7 hints for summer refresment at Savinja and Šalek Valley, Slovenia

The summer is on! I have enjoyed the wild and peaceful corners of Savinja and Šalek Valley - been partying next to Velenje Lake, swimming in Savinja river, descending the Cuc canyon, have done rafting and been to the highest Slovenian tourist cave, Snežna jama cave that prouds itself with ice sculpctures even in the hot summer days. Fishing?.. Hm... That' s something that is on my bucket list for next weeks.

1. DISCOVERING THE HIDDEN CORNERS NEXT TO SAVINJA RIVER

Finding the perfect spot next to vivid Savinja river is a perfect idea for hot summer days. In some parts Savinja river is deep enough for swimming and the sandy coast covered with smooth stones is a great place for enjoying nature. The temperature of the river varies during the year and also depends on location, but is approx. 20 degrees Celsius. 

Discover more: camping Menina, camping Naturavantura, camping Šmica, camping Savinja

camping Loka

2. HAVING FUN ON VELENJE LAKE

Velenje Lake is becoming more and more popular in last few years. The beach complex with restaurants and sport activities club has been established. Swimming, SUP, sailing, kayaking and even small part of the coast for dogs. The temperature in the summer is about 25 degress Celsius. The camping Jezero next to the lake has been renovated this year.

                                 (photo TIC Velenje, M.Vranič)

Discover more: camping Jezero


3. CUC WATERFALLS CANYONING 

For those that are keen on adrenaline and wild, unspoiled nature, descending the waterfalls of the canyon Cuc is a must do! Licenced guides will take care that the activity will be safe and will provide you all equipment you need for canyoning.

 Discover more: Adventure Valley

4. RAFTING AND KAYAKING ON SAVINJA RIVER

Exploring the river from the boat is another great idea for those who want to get wet in summer. The sport agencies in the Savinja Valley organize rafting and kayak trips. If you prefer paddling in the group, rafting is the perfect choice.

Discover more: Adventure Valley, Šport center Prodnik

5. SNEŽNA JAMA CAVE VISITING

The oldest and the highest Slovenian tourist cave with the entrance altitude of 1530 m has a temperature that  varies from 0°C to 4°C. The trip to the cave lasts up to 2 hours. Mind, that the warm clothing and suitable footwear is a must even July and August. The cave is over 1300 meters long with 800 meters open for visitors. A mountainous scenery, the entrance through a sinkhole, an ice lake and ice sculptures, a rich decor of stalagmites and stalactites.

      (photo D. Naraglav)

 Discover more: Snežna jama cave, Jamarski klub Črni galeb

6. TOPOLŠICA AQUAPARK 

Outdoor water park with pools, water attractions, water slides, lovely paved terrace and nicely tended grass surfaces. Water temperature is from 28 to 30°C.

Discover more: Topolšica Spa

7. FISHING ON THE SAVINJA RIVER AND VELENJE LAKES

"The Savinja river is a typical alpine river with a lot of riffles, pockets, deep pools and dams. Since the water is very clean, the river is very rich with water fauna. There are two fishing clubs at the Savinja Valley that provide permits and will help you with the choice of the perfect spot.

Discover more: Fishing club Ljubno, Fishing club Mozirje

Canyoning Cuc in Savinja and Šalek Valley

Adventure Valley -  outdoor agency from alpine village Luče in the northern part of Slovenia made my perfect adrenaline trip.

10 min long drive from Luče to Kamnik led us to the starting point of our Canyoning Adventure. Where we changed into swimsuits and put on neoprene suits, protective pants, helmet and harness and left our personal things safe and dry. Licensed guide gave us basic instructions on the start and explained us the rules of this sport at several points on the way, so we could really enjoy the ride.

We hiked uphill in the embrace of forest, at the lush greenery and enjoyed beautiful views of the Dleskovška plateau and Mt. Raduha. After about 45 minutes walk the mountain trail ended at the entrance of  canyon Cuc.  

Adrenaline drop down steel wires about 25 m  zip-line dropped me directly into the canyon, where the water thrill began. Our guide safely fastened me on the pulley using harness and I flew  as a bird on the other side. That was fantastic!

I was descending through the canyon, sliding on natural chutes and conquering more powerful waterfalls with a rope. It all began with 12 m waterfall rope descent, followed by 35 m waterfall-rope descend and number of smaller descents. At the end I experienced longer sliding on natural chutes.

Refreshing in crystal clean water in Cuc is definitely worth exploring! I am coming back next year and will try other adventurous activities as well.

