Trail nr. 16: Zavratec Plateau
HIKING AND CYCLING TRAILS
Starting point
Zavratec
Amid the uneven land of the Zavratec plateau lies Zavratec, an old farming village where many of the houses are decorated with portals with intricate carvings. The village lies on a small, karstified plateau surrounded by the torrential ravines of Črna, Jakopnik, and Sovra.
The village probably dates back to the 14th century, when this land was under the jurisdiction of the town of Škofja Loka. The Baroque church on the hill is dedicated to St Ulrich – the carving above its entrance boasts the year 1647. The church was first mentioned in the Škofja Loka urbarium from 1501. The village has a well preserved granary Pr’ Možinat and a fruit-drying shed, preserving the memory of past times when people lived off of what the land graciously provided them.
The village lies next to an old road that used to connect the Slovene Littoral (with the city of Trieste) and the inland through Poljanska dolina and Škofja Loka. The plateau, with its water spring, surrounded by hills and full of fertile soil, was a suitable stop for traders transporting goods.
The path will lead you even further into history, all the way to the Paleolithic period and the time of the Neanderthals. You will also have the opportunity to see an incredible creation of nature – a natural stone table that fascinates travelers to this day.
Attractions
- St Ulrich Church
- Granary Pr´ Možinat
- The Chambers of Matjaž
- Bezjak Waterfall
- Memorial to the Fallen in World War II
The memorial was built where, on 15 December 1943, 16 soldiers lost their lives. - Tomaž’s Table
- Liberator B-24
- Panoramic Summits
Hrečevc (1128 m)
A hill at the edge of the Dole Plateau. About 80 meters below its slope lies the spring of the Črna River with an underground syphon. Hrečevc offers a wonderful view toward Žirovski vrh and Vrh Svetih Treh Kraljev.
Local services
Trail map
Trail description
Reaching the starting point: From Ljubljana, take the road to Logatec, then continue toward Godovič. When you reach the first crossing in Godovič (right after passing the Church of St Urban), take a right turn toward Zavratec. Follow the narrow, serpentine road to Zavratec. After 8 km of driving from Godovič, you will reach the village of Zavratec, where you can park in the parking lot below the Church of St Ulrich.
From Tolmin, take the road through the Idrijca river valley to Idrija and continue toward Logatec (in the direction of Ljubljana). In the last crossing with traffic lights (next to the stadium) leave the main road by taking a left turn toward Dole. When you reach Dole, continue toward Godovič. After 2 km, the sign will direct you to the left toward Zavratec. After about 12 km of driving from Idrija, you will reach the village of Zavratec, where you can park in the parking lot below the Church of St Ulrich.
If you are taking the road through Poljanska dolina, first take the road to Žiri, then continue toward Logatec. After about 9 km, the sign will direct you to the right toward Zavratec. After 3 km, the narrow road will lead you to the village of Zavratec, where you can park in the parking lot below the Church of St Ulrich.
Trail description:
Begin your hike at the Idrija Geopark information board at the parking lot in Zavratec. Above the parking lot is the Church of St Ulrich. On the opposite side, on the other side of the meadow, you can see the restored granary Pr’ Možinat. Continue along the local asphalt road through Spodnji Zavratec to the crossing with the main Logatec–Žiri road and take a left turn. The road along the Sovra River will lead you to a picturesque cliffside with six entrances into the cave called the Chambers of Matjaž on the other side of the river. The chambers lie right next to the main road (close to a gravel passing place), so you might miss them – pay close attention. Continue your journey along the main road to the crossing, where the signpost for Ravne directs you to the left to Podklanec, where after 300 m you begin going uphill. Right before the ascent, to the left there is a fork to a gravel road that is the easiest route to reach the Bezjak waterfall by bicycle (see trail description below). If you decide to continue toward Tomaž’s table, the steep road will take you to Ravne. On the left side of the road, you can see the memorial to the National Liberation Movement. At the signpost for Dole, take a right turn, immediately followed by a left turn. The asphalt turns to a gravel road that leads to a crossing with a forest path at the end of a meadow. Take the gravel road uphill to the left toward Tomaž’s table. There are signs leading the way, but pay close attention to them and be careful. The table cannot be reached by bicycle, so we recommend you get off your bicycle and leave it near the narrow path. Continue on foot – the table is only a short distance away. Return to the asphalt road in the same manner, and continue toward Dole. After about 4 km of a road that intermittently transitions between gravel and asphalt, you will reach the crossing at Dole. Take a left turn toward Zavratec and return to the starting point.
Optional trail: The Bezjak Waterfall
If you decide to visit the Bezjak waterfall on foot, we recommend you start at the Zavratec parking lot. Continue along the road past the chapel toward Spodnji Zavratec. After an old, dilapidated house, you will see a hand-crafted wooden sign that will direct you to the left, to a gravel road. After about 250 m, you will reach a 90-degree turn. Continue straight ahead to a forest path that starts descending. There are no signs here, so pay attention to the path. At first, the path leads through meadows, then it continues into the forest along a stream that becomes a torrent in rainy weather. After approximately 10 minutes of walking, you can already spot the waterfall. Follow the path to reach it. Return to the starting point in the same manner. The waterfall can also be reached from Podklanec by bicycle – this trail is described below.
If you decide to visit the Bezjak waterfall by bicycle, we recommend you start at the turn at the Podklanec–Ravne road, right before the road goes uphill and where there is a fork to a gravel road to the left. Continue on the path along the stream of Črni potok uphill. After several hundred meters you have to cross a wide stream for the first time. Along the path, you cross it an additional four times. Decide yourself how you want to cross it – we recommend that you either cross it barefoot or in suitable water-proof boots. The waterfall lies about 200 m from the last place where you have to cross the stream. Take the same road to return to the starting point.
VISIT IDRIJA
