We got off the bus at the roundabout in Jesenice close to Zgornjesavski Museum. The weather was sunny and Jesenice town was quite busy. The well-marked trail leads through the lively neighborhood above the main street. Locals were walking and picking elder flowers (in Slovenia making an elder flower syrup is a big thing in June!). For some time, we were walking along Sava river. The color of Sava river reminds me of emerald Soca river in Soca valley.  

The countryside was so peaceful, the farmers were moving the grass while the village ladies were taking care of their gardens and fields. 2236 meters high Stol peak was showing off in all of its beauty.

With its fascinating 60-meters hydroelectric power plant dam on Sava river is the highest dam in Slovenia. Really breathtaking!

I forgot to take sunscreen with me. The sun was shining and the sky was clear so even in a distance we easily spotted Triglav, the highest Slovenian mountain, and Bled castle. In Žirovnica Juliana Trail overpasses Žirovnica Cultural Heritage Path that connects cultural and historical monuments in the villages below Mt. Stol (Prešeren’s birth house, Čop’s birth house, Anton Janša’s apiary, Finžgar’s birth house, Jalen’s birth house). We took a break close to Janša’s apiary and enjoyed bees buzzing while eating homemade lunch.

From Žirovnica to Begunje na Gorenjskem the trail is poorly marked with signs. For the stage Breznica to Doslavče Juliana Trail booklet was directing us down the road, while the signs were leading the way to the meadows above the village. The view was great but we could easily get lost. Be careful as from Smokuč to Rodine you are walking on the main busy road. When we arrived to Rodine, we passed St. Klemen Church. Thanks to the locals we could continue our walk. “Just walk straight, just straight.” Ok, there are no signs, so we walked straight through the forest. The path was very steep so we needed to take a break a few times.

But when we arrived at the top, we were greeted by stunning vistas. Bled lake was at our fingertips. Sankaška koča cottage was opened so we could not resist to take a drink and relax a bit before hitting the road to Begunje na Gorenjskem. At charming St. Peter Church overlooking Begunje na Gorenjskem we took so many photos because the landscape with Mt. Begunjščica, white church, colorful meadows and green trees were so tempting. Close to the church there is a popular take off spot for paragliders. And the sign to Begunje town. Again, at the crossroads in the forest, there were no signs so we were just following our intuition before we reached Begunje na Gorenjskem.

Starting point: Zgornjesavski Museum.
Ending point: Gostilna and restaurant Avsenik.
Duration: 5 hours.
Length: 17 kilometres.
Difficulty: easy to moderate.
Public transportation: check Arriva buses or trains.

Highlights:

• fascinating dam on Sava river,
• picturesque and peaceful countryside,
• cute towns and villages (Žirovnica, Rodine, Beginje na Gorenjskem),
• amazing vistas at Sankaška koča cottage and St. Peter Church.

Places to sleep in Begunje na Gorenjskem

There are excellent accommodation facilities for all tastes. Check the following accommodations: Hotel Lambergh, Avsenik rooms, Ladka Apartments and Rooms, Draga Inn, Apartment Murka, Bulovec rooms.

Places to eat in Begunje na Gorenjskem

There are excellent eating options for all tastes. Check the following gostilnas/restaurants/fast food bars: Avsenik restaurant, Gostilna Pr’Tavčar, Draga Inn.