We will begin our trip at the
village Banja Loka at the Pri Papeževih tourist farm. If we still have
energy (HBR 17 trail) and decide to extend our trip downwards through
the villages Vimolj and Rajšele, towards the Kolpa River and then to the
village Selo pri Kostelu, our trip will begin at the Padovac excursion
farm. The landlords of both locations will welcome us and offer us home-made
quality brandy bearing the Kostel rakija label denoting its geographical
origin.
We will continue our descent
towards the Kolpa River. In between we will stop at the mighty Kostel
Castle. If we do not have a guide with us to tell us about the castle’s
history we can read about it on the info signposts. The route to the
village Žaga towards the Kolpa River is considerably steep and requires
caution. We will take a break at the Kolpa River and during the summer,
take a dip in the water.
Following the rest-stop, we
will ascend up the hill towards the village Suhor past the village
Podstena. In Suhor a bee-keeper will be waiting for us. He will offer us
various articles made from quality honey bearing the Kočevje forest
honey label with the copyrighted mark of origin. From here, we will
continue towards the regional road, crossing it at the village Kaptol
and continuing our ride towards the village Ajbelj where we will visit
the village’s artificial pond, which was renovated in 2004. This pond
was once used to water animals. Supposedly twenty cows could drink from
the pond at a time. We will continue through the village and along the
original macadam road to the village Morava.
We will ride on along the
steep slopes towards the top of Stojni mountain to Mestni vrh. Only a
several minute walk from the trail and a scenic view of the ruins of the
former wondrous Castle Fridrihštajn will come into view, the castle in
which the unlucky Veronika Deseniška and Count Friderik, one of the
Counts of Celje, lived. We can also ride up to the peak of Mestni vrh
which affords a beautiful view of the town of Kočevje.
To conclude the trip, a cosy
mountain lodge awaits us in the middle of the pine forest under the
auspices of the Kočevje Alpine Society. Benches are scattered around the
area for weary travellers as well as ties for horses. Nearby, the murmur
of the Jelenov spring can be heard. Here we can rest and enjoy home-made
delicacies and spend the night in the lodge.
Additional information about
the trail:
