Logar Valley (Slovenia) – Tips + Photos + Solcava Panoramic Road

The lesser-known  area of the Logar Valley in Slovenia is definitively worth the detour: sharp summits, rock walls, green pastures, charming farms...
Also known as Logarska Dolina, it offers some of best landscapes in Slovenia including those on the Solcava Panoramic Road.
Below is my guide to help you plan your visit with things to do, tips, map and photos.

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Best things to do in and around the Logar Valley

A picture is probably worth anything I could tell you. It is hard to describe why this valley in particular is so impressive. Probably because it is just the right size (not to narrow and not too large), because it displays magnificent shades of green and because it ends with an amphitheater or bare summits with very steep slopes.
Plus, it has remained quite pristine, only shaped by the historical farms of the region.
Let me show you what I mean in one picture - Can you understand why I think it is one of the Most beautiful places to visit in Slovenia?

5 Best things to do in and around the Logar Valley

1. Drive to the end of Logarska Dolina itself to enjoy the mountain views
2. Walk the Trail through the Logar Valley Nature Park
3. hike to the Rinka Waterfall
4. Enjoy the different style of the nearby glacial Valleys of Robanov Kot
5. Drive the the Solcava Panoramic Road to admire magnificent views and visit historic farms

Video - Virtual Tour

Do you really need more convincing? Probably not, but here comes my short video to give you an idea of the views in the Logar Valley region:

Where is the Logar Valley location ? Map

The Logar Valley, called Logarska Dolina in Slovene, in located in the North of the country, in the  Kamnik-Savinja Alps, close to the border with Austria.
It is not far away, but the roads are no highway so it still takes quite some time:

• Ljubljana to Logar Valley = 1h40 drive
• Lake Bled to Logar Valley = 1h50 drive

Efforts are currently made to develop tourism in this magnificent area.
Below is a map to help you get oriented:

These locations are included (with GPS coordinates, map and planning info) in my travel guide eBook that helps you easily plan your Slovenia road trip:

How to get to Logarska Dolina

The easiest way to visit the Logar Valley is on a road trip, self drive. The roads from Ljbubljana are in very good conditions and it will allow you to explore the area more easily.
Note that there is a tollbooth at the entrance of Logarska Dolina itself and you have to pay a daily permit to enter with your car.

Logar Valley Day Trip - If you are not road tripping through Slovenia, you can still see the Logar Valley. There are not much public transportation options, but a company is running a tour to the area departing from Bled or Ljubljana.

Check out program and book

Logarska Dolina Map and information at Rinka Center in Solcava

If you are stying several days, you can stop in Solcava on the way to the Logar Valley to get information at the tourist office (Rinka Center) as well as maps, including the one of the Solcavksa Panoramic Road.

How long to visit the Logar Valley?

You could only drive through the valley and enjoy the views over a half day.
However, I recommend at least 2 days to enjoy the magnificent regions. The mountains are beautiful and I think you should take the time to visit all the glacial valleys and drive the Panoramic road.

Where to stay in the Logar Valley?

A few Guesthouses and farms are providing accommodation in the region. But the main Logarska Dolina hotel is Hotel Plesnik . It is located where there is the best view of the valley. This is why I booked there, just to be able to see that view (the one on the first photo in the next section)  all the time while staying and even swim while enjoying it. I like the decor of the rooms and the staff was nice. The only annoying thing was the high quantity of lights and buttons to turn them on and off. I was always trying to find the right one LOL.

But if you want a more personalized experience, check out the best rated guesthouses and farms around the Logar Valley.

The advantage of Logarska Dolina (or not depending on your perspective) is that you can drive all the way to the end of the valley. The road is in good conditions. It is a very easy drive. 

So there are 3 main ways to explore the Valley:

• Drive and stop at the different parking
• Walk the whole trail (mostly flat)
• Bike through the valley

The first section is open with fantastic views, and the second part is under the trees all the way to the parking of Slap Rinka Hike.

