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Podutik - Toško Čelo - Sv. Jakob
Cycling route · Ljubljana & Central Slovenia · Gravel, Trekking
- Length
- 33 km
- Elevation gain
- 590 m
- Duration
- ~2,5 h
- Difficulty
- hard
- Region
- Ljubljana & Central Slovenia
- Route type
- Gravel, Trekking
- Surface
- asphalt 28 km · gravel 5 km
- Suitable for
- E-bike, MTB, Gravel, Trekking
The route offers a wonderful combination of scenic views, descents and challenging climbs, appealing to both recreational cyclists and those with a little more fitness. It is an ideal way to explore the picturesque Polhov Gradec Hills, with views of the Alps and the Ljubljana Basin.
Points along the route
Podutik
0 km
Podutik
The tour starts on the outskirts of Podutik, where a few parking spaces are available.
Toško Čelo
We follow an asphalt road uphill to Toško Čelo (552 m), a historic settlement that was burned down during the Second World War and later rebuilt.
Gravel section
The route continues along a gravel road through the forests of the Polhov Gradec Hills, part of Slovenia’s pre-Alpine landscape.
Katarina
6 km
Topol
We reach the village of Topol, also known as Katarina, at an elevation of around 680 m. This is a good place to take a break and enjoy some refreshments at the local inns, such as Gostilna Dobnikar or Gostilna Pr’ Jur.
Ascent to St. James (Sv. Jakob)
The route then climbs towards the Church of St. James (806 m), built in the 16th century. On a clear day, the summit offers sweeping views across the Sora Plain and Ljubljana Basin, with the Karawanks, Julian Alps and Mount Triglav visible in the distance.
Return
After taking in the views, we descend through Trnovec along the Ločnica valley towards the Sora River. The Sora, a right-bank tributary of the Sava, is formed by the confluence of the Selca Sora and Poljane Sora.
The final section follows quieter local roads through small settlements towards Šentvid and back to the starting point in Podutik.
Along the way
Towns and villages
Toško Čelo (2 km), Topol pri Medvodah (6 km), Trnovec (12 km), Sora (17 km), Rakovnik (18 km), Goričane (19 km), Vaše (20 km), Medvode (21 km), Seničica (22 km), Medno (23 km), Stanežiče (25 km), Ljubljana (28 km)
Food and drink
- Gostilna Dobnikar (6 km from the start): Gostilna Dobnikar in Topol has a long tradition dating back to 1866 and serves traditional Slovenian cuisine. It enjoys a scenic location with views towards Ljubljana and the surrounding hills.
- Gostilna Pr' Jur (7 km from the start): Gostilna Pr' Jur in Katarina is a traditional village restaurant serving homemade Slovenian dishes and desserts. It stands at the top of Topol, near the Church of St. Catherine and the route towards St. James.
Parking and trains
- Kurirček Monument (0 km from the start): The route starts on the edge of Podutik at the Kurirček Monument, where a few parking spaces are available.
- Parking (32 km from the start): Parking at Bike Park Ljubljana, where you can leave your car.
Sights
- Toško Čelo (2 km from the start): Toško Čelo is a settlement on the eastern edge of the Polhov Gradec Hills, known for its views towards the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. During the Second World War, the settlement was burned down and later rebuilt.
- Church of St. Catherine (7 km from the start): The Church of St. Catherine stands in Topol pri Medvodah, close to the route towards St. James.
- Church of St. James (8 km from the start): The Church of St. James stands on an 806-metre-high hill and can be reached by a path from Topol. In clear weather, it offers views of the Ljubljana Basin, the Karawanks and the Julian Alps, including Mount Triglav.
- Bike Park Ljubljana (32 km from the start): Bike Park Ljubljana in Podutik offers mountain biking trails and skills areas for riders of different levels, from beginners to more experienced cyclists. It is a great place to improve your riding skills and enjoy the trails.