Kranjska Gora, formerly known as Borovška vas, has long played a leading role in the development of tourism in the Upper Sava Valley. In recent years, its awareness of this role has grown, evident in the construction of new official trails. One such trail is Robetwist, the longest (3.6 km) and with the greatest altitude difference (600 m), located on the Karawanks slope. The Karawanks are Slovenia's longest mountain range, extending over 120 km from Tromeja (1507 m) above Rateče to Peca (2126 m) in Carinthia. The highest peak in this range is Stol (2236 m).
The Karawanks offer numerous beautiful mountain trails and macadam roads, which also provide excellent potential for mountain biking. During the Yugoslav era, border control necessitated the construction of macadam roads by the army, which now offer fantastic cycling routes. However, there were also darker periods when access to the area was restricted, making hiking and cycling impossible.
Podkoren is a charming village where our ascent to the top of Robetwist will begin. It is the alpine heart of the Upper Sava Valley. Podkoren is notable for its paved medieval road and historic carriage routes. Before the Karavanke Tunnel was built, the road over the Koren Pass was the primary transport link between Central and Northern Europe. In the central part of the village, a few 17th-century farmhouses with typical Alpine architecture have been preserved, featuring masonry lower parts, wooden floors, and shingled roofs.
Podkoren is best known for hosting the World Cup in alpine skiing, known as the Vitranc Cup. It also hosts the Meeting of Masks, a lively event featuring participants from three countries.
After descending from the upper part of Robetwist, the macadam road will lead us through a beautiful mountain canopy known as the Railway (Železnica). Here, you will find a hunting lodge and access to various solitary peaks such as Trupejevo Poldne (1931 m), Lepi Vrh (1926 m), and Maloško Poldne (1823 m).
From Železnica, a wide forest trail descends along the Jermn’n stream to Srednji Vrh (945 m), a pleasant alpine hamlet above Gozd Martuljek. Srednji Vrh is known for its excellent cheese from the Pr’ Hlebanju farm, beautiful views of the Martuljek group peaks, and its flowering meadows. It is also famous as the filming location for the first Kekec film in 1951 and for the mountain villain Bedanc, described in a 1918 story by Kranjska Gora writer Josip Vandot.
The tour combines both cycling and historical exploration. Initially, we will cycle along the bike path to Kranjska Gora. From Peč, we will ascend to Podkoren via macadam roads, cart tracks, and finally an asphalt road, almost reaching the Austrian border. We will then continue with a macadam ascent to the start of the Robetwist single track at 1570 m, which is the highest point of the tour.
The descent from Robetwist to the macadam road at Železnica will follow an official single track, a flow trail with winding sections and waves rated S3. The second part of the descent, from Železnica to Srednji Vrh, follows a forest trail. This section is generally smooth and rideable, with some rocky areas, rated S2. The final part from Srednji Vrh to Log involves a mountain path that starts flat with a soft base and becomes steeper and rockier, with sections rated up to S3.
Slovenian Alpine Museum (650 m) - Kranjska Gora (810 m) - Podkoren (866 m) - Robetwist Peak (1570 m) - Railway (Železnica) (1520 m) - Srednji Vrh (945 m) - Log (800 m) - Gozd Martuljek (750 m) - Slovenian Alpine Museum (650 m)
We set off from the parking lot in front of the Slovenian Alpine Museum. Continue in the direction of the village of Dovje, and at the main crossroads in Mojstrana, turn left (600 m from the starting point). Drive past Triglavski Gaj Park (macadam road) and continue over the blue bridge spanning the Sava Dolinka River. Ascend briefly and turn left onto an asphalt bike path.
Follow the bike path in the direction of Kranjska Gora. You will cross three bridges over the Sava Dolinka River and pass several smaller rest areas. Upon reaching Kranjska Gora, the bike path merges with the road. The road first leads past the cemetery, then over a bridge over the Pišnica River. At the end of the bridge, turn right, continue to the main crossroads, and then turn left toward Kranjska Gora. Head to the bus station, then take a narrow path to the right of Hotel Lipa, which leads to a macadam road. Turn right, heading toward the main road to Podkoren. At the crossroads, cross the main road and continue straight toward the Natura Camp. Past the camp, follow the cart track up to the meadows.
Climb along this cart track until you reach the village of Podkoren. Continue on the asphalt road to the crossroads with the main road. Follow the main road uphill in the direction of Korensko Sedlo (Koren Pass). About 700 m before the state border, turn right onto a macadam road, which climbs steeply. Continue straight at the first macadam road junction and turn left at the second junction, following signs for Robetwist, heading back west. At an altitude of approximately 1570 m, you will reach the starting point for the descent along the upper part of Robetwist. The majority of the descent is S2, with many waves, some sharp turns, and a few S3 sections.
Upon returning to the macadam road, follow it east toward Železnica. Cross Jurežova Planina Meadow, and at the next crossroads with a wide forest trail on the right, you will arrive in Železnica. From here, you can either cycle to the hunting lodge or head right downhill toward Srednji Vrh at the crossroads. Descend along the trail beside Jerm’n Creek, which is wide and stony at the top and more sandy-wooded lower down. The descent does not exceed S2 difficulty.
At the asphalt road in Srednji Vrh, turn right uphill and follow the yellow signs for Kranjska Gora or the Alpe-Adria Trail. Turn left down the path, passing a white house and then a small chapel (with a bench). The path is wide; the first part is S1 descending slowly, while the second part is S2-3 with a steeper descent. After finishing the descent, you will reach the Sava River. Turn left downhill toward Mojstrana.
Follow the path with signposts for Gozd Martuljek. The trail ends at Hotel Špik, where you will reach an asphalt road. Proceed to the intersection with the main road, turn right toward the bridge, and before crossing the bridge, turn left down to the bike path.
Follow the bike path all the way back to Mojstrana. Cross the Sava Bridge, then diagonally right toward a football field. Cross the field along its upper western side, join the asphalt road, ascend the slope, and at the first crossroads, turn right onto a narrow street. At the end of this street, turn left, then right below Grančišče, heading toward the museum. At the crossroads with the main road, turn left and continue straight to the Slovenian Alpine Museum, which will be on your right.
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