Читать книгу Mountain Biking in Slovenia. Julian Alps - Gorenjska and Soca Valley, South, Central and North East онлайн

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The spectacular River Soča (Route 9)

Further south our routes flatten out somewhat and become a good deal more varied. You might find yourself riding among the forests of the Nanos plateau, where the undulating terrain belies the views you’ll glimpse, from the southern edge all the way across to the Adriatic sea. Or you might be weaving your way in and out of vineyards in the warmth of a Mediterranean afternoon, looking forward to your seafood supper. There are the tremendous limestone caves of the Karst region around Postojna and the magical, ephemeral lake at Cerknica that disappears in the summer. None of these rides will overly tax your technical skills and, physically, they are generally much less demanding than the rides further north. This region is for relaxing days out and long, lazy evenings.

Finally we move to the central and north-east region, where the riding becomes a bit harder again. The Savinjske Alpe chain runs through this area and suddenly we’re back on tough climbs and extended descents. The main difference with Gorenjska, however, is that these trails feel a good deal more remote as there are far fewer people around. The area around Črna, with its quiet alpine trails, may be the best the country has to offer but it is a bit out of the way. Maribor, however, cannot be said to be out of the way. There is a fantastic variety of riding to be had around the second city, from Nanos-esque plateau riding to the World Cup downhill course on the ski fields of Pohorje.