Introducing The Robanov Kot Valley And Landscape Park
Robanov Kot is a valley in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, in the Municipality of Solcava in the far northern part of Slovenia. It is a sister to the more famous Logarska Valley, virtually undiscovered and almost equally stunning. Known for its natural beauty, tranquillity and inaccessibility, it hosts far fewer visitors compared to the neighbouring Logarska Valley. In 1987, the valley received protected status as a landscape park. The valley is 4 kilometres long. It is carpeted with green meadows and hemmed in by icy gray peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps.
Robanov Kot Valley And Landscape Park Review
Embraced by the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, Robanov Kot is a beautiful green Alpine valley tucked away in a remote corner of northern Slovenia, very close to the border with Austria. In this stunning 4-kilometre-long valley, as well as in the Logarska and Matkov Kot valleys around it, time seems to have stood still. Centuries-old ways of life have changed very little here, so the valley gives curious visitors a fascinating glimpse of mountain life as it once was.
Like the neighbouring Logarska Valley, Robanov Kot was also carved out by a glacier during the last Ice Age. After the glacier has retreated, vast forests covered the rugged terrain. The first people settled in the valley about a thousand years ago. They began to create pasture land for sheep and cattle, and the landscape hasn’t changed much since. Mentions of several farms, most of which still exist today, have been found in written documents dating back to the mid-fifteenth century. Among them is the Roban Farm, which gave the valley its name and is one of the oldest farms in Slovenia, having been cultivated continuously since 1426.
In 1950, the Robanov Kot Valley became one of the first areas in Slovenia to receive official protection. The legislation prohibited the construction of new buildings in the valley. This restriction has helped to preserve the traditional landscape till today. In 1987, the protections were strengthened even further and the valley was officially declared as the Robanov Kot Landscape Park. This persuaded locals to establish a non-profit organisation in 1992, so they could build the necessary infrastructure to start a sustainable tourism industry.
What really attracts visitors to the Robanov Kot is the peace and tranquillity and the exquisite beauty of the countryside. Farming is still the main way of life here but many of the farms now also welcome visitors, who can spend the night, taste delicious local dishes, or have a glass of homemade liquor, all surrounded by pristine nature. The trail starts at the Govc-Vrsnik tourist farm and opens up a beautiful panorama of the Roban meadow sustaining grazing cows during the season. The trail continues through the forest towards seasonally-operational mountain dairy, where they will be more than glad to serve you a delicious home-cooked meal in a friendly setting. And make sure you take your camera with you as there will be plenty of opportunities to take some fantastic pictures.
The valley can also be used as a great starting point for numerous hikes to the surrounding peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Some of the hikes are suitable for families, while mountaineers who ascend high above the Bela stream encounter precipitous walls and truly heart-stopping views.
The best place to begin a visit to the Robanov Kot Valley is the Rinka Center for Sustainable Tourism in the village of Solcava, about 2 kilometres north of the valley. Here you can grab some brochures, maps, books, or have a cup of coffee in an Alpine style restaurant. The cars and motorcycles are not allowed in the valley. You can visit it on foot or by bicycle. The best time to visit the valley is between May till September when the seasonally-operational mountain dairy is open to the public. Visitors often combine Robanov Kot Valley with Logar Valley located only a few kilometres away.
Robanov Kot Valley and Landscape Park Pictures
View our image gallery with 10 high-resolution photos that prove you absolutely have to visit the Robanov Kot Valley and Landscape Park!
Eight photos below by Bojan Kolman
In 1987, the Robanov Kot Valley received protected status as a landscape park.
The valley takes you back in time, thanks to scattered old farmsteads on green meadows.
In the valley mountain life goes on as it has for centuries.
The 21st century feels like a half-remembered daydream in the Robanov Kot.
Records dating back to the 15th century mention several farms in the valley, most of which are still around today – and they even belong to the same families.
The very unique Govc Beehive (Skovene: Govcev Cebeljnak) was built in 1929 in the Vienna Secession style.
The valley is hemmed in by icy gray peaks of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, namely Mt. Krizevnik (1,909 metres), Mt. Poljske Device (1,879 metres), Mt. Molicka Pec (2,029 metres), Mt. Velika Zelenica (2,114 metres), Mt. Ojstrica (2,350 metres), Mt. Kroficka (2,083 metres), Mt. Uta (2,039 metres) and Mt. Gozdnati Strelovec (1,763 metres)
As late as the beginning of the 20th century, there were no roads leading from the Robanov Kot valley to the rest of the world. The easiest way to access the outside world was to walk across high mountain passes into Austria.
Next 2 photos below by Branko Cesnik
Under the high lofty silver peaks, old ways of life have changed little over the past few centuries.
The valley became one of the first areas in Slovenia to receive official protection.
Robanov Kot Valley location on the map
Address: Robanov Kot 34, 3335 Solcava, Slovenija
Latitude and Longitude coordinates: 46.394699, 14.69836
GPS coordinates: 46° 23′ 40.9164” N 14° 41′ 54.096” E
Traditional region: Styria (Slovene: Stajerska)
Statistical region: Savinja
Municipality: Solcava
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Overall Rating: Located in the heart of the Kamnik Savinja Alps (close to the border with Austria), the Logar Valley or Logarska Dolina as it is called in Slovene is considered by many as one of the most beautiful valleys not only in Slovenia but in the whole of Europe. It is a U-shaped glacial valley, about 7 kilometres long and between 250 and 500 metres wide, carpeted with green meadows and hemmed in by icy gray peaks. |
Overall Rating: Robanov Kot is a gorgeous alpine valley which is protected as a landscape park since 1987. What attracts visitors to the valley is the peace and tranquillity and the exquisite beauty of the countryside. Farming is still the main way of life here but many of the farms now also welcome visitors, who can spend the night, taste delicious local dishes, or have a glass of homemade liquor, all surrounded by pristine nature. |
Overall Rating: Waterfall Rinka is situated at the far-end of the beautiful Logar Valey on the northern side of the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. The waterfall is absolutely magnificent and very photogenic. With a 90-meter drop (295 feet), it’s the second highest waterfall in Slovenia. The sound of the waterfall can be heard from quite some distance. |