12 Zvecaj naar Logarska Dolina via Prirode Nature Park en Ozalj Castle
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RouteXpert Leonor Orban - Sr. RouteXpert
Last edit: 06-12-2020
Route Summary
This route is the twelfth ride in a route collection by Marc Telkamp. In 2015 the routes were plotted and driven by him in the Alps and Eastern Europe.Today you drive back North to Slovenia from Croatia. With already 11 beautiful rides “in the pocket”, you can look back on a wonderful tour. Slowly the way back to the Netherlands begins, but not without a few more beautiful days. Today is such a beautiful day.
You drive on a mix of main and small roads through a number of green nature parks. You start the day along the Dobra river, which leads you to the Prirode nature park. Here you also cross the border into Slovenia, after which a steep descent starts and your journey eventually leads you to the protected nature reserve of Logarska Dolina.
Along the way you will learn more about the noble Frankopan family and if you want to know more, visit the castles to experience how this family has influenced the history of Croatia.
In short, a wonderful day driving along meandering rivers, through beautiful valleys and over beautiful mountain peaks. Of course, the inner man is not neglected either: there are plenty of opportunities along the way to enjoy the local cuisine!
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
9h 6m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
252.62 km
Countries
Logarska Dolina
RouteXpert Review
This is the twelfth stage of a tour through Germany, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The routes have been plotted and driven in 2015 by Marc Telkamp. This route has again been adapted: the distance has been shortened, so that you have more time to look around on the way. And today you will certainly fall short: the Prirode Nature Reserve, a number of beautiful castles and a beautiful motorcycle museum are on the menu.Today you travel from Zvecaj (Croatia) to the Logarska Dolina protected nature reserve in Slovenia. Since today is a long day, we start slowly. The first part follows a sloping road along the Dobra river. Along the way you can choose to make your first trip right away. Just like yesterday's route, today you will also pass a castle that was once owned by the Frankopan family. It is estimated that the castle (now in ruins) was built around the 12th century. Just after rp 3 you can turn right and drive a beautiful old bridge over the Dobra river. From here you follow the main road until you can take a smaller road in the first sharp (hairpin) bend to the left. Now you drive directly to the castle ruins. You can park in front of the entrance and take a look. Even though the building is now in ruins, what it stands still gives a good idea of the size of the building at the time. If you don't feel the need to visit the ruins, you still have a great view of the castle from the route, located on a hill.
After about 45 minutes the Dobra River says goodbye. The river bends back South with a big bend, while the route continues North. In Ozalj you will get to know another big river in Croatia: the Kupa (rp 7). This river has a length of about 297 km, of which 117 km forms the border between Croatia and Slovenia. The northern part of this river in particular is very clean, so the local population likes to cool down in the Kupa in the summer months. In Ozalj you have even more sights. Here too is a beautiful castle (see rp 6 for route instructions). It is actually a 12th century fortress, later converted into a castle. It is built on top of a cliff overlooking the Kupa River.
This castle was once again owned by the Frankopan family. This noble family has had a great influence on the history of Croatia, from the 12th to the 17th century. The family owned large tracts of land, was extremely prosperous and had close ties with nobility in their region. For example, they have had strong ties with Hungarian kings and Italian nobles. They also made a (failed) attempt, along with other noble families, to overthrow the rule of the Habsburg family. This out of dissatisfaction, because the Habsburgs attached more value to good relations with the West rather than the well-being of their people and allies in the East. If you want to learn more about this family, a visit to the Ozalj castle is an educational place.
Slowly but surely the route starts a steep climb through the Prirode Nature Park, over the mountains of Žumberak and Samobor (rp 8). They are certainly not the highest mountains on your route today (± 800m), but the road through the nature reserve is wonderful. The nature reserve covers an area of 333 km2 and contains characteristics of the Dinaric Mountains, the Alps and the Pannonian plateau. You will also experience this mixture during your ride. At first the landscape is sloping with small hills; the road curves wonderfully through this area. Gradually the mountains get higher and rougher and the road becomes more winding and challenging. These rough mountains sometimes make you think you are in the Alps. The border crossing (rp 10) between Croatia and Slovenia makes it clear that you are somewhere else. Don't forget to take a break along the way. Bistro Žumberački Raj (rp 9) is reminiscent of the delicious restaurants on top of mountain passes. Here you can enjoy the view and the local dishes on their menu.
At rp 10 you really say goodbye to Croatia to return to Slovenia. This time you drive a little more East through the country (compared to your outward journey earlier this trip). You descend fairly quickly from the mountains to start another (slow) ascent to the North of Slovenia.
Along the way you have a number of options to take a break. You can stop at Restaurant Repovž (rp 17) in Šentjanž or at Restaurant Lovski Dom (rp 22) on top of the Preval Vrhe pass. There are no special sights along the way, but that doesn't make this part of the route any less. Wonderfully carefree you can drive on a variety of small and somewhat more main roads to the North.
An interesting stop awaits you there: the Grom Motorcycle Museum (rp 25). This museum has a private collection of more than 140 special motorcycles. For example, you can admire Puch motorcycles from 1906 and 1912, as well as Indians and Harley Davidsons from the 1920s. Or how about other brands such as ABC, Ner-a-Car, Majestic, Ariel, Gilera, Boehmerland and Guzzi. For those who prefer to skip the museum, you can also take a break in Vransko before starting the last part of the route.
You enter the Kamnian Alps with the final destination Logarska Dolina. The Logar valley was created in the last ice age, after the retreat of a glacier. Since 1987 it has been a protected nature reserve due to several special features. Here you will find a number of beautiful waterfalls and very old protected trees. If you have the time, consider staying at the hotel for 2 nights. This gives you the space to take a nice day hike to the Rinka waterfall, one of the highest in Slovenia (105m). The walk takes you from the base of the waterfall to the top, through a number of beautiful viewpoints. The hotel is certainly willing to provide a packed lunch for the walk ...
The route receives 5 stars. It is undoubtedly wonderful to drive through a number of beautiful nature reserves (Prirode Nature Park and the Kamnische Alps) and along the way you will learn more about the noble Frankopan family thanks to two beautiful castles. And without any effort, you have a sufficient supply of nice terraces and restaurants along the way.
Grom Motorcycle Museum Vransko (rp 25)
Ozalj Castle (rp 7)
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Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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