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Solčavsko Region
Solčavsko Region Where to Sleep & Eat
Tourist Information
Logarska Dolina
Tourist Information Centre Solčava 29, tel. +386 (0)3 839 07 10, info@solcavsko.info, www. solcavsko.info. Located in the basement of the Rinka Centre, Solčasko’s regional tourist information centre has pretty much every piece of information you could hope to find about Where to Sleep and eat, and what to see and do in the region - with detailed material in English, Slovene and German. Just let the staff know what you’re interested in, and they will gladly help you find what you need, including making arrangements and bookings with local tourist farms, guesthouses, travel agencies and tour guides for you. The premises also contain a multipurpose room (to the left of the huge wall map of the region), where you can view several films detailing different aspects of Solčavsko’s culture and history, and view temporary art exhibitions that change every month or two. However, the most interesting attraction here is the permanent exhibition, which offers an eye-opening and comprehensive trip through the region from pre-history to the present day. Arranged in a large semi-circle, the very well-presented pathway is packed with from floor to ceiling with photographs, ethnological items and an extensive presentation of the indigenous flora and fauna from the surrounding area. Most exhibits are presented with English translations, but it well-worth having a guide come with you to give further context and more in-depth information about what you’re looking at.
Dom Planincev Logarska Dolina 15a, tel. +386 (0)3
584 70 06/+386 (0)70 847 639, domplanincev@ gmail.com, www.domplanincev.si. This venerable alpine mountain hut offers basic accommodation for hikers, budget travellers and others who don’t mind roughing it a bit. There’s a total of 32 beds, half of which are in two large dorms on the second floor, while the rest are in smaller rooms on the first floor. All rooms have washbasins with hot and cold water, and there are shared showers and toilettes. There is also a restaurant and bar on the ground floor where hikers can fill up on tasty staples like Logar goulash, mushroom soup, buckwheat and stuffed cheese dumplings after a long day on the mountain. Q Open from 20 April to 31 October, and by prior arrangement for groups in the winter. 7 rooms (beds €15/person, €19 with breakfast). 6BKW
Hotel Plesnik Logarska Dolina 10, tel. +386 (0)3 839
Logarska Dolina (or the Logar Valley) is one the most beautiful, and remote, places in all of Slovenia, photo by Tomo Jeseničnik While the name Solčava (or Solčavsko or even Logarska Dolina) is not widely known outside of Slovenia, the region is truly one of the most incredible places in the country, which of course is the reason why it was selected as an EDEN destination in 2009. In fact, if we weren’t contractually prohibited from playing favourites, it would be tempting for us to declare the Solčavsko region first among equals when it comes to tourist destinations in Slovenia. Geographically isolated by the Kamnik-Savinjska Alps in the far north of the country, the area only got its first road to Ljubno and the rest of the Savinja Valley in 1894. This isolation has led Solčavsko to develop at its own pace, maintain its own distinct cultural identity and extensively preserve and protect its natural heritage. Fortunately for those wishing to visit, nowadays it is a relatively short drive (ie less than 1.5hrs) from Ljubljana, Maribor and Celje - the three largest cities in Slovenia. Comprised of three roughly parallel valleys - Robanov Kot, Logarska Dolina and Matkov Kot - which are connect by a small river valley to the north that eventually becomes the Savinja river, the main town of Solčava gives the region its name. Some 517 or so inhabitants are dispersed over and area of 103km2, and everyone literally knows everyone here, but don’t worry about being an outsider, the close sense of community is one of the things that makes the place so friendly and welcoming for tourists. It’s virtually impossible to get lost on even the smallest unsealed mountain road, because the first person you meet will know exactly where you’re going (and will quite possibly be a relative of the owner!). Of the three valleys, the wide picture-perfect Logarska Dolina is the most known (so much so that even Slovenes colloquially refer to the whole region by that name), while forest-covered Matkov Kot is the narrowest and least developed, and Robanov Kot is something like the balanced middle child of the family. To the north separating Slovenia from Austria is Mount Olševa, along which runs the so-
EDEN Slovenia
called Panoramic Road, where the best views in the entire region are found. However, in Solčavsko there are amazing sights around every corner, from breathtakingly sublime landscapes to countless simple wonders that never cease to amaze visitors such as ourselves: galloping alpine horses, friendly pot-bellied pigs, tiny weather-worn chapels, centuries-old farmhouses, feisty roosters, fields exploding with flowers of every colour and so on seemingly infinitely!
