16892

Croatia / Slovenia / Hungary: Slovenia's Easternmost Point

Today was all about the ride. The destination was Slovenia's easternmost point, a remote corner where the borders of Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary come together. Of course, we took the long way around, exploring roads on all three sides of the border and collecting more than 300 kilometres before returning to our base in Hrvatsko Zagorje.

Riding along the Ledava border river.

Not the best bikes motorbikes for this adventure.

Too early to smile like that, we still need to go back.

The meeting point of the Ledava and Kerka (Krka) rivers, near the tripoint of Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary.

The quiet Ledava may not be one of Slovenia's famous rivers, but it is the largest river of the Goričko region and accompanies travellers all the way to the country's easternmost edge.

Unlike many famous landmarks, Slovenia's easternmost point is hidden deep within the forests of Murska Šuma. There are no crowds, no ticket offices and no souvenir shops, just rivers, woodland and a quiet corner where three countries meet.

 

Off-roading again.

 

Huge lunch in Lenti.

Exploring the remote borderlands where Slovenia, Croatia and Hungary meet.

Geocaches found (all received a visit by trackable items "Second Angel of peace", TBA8B55 and "Twin Star", TB33TN8):

- Crkva Svetog Vida u Vidovcu, GC6MB05

- Slo_E, Multi, GC27W8H

#motorbike #HrvatskoZagorje #geocaching

16891

Slovenia / Croatia: Riding to Hrvatsko Zagorje

Sometimes the best motorcycle trips begin with the simplest plan. This weekend, Nada and I headed for our weekend retreat in Hrvatsko Zagorje, which served as our base for two days of riding.

Day one started with a morning commute to Ljubljana aboard the Blue Horse, my trusty Yamaha FZ6 S2. After work, I left the main roads behind and followed a network of winding country roads towards Hrvatsko Zagorje. By late afternoon, Nada and I were reunited at the cottage.

A quick lawn mowing session was the last task of the day before we could finally relax and look forward to a full weekend on two wheels. The adventure had only just begun.

 

Thunder and Blue Horse.

Ride - day 1.

 

Best to get the important work done on the very first day.

#motorbike #HrvatskoZagorje

16886

Slovenia / Austria: Lokovnikov Grintovec - Hajnžev Praprotnik

Nada dropped us (Bronco and me) off at the last bend before the Ljubelj border crossing early in the morning, and from there we set off on foot towards Planina Korošica. Upon reaching the mountain pasture, we continued directly towards the border ridge and then on to Dovjak Saddle, where we chose the route leading to Lokovnikov Grintovec.

After a short break at the summit, we returned to the saddle and followed trail 650 for a while. However, we soon left the marked route behind, determined to visit Hajnžev Praprotnik, a peak neither of us had climbed before. Despite being rarely visited, it proved to be an excellent viewpoint, offering impressive views of Košuta and the surrounding mountains.

By then, the heat was already making its presence felt, so we took advantage of a patch of shade for a well-earned rest before continuing. A short descent followed, and then the final climb to Hajnževo sedlo saddle. With that ascent behind us, the hardest part of the day was over.

On the way back, we made one last stop at Planina Korošica for traditional žganci and sour milk, the perfect reward after a long day in the mountains (Garmin Connect). Another beautiful hike, great views, and good company made for a successful day in the Karawanks.

View to Košutica from Dovjak Saddle.

Top of Lokovnikov Grintovec, 1809 m.

Tuši and Bronco.

View from the summit to Košutica and Veliki vrh.

Looking across the Karawanks towards some of its iconic two-thousand-metre summits.

Hajnžev Praprotnik rewarded us with fine views of Košutica, Dovjak Saddle, and Lokovnikov Grintovec, the summit we had conquered earlier in the day.

Although already tired, Bronco still managed to find enough energy to chase after wildlife.

 

A well-earned rest in the shade gave us the energy we needed for the rest of the hike.

Hajnžev Praprotnik, 1727 m.

 

The dog-day heat was hard on all of us, but Bronco handled it the best. A quick rest in the shade, followed by a refreshing dip in a muddy puddle.

 

Last climb of the day to Hajnževo sedlo saddle.

Finally reaching Planina Korošica, where žganci and sour milk were waiting for us.

Traditional mountain food.

Geocache found:

- Zeller Prapotnik (1727m), GCA9W80, that received a visit by trackable items "Second Angel of peace", TBA8B55 and "Twin Star", TB33TN8

#hiking #mountains #Karawanks #geocaching #CatahoulaLeopardDog

16884

Slovenia: MTB - Potoška gora

Thursday meant another guided MTB tour. Once again, only Nada joined the ride, which gave her plenty of time to stop for photos. She was riding her eMTB, while I had to rely on my own legs for the climbs.

We started in Preddvor and soon turned onto a lesser-known shortcut. Before long, the trail became steep enough that we had to push our bikes for a short section, but it wasn't long before we rejoined the planned route. The climb continued beneath St. Jakob and towards the slopes of Potoška gora, with only the final few metres requiring another brief push.

After taking a few photos at the top, our routes diverged. Nada chose the same gravel road back down to the valley, while I opted for a more adventurous descent, following the trail from the summit past St. Jakob all the way back to Preddvor - Garmin Connect.

A great way to spend another Thursday evening on the bike, combining quiet forest roads, scenic views, and a fun trail descent back to the valley.

  

We left the gravel road too soon, so we had to push the bikes for a while.

The eMTB smile is real.

Not a long time ago, the fire destroyed the forest here.

Not far from the summit.

A quick summit selfie before our paths split.

Black Mamba's first time on Potoška gora, 1283 m.

#MTB #Guide #KamnikSavinjaAlps

16880

Slovenia: Jošt - Bladovica - Gladki hrib - Špicasti hrib

Just like the previous Sunday, we decided to head out for another hike.

We started in Čepulje and first climbed up to Jošt, which was also the highest point of the day. From there, we continued towards Špičasti hrib, picking up a couple of smaller peaks along the way - Bladovica and Gladki hrib - Garmin Connect.

To finish off the day, we stopped by Jana's place in Čepulje, which is also where our Bronco comes from.

 

Easy path towards Jošt above Kranj, 845 m.

 

A quick photo stop in front of St. Jošt before continuing our hike.

 

Most of the route took us along forest trails.

Nada.

View towards Šmarna gora and Škofja Loka.

  

Conquering Bladovica, 774 m, and Gladki hrib, 785 m.

Nada, Bronco and Tuši on our last summit, Špičasti hrib, 837 m.

Following the signs.

 

A visit to Bronco’s birthplace.

 

A quick beer garden stop on our way home.

Geocache found:

- Špičasti hrib 837m, GC8CR33, that received a visit by trackable items "Second Angel of peace", TBA8B55 and "Twin Star", TB33TN8

#hiking #mountains #geocaching #CatahoulaLeopardDog