Holiday apartment in Zgornje Jezersko: glacier valley, culture and trails

Zgornje Jezersko lies at the bottom of a typical U-shaped glacier valley. Erratic boulders and characteristic moraines can be seen in this landscape. The heart-shaped Planšar Lake, also called Planšarsko jezero, was created in memory of the former glacial lake that gave Jezersko its name. A short walk follows the Jezernica stream from the centre of Zgornje Jezersko to the lake; another particularly scenic walk runs along the educational trail in the Ravenska Kočna valley.

Landscape

Above the Jezersko Valley, Goli vrh lies on the border with Austria. The viewpoint is steep but technically easy. The landscape's distinctive features also include the Jesenove meje: single-row ash avenues along property boundaries, usually 400 to 500 metres long. Jezerska slatina is a mineral water spring with a public collection point on the main road. This collection point is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.

Planšarsko jezero can also be reached via the signposted road towards the border crossing and is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. The valley therefore contains different landscapes in close proximity: the glacially formed valley, the lake, avenues along property boundaries and the mineral water spring.

Trails and activities

TIC Jezersko and Zgornje Jezersko offer guided tours, information about walks and hiking tours, bicycle and hiking equipment rental, and maps. The Ravenska Kočna valley also has 17 kilometres of carefully groomed cross-country ski trails suitable for all age groups and ability levels.

Several waterfalls are among the destinations described for further excursions. The Slap v Ledenem grabnu waterfall can be reached via a signposted 0.5-kilometre access path that ends at a prepared viewpoint. The Ankova slapova consists of an upper, seven-metre-high single-drop waterfall and a lower waterfall with a broad, veil-like flow; both are located at an altitude of 1,240 metres. A marked footpath reaches Ankova slapova in about 35 minutes from the car park near Sv. Andrej or in about one hour from the car parks in the village centre.

The Kolesarski park Jezersko is located by the family ski area in Park Jezersko and is intended for cyclists of all ability levels. Bike Park Jezersko includes a 400-metre blue flow line for beginners. A marked approach to Češka koča leads behind Planšarsko jezero via the Ancel farm complex; from the car park, the walk takes approximately one and a half hours. The hike to salt the sheep includes a warm snack on the terrace of Češka koča.

Culture

Jenkova Kasarna is a building more than 500 years old, originally constructed as accommodation for travelling merchants journeying between Carniola and Carinthia. Today, Jenkova Kasarna houses an ethnographic museum with collections of everyday objects and equipment, an exhibition on the history of mountaineering, and preserved inscriptions left by travellers from the 16th century.

Češka koča was officially opened on 26 July 1900 and stands beneath the northern walls of the Grintovci. Despite later renovations, it has preserved its original design. Šenkova domačija preserves the layout of a medieval, self-sufficient farming settlement, including most of its formerly used buildings.

The Stara cerkev sv. Ožbolta contains 14th-century frescoes considered to be the oldest in Slovenia. The church can be reached via an asphalt road from the main junction at the Karničar farm complex. During restoration work at Cerkev sv. Andreja, 15th-century frescoes were discovered in 2010.

In Spodnje Jezersko stands Hubertova kapela, a hunting chapel built in the 18th century. It is dedicated to Saint Hubert, the patron saint of hunters, and stands on a steep rock above the Kokra. In the forests of Komatevra is Partizanska bolnica Krtina, a forest hut used during the Second World War as a field hospital for wounded partisans. It was restored to its original condition in 1951 and preserves surviving medical equipment. A footpath with wooden steps reaches Partizanska bolnica Krtina after approximately ten minutes from the access path.

Customs and traditions

Ovčarski bal traditionally takes place every year on the second Sunday in August and is presented as Slovenia's oldest ethnographic event. The festival showcases customs from life on the mountain pastures, the driving of sheep down into the valley, the processing of sheep's wool, and traditional dishes prepared over an open fire.

Local tradition also includes Makekova tisa, a yew tree approximately 570 years old. It is associated with a local protective tradition and a tradition involving Palm Sunday branches. Thus, in Zgornje Jezersko, natural formations, historic buildings, religious monuments and living traditions stand side by side.

More destinations

Mlaka pri Kranju, Šenčur, Cerklje Na Gorenjskem, Preddvor, Stiška Vas, Žabnica, Šenturška Gora, Kranj

To the overarching travel overview: Kranj.