Through the woods to Planina

The Vippava Valley lies in western Slovenia, where the mountains gradually run into the Friuli plain. After crossing the border, the Vippava is called Vipacco in Italian and finally flows into the Isonzo River, which in turn rises in Slovenia as the Soča. A somewhat confusing Slovenian-Italian mixture, but one that has a lot to offer. From the Vippava Valley, a beautiful forest route leads at an altitude of around 800 meters across to the next valley to the town of Planina. The 59-kilometer-long route is open to public transport, is finely graveled throughout and is easy to drive.

Coming from the northwest on the 444 country road via Ajdovščina, you turn off onto a small mountain road just behind Podnanos, which is initially asphalted. A little further on, in Hrašče, the off-road section begins, which is part of a wide network of gravel roads that are well maintained and can be driven on legally. On the way, a tourist restaurant comes into view, a short stretch of asphalt follows, then the route continues on gravel towards Bukovje.

There, a detour to the Predjama Cave Castle is worthwhile. The sight of it takes your breath away for a moment - the impressive complex stands at the end of a valley at the entrance to a cave under a rock wall about 120 meters high. Built in the 12th century, the castle, secured by precipices and rock ridges, was considered impregnable. Today, both the castle and the cave can be visited.

The gravel road crisscrosses behind Bukovje through dense deciduous forest and makes navigation anything but easy due to the numerous branches off to the left and right. If the roofs of the town of Planina appear at some point, you have navigated correctly. Bravo! The off-road stage ends at country road 409.