The romantic Robanov kot is a lesser-known alpine valley in the Solcava region of northern Slovenia - close to the Austrian border. Robanov is one of the three parallel valleys to be seen from the famous Solcava Panoramic Road. It is an ideal destination for those who want to get to know the natural treasures of Slovenia but do not want to go to the Triglav National Park.
Interestingly, the valley is named after one of the oldest families in Slovenia, the Robanov farmers, some of whom still live and cultivate their land to this day.
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Map - Where is the valley of Robanov kot?
The Robanov kot valley is located in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps in northern Slovenia. We are only a few kilometres from the Austrian border in historic Styria. The valley runs parallel to the largest river in the region, the Savinja River.
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Although the countryside bears many similarities to Triglav National Park, it is not part of it.
The valley, which is also within easy driving distance from Austria, is located between Luce and Solcava cities. If you want to spend a few days here, you can choose accommodation in the valley or in these cities.
- Distance to Ljubjana: 70 minutes / 70 km
- Distance to Solcava: 5 minutes / 2 km
- Distance to Maribor: 1.5 hours / 110 km
- Distance to Klagenfurt: 1.5 hours / 70 km
Parking
Admission by car is free. You will find two parking lots in the valley. One is at the very beginning of the route, and the second one is further in the valley - just before the Robanov farm. Both are free, and the first one is larger, but usually, there is enough space in the second parking lot as well.
Hiking in Robanov kot
The 4 km long valley earned the title of Landscape Park in 1987 and has been protected ever since. The valley can be divided into 2 parts - the first, which can be seen by car, and the second, which can be reached only on foot. The famous Robanov farm separates the two parts.
Next to the concrete road at the second parking lot, you find 4-5 apartments, one of which also functions as a restaurant. It might be worth mentioning, that this is the only restaurant in the valley.
To the second part of the valley, you can no longer enter by car or by bike, only on foot. Expect gravel and forest trail that pass pastures, forests, and farmhouses. Although you cannot enter the farmhouses that are still active today, you can see cows, foresters, local farmers, beekeepers, etc. from the route.
Moving deeper and deeper into the valley, you can see the works of the former glacier - on your left. You will observe barren soil and huge rocks broken off from the surrounding mountains. If you want, feel free to take a closer look.
At the end of the valley, the hiking trail disappears and becomes a via Ferrata route, but before it disappears completely, you will find a lovely waterfall. From now on, only experienced climbers can go further.
There, you will find a mountain shelter that is open from mid-June to mid-September. Hikers can rest here for the last time before heading for the 2350 m high peak, Ojstrica.
The Robanov family
Although the valley has been farmed by the same couple of families for centuries, the Robanov family has the largest estate. The valley also got its name from them. It was first mentioned in 1426, but it probably already existed in the 12th century.
The family, which is still active today, can trace the history of their roots back nine generations.
Valleys of the Upper Savinja
The region encloses three very different glacier valleys:
- The most famous and most touristy is the Logarska dolina - the Logar Valley, which has many hotels and restaurants, several waterfalls and a great number of hiking trails.
- The wildest valley is Matkov kot, which is the less visited. You can't find anything in it except the fabulous Slovenian nature, and the Matk farmhouse.
- Robanov kot is not as wild as Matkov, but not as touristy as the Logar valley. It is an ideal choice to visit if you want to avoid the crowd, but love hiking.
By car, the entrance to the Robanov kot and the Matkov kot is free. In the Logar valley, you need to pay an entry fee.
