Detour #66: Solčava Panoramic Road, Slovenia
The mountains of Italy, Switzerland, France and Austria are home to the most legendary roads in Europe, but it’s high time another country was added to the list: Slovenia.
Slovenia is relatively small, but it is perfectly formed. From the medieval centre of Ljublijana to the shores of Lake Bled and the beaches of the Adriatic, Slovenia has so much to offer. And yet despite this it remains much less crowded than its better-known neighbours.
Keen to attract more visitors, Slovenia is pitching itself as a driving destination. And top of the list is the Solčava Panoramic Road.
This beautiful route through the Logar Valley will take you past castles, mineral springs and mountain huts. You can stop and sample the produce at local farms or hike a trail with a legend of its own.
This region is rife with folklore and the route largely follows the journey of a mystic shepherd boy searching for his lost flock. Follow the story and you’ll encounter poachers, dragons and other tales.
The road itself is a smooth, winding, circular journey that begins and ends in Solčava itself. A day will do it justice depending on how many of the 15 hikes along the way you decide to explore.
It’s a scenic drive rather than an adrenalin rush, with much of it on gravel rather than tarmac, so perhaps not ideal for a low-slung sports car.