tourist information centre in Radovljica, follow the narrow street leading south-east onto the colourful Linhart square in the old town centre of Radovljica. In between two historic buildings  -the Lectar Inn and Vidic mansion (recognised by it's famous round tower on the edge of the building) - a street branches off to the left and leads you to the former town walls of Radovljica (delightful view of the Karavanke mountains and Mt. Begunjščica). Turn left again, and follow the parapet towards the enclosed compound of historic park. A very steep paved road branches off to the right-hand side and descends towards a historic house featuring interesting stonemason's details (an image of a shoe can be recognized above the main door). Turn left and follow a very narrow street (front yard), which eventually turns into cart-track leading beneath a massive stone built wall.

The cart-track ends neyt to a a health food store/pharmacy (Meta) and a steep paved road brings you to the terrace next to a large parking area. Turn right and pedal up-hill up the main street. Pass by a moderen library compound and a vast concrete square on your left and continue straight ahead. As the terrain levels, pass the SPAR supermarket and descend down to a larger intersection with traffic lights. Continue cycling straight ahead through the motorway underpass, than turn 90 degrees to the right-hand side on the road to village Vrbnje. The road leads you alongside the motorway rampart, as you approach a large farm on your left hand side.  The road bends to the left, passes-by the farm (fresh dairy product shop!) and ascents mildly to the wide open meadow.

In the intersection just before the first houses of the village Vrbnje, turn left and follow a narrow street leading you between the residential houses on the right and fields and meadows with scattered trees on the left-hand side. As you reach an "A" junction with a wooden crucifix in the centre, keep left (straight ahead) and cycle towards the centre of the village. Cross a tiny bridge and follow a tiny street further to the east until reaching and intersection (another wooden crucifix). Turn left (direction: north) to a narrow street at the edge of a forest plateau. Cycle straight ahead, as the surface turns from asphalt to gravel. Pass-by the farm and an isolated house in the forest to reach a narrow wooden footbridge. Cross it, and continue cycling on a very pleasant forest trail, running alongside a (sometimes dry) riverbed.

Suddenly the forest road ends in a private yard. Continue straight ahead onto a quiet village street leading towards north-west (newly built family houses on your left, hedge on your right-hand side). Turn left in the Y junction at the end of the hedge, to join with the main village street through Nova Vas. Turn left, drive through the narrow band (be attentive of the traffic), than immediately  to the right. Follow a tiny village street, you will find branching off just behind the large old farmhouse building. Street soon turns into cart-track, leading north-west to a vast open field (spectacular 360 ° views of the surrounding mountains!). After about 300 meters, next to a wooden crucifix, a road adjoins from the right-hand side. Turn right and head north-east on a straight (mildly ascending) field road for nearly a kilometre. The field tracks brings you to an intersection with a principal road (WWII memorial plaque), where you turn left to follow another straight dusty field road heading west /north-west (though the description might sound dull, the road features spectacular mountain views and demands hardly any effort). Ignoreall cart tracks branching of the right-hand side and pedal straight ahead - following the wide gravel field road. When meeting the paved road next to village Rodine, continue cycling straight ahead in the same direction. Quite soon you will meet an isolated farm on your right-hand side and a Christian shrine on your left-hand side. The gravel road leads you further to north-west with a very steady (barley noticeable) incline. Follow the straight-forward field road, and ignore all side roads leading towards the villages on your right and left-hand side.

Be attentive of a an Christian shrine (column with a shingle roof) standing on the left-hand side of the road. Roads, cart-tracks and paths lead to it from all directions. Choose the wide gravel road branching off to the right-hand side at a 90° angle. After about 500 meters, you will come across a paved principal road (wooden crucifix on your right-hand side). Cross the road and continue cycling in the same direction on the quiet village street. Before the road suddenly starts ascending, turn left (direction east/north-east) and pedal right through the rural centre of Doslovče village. Ignore all roads branching off to the fields on the left, or to the houses up on the slope and continue cycling in the same direction until meeting a concrete water through (once used to water the village cattle). Turn left (south) at this point and cycle downhill towards the church in village Breznica passing-by a very interesting landmark (historic "Janša" beehive, ornated with vividly painted front boards).

