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Baraga Path is named after Friderik Baraga, a Slovenian missionary and bishop. The path is circular and leads through some places from his life. The starting point in Trebnje is very close to us, so we set off to explore this part of Slovenia as well.

We parked on Baraga Square in front of the Church of St. Mary's Assumption, where there is plenty of space for several cars. We continued across the bridge towards the prominent Trebnje Castle, which is in quite a sad state. At this point the circular path begins, which can be walked in both directions. There are really numerous Baraga signs for the correct direction, so it's hard to get really lost. The exception is in Knežja vas, where they disappear soon after the church for a good half kilometer. I suspect someone intentionally removed them . There we used the GPS track.

We walked clockwise and first visited the highest point of the path, which is Trebni vrh. There we also met the only hikers of the entire day. Afterwards we were completely alone, which we're already used to . Baraga Path is partly forested, partly scenic, and the surface is mostly comfortable for walking. When wet it can be slippery in many places, which fortunately we didn't experience . On a few short sections there is also brambles that effectively catch passers-by. There is little asphalt, and the roads are completely traffic-free.

Kilometers were left behind us, villages followed one after another. After Knežja vas we soon returned to the original valley and spotted Trebnje in the distance. But the path to it was still long and ran along the slopes above the valley. Before Trebnje Castle there followed a descent to the road and return to the starting point. More in the photo story ...

Coordinates of the starting point (Trebnje): 45.9071769N, 15.0057844E

I found the Steklas hiking trail on a digital map because someone bothered to enter it into the database. Before, I didn't even know about it, and it would really be a shame if I hadn't visited it. It's beautiful, actually gorgeous, and we were lucky with the weather. There was no morning fog this time, and that's just right. A sunny and dry trail remains in a nicer memory than a foggy and slimy one .

We started in the central part of Šentrupert, where we vainly searched for some dedicated signpost. We spotted it on the village outskirts on the way back, but sadly it's not visible in the center. The official walking direction is clockwise, and all subsequent dedicated signs are placed that way. Due to lack of information, we chose the exact opposite direction, but that gave me better light for photos .

The trail is circular and runs along the slopes around Šentrupert. There are plenty of views, the landscape is also beautiful, although spring hadn't even begun during our visit. Some asphalt, some cart tracks, some short forest paths. Markings are sufficient, both dedicated and classic ones. The hamlets give an impression of tidiness, there are lots of churches, many farms. In Nebesih vas they serve food, just check the opening hours. Summary of the entire trail … we'll come again .

Coordinates of the starting point (Šentrupert): 45.9771489N, 15.0912050E

@starakapa ... in the comments for the maps of GPS tracks I always post the distances and elevation gains right away, but not the time. It added up to 12 km and 400 m elevation gain, all together we walked it in three and a half hours of leisurely hiking. Walk well and enjoy

Ločanka deserves credit with her post for reminding me of the places of my childhood . I knew the ridge only up to Šimnova Cave where cavers took us, but not beyond. So the idea fell on fertile ground right away and time was quickly found for a visit with worthwhile extensions .

We started a bit higher than Radovna and after about a hundred meters of asphalt turned left onto a cart track. It led us left, right and later headed toward the ridge. From the cart track only a path was left and soon we reached the summit section. The continuation mostly runs right along the ridge, as the slopes on both sides are substantial. The ascent to some elevations is distinctly steep, but without any particular exposure. There are also quite a few views, especially the road deep below leaves a strong impression.

The ridge is less than a kilometer long, then we descended into the valley. We continued through Pernike, a hamlet far from everything. After it we started to ascend and over a forested pass reached the extensive Strmole pasture. Soon after it we switched to a gravel road, along which we returned toward the starting point. When we hit asphalt again Laze followed and soon we completed the loop. More in the photo story…

Starting point coordinates: 46.3810758N, 14.0576172E

Congratulations for Preboldska, especially for the safe ascent to Golava .

