Tour across the Kanalski Kolovrat Ridge into the remote valley of the Idrija River

Logo Tour across the Kanalski Kolovrat Ridge into the remote valley of the Idrija River
Logo Tour across the Kanalski Kolovrat Ridge into the remote valley of the Idrija River
Tour data
28.28km
106 - 618m
Distance
1,022hm
1,023hm
Ascent
04:45h
 
Duration
Brief description

This demanding road cycling tour will take you along the paved road to the village of Lig on the Kanalski Kolovrat Ridge. From there you will descend into the valley of the Idrija River, which awaits rediscovery just like the Sleeping Beauty. On your tour along the low-traffic paved road surrounded by forest you will be able to visit the rare hamlets and meet people that still live in this historically and naturally rich area.

Difficulty
difficult
Rating
Technique
Fitness
Landscape
Experience
Starting point

Kanal

Route
Cerkev Marije Vnebovzete
0.2 km
Kriznic
0.2 km
Kanalburg (106 m)
0.2 km
Goregna di Canale (247 m)
0.5 km
Pečno
1.1 km
Ravenca
4.5 km
Colenza
5.5 km
Liga di Canale
8.3 km
Strmec
11.4 km
Filej
11.7 km
Britof
12.4 km
Okerepcevalnica Britof
12.7 km
Ucagne
15.2 km
Markiči
17.3 km
Liga di Canale
19.4 km
Colenza
22.1 km
Ravenca
23.2 km
Pečno
27.0 km
Goregna di Canale (247 m)
27.8 km
Kriznic
27.9 km
Cerkev Marije Vnebovzete
28.0 km
Kanalburg (106 m)
28.1 km


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

Start the tour in the town of Kanal and cycle towards the village of Lig past the village of Čolnica. When you reach the intersection, turn towards Lig and descend to the hamlet of Britof. If you would like to discover the rich history of this area, turn to the village of Melinki in the middle of the descent. In Melinki you can visit the surprisingly rich ethnological-carving collection of Franc Jerončič. It displays how people used to live in the valley of the Idrija River, events during World War I and includes numerous carving creations by Franc Jerončič. Your descent will end in the hamlet of Britof where you can recover your strength at the Okrepčevalnica Britof restaurant, which is renowned for excellent dishes. In Britof you can also visit the Church of St. Cantianus with its Late Gothic architecture. You will find the nicest part of the hamlet surrounding the church. The warm air flowing from the Friuli lowlands makes this area very appropriate for growing chestnuts which used to be distinctive for the entire Kanalski Kolovrat Ridge. Continue the tour from Britof in the direction of the village of Golo Brdo above the Idrija River. You will cycle along a smooth gravel road for a while and then continue along a steep paved road through the villages of Ukanje, Markiči back to the road Britof–Lig. When you reach Lig you can visit the Marijino Celje Pilgrimage centre which is also a wonderful sightseeing point because it is located on a peak above the village. Return along the same way you came from to Kanal where you can refresh yourself, turn to the beach between the bridge and Kamp Korada or visit the old borough centre Kontrada, Riko Debenjak Gallery, fishing exhibition or the Church of the Assumption.

Directions

Start the tour in the town of Kanal and cycle under the railway crossing towards the village of Lig. Keep cycling along the paved road with certain steep ascending sections towards the top of the Kanalski Kolovrat Ridge. When you reach the top of the ridge, turn left at the intersection towards Lig and descend to the hamlet of Britof where you have to turn left towards the village of Golo Brdo, continue along a short gravel section and turn steeply uphill to the left towards the village of Ukanje. Continue along the ascent which levels up a little, pass the village of Markiči and you will reach the road Britof–Lig just beneath Lig. From there, you should return along the same way you came from.

Highest point
618 m
Endpoint

Valley of the Idrija River

Height profile
© outdooractive.com

Equipment

Cycling equipment. Basic bicycle and tyre repair tool kit, spare tyre and air pump.

Safety instructions

In dry conditions the road is easily drivable in all seasons. Caution is required when descending to Britof and on your return to Kanal, because certain sections of the road are quite steep and consequently fast.

Tips

During the summer months we recommend you to start the tour early in the morning when the temperatures are lower. The road is quite unbusy, especially from Lig onwards. You can find restaurants in Kanal and Britof. Especially in hot summer days you should bring a sufficient amount of water. On your return you can refresh yourself in the Soča River in Kanal. This tour is appropriate for road bicycles, mountain bikes, trekking bikes and e-bicycles.

Additional information

You can find the closest bicycle service in the town of Solkan.

Catering services along the tour: 

   - Britof: Okrepčevalnica Britof

   - Kanal: Fontana Kanal, Gostišče Križnič, Okrepčevalnica Rafaelo, Bar & picerija Cafe Libero, Okrepčevalnica Pirih

Other offer along the tour (Kanal):

   - Kanal Cheese Dairy (cheese and milk products made from local milk)

   - Kanal Market (local products)

Cultural and natural heritage along the tour:

   - Melinki: Museum collection of Franc Jerončič

   - Kanal: Park Pečno, Kanal Bridge, Riko Debenjak Gallery, Gothic House, Kontrada Square, Fishing exhibition, Museum Collection 1914-1917

Sacral heritage along the tour:

   - Kanal: Church of the Assumption, cave with the Lourdes statue

   - Britof: Church of St. Cantianus

Other sights:

   - Walk of Peace

   - Connecting Path of the Three Temples

   - Juliana Trail

   - Juliana Bike


Arrival

You can reach the town of Kanal by train. By car, you can reach Kanal along the main road Nova Gorica-Tolmin or Most na Soči.

Public transportation

Information on transportation of bicycles by train: here >>

Timetable and purchase of tickets. You can find the railway station in the town of Kanal.

Parking

Parking is available next to the market and post office in Kanal (direction of Avče). Parking is also available at the gas station (next to the main road Nova Gorica–Tolmin) and at the Kanal Railway station.


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General info

Refreshment stop
Cultural/Historical
A lot of view
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