Lamberg Trail Begunje
This popular trail, named after the legendary knight Gašper Lamberg from castle Kamen, is a must for history buffs and families with children. Featuring noumerous mysterious archeological sites (Zijalka cave, The Dwarf's castle, Njivice plateau...) and ruins of majestic Kamen castle - this trail shall awaken courioustiy and exploration spirit of both young and old.
Starting at Begunje, the path leads you through the park of Katzenstein mansion, known for tragic events in WWII (Museum of hostages) . Reaching Krpin recreational area, the trails ascends into the forests of Njivice plateau. After traversing the panoramic scree slopes and hiking underneath the limestone cliffs, the Lamberg trail brings you further into the green arms of scenic Draga valley at the foot of the Karavanke mountain range.
If the hike would seem to short for some - it can easily be extended with connecting St. Peter's trail or (for more advanced hikers) also with Begunje Shepherd's trail.
Author’s recommendation
- Lunch (or refreshing drink) at Draga Inn is always a good choice
- Try out your achery skills in Draga archery parkour

Track types
Safety information
- Be attentive of small children at the short section of scree slope traverse
- Do not attempt to climb to the walls of Dwarf's castle unless you have packed a rock climbing gear (rope, harness, belay device)
- After winter defrost occasional falling rocks are possible to occour
Tips and hints
- Excellent playgrounds for children at Jurček pub (start and end of the walk) and in Krpin recreational centre
- If you would like to learn more about the WWI events in the area visit the Museum of hostages in Begunje
- Fascinanting works of slovenia's most famous architekt Jože Plečnik in the park of Katzenstein mansion
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Lamberg trail starts by the Tourist information centre in the village Begunje na Gorenjskem, right next to the main bus stop. The village can be reached by public bus from Radovljica, Bled or Tržič - in summer months a local Hop-on Hop-off bus stops there too. For those arriving with therir own transport there are many free parking spaces nearby (in front of pub Jurček, in front of post office).
At the start of the trail you will find an informational panel of Lambergova pot (Lamberg trail) with the map of the trail and photograps of main atractions. In summer months you can also obtain a free hiking map (and some local tips) in the Tourist information centre Begunje (wooden hut by the bus station with big letter "i" on the roof).
Each of Begunje theme trails has it's own destinctive colour and symbol. The coulour of Lamberg trail is grey, it's symbol is coat of arms of Lamberg counts from Kamen castle (shield featuring two black dogs and flags).
From the cluster of information panels head north-west towards the fire brigade station and a small cottage used by local farmers to collect milk. In the junction of two roads you will find a small apple tree with a signpost for Lamberg trail directing you to the right-handside (left : St. Peter's trail). Turn right and continue on the paved road towards a larger residental building. Before the building turn right on the gravel road and continue walking alongside the orchard. At the end of the orchard turn right and continue to a small roofed bridge. Crossing the bridge turn left and continue the walk alongside the mansion. Arriving to a small bridge turn left and walk through the avenue of chessnut trees. (recomended visit of the memorial graveyard) Meeting and information panel presenting the works of architect Jože Plečnik (recomended visit) turn right and continue downhill on the grassy path. Meeting the bridge and a gravel road, turn left towards Krpin valley. The path leads you north alongside a stream of Blatnica brook (sometimes partly hidden by high grass in the summer). Reaching Krpin ski slopes (an abandoned ski lift on your left-hand side), turn right towards children's playgrounds and a small bar.
Traverse the large gravel parking space to meet the paved road, than turn left (up the valley). Passing the second house on the right-hand side, you will see a small bridge and a crucifix on the left. Turn right onto a gravel path ascending steeply into the forest. Keep right (on the main path) before reaching a small meadow in the forest. Walk straight across the meadow, to find a path continuing in the same direction (west) further in the forest. Walking on this man-made pleateau you will encounter the first information panel of the Lamberg trail presenting the Njivice archeological site. The trail acents from here briefly, before reaching a wide scree slope. Traverse the slope and continue walking on the trail, right at the foot of overhanging limestone cliffs. After a short descent you will find a second information panel on your left-hand side, describing the Dwarf's castle archeological site high up in the rock face. Continue walking under a cavern-like rocky overhang to reach a wide open Zijalka cave (another archeological site an a rock climbing area). From the cave the path steeply descends down to the forest, later acending again to the upper tower of Castle Kamen (information panel). If you wish to explore the castle, descend down on the first trail on the right-hand side.
Returning back to the upper tower of Castle Kamen, continue walking on a leveled narrow trail leading into the valley. Reaching an isolated house on the left, turn down to the right-hand side. You will find yourself infront of a water catchment and a bridge. Turn left, and ascent on eroded gravel road leading alongside the fence. Walk on the road (always alongside the fence) until the road re-enters the forest and gets very very narrow. You will find a well marked single track leading above the road through the forest. Soon you will find yourself walking on terrain of the Draga archery parkour. Reaching a partly owergrown meadow decend down to the small brook, before meeting another meadow with a beautifull wiev of the mountains. You can already see the roof of Draga Inn, where the path reaches it's turning point.
Returning to Begunje, follow the paved road alongside Begunjščica stream. If you wish to avoid walking on the road, you can also try to find your way through the network of tiny paths on the right-hand side bank of river Begunjščica.
Following the road, you have an oppurtunity to visit another graveyard from WWII and many monuments to fights between Partisans and German army. Passing by Castle Kamen continue of the main road descending down to the village. Right after the sawmill, before crossing the first road bridge, turn left on the less busy road. When you reach the junction with a pillar-like shrine made of green stone, turn right. In the first junction (right after passing by the monument to the partisan Rudolf Gašperin), turn left. The quiet road leads you into the village and further to the curch of St. Urlich. From the church there is only a short strech of the walk on the pavement back to the start of the walk.
Note
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Alpetour (Arriva) operates hourly public bus service to Begunje from Radovljica, Bled and Krnica. Few times a day, there is also a direct bus connection from Tržič or Jesenice.Getting there
Use exits Lesce (3), Radovljica (4) or Brezje (5) from A2/E 61 motorway and follow the signs for Begunje na Gorenjskem. Reaching the village pass, the Elan ski factory and Mercator grocery shop. On your left you shall see public parking spaces and Tourist information centre Begunje.Parking
Free parking spaces by Jurček pub and infront of post office (except blue area)Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
Equipment
Hiking or athletic shoes with good friction
Questions and answers
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