BIKE ROUTE SCOUTING OF MT. TRIGLAV

I know I promised to write about life in Skofja Loka, but shit happens.  We’ve had a terrible summer, except for the last couple of days, sunny sunny sunny.  It’s hard to work inside when it’s so nice outside.  We went to the European Union Mobility Festival events in Ljubljana.  I did the bike tour, then we all 3 did the walking tour and then a free train ride to the Ljubljana Castle (photos) in the city center.

I was told by the head of Slovenian Tourism that the route around Mt. Triglav is the most beautiful part of Slovenia.  I’ve been trying all summer to get someone, anyone to join me for a bike tour of the region, but no takers. (Stanley)I finally convince Natasa that driving around the mountain and car-camping would be OK too.  So we are going to drive around Mt. Triglav (photos), the highest mountain in Slovenia and it’s only National Park while doing bike tour scouting.

We didn’t leave till 5pm, so within a couple hours the sun was disappearing.  I type “camping” into Google maps and it shows a few campsites, on the other side of the Soca River.  We finally find a bridge, cross the river and follow some camping signs down a gravel road.  We stumble into CAMP VILI (camp willy), and meet the very funny owner, Will.  We didn’t plan any dinner options for tonight.  So Will’s many choices are more than welcome.

We opt for the fresh BBQ fish.

The road ends in KOBARID (photos), a place for adventure experiences: rafting, canyoning, hiking, kayaking and parasailing

We stopped at many different campgrounds to see what amenities they offered.  Some sold sheep cheese and had an in-house restaurant.

We’ve driven through the entire Trenta Valley (photos) and are about to head up and over the mountain.  I’m taking photos as Natasa drives, we pass a photo opportunity, but continue to drive.  I finally said “wait” there’s an awesome photo I want.  Natasa agrees and turns the car around. We only go back about a kilometer or 2.

We basically drove through the Trenta Valley following the Soca River.  Natasa suggest we hike to the Soca’s source, mmm OK.  The first part of the hike was easy, but before long we’re hanging onto a cable, to reach the source.

I tell her, “I’m not dieing to see the Soca River source.”  We turn around and I buy the post card of what it looks like.  Natasa treats me to some cherry strudel, for doing the hike?  It’s time to drive up and over PRELAZ VRSIC (photos) .

It was quite a great “road” trip, very doable by bike, except maybe climbing the 10 km mountain.

We’re great travel companions, as always looking forward to our next adventure.  Natasa has to go to Sarajevo for work, in a couple weeks.  So I plan to take the train to Most Na Soca and bike to Camp Ville, while she’s gone.  I was going to just ride up and down the bike route, then take the train back to Skofja Loka.  The weather is forecast, sunny for 4 days–straight!

NEXT?  I bike the route we just drove, including up Prelaz Vrsic pass.  Is biking really better travel than by car? stay tuned

MY ARE PHOTOS HERE

Thanks for reading

Jeff