Outdoor Adventures of the Logar Valley of Slovenia

If you want to feel like you have dropped into a fairy tale, visit the Logar Valley of Slovenia for outdoor adventures. Here you will find heart-stopping beauty as you hike and bike through this magical valley as well as the surrounding valleys of Robanov Kot and Matkov Kot.

A feeling of tranquility and awe hit the senses at the same moment here in the glaciated valleys. Solitary trees that have been given special protection highlight the rolling emerald pastures. The jagged mountain peaks are a backdrop to this bucolic beauty. Historic farms dot the valleys. And the locals are generous in sharing the magnificence of their homelands with you.

I will share some of the outdoor adventure activities found in the Logar Valley and surrounding areas.

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Where is the Logar Valley?

The Logar Valley is called Logarska Dolina in the Slovene language. It is located at the foot of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps north of Ljubljana, the capital city of Slovenia. Kamnik and the famous Velika Planina plateau lie to the south and Austria straddles the valleys to the north. Remote Matkov Kot lies to the west of the Logar Valley, while Robanov Kot Landscape Park is to the east.

Logistics of Visiting the Logar Valley for Outdoor Adventures

The best way to get to the Logar Valley is by car. It’s about 1.5 hours’ drive from the capital city of Ljubljana. If you are coming from the Triglav National Park area, you will drive through Austria. There are lots of hairpin turns on the way through Austria. However, it’s totally worth it as it’s an incredibly beautiful road.

I use and recommend Discover Cars to find your rental car in Slovenia. They work with reputable agencies offering excellent prices. For example, I had a flat tire on the trip and the car rental company was quite helpful. In addition, there are many toll roads in Slovenia so buy a toll pass from the rental car company. The e-vignette costs $15 per week and $30 per month.

The Logar Valley is a National Landscape park and has a 7 euros per car entry fee. The attention to sustainability is high in the area, therefore money raised through entry fees helps with preservation. If you are staying in the valley, you just need to pay once. On day trips, you pay each time you visit. Hench, it makes sense to seek accommodations in the valley.

Accommodations in the Logar Valley

I was delighted to stay at Lenar Tourist Farm in the heart of the Logar Valley. There is nothing like constantly being surrounded by the idyllic scenery of the magnificent glacial valley. I loved sitting out on the balcony of my room at Lenar Farm and soaking in the majesty of the surrounding alps.

Lenar Farm is the oldest farmstead in the Logar Valley, dating back to the 15th century. The area was a site of resistance in World War II so the farm buildings of the valley were burned in 1944. After the war, Lenar farm was rebuilt in 1947. The inn with its pleasant rooms is separate from the main house where the family lives and breakfast is served.

Ursha and her parents Minka and Avgust are the hosts for a delightful stay at Lenar Farm. Avgust was influential in bringing the concept of sustainability to awareness in the Logar Valley. The entire family is charming, attentive, and very sweet.

A breakfast buffet with local foods and home-baked treats awaits each morning. It’s a great way to fuel up for an active day of outdoor adventure. I loved the yogurt made from local cow’s milk, as well as Minka’s buttery baked goods.

Lenar Farm is a perfect base for outdoor adventures. The hike to Plesnikova Plaina and the Klemenči jami mountain hut starts behind the property and other trailheads are nearby. They supply the equipment needed for mountaineering and hiking such as hiking poles, helmets, and harnesses. Their top-notch mountain bike rental is included in the stay. Ebike rental is a reasonable 30 euros.

In sum, if you are new to farm stays or a longtime fan, Lenar Farm is the place to stay for tranquility and natural beauty all around you.

Other places to stay or eat in the Logar Valley

If a Lenar Farm stay is not available, Kmečka hiša Ojstrica across the road is a fine alternative. I often ate dinner here and enjoyed the local specialties of the homey restaurant. Moreover, an outdoor terrace for dining has magnificent views.

For a bit more upscale stay for outdoor adventures in the Logar Valley, Hotel Plesnik Logarska Dolina offers a pool and sauna in addition to its comfortable rooms. In addition, the restaurant is highly rated.

