Thematic trails

Walking time: 3 h 30 min
Difference in elevation: 600 m
Difficulty: moderately difficult

For almost four hundred years, iron ore was transported from the mines in the Sava Caves to the ironworks settlement of Stara Sava along the old mining route. For the transport of ore, drivers ("furmani") used wagons called "žlajfe". They were pulled by small oxen, or "terci". The wagon's rear wheels were removed on a slope so that it could slide on the ground and thus brake. The most visible traces of braking are the so-called "glajžni" on the steepest parts of the route (wheel tracks). An accident occurred several times due to the heavy load and steep path. When a fatal accident occurred, a wooden sign called a "marterl" was sometimes placed, and the unfortunate event was drawn on it. There are chapels dedicated to St. Barbara, the patron saint of miners, at the beginning and end of the steepest section, known as Pejce. The drivers rested and inspected the harness at the upper chapel, and they stopped at the lower chapel to repair the harness. In addition to Saint Barbara, who is honoured on December 4, the miners honoured Saint Florjan, the protector against fire, who is honoured on May 4. Both days were miner holidays, or work days off.
The old mining route passes by the Church of the Holy Cross. Along the way, you can see the entrance to Karl's Tunnel. Roasting ovens or "roštance" were placed nearby. Bundles of wood and ore were loaded in these ovens in layers and roasted before being lowered into three-meter rectangular troughs filled with water to remove impurities. The stream here was dark in colour due to the washing of the ore, which is why it was named the Black Stream. Work in the mines of the Sava Caves was governed by a variety of legal documents. The oldest Ortenburg mining order, dating from 1381, is also the first mention of Jesenice.

Relive that era by going "back in time" with your family. On the announced group trip, you just might meet historical figures along the way (ironworker and mine owner Viktor Ruard, mine manager Heinrich Fessel, and miner Tona Hribar) who have a lot to say about the mining and iron industry in these areas.

Leaflet Old Mining Route (SLO version)

Leaflet Old Mining Route (ANG verzija)

Leaflet of the Sava Cave (ANG verzija)

Leaflet of the Historical Characters along the Old Mining Route

Walking time: 3-4 h
Difference in elevation: 50 m
Difficulty: easy

The themed trail Memories of the Old Jesenice Settlement begins at Čufar Manor, near the health centre in Jesenice, and continues along Murova, the oldest part of Jesenice, all the way to the Church of St. Leonard. The path then descends to the Kos Manor house and follows the former Gosposvetska road between the manor house, past Kolarjev park, and on to the former Korotan hotel. Locals refer to the area of both streets as the Old Jesenice. The architecture, customs, and daily life of our ancestors offer variety in other parts of town, so the story continues past the Ejga restaurant and the railway station, all the way to the Jesenice Grammar School and the theatre on Čufar Square, all the way to the TVD Partisan building on the ironworkers' road.From there the trail continues to area called Hrenovca, which transformed several times in the last 200 years.

Leaflet Memories of the Old Jesenice Settlement

Pamphlet Memories of the Old Jesenice Settlement

Memories of the Old Jesenice Settlement

The Old Jesenice

Walking time: 5 (6) h
Difference in elevation: 670 m, (870)m
Difficulty: moderately difficult

On the way, you can learn about the rocks in the area, geological ages, fossilised life in Lipene, forest communities, manganese and iron ore extraction in the mines above the village, and the importance of the Javornik stream's system of water reservoirs.

Leaflet Nature and Mining Educational Trail in Javorniški Rovt

Walking time: 4 h
Difference in elevation: 670 m, 750 m in the opposite direction (the route can also be taken in the opposite direction)
Difficulty: moderately difficult

The starting point of the hiking trail A stroll along the Mežakla plateau is located in the village of Kočna near the bus station, where the beginning of the trail is indicated by an information board. We climb the slopes of Mežakla above the village. During the ascent, leave the trail briefly to have a look at the Poljanska Baba solitary rock formation. Once you return to the marked trail, continue uphill to the Obranca mountain, where you will find a memorial for the first partisan battles against the occupier and a monument for those who died in the Second World War. On the upper part of the mountain, there is a small shepherd's hut. Walking past the hut, head west and cross Mežakla, partly on the trail and partly on forest roads. The trail passes Snežna jama, a 70-meter-long karst cave with an entrance through a collapsed doline and snow for much of the year. Eventually, the trail starts to ascend to Planski vrh (1299 m), where a meteorite landed on April 9, 2009. At the top, we also reach the northern edge of Mežakla, which we follow to the west along the marked path. On your right, you will see the stone arch of the Natural Bridge on Mežakla, and at the transmitter, the Špica lookout offers the most beautiful view of Jesenice and Karavanke. Before Zakop, the signposts direct us to the partisan hospital, which, hidden under a rock overhang, offered shelter to wounded partisans. On Zakop, where there is a monument to the fallen fighters, the marked path leads to the southern slope of the plateau, where we descend to Jesenice.

We advise you to be more cautious when orienting yourself, particularly on the Mežakla plateau, despite the marked route.

Leaflet A stroll along the Mežakla plateau

Pamphlet A stroll along the Mežakla plateau

Walking time: 1 h 45 min
Difference in elevation: 350 m
Difficulty: moderately difficult

Leaflet Gajšek Trail