Arriving Coming to the Solčavsko region with your own car is really the best option. While it is possible to arrive by way of public transport - this is limited to three buses per weekday (there are none at the weekends) from Celje, which take nearly two hours and cost €6.90 each way - if you’re keen on exploring all that the area has to offer, having your own vehicle is a must as the distances between the three valleys are quite far (nearly 10km from Robanov Kot to Matkov Kot) and the must-see Panoramic Road is almost 20km from start to finish. The drive from Ljubljana takes roughly 1.5 hours regardless of whether you take the most direct route (which means following the country roads through Kamnik, around Velika Planina and then up over the mountains through the tiny settlement of Podvolovljek before descending to Luče just east of Solčava) or take the motorway to the Šentrupert exit and then pass by Mozirje, go through Ljubno and Luče. The first option is our preferred choice as the scenery is amazing the entire drive, although large stretches of the road are not for the faint of heart and it’s probably best avoided altogether during icy winters or heavy rain. All accommodation provide ample parking space, and parking in Solčava is free of charge, however, there is a one time fee of €7 for bringing a car into the Logar Valley (€5 for motorcycles, €8 for vans and €25 for buses).
eden-slovenia.inyourpocket.com
23 00, fax +386 (0)3 839 23 12, info@plesnik.si, www. plesnik.si. The crème de la crème of accommodation in Solčavsko, the four-star Plesnik seems almost out of place in the rustic natural setting, as it offers luxurious amenities, exquisite dining and professional service that is rarely found in the countryside. Highlights for us include the breathtaking views from the south-facing balconies, the splendid hotel terrace, and of course the heated ground-level pool and sauna facilities in the basement with a glass wall through which you can view the valley while you swim. These are free to use for guests, and various massages and other treatments are available for an extra charge. The hotel is a popular destination for business retreats and meetings, and multi-day packages for couples and families are also on offer. Additional accommodation is offered in the adjacent Villa Palenk, which has rooms of similar standards (and all important access to the pool) for slightly lower prices. Q 30 rooms (singles €65-89, doubles €130), in Villa Palenk 10 rooms (singles €49-72, doubles €98). PTHA6ILBKDCW
Kmečka Hiša Ojstrica Logarska Dolina 13a, tel. +386 (0)3 838 90 51/+386 (0)31 56 52 29, plesnik. franc@siol.net, www.logarska-ojstrica.si. Located at the busiest intersection in Logarska Dolina, with one house on either side of the street and another just up the hill, Ojstrica is the centre of the action with a restaurant open to non-guests and a bar at which you’re almost guaranteed to find a local or two chatting in front of beer. The building is newly constructed with all the modern amenities, but was modelled on the traditional alpine farmhouse style. One interesting detail is the oriental-themed furnishings present throughout - these are not just kitsch, the family that runs the place spent some time living in China before returning to Solčavsko to open the guesthouse. Q 7 room and 2 apartments (singles €36, doubles €58, apartments €72). TA6LBKW Planšarija Logarski Kot Logarska Dolina 9, tel. +386 (0)5 995 86 92/+386 (0)41 210 017, logarski.kot@ gmail.com, www.logarski-kot.si. Formerly an alpine dairy cottage, this rustic guesthouse is tucked away in a small clearing surrounded by thick forests at the upper end of Logar Valley. Built in the 1930s, the entirely wooden structure is one of the best preserved of its kind in the area, giving it a romantic charm that more modernly equipped accommodations simply can’t match, and the traditional Solčavsko cuisine prepared by the lady of the house is also regarded as some of the best around. The small dining and eden-slovenia.inyourpocket.com
Logarska Dolina Tourist Information Point
Logarska Dolina 9, tel. +386 (0)3 838 90 04, info@ logarska.si, www.logarska-dolina.si. This small wooden hut opposite Hotel Plesnik is open during the summer and has much the same info, brochures and helpful advice as the main tourist information centre in Solčava - although it’s primary focus is of course Logarska Dolina.
common area on the ground floor is about as cosy as they come when the fireplace is crackling on cold evenings - and we’ve seen this place covered in snow as late as May before, so cold evenings are a conveniently common occurrence here. Q 8 rooms with 23 beds (€20-22/person). 6IL
Help feed the horses at Lenar Tourist Farm, photo by Avgust Lenar
2012/13
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