Come to Škofja Loka and get a perfect summer active break
The Škofja Loka countryside is ideal for hiking, cycling, horse-riding and other active pursuits. Water lovers can enjoy natural swimming pools, fishing enthusiasts will revel in the rivers and fishing districts. Those seeking special adventures will be attracted by the sky on one side, and caves and chasms on the other. Winter offers sledging and skiing. Various adventure programmes offer inspiration for every day of the year!
Cycling
Hundreds of kilometres of marked and arranged cycle trails lead through the Škofja Loka hills and valleys. There are routes suitable for all types of cyclist, from those seeking more leisurely recreational rides to those seeking more of a challenge.
Loka Cycle Route
The Škofja Loka hills and Sorica fields offer excellent varied terrain for cycling enthusiasts and offer well-arranged and marked cycling routes which together form the 390km-long Loka Cycle Route. The entire route is divided into 13 stages, some of which are shorter and easier, others are more suitable for more experienced and well-prepared cyclists. All the routes lead past various cultural monuments, restaurants, inns and snack bars, tourist farms, and mountain huts.
At a number of specially marked control points there are stamps which can be collected on a card. A card for collecting stamps can be obtained together with a map of the Loka Cycle Route from Tourist Information Centre Škofja Loka area.
Tourism Škofja Loka wishes you an enjoyable and safe journey on your cycling trip! Check our latest brochure here.
Circular Cycle Route — Žiri
The wide valley is surrounded by a ring of hills which offer an abundance of opportunities for recreation. The numerous forest paths in the surrounding hills and valleys have become targets for many cyclists and together form the Žiri circular cycle route.
The Žiri circular cycle route runs mostly along forest macadam trails and is suitable for mountain bikes. The length of the entire route is 54km. The route can be tailored according to your own wishes and capabilities. Some of the individual sections of the route are also suitable for families with young children — notably the part of the route through the Žirovnica and Račeva valleys. There is no need to worry about getting lost as the entire route is marked with orientation posts.
Every year the Žiri Tourist Association organises the event ‘The Žiri Cycle Circular’. The ride is recreational in nature and all lovers of cycling can participate. The event takes place on the last Saturday in August.
Circular Cycle Route of the Municipality Gorenja Vas — Poljane
The circular cycle route of the Municipality of Gorenja vas — Poljane runs close to the borders of the municipality of Gorenja vas — Poljane. The pleasant and safe trails, which offer wonderful views, lead past cultural and historic monuments, overnight accommodation, and snack bars.
The entire 115km route is divided into three stages, with a total altitude difference of 3,400 metres. Each of the stages can also be completed as an independent route.
A control card showing the 15 control points can be collected at the Petra Tavern. Prizes are given to those who complete the entire circular route and collect all the control stamps.
Hiking
The Škofja Loka hills, in the embrace of the Cerklje and Idrija hills and in close proximity to the mountain ridge of the Julian Alps, are crisscrossed with numerous well-maintained and marked hiking paths, which lead to peaks that offer unforgettable views of the surroundings. There are paths to suit everyone — for family outings, for those seeking recreation, and for hikers seeking more demanding routes. Many of the hills and peaks also have well-maintained mountain huts and lodges, which attract visitors from far and wide to stop for refreshment and enjoy the delicious homemade food.
The Gorenja vas — Poljane Municipal Walking Circle
Thanks to its fresh air, wonderful views, well-maintained marked paths, and authentic homemade delights, the land under Blegoš is a paradise for hikers. The Gorenja vas — Poljane Municipal Walking Circle more or less runs along the boundaries of the municipality and includes some of the most picturesque and attractive points and places with the most beautiful views, where hikers can stop, enjoy the view, rest and refresh.The entire path is 89 kilometres in length and has a total height difference of over 5,000 metres.
The Loka Mountain Trail (Loška Planinska Pot — LPP)
The Loka Mountain Trail covers the highest peaks of Lubnik and Blegoš, to Črni Vrh above Novaki, and also encompasses the Polhograd hills, touches the Idrija hills, crosses the Cerklje hills, and climbs to the summits of Ratitovec, which are the far ridges of the Julian Alps. It bypasses the middle and periphery of the area, which extends to the transition from the high Alps to their foothills. It is this transitional area that gives the Loka Mountain Trail its unique charm, due to the ever-changing character of the mountain landscapes.
The Loka Mountain Trail (Loška Planinska Pot — LPP) is marked with the usual Slovenian trail markers (a red circle with a white inner); in places there is an additional letter ‘L’. There are 32 points with control stamps.
Hiking Trails in Loka
The Škofja Loka hills offer lovers of sports a wide range of well-maintained hiking trails. For those who prefer more gentle strolls and shorter excursions there are numerous easily accessible theme trails and forest nature trails.
Mountain huts and open-door working farms are happy to welcome visitors and serve their delights. The warm hospitality offered by locals will make you want to return.
The Slovenian Mountain Trail
The Slovenian Mountain Trail is one of the longest and most popular long-distance interconnecting trails in Slovenia, as well as being the oldest interconnecting trail in the world.
The trail begins in Maribor and runs over the Pohorje Massif, crossing the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, the Karavanke, the Julian Alps and sub-Alpine hills before descending to the Karst and ending at the Debeli Rtič cape beside the Adriatic Sea. It is marked with the general Slovenian hiking path markers — a red circle with a white inner — and an additional number 1.
Horse Riding
The picturesque Škofja Loka countryside is a wonderful place for setting off on excursions by horseback and is therefore popular among lovers of horse riding. Spending a few hours on horseback amid pristine nature is a special experience. Experience a thrilling ride through the scenic valleys, forests and clearings and enjoy the natural beauty and endless vistas from the saddle.
For more information on where to do horseback riding in Škofja Loka, please follow this link.
Fishing
The Sora, Poljane Sora, and Selca Sora rivers and their tributaries invite admirers of nature. The rivers offer lovers of fishing a rich hunting ground for trout, rainbow trout, grayling, chub, barbel and Arctic char. The rapids, pool and channels are easily accessible, making it possible to fish throughout the rivers’ course.
The maintenance of the fishing areas and presevation of nature and the fish population is managed by four angling societies, from whom fishing permits can be purchased. For more information, check here.
Natural Outdoor Pools
In the summer months locals and visitors like to seek refreshment in Škofja Loka’s natural outdoor pools and bathing areas. The pools are well-arranged and maintained and food and refreshments are also available.
Special Experiences
The Škofja Loka area offers numerous opportunities for those seeking some adrenalin-filled ways to spend their free time, to get the heart racing, and to get away from everyday mundane life. For more special experiences please check Visit Škofja Loka website.
