GALLERY






ROUTES
Karst, Trstelj direction
LENGTH
22 km
Ascent
520 m
Descent
520 m
paved
39 %
unpaved
61 %
TRAIL TYPE
local
DIFFICULTY
medium
ACTIVITY
GRAVEL

Description
Through the dark forest and Karst villages
When you look towards south from the lower Vipava Valley, you see the hills, covered by the extensive pine forests. Consequently, these peaks got the name Black Hills (Črni hribi). When you ascend on them, the dark tone soon disappears, since cycling in the area between Trstelj and Cerje offers you an extraordinary view of the Karst and surrounding landscapes between the sea and the Alps. The lovers of history will find attractive researching the battlefield of the World War I, while all those who are charmed by the elements of the stony architecture and flavours of beautiful winegrowing landscape will have this opportunity in the Karst villages. Start your way in Kostanjevica na Krasu, going through Novela and Temnica. The villages are placed on picturesque positions of the hills peaks and flirt with the blue Adriatic Sea. A group of houses is placed one beside another one, so that the locals could find shelter against the well-known bora wind. After passing Temnica, start a slight ascent towards Trstelj, which with 643 metres represents the highest point and the most beautiful place with a view of this part of Karst. Right below the peak you can refresh in a mountain hut. Further on, cycle along a forest trail through the pine forests, passing the viewpoints between individual peaks. On Fajtji hrib, time healed the wounds of the bloody battlefield of the Battles of the Isonzo (Soča). Only some caverns, trench warfare and other remnants, connected today by the Paths of Peace, bear witness to those events. On Cerje, you experience the icing on the cake with the extensive view. The whole area, covered with the trails described in this guide, is so to speak at your hand. Return to Kostanjevica across the typical Karst common.



