I’m dedicating today's post to a special place that I visit often to recharge my batteries. Whenever I have a few hours to spare, I head to Sela na Krasu, which is only half an hour's drive from my home. I leave my car there and go for a walk on the Karst edge, where I enjoy the beautiful nature with an absolutely breathtaking view of the Gulf of Trieste on one side and the Julian Alps on the other.
The Slovenian region of Karst is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and traditional Slovenian culture. A great way to experience the beauty of the area is by taking a walk through its forests and hills. I usually take a particularly enjoyable circular route, first to a hill called Kremenjak, and on the way back I go to a hill called Spik.
Sela na Krasu is a small town located in the Slovenian Karst. The town is surrounded by forests and hills, making it a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling. Despite its small size, Sela na Krasu has a vibrant local community and is a great place to experience traditional Slovenian culture and cuisine.
In the village you can admire the characteristic local architecture and, even if you are not an expert in this field, you cannot miss the typical Karst houses, which are almost entirely built of stone. There is plenty of stone in the Karst and throughout history the local people have exploited the natural resources and used stone to build their homes.
On the way through the village, you will come across a restored stone water well. An information sign says that the well was restored as part of a European Union project to revitalise wells and pools in the cross-border area.
Behind the village, the locals have their arable land, which they have converted into fields, vineyards and orchards. You will also come across chicken coops and beehives.
When I leave the village, the road leads me through the green forests and hilly landscape. The area is known for its diverse flora and fauna, so it's not uncommon to spot a variety of wildlife on your walk. As I walked, I was surrounded by the sounds of birds singing and the rustling of leaves in the wind, creating a peaceful and relaxed atmosphere, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
After a good half an hour walk I arrived at Kremenjak, more rested than at the beginning of the trail, as the walk had energized me :). At the top there is a border stone marking the border between Slovenia and Italy, because the old watchtower, which reminds us that not so long ago the border was carefully guarded here.
The beautiful view stretches as far as the nearby Italian town of Monfalcone, and as far as the Julian Alps in north-western Slovenia.
The Italian airport of Ronchi dei Legionari with its runway is also visible.
After a short stop, I continued towards Spik Hill. It took me about fifteen minutes along a wooded, quite overgrown path.
The view here is also very similar to before, as I have only moved a few kilometres further south along the karst edge. Here again, I was greeted by a sentry post, which lets us know that we are still on the border between the two countries. Underneath the guardhouse there is an underground tunnel, which is said to extend under the hill.
The pictures in today's post were taken last April. Today, unfortunately, the landscape has changed 😪. At the end of July 2022, the area was engulfed by the largest forest fire in Slovenian history, which spread across the border into Italy. I have not walked the route again since then, but I plan to do so again soon. I strongly hope that nature will recover soon!
Whether you are an experienced hiker or just want a leisurely stroll, walking is one of the best ways to discover and experience the natural beauty of. So why not put on your walking shoes, grab a map and a compass, and set off on this unforgettable journey through Slovenia's Karst region.
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