Reaching the main road, turn right and cycle on the main road through the villages Breznica, Zabreznica, Selo pri Žirovnici and Žirovnica. Ignore all side roads and village streets and remain on the principal road until reaching the railway crossing in Žirovnica. The main road turns left here, while you continue cycling forward (north-west) to village Moste. The road eventually turns right and starts descending into a precipitous river canyon (moving monument to the hostages shot here in WWII). The road approaches a massive metal railway bridge (spanning from above), than turns left and starts ascending again.  Reaching the T-shaped junction, turn right  (signpost: "Završnica") and climb up the hill to the railway overpass. Reaching the next T-shaped junction,  turn right (another sign: "Završnica") and descend alongside the railway tracks. The road bends to the left and starts ascending through the village of newly built family homes (many of which built entirely from wood). Eventually the road levels and brings you to wide open pastures enclosed by metal fence. Keep cycling up the road, which brings you to a charming little reservoir lake (Lake Završnica). Pass the car park by the lake and continue cycling straight ahead (signpost: "Dom pri izviru Završnice").

The forest instantly opens again, and you are greeted by a football pitch (on the left) and a picnic/festival area (on the right). Before the road enters the forest again, it's well worth to stop for a coffee at the popular Zavrh bar (situated in a secluded spot by the stream on the right-hand side of the road).  The cycling takes you further up the valley floor, at first on paved road, and with the steady gradual ascent. Right after meeting a small power station on your left-hand side, the road gets notably steep for the first time. The steep (paved) slope ends fairly quickly, and brings you to WWII memorial and a bridge on almost levelled valley floor. Take this opportunity to catch some air, for a "mile-long" forest climb awaits you. At steepest points, the gravel road is replaces with patches of asphalt, which significantly helps with the shuffling of the rear wheels.

Finally the long straight climb is over, and you are rewarded with a delightful view of Mt. Srednji vrh from the Žaga alpine pastures. Follow the road which branches off to the right hand side (signpost: "Sankaška koča") and descends down to the Završnica stream. Cross the bridge (miniature reservoir lake and power station on your right) and start ascending the smooth forest road leading southwards. The ascent soon becomes more gradual, at times almost flat, and more and more views can be caught through the thin alpine forest. At the altitude of 1000 meters above the sea level, the road reaches a broad pass with a small basin to the left hand side. Due to recent forest clear cut, a nice view of Mt. Stol be enjoyed on the northern side. From the left hand side, a waymarked mountain trail from Poljška Planina/Roblek joins with the road, then rises up to the forest again. You remain cycling on the forest road, heading towards south-east. After a long bend, the road gradually climbs to another saddle (rotation platform for lumber tracks).

From the left hand side, a waymarked mountain trail from Poljška Planina/Roblek joins with the road, then rises up to the forest again. You remain cycling on the forest road, heading towards south-east. After a long bend, the road gradually climbs to another saddle (rotation platform for lumber tracks). You have reached the highest point of the climb, and if you happen to have some surplus energy, it's well worth to walk to the amazing viewpoint at Smokuški vrh (5-10 minutes, 400 meters, 50 altitude meters of ascent).

Follow the sign "Sankaška koča" and descend down a (occasionally rather steep) log skidding track. The trail (waymarked with traditional red&blue circles) brings you to a plain (former hay-meadow). As the waymarked trail continues straight ahead, you turn left and descend down the gully to a forest road. Keep in mind this is also a hiking trail, please be attentive of the hikers on the path! Joining with the road, turn sharply to the right and continue cycling on a gradually ascending gravel road. Ignore the first turn to the right-hand side and continue cycling on the gradualy descending road. When the road makes a left turn (direction:south-east), it's well worth to turn right and visit Sankaška lodge (stunning views of Lake Bled and Julian Alps, not to mention cold beer and warm snacks!). After visiting the lodge, cycle back to junction, turn right, and cycle down the bumpy gravel road towards the hilltop church of St. Peter above Begunje.

Having taken-in the breathtaking views by St. Peter's mountain church (art history enthusiast should ask the sacristan to unlock the doors of the Chappel), retrace the cycling route back to the forest in the north-west. Cross the barrier, than turn right on the gradually ascending forest gravel road. As you meet the approach road to Sankaška hut on your left-hand side, the flattish road turns right to north-east. The road starts gradually ascending, (ignore the road branching off to the left), before descending to a small valley. At this point, you are re-joined with the original track, and the long descend down to Begunje begins. Beware, that the forest road is very popular with hikers too! After a few bends, the steepness looses it's edge and you are joined with another forest road descending down from the left-hand side. Turn right and keep descending. Soon after passing by a water reservoir, you will find a road ascending to the right-hand side. Stay on the descending road, or use a (short- but sweet) shortcut on your left-hand side. Both bring you to a bridge next to another water reservoir (drinking water fountain!). From here, the asphalt road descends steeply down to the village.

