Ostrovrhar Hiking Trail (443 m)

In the hilly hinterland of Ljubljana, above the village of Podgrad, a well-maintained loop hiking trail winds through the wooded hills and alongside the Besnica River. The trail guides hikers through the historical, natural, cultural, and technical heritage of the village. It follows either wide forest paths or narrow trails, ascending and descending moderately to steeply. Along the way, you’ll pass several landmarks, including the ruins of a former castle and a picturesque millstone quarry. Some sections of the trail offer stunning views.

The Ostrovrhar Hiking Trail is named after the knights from the former castle situated on the steep, pointed hilltop above Podgrad. The start (and finish) of the trail is marked by an information board at the end of the village, behind the old factory buildings, where you’ll also find a gravel car park.

The path initially ascends moderately over a wooded slope along a wide forest track, which gradually narrows and gently leads to the ruins of the former castle. This spot is also one of the finest viewpoints on the trail; on clear days, it offers vistas of the surrounding hills and the Kamnik–Savinja Alps. The trail then descends steeply along a well-made path into the valley of the Besnica stream, passing the picturesque former millstone quarry. You will then walk for a while on flat terrain beside the water until you reach the junction for the final and steepest climb on the trail, up to Murjevka (take care crossing the road), the highest point on the route at 443 metres above sea level. After ascending a pleasant forest trail, the route follows a wide ridge path that descends to the Pri Lazarju Tourist Farm and then returns along the road to the starting point.