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Cycling the most visited part of the Upper Carniola region brings us to the famous Lake Bled. The feeling that we simply have to stop, as the views are just so beautiful we need to take time and take them in, is truly overwhelming. Cycling brings us to Radovljica, the Slovenian “capital” of beekeeping and chocolate, and its small, but very well preserved old town. Passing by traditional villages, nestled at the foot of the high Karavanke mountains, we are treated to unique and always peaceful views of the surrounding orchards, meadows and the crystal-clear Sava-Bohinjka river.
Sights
Vintgar Gorge
Along its way, the River Radovna has carved a deep gorge, which today is home to picturesque natural pools, white rapids and small waterfalls. Through the nearly two-kilometre-long and up to 250-metre-deep gorge, leads a wooden pathway with bridges just above the water.
Lake Bled and Bled Castle
Centuries ago, the famous Slovenian poet Prešeren called Bled “an image of paradise” and he was right — the turquoise lake with an island and church in the middle, a medieval castle sitting on top of a high cliff and mighty mountains in the background conjure up a true paradise. Its mild, healing climate, thermal lake water and countless natural and cultural sights make it the most popular destination for visitors in Slovenia.
Anton Janša’s memorial apiary
Today, the apiary of Anton Janša, known as the Slovenian pioneer of modern beekeeping, is restored as a memorial. It is especially famous for its unique hand-painted front panels, and due to its special design, the hives can easily be moved to other locations.
Radovljica Old Town
The old town of Radovljica, also known as “Slovenia’s chocolate and beekeeping capital”, has well-preserved houses from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. One of them is Šivec House, which is one of the best examples of a renaissance townhouse in Slovenia. The viewpoint at the end of the Old Town serves up wonderful views of the Sava river, the Jelovica plateau and the Julian Alps.
Radovna Valley
The valley, named after the glacial river that runs through it, is one of the most beautiful valleys of Triglav National Park. It is known for its hummocky meadows, a typical formation on the floor of the valley, which is the result of glaciation in the last ice age.
Forests of the Pokljuka Plateau and the Goreljek peat bogs
Pokljuka is a high Karst Plateau at the eastern end of the Triglav National Park, covered in endless forests. Numerous karst forms can be found on Pokljuka, such as sinkholes, abysses and caves and hummocky meadows. The deep forests of Pokljuka hide peat bogs — a precious natural area of constant standing water with a few centimetres or metres thick layer of peat overgrown with peat mosses.
Gorjuše
Gorjuše is an old alpine village, located at an altitude of 1000 metres above sea level. For the past few centuries, the village has been known for its traditional craft of making wooden smoking pipes. The Gorjuše pipes (locals named them “čedra”) which are made of pear, maple or boxwood, are made in various shapes and decorated with pieces made out of mother-of-pearl, silver metal and brass.
Vintgar Gorge
Along its way, the River Radovna has carved a deep gorge, which today is home to picturesque natural pools, white rapids and small waterfalls. Through the nearly two-kilometre-long and up to 250-metre-deep gorge, leads a wooden pathway with bridges just above the water.