Velika Planina, Slovenia. DayS 186 – 187 October 14th – 15th 2018
We left Lake Bled and drove as we had been instructed towards Koca Bistra, our place for the night. A traditional hilltop herdsman hut.
We had booked our mountain accommodation and then discovered, incidentallly, the path to get there when Rok, the owner, emailed asking – were we getting the cable car and ski lift or were we walking up! Not the romantic arrival I had anticipated but we could work with this – what fun.
The following was included in our emailed instructions:
“Velika planina is a karstified mountain plateau in the Kamnik–Savinja Alps northeast of Kamnik, Slovenia. The average elevation is 1,500 metres (4,900 feet) above sea level; its highest point is Mount Gradišče at 1,666 m (5,466 ft). The weather conditions in the mountains can be highly unpredictable, suitable clothes and footwear are strongly advised. Going to the mountains requires good physical strength and backpacks (suitcases are not appropriate).”
Opting for the Cable Car we arrived a little early for the cable car. Parking the car at the cable car park at the base of Velika Planina so began our adventure. As we waited we chatted to a man heading up the mountain with bike and dog – we followed him overhead from the ski lift as we all left the cable car.
Following instructions we arrived at the cottage quite early to be greeted by a couple whom we thought they were guests – it was the owners – Rok and Anna – so friendly and accommodating. A lovely while sitting on the verandah with a beer and chatting. Rok recommended a great place for lunch along with a suggested walk.
We had discovered on the way up that the cable car was closing the next day for a week of maintenance. This meant we would need to walk back down. Fortunately Roc was a man of the mountain and arranged for us to get a lift down with local workers – a much safer (and quicker) option than the mountain trail down.
Gostisce Zeleni Rob – the recommended lunch restaurant was over-busy as we set off after our check-in and chat – so we went walking towards other restaurants. Thinking we were reading the map and following Roc’s instructions – oh dear – we were reading the map the wrong way up and ended up on the wrong side of mountain – no restaurants, and increasingly nothing made sense!
It did not really matter which way we walked – it was autumn and the leaves were beautiful.
We had lost the restaurants mentioned on the map so we eventually ended up back to Local Gostisce Zeleni Rob which had been full – now quiet. Sitting in a sunny spot as the day cooled down – Chris had Blinis with mushrooms and cheese – Rok’s excellent recommendation.
Time for another walk – this time we got instructions right and made it to the sunset spot just in time for a gentle sunset across an expansive clear sky complete with misty cloud surround the mountains below.
Our cottage was gorgeous and given we had bought nothing it was wonderful for find a well stocked pantry. We had ordered Breakfast and discovered there was enough local produce on the platter to accommodate dinner and breakfast. This included beautiful local cheese, honey and salami style meat. With the antipasta we added beer and wine from their little pantry, sat outside in the dying light – it was perfect.
The evening sunset walk up to mountain top included a view out to the lights of Llubjana and clusters of Herders Cottages across the hilltops.
Coming home to a single light in the window to guide us. And a comfortable nights sleep after local cheese and meat.
Next morning it was reluctantly time to leave but not before a short walk and ride down the mountain with a group of workers from the restaurant. As we drove both of us agreed it was a better option that walking the twisty mountain road.
