Tour to Mt. Sveta gora beneath the ridge of Mt. Kuk and Mt. Vodice

Logo Tour to Mt. Sveta gora beneath the ridge of Mt. Kuk and Mt. Vodice
Logo Tour to Mt. Sveta gora beneath the ridge of Mt. Kuk and Mt. Vodice
Tour data
22.9km
85 - 668m
Distance
698hm
704hm
Ascent
03:15h
 
Duration
Brief description

Circular tour with a moderate ascent to Mt. Sveta gora where you can visit the Basilica of the Mother of God on Mt. Sveta gora and enjoy in a wonderful view of the Gorizia lowlands and the surrounding mountains.

Difficulty
medium
Rating
Technique
Fitness
Landscape
Experience
Starting point

Plave

Route
Gostilna pri Mostu
Plava
0.2 km
Paljevo
2.8 km
Baske
8.2 km
Restavracija Sveta gora
12.3 km
Frančiškanski samostan Sveta gora
12.4 km
Gostilna Dermota grill
21.1 km
Plava
22.7 km
Gostilna pri Mostu
22.9 km


Best season
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Description

This tour will take you from the village of Plave past the village of Paljevo towards the hamlet of Baske and then to the top of Mt. Preški vrh and to the top of Mt. Sveta gora. If you turn left at the junction in Paljevo, you arrive to the Church of St. Quirinus on the ridge above the village of Paljevo where you can also notice the markings of the Walk of Peace leading to Mt. Prižnica (observation point 383, Prižnica memorial park). Between Paljevo and Baske, you will cycle in the shade of the forest and along a rocky cart track with occasional views of the Soča Valley with Mt. Krn in the background. In the spring time, the forest grounds are covered with a green carpet of wild garlic decorating the environment with its distinctive smell and beautiful white flowers. On Mt. Sveta gora, you can visit the renowned basilica, enjoy in views of the Adriatic Sea and the mountains and refresh yourself in the restaurant. If you continue from the basilica towards the cemetery and further along the wide gravel footpath along the ridge, you arrive to the statue of St. Francis where you can enjoy in wonderful views. If you bring a torch and use appropriate footwear, you can carefully descend along the footpath from the statue to one of the most attractive caverns, which was tunneled through the hill and to the other side of the mountain. On your return from Mt. Sveta gora, descend from the Preški vrh pass along the sunny side of the hill beneath Mt. Vodice and continue through the hamlets of Zagomila and Zagora to the main road next to the Soča River. If you continue descending straight ahead from the Preški vrh, you arrive to the top of Mt. Vodice, which is also criss-crossed with numerous caverns from World War I and which hosts the General Gonzaga Mausoleum. Next to the main road towards the town of Tolmin, you can find the Dermota Inn which is renowned for its grilled dishes. If you turn left a little further from the bus stop and continue along the gravel road towards the Soča River, you can notice the Chapel of St. Aloysius where a large cemetery was located during the battles of the Isonzo front. This section along the Soča River is very nice and peaceful and leads all the way to the village of Plave.

Directions

Drive from the village of Plave to the main road Nova Gorica–Tolmin, cross it carefully and continue along the paved road to the village of Paljevo. Cycle past the houses until you reach the junction with markings of the Path of the Three Temples and the Walk of Peace. Turn right towards Mt. Vodice. If you take the road to the left, you arrive to the Church of St. Quirinus on the ridge above the village of Paljevo where you can notice a marked section of the Walk of Peace (Prižnica Memorial park). Above the village of Paljevo, you can find the start of a cart track ascending to the junction with the information board of the Walk of Peace. From here, continue to the left, cycle along the cart track through the forest and gently ascend past the private dirt track and the meadows. When you arrive to the paved road, turn to the right towards the hamlet of Baske. Behind the hamlet, turn to the right on the gravel road which will take you straight to the hamlet of Vodice. After approximately 1 km you will notice the boards of the Path of the Three temples on your left leading into the forest. Follow the markings which will take you along a rough up-and-down cart track to a gravel road just above the Preški vrh pass between Mt. Sveta gora and Mt. Vodice. At this moment, you only have to overcome the paved ascent to Mt. Sveta gora from where you can descend along the ridge to the statue of St. Francis. Return along the same trail to the Preški vrh pass and continue left along the cycling version of the Path of the Three Temples (direction of the village of Plave). If you continue straight ahead, you ascend to the top of Mt. Vodice. The descent is first routed along a gravel road, however, from the hamlet of Zagomila, it follows a paved road. When you arrive to the main road, turn carefully to the right and pass the Gostilna Dermota Inn. If you would like to avoid cycling along the main road to the village of Plave, turn left a little further from the bus stop next to the Gostilna Dermota Inn, continue along the gravel road and cycle along the Soča River past the Chapel of St. Aloysius to the village of Plave.

Highest point
668 m
Endpoint

Mt. Sveta gora

Height profile
© outdooractive.com

Equipment

Cycling equipment. Basic bicycle and tyre repair tool kit, spare tyre and air pump. If you would like to visit the cavern beneath Mt. Sveta gora, make sure to use appropriate footwear and bring a torch because the second part of the tunnel descends quite steeply and does not include any steps.

Safety instructions

In dry conditions, the road is easily drivable in all seasons. Caution is required when crossing the busy main road Nova Gorica–Tolmin in the direction of the village of Paljevo and when driving along the section of the Path of the Three Temples to the Preški vrh pass (rough rocky cart track). On your return, caution is also required at the short section of the main road towards the village of Plave where the road is unclear. At the time of the Sunday service, the traffic in the vicinity of Mt. Sveta gora is usually heavier.

Tips

During the summer months, it can get pretty hot if you cycle along the short ascent from the village of Plave to the village of Paljevo in the afternoon, however, the heat is soon replaced by the freshness of the forests from the village of Paljevo to the hamlet of Baske where the trail is routed beneath Mt. Kuk.

You can find restaurants in Plave, at the top of the mountain next to the basilica and along the main road on your return to the village of Plave.

Additional information

You can find the closest bicycle repair shop in the town of Solkan.

 

Catering services along the tour: 

 

Plave: Gostilna pri mostu

Mt. Sveta Gora: Restavracija pri Kraljici Svetogorski

Plave: Gostilna Dermota (next to the main road towards the city of Nova Gorica)

 

Sights along the trail: 

 

Plave: Church of St. John the Baptist, Chapel of St. Aloysius

Mt. Sveta Gora: Basilica of the Mother of God on Mt. Sveta gora

Prižnica Memorial park with the remnants of buildings and battle stations

Vodice Outdoor museum (trenches, multi-level caverns, General Gonzaga Mausoleum, eagle monument)

Vodice sightseeing point

Themed trails: connecting Path of the Three Temples (connecting three St. Mary’s temples: Mt. Sveta gora above the town of Solkan, Marijino Celje Pilgrimage centre in the village of Lig and Castelmonte Monestary above the city of Cividale in Italy) and the Walk of Peace (connecting areas, people and the rich cultural and natural heritage along the former Isonzo front)


Directions

You can reach the village of Plave by train. By car, you can reach the village of Plave along the main road Nova Gorica-Tolmin or along the road from the Goriška brda Region (Vrhovlje-Plave). You can cycle to the village of Plave along the Solkan–Plave cycling road.

Public transportation

Information on transportation of bicycles by train: here >>

 

Timetable and purchase of tickets. Plave Railway station. 

Parking

Parking is available at the gravel parking lot next to the Ladišče Mountain hut along the road Plave-Prelesje. Parking is also available at the Gostilna Pri mostu Inn.


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General info

Refreshment stop
Cultural/Historical
A lot of view
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