The Alps hide many charmingly beautiful peculiarities among which is also Logarska dolina with Solčava district (Solčavsko). You won’t find Logarska dolina between top destinations of Europe, not even in top 5 destinations of Slovenia, which is in a way unjustified but on the other hand, a big advantage that local population is aware of. Tourism in Solčavsko is quite the opposite of the mass tourism we know. The effort of the residents of the valley was finally spotted in 2009, when Solčavsko was subject of special attention from the European Union within the context of the EDEN project. SOLČAVSKO: THREE VALLEYS IN HARMONY won the title European Destination of Excellence, on the theme of tourism and protected areas in Slovenia.
Logarska dolina is one of Europe’s most beautiful glacial alpine valleys, lies nestled deep in the heart of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps part of the most southeastern mountain range of the Alps. Remoteness of the valley in terms of transport connection and natural barriers enabled preservation of indigenous natural environment. Remains of centuries-old harmony of man and nature are visible in every step; farmsteads dispersed high up the mountain slopes, which have over the centuries aided in contriving a cultural landscape fashioned by the hand of man, the highest lying farm in Slovenia (Bukovnik, 1,327 metres), traditional houses covered with wood, granaries, shepherds huts, hay barns…
Solčavsko lies at the most upper end of the Savinja river (Upper Savinja valley), to the east it is bounded by the mountain ridge of Raduha, to the north by the Austrian border (Karavanke range), to the south and west this territory is enclosed by the more than 2000-metre high summits. Beneath the high mountains, the glaciers shaped three parallel valleys: Robanov kot, Logarska dolina and Matkov kot. Due to the central location and access Logarska dolina is the most visited one. It is an ideal starting point for numerous excursions into the mountains. The foundations of the picturesque Alpine valley one can enjoy today were in fact laid down during the last Ice Age when a huge glacier abraded a 7-km long, 250-m wide U shaped basin. Today this trough-like valley lies enshrouded by the lofty peaks of Krofička, Ojstrica, Lučka Baba, Planjava, Brana, Turska Gora and Rinke (all above 2000m).
These highlands and valleys have a rather marked Alpine climate. Winters are usually fairly long and cold, whilst summers are hot. Snow generally covers the mountains from the beginning of November and lasts into May; in the lower lying areas snow is usual between late November and April. The vegetation hereabouts is adapted to relief and climatic conditions. Lower slopes are covered by forest, mostly spruce and beech, but also here and there with fir, pine and the larch which grows right up to the tree line; one can also find patches of dwarf pine growing above this line.
Logarska dolina is declared as a regional park. The wide area is also the habitat of numerous interesting species of plant, including some rare and protected ones, such as lady's slipper orchid, garland flower daphne, queen of the mountain, stemless trumpet gentian, primula auricula (bear's ear) and edelweiss. The oldest traces of human habitation in this region reach back into the Paleolithic era, a fact vindicated in 1928 by Srečko Brodar when bones belonging to Stone Age man and cave bear were discovered within the Potočka Zijalka Cave under the Olševa ridge. The colonization of this territory by modern man, however, occurred during the 11th and 12th centuries when Slovene settlers established the first farmsteads on the south-facing slopes above the valleys. In many cases individual farms from that period have preserved till this day. The whole district is characterized by its solitary farmsteads and small mountain hamlets; Solčava village remains the only settlement of any size. Therefore it is the geographic and administrative center of the district.
The population is primarily engaged in forestry, animal husbandry and most recently tourism, the prosperity of which is largely supported by this area's great natural beauty. An unspoiled natural environment, coupled with the fact that this region had not been overdeveloped, has worked to the advantage of the local community. However, the locals are well aware that this pristine environment must be preserved at all costs; for this reason they have chosen to develop high quality tourism which emphasizes the individual, offering him peace as well as the opportunity to enjoy an active holiday in harmony with nature.
What to do in Logarska dolina & Upper Savinja valley in summer?
Walking, hiking, mountaineering, climbing, mountain biking, fly fishing, horse-back riding, kayak, rafting, swimming in the gorge, play in the fairytale forest …
Unique natural sights
Waterfall Rinka, okrešelj, the Iron water spring, Črna; the second source of Savinja, Matk's tub (Matkov škaf), three hundred-year-old larch at the Klemenča jama, snow cave (Snežna jama), the Potočka zijalka cave, 1000 years old yew three in Solčava …
Unique cultural sights
Gothic church of st. Mary of the Snows in Solčava, Church of the Holy Spirit in Podolševa, the museum about Potočka zijalka cave, the lumberjack's hut, the dairy cottage at Robanov Kot, skidroad for timber transportation …
Accommodation
Favorable lodgings are available in the nearby hostel Ljubno ob Savinji which is located 20 km further down the Savinja valley. It is a family hostel and part of gostišče, which offers traditional home-made food typical for this part of Slovenia countryside. Hostel is open all year round and offers free rent a bike and free WiFi access in all areas.
Further information:
Logarska dolina d.o.o.
Logarska Dolina 9
3335 SOLČAVA
www.logarska-dolina.si
e-mail: info@logarska.si
Turistično društvo Solčava
e-mail: info.solcava@siol.net