My favorite place to eat was at Dom Planincev, a mountain hut near the road. The ajdovi zganci, a buckwheat spoonbread added to soup, was amazing. After that, I topped it off with a blueberry strudel that melted in my mouth.

Outdoor Adventures of the Logar Valley

Biking Outdoor Adventures of the Logar Valley

Biking the Main Road

Certainly, riding a bicycle through the Logar Valley is a perfect way to absorb the pastoral charm. The main road is easy to ride as it’s mostly flat. A pleasant 7 km journey from the entrance station to the back of the valley near the Rinka Falls trailhead is perfect for the whole family. Be sure to stop for snacks at the restaurants mentioned or the snack bar at the Rinka Falls parking area.

Bike rental is available at the entrance station or at the Rinka Center in Solčava. Mountain bikes and E-bikes are available. Check out the exhibits while at the center and sample some of the local products for sale.

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Biking the Solčava Panoramic Road 

Definitely, my favorite cycling trip was on the Solčava Panoramic Road overlooking the Logar Valley. It is, without a doubt, the most beautiful road I’ve ever cycled. The 37-km Solcava panoramic road is accessible by car, however, cycling is really the best way to experience the journey. But, I recommend an E-bike due to the degree of climb up to the valley ridge.

I pedaled the panoramic road with Rok, a local mountain guide with a wealth of information. He leads hiking, mountaineering, and skiing tours in the valley. I had a toe injury from my Triglav National Park hut trip, so we decided to bike instead of hike. In short, I’m thrilled we did.

After ascending the 10-12º switchback road, the amazing panoramas of the valley revealed themselves at every turn. Interpretive signs tell a whimsical tale of a shepherd boy in search of his sheep while highlighting information about the cultural and natural features of the valley. Spoiler alert: a dragon is involved.

Tourist farms along the Solčava Panoramic Road 

Many tourist farms can be seen on the Solčava Panoramic Road including the highest tourist farm in Slovenia. Besides offering tourist accommodations, farms in the three valleys are diversified to be sustainable. Production of cheese, meat and milk products, wool, honey, tea, jam, candies, and mushrooms contributes to a family’s livelihood. Timber harvesting, marble carving, and small livestock herds also support the farm. Some farms offer meals with advanced notice.

The tradition of the high-altitude subsistence farms is certainly one of the big draws of the valleys. It’s a chance to experience the local people living in harmony with the land.

Mineral spring along the Solčava Panoramic Road

A spring of mineral water beneath Mt. Olševa is another stop while biking on the Solčava Panoramic Road. It’s located off the road near the Klemenšek farm. The iron-rich carbonated water has stained the surrounding rocks. The water is said to have healing properties. I found it a refreshing drink I’m sure was building my red blood cells.

Churches along the Solčava Panoramic Road

You will see the Church of the Holy Spirit high along the road in the settlement of Podolševa. The present church is a replica of the previous 15th-century church.

The Church of St. Mary of the Snows is located in the town of Solčava behind the Center Rinka. Parts of the church were built during the time of the Romans. The church is revered as one of the most well-preserved Gothic churches in the region.

Hiking Outdoor Adventures of the Logar Valley

Bear Trail

Potočka zijalka is the first Stone Age archaeological site found in Slovenia. The site is an ice cave where the skeletons of cave bears were discovered. In addition to other Stone Age tools, the discovery of a bone sewing needle is significant. An exhibit at the Rinka Center tells the fascinating story of the site.

The Bear Trail takes you to the site of the prehistoric cave bear. The trailhead is at the Rogar Tourist Farm, stop #4 on the Solčava Panoramic Road. The hike to the cave at the base of Mt. Olševa takes about 1 hour.

Rinka Falls Trail

The trail to Rinka Falls (Slap Rinka) is short and sweet. It starts at the parking lot at the end of the main road through Logar Valley. Then it takes about 15 minutes to reach the falls. Soon, you are rewarded with a sighting of the second-highest waterfall in Slovenia. You can continue up the trail for a view from above.

