Hiking trio close to Ljubljana: Katarina, St. Jakob, Grmada

First, Katarina

I had been planning the trio trip for at least a month, thus waking up to a drizzling grey morning on the day I set the date for, I was not the one to be deterred. I packed a sandwich, a bottle of water, hot tea, and a camera, and set off for Gaberje, a small village on the way to Polhov Gradec with the trailhead towards my first goal, Katarina in the Polhov Gradec Hill Range. If you’re taking a bus, take the route 51, Ljubljana – Dobrova – Polhov Gradec (More information on city buses).

Second, St. Jakob

If you are to follow my lead and continue going on to the next rolling hill in line, the white church on an enchanting small hilltop named St. Jakob will be your next stop. But no worries as the trail will not take more than half an hour and 1.5km of an easy walk up and down and up again.

Third, Polhograjska Grmada

After a home-made sandwich and hot tea at the top of St. Jakob, I was excited to be off for my last goal of the day, Polhograjska Grmada or one of the highest peaks in the Polhov Gradec Hill Range. Stats ahead? A little over 5km, 280m of elevation and 1.15 hours one way. The best part? I could have gone on and on easily to yet another rolling hill ahead, and I whole-heartedly encourage you to do so; if you’re taking a bus, you can easily descend directly to Polhov Gradec and take a bus back to Ljubljana from there.

Finally, lunch back in Topol

Anyway, my stomach had been getting impatient by the minute, therefore I didn’t dally much at the top of Grmada. It was a sort of trail-running end of my trip, pushing it to a laudable pace as my mouth watered excessively by a mere thought of the best restaurant in Topol (just under the Katarina peak), Gostilna Dobnikar, and their tasty traditional dishes. All I can say is that was a perfect ending to a perfect trip. To many more of the kind!