Trail nr. 20: The High Karst Trail
HIKING AND CYCLING TRAILS
Starting point
Predgriže
The Črni Vrh Plateau is famous for winter sports, especially the Trnovo Marathon. Year round, it offers numerous possibilities to spend active time in nature and learn about the natural and cultural heritage of the area. On the north, it rises steeply above the Idrijca River Valley; on the South, it is surrounded by steep peaks that offer amazing views onto the Adriatic Sea and Mt. Triglav.
The High Karst Trail is a flatlands trail that you can begin with the Karst Forest Educational trail. It offers a wonderful possibility of taking a cycling trip across the High Karst, where you can see Karst fields with their sinking rivers and swallow holes, uvalas and sinkholes, the deepest abyss of the area, and a few interesting cultural attractions. The best time for a cycling trip across the Črni Vrh Plateau is definitely in the spring, before grass is cut and when the meadows are full of blossoming flowers
You will need around an hour for a slow cycling trip on this trail. You can then connect with the Matuckar Trail that will take you over the Zadlog Plateau. If you wish to go on hiking and taking in some sights, you can walk the Kampare Trail that will offer beautiful vistas to the Idrijca River Valley.
Attractions
- Predgriže Pool
As the karstic surface could not hold much water, people used to collect water in pools (called lokev in the Črni Vrh dialect). Nowadays, they are used as drinking spots for the livestock and are home to numerous interesting animals and plants. - Habeček Abyss
The deepest measured abyss in the area. A natural bridge formed in the rock in front of the entrance into the abyss. - Ponds
Wet and occasionally marshy meadows formed on the impermeable layer at the thrust. They are home to interesting and rare plants. - Brin Hill
- Andrejček Abyss
Above the Andrejček Abyss, there is a memorial to the people killed in the post-WWII massacres. - Firma
In 1717, the bishop left the village without administering the children the sacrament of confirmation and without giving a reason for why he did so. The children and the other locals ran after him,begging him to change his mind and an inscription carved in stone at the old road from Črni Vrh to Idrija still bears testament to these events. - Flax cave
Stone building used to dry flax, which was sown and produced in the Črni Vrh region until the mid-20th century. - Trails in the vicinity
Karst Forest Educational Trail
Matuckar Trail
Kampare Trail
Panoramic summits above Črni Vrh - Panoramic Summits
Javornik
Velika peč
Špičasti vrh
Local services
Trail map
Trail description
Reaching the starting point: From the direction of Ljubljana, first drive to Logatec, then towards Godovič. Once in Godovič, turn left at the crossroads towards Črni Vrh. After 5 km, you will reach the signpost for Predgriže. This crossroads is our starting point; you can park your car in the vicinity or take the main road to Črni Vrh, which is a bit more than 2 km away.
From the direction of Idrija, you can drive through the Zala Valley to Godovič, where, at the roundabout, you take the first exit to Črni Vrh. After 200 m, the road will join the Ljubljana–Godovič–Črni Vrh road (see access from the direction of Ljubljana).
From the direction of Nova Gorica, you can drive through the Vipava Valley to Ajdovščina, then continue towards Col and Črni Vrh. When you reach Črni Vrh, you can park in the centre of the village or thrive a good 2 km towards Godovič and park at the signpost for Predgriže.
Trail description: From the signpost for Predgriže, an asphalt road will first lead you through the village of Predgriže. 1 km from the starting point, the road will turn into a macadam road and first lead accross a field, past a pool, and then enter into a forest. Only a few metres before it joins the local road towards Idrijski Log, there are a few trodden paths (no signs) towards the Habeček Abyss. The abyss is not fenced so make sure you approach it carefully. It is recommended to leave your bicycle at the side of the road as there is less than 200 m to the abyss. You can then continue on the trail until it joins the local road. Turn right and, when you reach the first house, turn left. Along the macadam road, you can observe the marshy meadows with interesting rare plants: various types of protected orchids and irises, marsh grass, peat mott, etc. When you reach houses, make a U-turn and return to the main road, where you turn left towards Idrijski Log. After a little less than a kilometre, continue straight ahead at the crossroads and enter the forest. 100 metres ahead, you will find a signpost for the Andrejček Abyss on your right. Here, you can also leave your bike at the side of the road and walk to the secured abyss, which is only 20 m away. Then take your bike and return to the first crossroads, where you turn right and, after 100 m, take another right that will take you uphill. After a little less than 500 m, you will reach an inscription Firma carved into stone in 1717. Return to the crossroads, turn right and continue towards Zadlog, the landscape of High Karst with holes, swallow holes, and other Karst phenomena. After one and a half km, you will see a well-preserved flax cave on your left. You are left with a short ascent on the local road that then connects the road to Bela. Here, you take a left turn to Zadlog, where you will soon join the Matuckar Trail. If you wish to cycle a part of the Matuckar Trail, follow the poles with the QR kode. If not, you can follow the signs for Črni Vrh to reach your starting point.
VISIT IDRIJA
