Cycling to Kučar: A view of the Kolpa River

From Metlika, the route leads over Krvavčji Vrh to Semič, and then along a scenic road past the Krupa River to Gradac, where a castle stands on a bend of the Lahinja River. The path continues across flat terrain through meadows and cultivated fields to the village of Prilozje, home to the Bela Krajina airfield and a pond. On the way to the main road, you will also encounter the Kolpa River and Kučar, one of the most important archaeological sites in Bela Krajina. The route then crosses the main road and a small bridge over the Lahinja River before continuing back to the starting point through forested areas.

Route

Metlika – Krvavčji Vrh – Cerovec – Črešnjevec – Semič – Stranska vas – Klošter – Gradac – Prilozje – Krasinec – Podzemelj – Zemelj – Geršiči – Dolnje Dobravice – Gornje Dobravice – gravel road past the Bočka landfill – Metlika

Points of interest along the route

Old town centre of Metlika (Metlika Castle, Bela Krajina Museum, Slovenian Firefighting Museum Dr Branko Božič, Church of St Nicholas), Kambič Gallery, Church of St Martin by the plague monument, open-air museum and partisan hospital in Črešnjevec, spring of the Krupa River, confluence of the Krupa and Lahinja rivers in Klošter, Gradac Castle, memorial room dedicated to the founding of the Slovenian Red Cross in Gradac, airfield and pond in Prilozje, Podzemelj Camp by the Kolpa River, Kučar Hill (viewpoint, prehistoric hillfort, Kučar–Kolpa educational trail, burial mounds), Parish Church of St Martin in Podzemelj, Lahinja River, Zdenc spring in Geršiči.

Providers along the route

Šturm Castle Cellar, Hotel Bela Krajina, Šrajf bakery (cakes, bread and traditional pastries), farm stay by the source of the Krupa River, Bela Krajina Aeroclub (airfield), Metlika Fishing Association (pond), nearby (Kapušin Inn, Trdič Organic Farm, Krasinec Camp), Veselič Inn, Podzemelj Camp by the Kolpa River, nearby (Pri starem Pildu pizzeria and spaghetti house).