Below are a few pictures taken along the way:

Logar Valley Natural Park Facts

• It was created by a glacier during the last ice age
• It is 7km long and 260m wide in average
• It is surrounded by mountains over 2000m high (such as Ojstrica, Brana, Rinke...)
• Along the valley you can see sources, huts, meadows, Scottish cattle and lots of trees 

Nature-Ethnographic Trail

A walking trail has been set up with explanatory boards about Nature.
Ot is a 7km long path and takes 3h one-way. It is mostly flat until the climb to the waterfall.
It takes you through the "Fairy-Tale forest" and all the way to the waterfall.

Slap Rinka Waterfall

There are several hikes in the region and 6 waterfalls. One of the most famous is the one to the Rinka Waterfall, which is quite different from all the other waterfalls in Slovenia. Here it is, a straight 90m drop:

Logar Valley Hike to Rinka Waterfall

The Rinka waterfall is a single 90m drop agains the grey and orange rock wall. It is often said that it is the tallest in Slovenia but apparently, it is not the case.
To reach it you have to drive all the way to the end parking in the valley. There is a bar and facilities.
From there it is a 15 min hike uphill. It is quite steep and the rocks are slippery so wear good footwear and make sure you are fit enough. 

Robanov Kot

Just South of the Logar Valley, is Robanov Kot Glacial Valley. It is also a protected nature area that leads to Mt Ojstrica.

It is a lot less touristy and there is a nice trail through the valley (not possible to drive all the way): 1h walk.
It takes its name after the ancient Roban Farms which has been inhabited for more than 800 years.

As you can see on the photo above there was not much water when I visited.
Don't hesitate to enter the Govc-Vrsnik Tourist farm to learn more about the region and taste local produce.

Another highlight of the region is the Solcava Panoramic road they have been developing, one of the most beautiful drives in the countries (along with the VRSIC pass road).
Its local name is Solčavsko.

About the drive - Solcava panoramic road Map

Let me start by describing the drive  before showing some of my favorite viewpoints.
There are 3 sections fo the Panoramic road, the main one being the green line on the map. It starts at the entrance to the Logar Valley and finishes at Solcavska (or the opposite).
It is not the easiest of drive.
The road is often narrow and there is even a section that is not yet paved.
This means you have to drive slowly.

Plus there are many stops to enjoy. So plan at least 2 hours for the green circuit (more if you visit all the farms)

The Panoramas

The main attractions are the various nature viewpoints along the way. They are clearly indicated but parking can be sometimes a bit complicated. If it becomes a lot more popular, I don't know how they will manage.

Let me show you some pictures taken along the way:

This is not the best views but it is an intriguing location because it is wetland where more than 50 species of plants grow!

It is considered the best lookout points of the whole road. Above is the view on one side, with the Logar Valley. Loved the giant loungers to enjoy the place. Would you love to sit there?
And below is the view on the other side with the most photographed farm in Slovenia.

And a last one (it is difficult to pick only a few...). Below is Stop 5 with the Holy spirit church. Simple but elegant with the surrounding Kamnik Alps!!!

Dragons and Farms

The Solcavska Panoramic Road is not only for the views. You can follow stories and explanation about the region and its tradition. Each stop has explanation and is near a farm where you can taste delicious local produce.

Between Ljubljana and Logarska Dolina there is more to explore. Below are 2 stops to consider.

Kamnik

Kamnik was one of my favorite little towns in Slovenia. I fell in love with the view from the ruins of the old castle. The contrast of the red roofs with the deep green of the trees. The bare summits and the church tower.

And when I visited, it was very quiet with hardly any tourists, another reason why I found it very charming 🙂

Velika Planina - Cable Car + farms

Another very famous location is Velika Planina (a lot more touristy). It is an area in the mountains where herders have installed their small farms.
A cable car followed by a chairlift allow you to easily reach the area.
However if you are afraid of heights the cable car might be a problem. It is quite steep and old... but the views are breathtaking!

These locations and many other beautiful places, are included in my eBook with maps to make planning a road trip easy: 

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