Ljubljana – Sveti Jakob (806 m) – Ljubljana (MTB/trekking)

If you want to capture the most photogenic motif in the hinterland of Ljubljana from your bicycle, you will have to ascend the hill with the Church of St. Jacob in the Polhov Gradec Hills. This picturesque spot offers breathtaking views, particularly when the meadows are in bloom. Upon reaching the church, you will be greeted by a magnificent view of Ljubljana with the surrounding hills and the Alps. However, you can rest assured that the rest of the ride is nice as well, especially the cycling along the winding forest road and the astonishingly scenic parts of the route.

The cycling ascent to the hill of Sveti Jakob via the hill of Toško Čelo is a popular climb among local cyclists. On the doorstep of the capital, it offers varied terrain types: long, steep asphalt inclines at first, then a comfortable gravel road with short climbs and descents in the shelter of the forest and views of the green landscape on the outskirts of the capital and of the Polhov Gradec Dolomites, finishing with a steep climb to the church.

The tour starts in the centre of Ljubljana, at the edge of Tivoli Park where the cycle paths lead you to the foot of the hill leading to up to Toško Čelo, firstly to the village in the Polhov Gradec Dolomites, a pre-Alpine world on the doorstep of the capital. The ascent starts at Bike Park Ljubljana, a popular MTB skills park. At first, you cycle along a fairly busy road (drivers are used to cyclists and are generally considerate to riders), but soon a narrower, less busy road branches off. Ride through the woods, which will briefly "let you out" into the open air at Toško Čelo.

The asphalt surface is soon replaced by gravel (cars can also drive on the gravel road so you need to be extra cautious, but traffic is very sparse), after which the forest embraces you again, then undulates up and down until you reach the lookout point where you are back on the tarmac road. Follow it to a fork where the final and steepest part of the route begins, specifically just below the top of St James' Church.