Thanks for the idea, it will come up

This time we turned towards Styria, more precisely to the Path through the Svečinske Hills. We hadn't hiked here yet, but it had been on our radar for a long time. Partly due to the interesting length, partly due to the unknown places, and we also didn't forget the famous little heart. Enough reasons therefore to head off on a long drive to the starting point .

We started in Sp. Kungota and began walking counterclockwise. We didn't notice any dedicated markers, only the classic hiking trail markers guided us. A digital map was also helpful, showing the Svečinska trail in full. At some points it was the only aid, as without it we would have strayed in the wrong direction. In places there are no markers at all, or they are so old that they are hard to spot.

At the Dreisiebner farm with the famous heart we were about halfway and it was time for a break. The otherwise friendly hostess nearly had a nervous breakdown when I, as a pure-blooded Gorenjec, took a free photo of the heart. Despite pre-ordering drinks and food, I was subjected to intense moralizing, which I stoically nodded along to. Let everyone judge their own experience with this farm, but it left a bad taste for us. A completely different story was in Svečina, where we were quickly served in the village inn, with a friendly word and a smile on the face .

The day was passing and the kilometers were piling up quickly. We walked along the opposite side of the valley, which might not be as scenic as before, but still offered views. There was almost too much asphalt, and we were really glad when we spotted Sp. Kungota. It went much easier back to the starting point, and we completed the loop just in time before evening.

Coordinates of the starting point (Sp. Kungota): 46.6053503N, 15.6484869E

Beautiful car, my first one . I completely understand the owner for making a special place for it.

Sedevčičeva Trail ...

Every now and then we get tired of familiar paths and look for something new . This time we went a bit further, to the Banjšica Plateau near Nova Gorica. There is the Sedevčičeva Trail, which circles part of the quite wide plateau and also offers a nice insight into lesser-known places. We also walked through some hamlets that give the impression of other times, and even further back the battles of the First World War took place here. A rather hidden cemetery of fallen soldiers points to this, as do numerous military paths and shelters. Remains of ammunition can still be found. Definitely an interesting trail worth visiting. Just a bit more sun would be welcome, and the greenery will be here soon . More in the photo story ...

Parking coordinates (Banjšice - Dom krajanov): 46.0527881N, 13.7108961E

Unpleasant weather persists long this year, so it's worth using nice days . There are more of them towards the sea and so we visited Čičarija again, this time in reverse direction than usual. Started from arranged parking right before Skadanščina village and went along north side of the ridge to Ostrič. Here mostly gravel roads with some asphalt, walking non-tiring and meditative .

Ostrič almost halfway and there we turned. Walk to Slavnik more varied, need to cross quite a few peaks. Enough markings, so with little attention the path is nicely followed. Then final ascent to Slavnik and return to start. More in photo-story …

Coordinates of start (Skadanščina): 45.5480253N, 14.0133200E

We've covered much in these parts already, but always something new. This time hill Sv. Danijela, Lijak take-off, mainly natural sight Skozno. Name says go through . Similar to Otliško window, heights similar, maybe less known due longer approach. We did longer route, shorter ones exist.

Started by main road near Ajševica towards Loke. Signpost turned us left, later right to Sv. Danijel. Hill not panoramic, pleasant addition. Descent to lower track, ascent to Lijak. Continued to main goal Skozno. Next Vitovska church, turnaround. Back via Šmihel Lokvica, past vineyards to start. Bit of asphalt end, nice day done . More in photo-story…

Start coordinates (cafe by BS Petrol): 45.9528225N, 13.6911669E

We hadn't been in these parts for a long time and the fire happened soon after the last visit. Also the lack of sun in central Slovenia played a role this time, so we set out to walk a longer circular path through the once nicely overgrown hills and check the new state of nature.

We parked a bit below Železna vrata next to the Dornberk hunting hut and headed towards Stjenkova hut under Trstelj. From there we crossed the entire Black Hills ridge all the way to Cerje and hiked numerous summits in between. The wandering was enjoyable on one hand, but sad to observe the bare slopes with numerous charred stumps. Only in real life does it really hit you when you see how extensive the fire really was.

