K5: MERCURY ROUTE IN THE VRHNIKA AREA
A journey into the mercurial past
Path recap
At the beginning of the 16th century, shortly after the discovery of mercury ore, a road was built between Idrija and Vrhnika to supply the Idrija mine with the necessary materials and to transport the ore around the world. It has long since been relegated to historical memory, preserved by a pleasant cycle path from Vrhnika to Zaplana - along part of the former "mercury" road. You will enjoy beautiful views of writer Ivan Cankar’s hometown and its rugged hinterland. When you reach Zaplana, you will love the views of the vast hills towards the Notranjska region.
Detailed path description
You will cycle along the K5 route, which is part of the Vrhnika Cycling Route Network. This means that you will be guided by route signposts and explanatory board along the way.
The route starts in front of the former mercury warehouse in Vrhnika, from where the ore was shipped to Ljubljana via the Ljubljanica River. There is an explanatory board with key information about the route and its history.
The trail initially leads through the streets of Vrhnika, then gently climbs and emerges from the town onto mainly lonely gravel roads and cart tracks in the shelter of bushes and trees, meadows, and pastures. As you rise above the Vrhnika plain and approach Zaplana, the landscape gradually opens up and becomes increasingly scenic.
As you pass through the village of Strmica and conquer one last "serious" climb, the path flattens out at Jerinov Grič, where the popular family guesthouse, Mesec, is located, and then descends further along the old "mercury" road towards Idrija, among the grasslands and pastures bordered by forests. The end of the route is marked by Napoleon's fountain and the K5 explanatory board by the roadside.
Now, all that remains for you is the descent back to the starting point along the ascent route.
The route has signposts and explanatory boards along the entire way.
Former mercury ore warehouse, Ljubljanska cesta 17, Vrhnika; an explanatory trailhead board marks the start of the route.
Free parking is available on Tržaška cesta in front of the Vrhnika Tourist Information Centre (TIC), just before the trailhead.
Take the Ljubljana city bus (LPP) from Ljubljana to Vrhnika, line no. 47.
If you want to make the return trip more interesting, you can take a left at the fork for Star maln down a steeper gravel slope into the valley of the Bela stream.
You can also make a short detour to the diner in Star maln, and to the dammed stream where you can refresh yourself in the clear water in summer.
Gostilna Mesec inn, Zaplana
Hospitality establishments in Vrhnika
Ivan Cankar memorial house (Cankarjeva spominska hiša)
Star maln
The Temple of Lintvern the Dragon fairytale adventure (Pravljično doživetje Tempelj zmaja Lintverna)
Technical Museum of Slovenia (Tehniški muzej Slovenije) in Bistra