Eva from Luxemburg

Motorbiking trip in Savinja and Šalek Valley

Last weekend was just perfect for motorbiking trip in Slovenia. Early spring pampers with great temperatures and blooming nature in the valleys. We started our trip in Velenje, the youngest Slovenian city, famous for Coal Mining Museum and socialist heritage. For me, when in Velenje, a Lucifer chocolate is a must, so before the trip we stopped in Kavarna Lucifer to enjoy unique flavours of their delicious chocolates and cakes. Mmmm, it was good as usual ... :)

We continue our route to Mozirje, Nazarje, Rečica, Ljubno, Luče, the villages next to vivid Savinja River. In the gorge of Igla we took 15 minutes for our camera. Igla natural monument looks like a door to to the highlands of Savinja Valley. The Savinja River has dug a narrow gorge along the tectonic joint between Luče and Solčava. The waters have curved a 40 metre tall rocky column - Igla (the needle). There is also an interesting spring (Intermittent spring) with periodic activity. These two sights are said to be the oldest natural monuments in Slovenia.

The road from Solčava to the Pavličevo sedlo Pass was scenic. We passed Landscape Parks Robanov kot and famous Logar Valley that is said to be one of the most beautiful Alpine Valleys in Europe. On the Pavličevo sedlo Pass we entered Austria and drove to Jezersko (Slovenia). Jezersko offers exceptional views on the surrounding mountains and "relaxing" cornes next to Lake Planšar (Planšarsko jezero). 

We descended to Gorenjska Region from where we turn our way back to Savinja and Šalek Valley. On the way back we passed Črnivec Pass and stopped in Gornji Grad, the village that could be proud on its mighty church, which is the largest and architecturally the most important baroque building in Slovenia. We drove back home to Velenje through Nazarje. 

Exploring karstic treasures: Huda luknja cave

I am always impressed by the underground world. The Cavetours project that connects northern Slovenian caves of Solčavsko with Austrian cave world hides a lot of underground sights worth visiting. But there is more. Šalek Valley could proud itself with some unique natural monuments.

On the road from Velenje to Slovenj Gradec the gorge is squeezed between two hills. The karstic area consists of more than ten caves, the most popular is Huda luknja cave, first Slovenian tourist cave. Above Huda luknja there are Špehovka and Pilanica caves. I was inspired by variety of botanical species like double blossom viola, pretty primula and primula auricular.

City break in "Veleje"

"Ni živleja brez Veleja" is a typical Slovenian sentence connected with the youngest Slovenian city, Velenje. It means that "there is no life without Velenje (Veleje)" and there is a lot of life in Velenje. Actually, the citizens of Velenje are really proud of their city and their lives are strongly bonded to the city as well. 

Velenje has a strong cultural and historical tradition. The tradition of coal mining is perfectly seen in The Coal Mining Museum in Velenje. A descent in the 120-year-old elevator to the depth of 160 metres in an interesting journey into the once active mine tunnels of the mine Škale, which are now a part of the museum that was awarded European museum of the year. The Velenje Castle is situated on a steep rocky cliff overlooking the city of Velenje. The castle first records date back to 1264. It ranks as the most well-preserved Renaissance castle in Slovenia. The Šalek Castle, which gave a name to the village and valley of Šalek, was abandoned after devastating fire around 1770 but it is known for its unique triangular floor. The central square in Velenje is dominated by a monument showing the contemplating Marshal Josip Broz - Tito. This is the biggest Tito statue worldwide. The statue measures around 10 m in height.

Summer in Velenje is something really vivid. The Velenje lakes surroundings "get alive" with numerous events and sport activities. There is a Velenje beach where you will meet locals and tourist sunbathing or enjoying water activities like SUP, sailing or simply swimming. The city center is full of arts and the Velenje Festival organizes different cultural evenings.

Solčavsko has won the European Union EDEN (European Destination of Excellence) Award on the theme of tourism and protected areas in Slovenia. 

It is a magnificent destination for those who love relaxing in unspoiled nature, hiking, biking in the picturesque mountains and tasting good local food in eco farms. Do not miss spectacular Solčava Panoramic Road with nice vistas on the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Landscape Parks (Logar, Matkov kot, Robanov kot) and more than 100 of natural wonders. On the numerous eco farms Savinjski želodec, a top-level dry meat speciality, produced in the traditional manner for hundreds of years, is served.

I was really impressed by this scenic place on our planet. I have been traveling around the globe a lot and this one is definitely my favourite: Klemenšek Tourist Farm on Solčava Panoramic Road. On the bucket list every year when the road is snow-free. Hiking, biking, motorbiking or simply taking photos or herbs collecting.

Healing powers of misterious spring


Would you like to have a glass of health?  Drink it from the Iron Water spring, next to amazing Solcavsko panoramic road in Savinja and Šalek Valley, Slovenia. Iron water, that is rich in iron and carbon dioxide, attributed healing powers.

It is located next to scenic Solčava Panoramic Road and will serve you with the cup for drinking. However, the taste of the water is a bit strange, it obviously consists of iron elements. The stones are colored in dark red and brown. But do not plan to bottle the water and do not have in mind bringing it home! The warning on the description of this Slovenian natural monument says that the water loses its healing powers and it is the best to drink it fresh!