Hidden between the Bloke Plateau in the north and the Snežnik hills in the south, the beginning of the Kočevje primeval forests in the east and the elongated Javorniki forest barrier in the west, lies the Loška valley, where the images of nature and human creations change their reflections through the changing seasons.
Located in the heart of the Loška valley is a settlement Stari trg pri Ložu. In the nearby rural village of Podcerkev is The Ars Viva institute founded in 2009, which was created from the Pri Lužarjevih farm and was later turned into the Youth Hostel Ars Viva. Today, the hostel is a popular gathering place for groups and solo travelers. In addition to many other accolades, in 2023 the hostel won the My Country – beautiful and hospitable competition for the best hostel in Slovenia. Due to the accessible premises, the hostel is also suitable for vulnerable groups. You can explore the Notranjska region with the help of a cycling web application. By renting adapted tricycles and electric racks, all the region’s beauties are also accessible to people with reduced mobility. In addition to accommodation, the hostel offers various activities both in nature and on the homestead (e.g. a clay creation workshop, a painting and art workshop…).
Next to the world-famous Križna jama karst cave, you can take a look into the sinkhole water cave Golobina, which combines elements of active water caves, dry stalactite caves, ice stalactites in winter, original and sinking caves, and is also rich in real cave animals, bats and other occasional cave visitors.
One shouldn’t leave the valley without visiting the Snežnik castle, the only castle in Slovenia with authentic 19th century furnishings, taking a tour of its surroundings and viewing the Hunting collection and Dormouse Museum in the manor house.
As part of the offer, you can meet a local farmer and herbalist, who dedicates her time to developing contents related to Slovenian culinary heritage, wild food and the preservation of the cultural landscape. A true artist, performing outdoor kitchen magic!
For a nice conclusion to a pleasant day, you can enjoy a delicious home-made dinner in one of the valley’s taverns.
Day 1
14:00-14:30 arrival and check-in at the Ars Viva youth hostel in Stari trg pri Ložu
14:30-16:00 cycling to the TIC Lož with customized bikes, guided tour
16:00-16:15 cycling back to the Ars Viva youth Hostel
17:00-19:00 a workshop – a culinary walk, with a local herbalist, preparing your own dinner snack at the Ars Viva youth hostel
Staying the night at the Ars Viva youth hostel
Day 2
8:30-9:30 breakfast at the Ars Viva youth hostel
10:00-12:00 driving to and visiting the Golobina karst cave (only sinkhole between Loška valley and the Cerknica lake) with a local guide
12:00-12:15 driving back to the youth hostel
12:30-15:00 cycling with customized bikes for lunch at Gostilna & Pizzeria Pri Stani in Žerovnica
15:00-18:00 cycling to the Snežnik Castle, guided tour of the castle and the Hunting collection and the Dormouse Museum (4pm), visiting a tourist market by TIC Lož there
Contact of the Provider:
Zavod za kulturno integracijo in socializacijo družbenih skupin
Podcerkev 24, 1386 Stari trg pri Ložu
T: +386 (5) 991 50 58, M: +386 (0)41 741 750
E: info@arsviva.si
Javni zavod za kulturo, turizem in medgeneracijsko sodelovanje Snežnik
Lož, Cesta 19. oktobra 49
1386 Stari trg pri Ložu
T: +386 (0)81 602 853
M: +386 (0)41 634 224
E: zdenko.truden@zavod-sneznik.si
www.loskadolina.info
SCOUT REPORT
SCOUTS: Lukasz and Lilka
June 2024 Close to nature: An active weekend in Loška Dolina On Friday afternoon, we arrived at the Ars Viva youth hostel in Stari trg pri Ložu. We were greeted by a thunderstorm and Tjaša, who kept her spirits high despite the downpour outside. Luckily, the weather...