Biking in Slovenia » Notranjska » Pasja Ravan from Polhov Gradec
Pasja Ravan used to be the highest peak in Polhov Gradec hills until the Yugoslav army decided to level it to build a radar station. Yugoslavia is long gone, and so is the radar station. Still, the gravel road to the top remains – an ideal opportunity to bike there and enjoy fantastic views from the ridge separating Gorenjska from Notranjska.
At a Glance
- Difficulty
- A mix of asphalt and gravel roads with the usual “Does it have to be so steep?” parts
- Altitude
- 1023 m
- Average time
- 3 h
- Elevation gain
- 660 m
- Distance
- 28.9 km
- Coordinates
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Start: 46.071661,14.315069
Notes
- I parked at the “official” parking lot for hikers going to Tošč or Grmada just after Polhov Gradec. There might be some parking opportunities further down the road, but don’t press your luck.
- Bike north, following signs for Petačev Graben and later Črni Vrh. If you want to avoid gravel roads, stay on the main road Polhov Gradec – Črni Vrh.
- In Črni Vrh, follow the signs for Škofja Loka.
- When you get to a saddle with phenomenal views (including Mount Triglav), take the left road (signs for Poljane).
- At the top of the ascent, turn right onto a washed-out gravel road – you might see a sign for vremenski radar (weather radar). The first few dozen meters were way too harsh for me, but it levels out afterward.
- There is no view at the top, but it’s nice to take a break sitting at the edge of a large clearing1.
- Return to the asphalt road and continue biking uphill. Follow signs for Poljane until you get to a hairpin junction where you have to turn sharp left (direction Lučine).
- At the next house, turn left onto a descending dirt road. The dirt road quickly turns into a gravel road, passes two farms, and ends at an asphalt road. If you don’t like dirt trails, continue along the ridge until you find an asphalt road going left.
- Go (mostly) straight until you reach Polhov Gradec.
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If you believe in the evil powers of 5G, stay well clear of the radar dome. Also, I have it on good authority that if Bill Gates managed to surreptitiously add a chip into your COVID-19 vaccine, that chip might permanently glue you to the dome. ↩︎
Map of the Route
The map shows the path we took as recorded by the GPS receiver. Never trust a GPS track wholeheartedly; rely on your senses and maps.
