Excursions

We recommend the following trips:

The path of health and friendship runs along the former narrow-gauge railway line Parenzana, which connected Trieste and Poreč and became a symbol of friendship between Slovenian, Italian and Croatian municipalities. Parenzana leads through old towns and villages, by the sea and among vineyards and olive groves, it leads through short lighted and arranged tunnels, crosses valleys and climbs over hills.

Join the Parenzana cycling or walking trail between Izola and Sečovlje in Izola, at the crossroads between Leninova and Prešernova streets, head towards the hills in the hinterland and then soon notice the sign for the cycling trail. Turn right in the direction of Strunjan and Portorož. The signs mostly guide us well along a varied and undemanding path. Soon we come across the illuminated Chalet tunnel (214 m). Among the vineyards and olive groves, follow the cycling sign, direction Portorož, past Dobrava, Strunjan to the 550 m long, also illuminated Valletta tunnel. We descend to Lucija and, taking into account the traffic signals, head past the motor camp towards Forma viva, to which a slight ascent leads us. We continue our way past Seča (where we cross the main road) and Parecaga to Sečovlje.

The Škocjanski zatok nature reserve is the largest semi-salt marsh in Slovenia, of great ecological importance and exceptional botanical, zoological and landscape value. More than 200 different species of birds have been spotted in it, some of them endangered.

Today, the Dragonja River Valley is a special ecological area with many exceptional natural and cultural sights. The Dragonja River is still considered an intact and clean river and is one of the few valleys that still has a natural original bed and a high level of biodiversity conservation. Here we find old abandoned mills, old Istrian houses, wells, deep ravines, hidden waterfalls and many plant and animal species.

The Rižana River is the most important river in Slovenian Istria, as it is the main source of water supply for the coastal region. At the place where the Karst and Istrian worlds meet, in the heart of the Hrastovelj valley, is the source of the river – t. i. Zvroček. The pleasant environment of the Rižana river valley is a popular destination for cyclists and hikers.

The village of Osp with a wall is one of the oldest Slovenian villages, it was mentioned in written sources at the end of the 11th century. It boasts a compact village core interspersed with narrow streets. The Osapska river originates in a nearby cave called Grad. Above the settlement rises a compact wall, shaped into a horseshoe shape, which is 500 m wide and over 200 m high and represents one of the most important climbing areas in Europe.

Krkavški kamen, 1.5 m high, is undoubtedly one of the oldest attractions and sights in the area of ​​Slovenian Istria. It stands by the road to the hamlet of Škarljevec, about 400 m east of the Krkava cemetery. Some attribute the stone to three thousand years of age, others date it to the 2nd century. pr. n. no., third in 1st or 2nd century. n. no. and again some in the later time when the Slavs settled here.

The small Istrian village of Hrastovlje is best known for the church of St. Trinity from the 13th century. and frescoes and verb inscriptions from the 15th century. The frescoes, the work of John of Kastav from 1490, depict the creation of the world, the expulsion of Adam and Eve from paradise, a scene from Christ’s suffering, the work of peasants at different times of the year and the dance of the dead. the most famous part of the frescoes and represents an extraordinary achievement of medieval iconography.

Socerb Castle is famous for its famous castle, which, like an eagle’s nest, watches over the Rižana and Osap valleys. The beginnings of the castle date back to the 13th century. Its viewing platform offers a beautiful view of the Gulf of Trieste and the Bay of Koper.

In the vicinity of Socerb Castle, it is worth visiting the Holy Cave, the legendary residence of the Trieste martyr St. Socerba, who is said to be hiding in this karst cave. In the cave is the only underground church in Slovenia, where on the feast of St. Socerba (May 24) is descended by pilgrims from both sides of the border. The entrance to the cave is located in a pine grove just a few steps away from Socerb Castle. An interesting feature of the cave is the space leading from the entrance hall to t. i. a wine cellar, which was supposedly arranged by Count Petrač.

The Karst edge refers to a landscape where the karst plateau with its steep, tectonic edge, which has repeatedly been broken, turns into a friendly flysch landscape of Slovenian Istria. It stretches in a strip about 20 kilometers long and 2.5 to 5 kilometers wide from Socerb along the Slovenian-Italian border to Mlini along the Slovenian-Croatian border. Along the Karst edge we find a whole series of ruins of former fortifications and defense towers, which show that this border area was a century-old scene of battles between the Venetian Republic and the Habsburgs. Due to its urban design and architecture rich in traditional architecture, the settlements of Črni Kal, Črnotiče, Gračišče, Hrastovlje, Kubed, Podpeč and Socerb have been declared cultural monuments.

Slavnik Hill (1028 m) is the highest point in the Municipality of Koper and a popular excursion destination for mountaineers from the Koper littoral. From here there is a beautiful view of the entire Gulf of Trieste all the way to Venice, the distant Dolomites and the Julian Alps and the surrounding high karst plateaus. The Slovenian mountain trail leads across the top.

Spodmoli on the Karst edge near Sočerga are among the great natural sights of Slovenia. In the 28 m high cliff there are three larger and deeper cliffs with a 17 m high ceiling. Smaller cliffs are 2 km long from the natural bridge to Sv. Kirika much more. The locals also call the ears of Istria (“Istrian ears”), because everything that happens in the valley can be heard in them. That nature also likes to play is shown by the natural bridge, an exceptional specialty in the immediate vicinity of the cliffs, which has been smoothed by water for millions of years.