K2: FROM VRHNIKA TO PLANINA AND ZAPLANA

A beautiful cycling loop that takes you from the birthplace of Slovenia's greatest writer, Ivan Cankar, to Planina, the panoramic hill overlooking Vrhnika, onwards to the charming Zaplana, an oasis of greenery and peace, and finally through the valley of the mysterious Bela stream. Due to the relatively long climb to Planina, this route is particularly interesting for cyclists who wish to spend a day among beautiful and remote nature, but who also like to spice up their tour with a more substantial fitness challenge.

You will cycle along the K2 route, which is part of the Vrhnika Cycling Route Network, meaning you will be guided by route signposts along the way.

The route starts in front of the TIC in Vrhnika, from where it leads to Stara Vrhnika, where you will warm up on a long green plain before the road starts to climb towards Planina. The incline persists pretty much all the way up to the mountain lodge on Planina, so those of you who have not properly fuelled up before the start of the ride can get some refreshments during the climb at the Kuren or Pr'Figarji tourist farm. It is located on a lookout hill and is known for its excellent local food. But be warned, it is only open from Friday to Sunday.

You initially ascend towards Planina on a quiet asphalt road, which is eventually replaced by a wide gravel forest road. Most of the ride proceeds in the shelter of the forest.

At Planina, you are greeted by a mountain lodge and a 22 m high lookout tower, which offers a wonderful view of the Ljubljana basin, the Ljubljana Marshes, the Polhov Gradec and Krim hills, and the hills towards Notranjska and, in clear weather, the view reaches as far as the Alps. The lodge serves excellent mountain food, and you can also try the local specialities, namely the delicious Vrhnika štruklji rolled dumplings and Cankar's cup of coffee (which adds a little cultural spice to your ride).

From Planina, follow the same route you took up the mountain to the turn-off, where the signpost points you left towards Zaplana. The ride runs on gravel in the embrace of woods at first, and descends after a while along a narrow and then wider and wider asphalt road until you reach Zaplana, its meadows, pastures, orchards, forests... From here, you will enjoy a well-earned scenic descent back to Vrhnika, with a beautiful finish in the shady valley of the Bela stream.

The route is mostly signposted, but for full orientation you will need to use a map or GPX track.