Alpe MarathonCyclingin the BeautifulKamnik-SavinjaAlpsText: Nika Vrhovnik Photographs: Marathon Alpe archiveThere is nothing nicer than spending a sunny summer’s day in the greatoutdoors. Cycling along the banks of Alpine rivers with a view of mightymountain peaks rising up in front of you. Green valleys offer a pleasantfreshness, numerous places of interest along the route add variety, and thefriendly local inns and farms along the way help revive flagging energy.With their many marked trails, theKamnik-Savinja Alpsdraw visitors into an unspoilt mountainregion where the highest peaks soar morethan 2,500 metres into the sky. And itis not only hikers and hillwalkers whocome here. The route around the Kamnik-Savinja Alps has also become a popularchoice for cyclists, who either complete the130-kilometre circuit in a single day or drawit out into a several-day cycling tour. If youare among those who are more attracted bya tour lasting several days, we can promiseyou that there is no shortage of interestingsights along the route.84 | Adria Airways In-Flight Magazine
conjures up all the beauty of this valley of theriver Savinja. Logarska Dolina is itself wellworth a visit, with attractions including theRinka waterfall, Snežna Jama cave on Raduhaand the timber rafting museum collection inLjubno. At Gornji Grad we slowly prepare forthe last pass on our route. When we reachČrnivec all that remains is the descent intoKamnik, where we began our tour.130 km and threeAlpine passesMedieval Kamnik,idyllic Jezersko,wonderful LogarskaDolinaAs a starting point, we propose the littlemedieval town of Kamnik, which lies atthe foot of the mountains and is just 25kilometres from Ljubljana, the capital ofSlovenia. The first part of the route, headinginto the mountainous Gorenjska region,winds its way through fields, past Komendaand Cerklje, which are also a starting pointfor a visit to Krvavec, a popular recreationcentre. After 30 kilometres the route turnsinto the valley of the Kokra, where we cyclethrough the longest village in Slovenia. Theclimb up through the green and fresh valley isnot difficult – just enough to get us properlywarmed up. When we reach Jezersko, awonderful view of 2000-metre mountainpeaks opens up in front of us. At Jezerski Vrh(Seebergsattel), the first mountain pass on theroute, the landscape opens up towards thenorth, in the direction of Austrian Carinthia.Now comes a descent along the beautifulscenic route towards Bad Eisenkappel(Železna Kapla in Slovene). The road soonbranches off to the right and ahead of us is theclimb up to Pavličevo Sedlo (Paulitschsattel),the most difficult but most beautiful part ofthe route. A picturesque mountain road leadspast mountain farms all the way up to the passitself, at a height of 1,400 metres. The descentinto Logarska Dolina is a real pleasure andthe ride through Solčava, Luče and LjubnoAlthough we have covered 130 kilometresand an altitude difference of 2,000 metres,the natural beauty of the route and thebreathtaking views of the Kamnik-SavinjaAlps have made all the effort worthwhile.As a fitting conclusion to the experience, wepropose indulging yourself in the thermalsprings of Terme Snovik. If you decide toextend your stay in the Kamnik area fora day or two, be sure to visit the uniqueVelika Planina with its traditional herders’settlement, Voljči Potok Arboretum (abotanical garden famous for its flowershows) and the green valley of KamniškaBistrica. You can also enjoy a pleasant strollthrough Kamnik’s old town centre.Alpe Marathon 2015– a challenge forstronger recreationalcyclistsEvery year on the first Sunday in July,more than 700 cyclists set off along a routethrough the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. They aretaking part in one of the most beautiful anddemanding cycling marathons in Slovenia.The Scott Alpe Marathon, which alsoattracts cyclists from neighbouring countriesand further afield, takes place this year onSunday 5 July 2015 and starts and finishes inKamnik. If you feel ready for the challenge,go to www.kd-alpe.si and sign up now! •Alpe Marathon | 85
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