Regarding the path... in these few years the hiking trail has re-established itself and new boxes with summit registers are back on the peaks. Markings are sufficient and well visible, but you can't really get lost anyway. Practically no trees, so the undergrowth has grown strongly. In places thorns are just waiting for passing hikers . Also many trees haven't recovered and have fallen across the path over time. But regarding passability no doubt. The whole path is OK, those few small annoyances don't bother .

We returned along the macadam road under the Black Hills high above Renče. In between some short asphalt, but not busy and passes quickly. But the whole return dragged on, as it was over ten kilometers to the starting point.

Coordinates of starting point (hunting hut above Dornberk): 45.8654319N, 13.7221131E

Railway domes on Lajnar and Možic are part of the Italian Alpine Wall and at the same time the highest-lying in Slovenia. This time checked at a more reliable source than before (link). @jerque is right .

Fed up with valley fog we headed to Soriška planina. But lo and behold, not even a millimeter of snow in Zgornja Sorica. What now, was it the right decision at all? Surprised we found the snow line very sharply set this time. Good 200 m higher plenty of snow .

Right away we put on snowshoes and went to Dravh as first peak. Then visited neighboring Lajnar and continued snowshoeing the ridge with excellent base. After descent to saddle Slatnik came, shortly after Možič, then plunged into untouched white. Pure pleasure . So until former barracks where we rejoined packed trail. It brought us to ski area and loop soon closed. We'll come again …

This time the goal was to see the nativity scenes and not just any. We visited those on Sv. Gora above Solkan. You have to walk quite a bit to them and we even planned a nice circular path . Not exactly short, but still manageable in these winter days.

We started in Solkan at the railway station and past the church of St. Stephen and the quarry headed towards Kramarci. A bit further we crossed the roundabout at the main road and climbed up the mountain trail towards Sv. Gora. It was early, so no one was in the church except us and we viewed the really beautiful nativity scenes in a special peace.

Then came the continuation which took quite some time. Over Preški vrh and past Vodice we descended to Paljevo hamlet, from there down to Plave, crossed the bridge over Soča and on the other side climbed to Vrhovlje above Koji. From there followed a muddy traverse almost to the hunting lodge, then we climbed to the ridge towards Sabotin. The day had already tipped well into the second half when the hut under Sabotin finally appeared. We didn't stop, but went straight to the summit, from where there's a great view in all directions. Of course the army knew that too, so the Sabotin ridge was the front line and accordingly full of holes. Followed only the descent to Solkan, this time on the most comfortable, Italian variant. Legs demanded their due . More in the photo story …

Coordinates of start (Solkan): 45.9752186N, 13.6485131E

I'm glad, thanks. There will be more

After a long time the peaks above Vipava Valley tempted us again . We've walked them many times and this time I chose Vrtovin as starting point, so not to repeat too much. We haven't started from this village yet, nor been to the nearby hill Školj Sv. Pavla. The choice was spot on, as there was something to see on the way. Interesting is the water tower, which with its size makes a strong impression, as well as the wide and panoramic Školj, which with completely renovated chapel Sv. Pavla can be a standalone trip for families with kids.

We continued with ascent to Srednječavenska path, which took us to one of the rockier accesses to the upper level and thus peaks. First was Sončni školj, also known as Veliki Rob and here finally came the snack time . Then followed the distant Kucelj, where it was blowing quite wildly. We didn't stop here, but quickly descended to the hut on Mali gori. From here the Pot koscev led us to the valley, which completely surprised us. We didn't expect such comfortable and soft paths on these slopes. It took us almost to Kamnje village, where we just turned to the traverse towards Vrtovin. We arrived at the start from the other side and a nice loop was closed. More in the photo story…

Coordinates of start (Vrtovin): 45.9003289N, 13.8158606E