The Begunje Village Path
An enchanting walk through the idyllic alpine village Begunje na Gorenjskem. Get to know where the Oberkrainer music was born and where the memories of the past are still alive.
Village Begunje na Gorenjskem is known a starting point for hikes in the nearby Karavanke and Kamnik- Savinja mountain ranges. This walk however focuses on the village itself - it's admirable history, culture and traditions.
From the birth house of legendary Slovenian musician Slavko Avsenik the path leads through the rustic village street to ancient Robačnek watermill . St. Ulirch's parish church surprises the visitors with it's vivid colours and richness of artwork, partly credit of the noblemen residing at the nearby Katzenstein Mansion. This impressive renaissance building (now hosting a psychiatric institution) served as a notorious Gestapo prison during the second world war. Graves of five hounded hostages shot in the park behind the mansion are silent reminders of those sad days.
The last part of the trail features lovely views of the village and hides a true architectural gem : Jože Plečnik, Slovenia's most prominent architect, enriched the park with two stunning pavilions.
Author’s recommendation

Track types
Tips and hints
- Most people would know Begunje as the birth place of Avsenik Brothers, Slovenia's most beloved musicians and composers. They invented the Oberkrainer music genre (still immensely popular in alpine countries today) and sold 31 million albums. The Avsenik Museum in Begunje reveals the story of the legendars Avsenik Brothers Ensemble and their music.
- Begunje is a home to another world famous brand : The Elan skis! The Alpine ski museum Elan gives you an insight in the history of alpine skiing, production of skis in Begunje and their international success.
- The idyllic mountain villages is sadly not only the synonym for merry music and joyful time on the ski slopes. Museum of Hostages reminiscences the pain and suffering of Slovenians under the Nazi occupation.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The trail starts at the Tourist information centre in Begunje, opposite the Avsenik Museum and restaurant. You are welcome to ask for the directions (or the free map of the trail) at the tourist office, or simply look for the red information panel presenting "The village path". The path's symbol is a "liberty bell" on a red arrow.
Walk litteraly across the road to the Avsenik Museum (a visit is warmly recommended), than continue walikng alongside the restaurant and restaurant garden (strewn with horse chestnut trees) to the village cemetery. A quiet street branches off to the left hand side, squeezed between the cemetery wall and the Avsenik concert hall. Follow the quiet lane down to a farm and bridge. Walk across the bridge to soon meet the second (smaller) bridge across an man made mill brook. You will find yourself in the yard of the "Užnk" farm and at the crossroads with a paved village road. Turn left by the shrine and follow the road passing the hen house and an orchard on your left-hand side. Continue walking north, surrounded by working farms on both sides of the road. Just before reaching the second larger bridge (a wooden crucifix) turn right to Robačnek mill. If Mrs. Vera is at home, she will be happy to show you around her families old mill (entrance fee : 1€ per person).
Return back to the road and cross the bridge. Ascent up the narrow village road towards the church of St.Ulrich. If the church is closed, the keys can be obtained in the nearby parish office.
After visiting the church, cross the road and walk towards the Katzenstein mansion. This magnificent building is now being used as a psychiatric institution, therefore the visits are limited. You can kindly ask the doorman to allow you to visit the inside courtyard of the mansion (interesting coat's of arms, baroque staircase with frescoes).
Continue the walk to a former church bell, presented in the wooden pavilion. The bell is displayed there to commemorate the liberation of Begunje from the Nazi occupier in May 1945. More than 600 prisoners from the Gestapo prison were rescued by the Slovenian partisans.
If you wish to learn more about the events in the second world war, visit the Museum of Hostages in the north-western wing of the mansion.
The Begunje village trail leads you further to the avenue of horse chestnut trees and the cemetery of hostages in the park behind the mansion. Reaching the top of the chestnut tree avenue, you will be greeted by Brezjanka pavilion, work of Slovenia's most prominent architect Jože Plečnik. Climb the steps leading upwards on your left hand side to meet the second Plečnik's pavilion : The Jožamurka Chapel.
After visiting the chapel, descend down the path leading westwards. It soon joins with another trail, ascending gradually across the pastures in the same direction . Limited by electic fence for cattle, the path offers delightfull wievs of the village and Radovljica basin before gradually descending back down to the park. Reaching the orchard turn right and walk down the cart track to a group of larger buildings. The cart track turns into tarmac and turns left towards the village centre. Passing by the fire brigade station you will already see the Avsenik homestead and the wooden cottage of the Tourist information centre Begunje.
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 find free public parking spaces and Tourist information centre Begunje.
Parking
Free parking spaces by Jurček pub and infront of post office (except areas marked by a blue line).
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