Marked paths leading to Rakitna, Krim, and Bloke

Iški Vintgar is a gorge on the Iška River south of Ljubljana, where the water has cut a narrow, steep-sided passage through dolomite and limestone at the edge of the Ljubljana Marsh. It is a popular day out for people from the capital, and it is also a gateway to the hills that rise behind it. From the gorge, marked paths lead up to three destinations that each give a different taste of the uplands of central Slovenia: Rakitna, the peak of Krim and the Bloke plateau.

The plateau of Rakitna is the closest. It is a high, quiet area of woods and meadows reached by a path that climbs through beech and spruce forest and passes the occasional mountain cottage, and it makes a rewarding half-day outing. The village is a quiet settlement that suits families, and it is a popular starting point for walks and winter outings. Krim is the more serious objective. It is the highest point in the Krim hills, a long wooded ridge south of Ljubljana, and the climb is steady and sometimes steep. On a clear day the summit offers wide views over the Ljubljana basin, and in good visibility the Julian Alps and the Kamnik peaks appear on the horizon to the north. Local walkers use the mountain as a regular training climb, and it is busy at weekends.

Bloke is a larger, more distant goal, a high karst plateau of open fields and woodland to the south, reached by longer routes that cross the uplands. The plateau has a place in Slovenian history, as it is closely associated with the early history of skiing in the country. Wooden skis were used here by local people for centuries to move around in deep snow, and the plateau is often described as the birthplace of Slovenian skiing, which is a story worth hearing from the locals. Its quiet farms and meadows give a glimpse of traditional rural life, and the area is a delight in early summer when the fields are full of flowers.

Back at the gorge, other attractions are within reach. The Iški Vintgar Gorge itself has a footpath, and the Left Bank Trail offers a quieter alternative, passing rock formations such as dolomite gravel stones with calcite veins and colourful round stones with mineral inclusions, lush vegetation and alpine plants such as rhododendrons and spring snowflakes. The Dom v Iškem vintgarju provides a place to rest, and Votli kamen is a rock landmark nearby.

The paths are signposted and suit a range of fitness levels, but longer routes need proper footwear, water, a map and a check of the weather. Spring and autumn are the best seasons. The trails suit families with older children, regular walkers and anyone who wants to leave the city for a day. These trails reward patience, and they show a quieter side of Slovenia’s central uplands.