Hotels in Žirovnica – Cultural Trails, Ajdna and Cycling Routes

Žirovnica can be explored through its cultural sites, marked trails and various cycling routes. The old village centre is home to the Čopova rojstna hiša. It has been open to the public since December 1994 and today serves as a museum, event venue and headquarters of the Žirovnica Institute for Tourism and Culture. At the same time, it serves as the tourist information centre for Žirovnica. The Čopova rojstna hiša also houses the Matija Čop Memorial Room and the Ajdna museum room.

Culture and Local History

A central route through the cultural heritage is the Pot kulturne dediščine Žirovnica, a 10-kilometre circular trail. Signposts are provided in both directions. The route can be explored on foot, by bicycle, by car or by bus. In Vrba, the Prešernova rojstna hiša was declared a monument of national importance in 2011. The restored Prešernova rojstna hiša there comprises a museum complex with a central exhibition on the poet’s life and work, a hall for cultural events and a museum shop.

Also in Vrba is the branch church of St Mark, first mentioned in 1468, which combines traces of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque architecture. In the Studenčice cultural landscape, more than 4.5 kilometres of the Cesarska cesta have been preserved in their original form. There, it is an important landscape monument and an attractive cultural heritage trail. The Finžgarjeva domačija in Doslovče, together with its associated hayrack and barn, is an open-air museum. The Finžgarjeva rojstna hiša in Doslovče was open to groups of 10 or more by prior arrangement.

Technology and Landscape

The Završnica hydroelectric power plant has now been converted into a technology museum. Visitors can learn about generating electricity from water there and compare historical equipment from the hydroelectric power plant with modern equipment from the Moste hydroelectric power plant. Above Žirovnica, the Vodostan was built in 1914 to supply the Završnica hydroelectric power plant and later the Moste hydroelectric power plant. The Vodostan above Žirovnica is also an excellent viewpoint.

Hiking Trails and Mountain Destinations

The Juliana Trail passes through Žirovnica. The third stage starts in Jesenice, leads across the Dobravško polje and over the Sava Dolinka to the villages below Stol, and mostly follows the Pot kulturne dediščine Žirovnica there. The Karawanks Trail includes Žirovnica Stage 5 from Begunje na Gorenjskem to Dom Pristava.

Ajdna is a Late Antique archaeological site on the southern side of Stol. Ajdna can only be reached on foot. From Ajdna, the view extends as far as the Julian Alps and Lake Bled.

Cycling Routes around Žirovnica

The Juliana Bike includes the Žirovnica E5 stage from TIC Žirovnica into the Završnica Valley. The Žirovnica–Valvasorjev dom–Žirovnica circular cycling route is a mountain-bike tour below Stol. Another circular cycling route leads from Žirovnica via Begunje na Gorenjskem and back to Žirovnica. It is a pleasant lowland excursion that offers the opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage. The Žirovnica–Smokuški vrh–car park below Tinčkova koča–Žirovnica circular cycling route is a mountain-bike tour through unspoilt nature with two mountain destinations.

Regional Impressions and Getting There

At Janšev čebelnjak, guided tours and tastings of products from the beehive are available by arrangement. The Žirovnica visitor portal provides information on travelling by car, bicycle, train or bus.

Other places in the same directory: Breznica, Zgornja Radovna, Rateče, Mojstrana, Hrušica, Planina pod Golico, Podkoren, Gozd Martuljek.

To the main travel overview: Jesenice.