After about 400 meters you will encounter a large gravel parking area on your right-hand side (Krpin). Cross it diagonally to meet the children's playground and a small bar (go slowly!). At the end of the playground, you will notice a barely visible single track leading left alongside a cattle fence. Follow the narrow cart track leading southwards alongside the Blatnica brook. Reaching a long historic building (gate across the road), continue straight ahead to a gravel parking area. Reaching the avenue of chestnut trees continue straight ahead, following the tiny stream. By the roof-covered bridge the track first takes you right, than twice to the left. At the end of the fenced-in orchard, you will reach a paved village road (fire brigade station to your left-hand side). Turn left and cycle towards the tourist infomation centre in the village Begunje (public drinking water fountain).

Standing outside the Tourist information centre in Begunje head south-west towards the village cemetery. Approaching it, you will find a narrow lane running between the cemetery wall and the garden of the famous Guesthouse Avsenik. Follow the lane (signpost : Juliana trail) descending to a small bridge above Begunjščica stream. Keep cycling in the same direction, to reach a front yard of a small farm. Turn right on the village road, than immediately left and up the hill towards the primary school . Turn right in the T-junction next to the school building, and continue cycling on a quiet village road, gradualy descending towards south (delightful views of Mt. Triglav and the Julian Alps stretching on your right hand side).

Reaching the first intersection (marked by a beautifully painted catholic shrine/column) continue straight ahead on a gently desending country lane. When reaching the second intersection (wooden crucifix on your right-hand side), turn left and cycle towards a beautifull mansion hidding amdist the trees. Cycle alongside the hedge (a nice park with an oval water pool can be seen through the gaps), than turn left (south-west) when reaching the modern hotel building (Lambergh hotel). After 200 meters, turn left (signpost : Juliana trail), and follow a quiet country road leading towards Dvorska vas village. Reaching the village, cycle straight ahead (pass the house with the blue doors) and down the main village street. Towards the end of the village, keep right in the Y fork and cycle pass the large farm building to the wide open fields. Comofortably descending road (motorised traffic permitted to residents only) keeps taking you further south towards the picturesque village named Zgornji otok. Reaching the first houses in the village, join with the principal road and continue cycling in the same direction (south).

Seeing the electrical distribution transformer on the left hand side of the road, turn left and cycle the quiet lane leading into the village Spodnji otok. Turn right at the first junction and cycle pass the well kept farms in  the village. After passing by a horse ridding ranch on your left hand side, you will re-join with the original road. Turn left and cycle southwards towards the regional road (road crossing with traffic lights).

When the lights turn green, cross the road and continue cycling in the same direction. Passing by the famous (Michelin star awarded!) restaurant Vila Podvin and former Podvin castle you will enter the village Mošnje. Keep left in the Y fork by the elementary school and cycle towards the old village church. By the old linden tree behind the church, you will find a quiet village lane branching off to the right-hand side. Follow it, for it's a nice detour from the main village road. Having reached the road again, turn left and continue cycling towards south.

Drive trough the motorway underpass (Villa Rustica archaeological site) , than immediately turn to the  right. Follow a quiet paved lane gradually ascending alongside the motorway network. Soon the road enters a forest and the surface turns to gravel. Pass by a shooting range of a local shooting club, and descend to a river gully with a small bridge. Cross the bridge and keep ascending on the gravel forest road. Ignore the left turn (signpost: for owners only) and stay on the wider gravel road (occasional views of the river Sava valley). The road eventually brings you to the fields, where you meet the motorway again. Cycle straight ahead on the field road leading towards a motorway service station. Pass it by, and continue cycling on a asphalt paved road towards the junction with a catholic shrine (another cycling lane joining from the right-hand side.)

Keep left and descend down the road into Radovljica (electric power distribution centre on your left-hand side), ignoring both left and right-hand side turns. Continue cycling straight ahead on Ljubljanska cesta, leading you directly to the old town centre (sharply pointed belfry of St. Peter's church in Radovljica). Reaching a T-junction outside the old town, turn left and follow the principal road. Don't miss the tiny street (signpost: Gubčeva ulica), branching off to the left after about 200 meters. Descend down this narrow village street, which soon starts ascending towards the medieval town walls. Cycle straight ahead and up a very steep street to reach the tiny square outside the old town of Radovljica (Tourist information centre).