This year I finally organized the first
MTB tour in our town, and six riders decided to join me for a day of cycling, adventure, and a little bit of history. Most cyclists reach
Prelaz Ljubelj (Loibl Pass) from the
Slovenian side, but we wanted to do something different. Our plan was to cross through the Ljubelj tunnel into
Austria and then climb to the pass from the Austrian side. It may not be the most common approach, but it certainly adds a unique perspective to one of the most historic crossings in the
Karavanke Mountains. The weather was perfect, and the atmosphere in the group was relaxed from the very beginning. After rolling through the tunnel, we found ourselves on the Austrian side, surrounded by beautiful alpine scenery and quiet mountain roads. Along the way, we stopped at one of the darkest places in our history, a sobering reminder of the events that unfolded here during
World War II. After taking a moment to reflect, we continued our climb toward Ljubelj pass. Thankfully, the ascent was steady rather than brutal, allowing us to enjoy the views, share stories, and chat all the way to the top. Once at the summit, we celebrated with a few group photos and took some time to admire the surrounding mountains before descending and returning to our starting point -
Garmin Connect.
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| One of the most important stops of the day was the site of the former Loibl Pass concentration camp, located near the northern entrance of the tunnel. Many people pass through Ljubelj without realizing the tragic history hidden beneath these mountains. During the Second World War, the Nazis established two subcamps of the Mauthausen concentration camp system at Ljubelj/Loibl Pass, one on each side of the mountain. Between 1943 and 1945, around 1800 prisoners were forced to work on the construction of the tunnel that connects Slovenia and Austria today. |
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| The road on the Austrian side is less crowded. |
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| When you are on electric bike, you have plenty of time for selfies. |
Tina and Mateja.
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| Our destination is pass in the middle. |
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| Almost whole group on the photos. |
Time for a few wishes.
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| Tina, Sabina, Mateja, Tuši, Robi, Nada and Elvis. |
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