Logar Valley Landscape Park Themed Trail

A beautiful winding trail through the heart of the valley has educational signs interpreting the nature and culture of the region. The 7 km trail starts at a parking area a little way past the entrance station, then ends at Rinka Falls. If you are up for a spectacular wander, take 2.5 to 3 hours to complete the whole trail. Conversely, you can join the trail at many points along the road for a shorter hike. Stop at Dom Planincev or Kmečka hiša Ojstrica for amazing homecooked Slovenian dishes.

My favorite sights along the trail were the Palenk Waterfall behind Hotel Plesnik Logarska Dolina and the charcoal burner’s hut. It’s an excellent trail to just enjoy the simple finds along the way, for example, fruit-laden trees and animal pastures. Further, for kids, there is a Fairytale Forest to delight their imagination.

Hike to Klemenči jami Mountain Hut

The trail to the Klemenči jami Mountain Hut starts directly behind Lenar Farm. Conversely, you can start the 1-hour hike at Dom Planincev and park there. From Lenar Farm the hike takes about 2 hours to reach the hut, originally a repurposed shepherd’s hut.

As the mountain hut is located on a plain below the northern wall of Ojstrica, the views of the valley are outstanding. The hut offers hot food, drinks, and simple accommodations in the summer season.

Hike to Okrešlj

Okrešlj is a glacial cirque with impressive views high above Rinka Falls. The 1.7-mile out-and-back hike takes about 1.5 hours each way. The hike starts the same way as the Rinka Falls trail with parking across from the snack bar at the end of the Logar Valley main road. After the falls, it ascends steeply and crosses over the top of the falls. Due to my foot injury, I wasn’t able to climb this trail but I totally enjoyed watching hikers make their way over the top of the falls.

The hike ends at the site of the mountain hut Frischaufov dom na Okrešlju which recently burned down. Fortunately, the hut is being rebuilt to serve hikers. The trail past Okrešlj continues on the more difficult hike to Kamniška hut.

Exploring Logar’s Neighboring Valleys

The rugged beauty of the two valleys near the Logar Valley makes them worth a visit. Therefore, make sure to spend some time in Robanov Kot and Matkov Kot.

I was fortunate to spend a day and a half with local guide Mojca exploring the valleys on either side of the Logar Valley. Mojca’s family farm, Bevsek Farm, is at the entrance of Robanov Kot. Her family makes the most delicious organic alpine tea. In fact, I’m sipping it as I write this. Bevsek farm also hosts informational farm-themed gatherings in their splendid garden.

Robanov Kot is the less-traveled sister valley of Logar Valley. However, the scenery is equally spectacular. The vibe comes from a centuries-old way of living simply in the mountains. The 4-km-long valley is only partially accessible by car. From the second parking lot near the Roban meadow, a trail extends up the rest of the valley. Here true tranquility reigns as the trail winds through forest and cow pastures to the foot of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps.

The 5-km-long Matkov Kot is the most remote of the sister valleys. An immense snow crater carved by a waterfall at the base of the mountains is the main natural point of interest in the valley. You can mountain bike in Matkov Kot for beautiful views of this basin bordering Austria. However, the trail becomes increasingly more difficult as you ascend.

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Wrap-Up of Outdoor Adventures of the Logar Valley

The Logar Valley is a part of Slovenia where outdoor adventure dreams come true. Logar is that impossibly scenic valley that matches all my imaginings of alpine splendor.

As I adventure in the outdoors, I often wonder what a place will become when it is “discovered”. However, in the Logar Valley, my fears about overdevelopment were extinguished. The attention to sustainability and living close to the land was everywhere. Careful regulation, education, and stewardship ensure that the natural beauty of the Logar Valley will be alive for future generations. Many of the farm owners of the valley have integrated sustainable tourism into their lifestyles. Hence, the people of the region have a chance to share the outdoor adventures of the Logar Valley while conserving the magnificent beauty and way of life that has existed here for ages.

While Logar Valley seems a world away from everywhere, Slovenia is a small country so you can also enjoy outdoor adventures in neighboring Croatia, Austria, and Italy.

I was sponsored by Lenar Tourist Farm. My opinions are my honest assessment of the experiences.

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