Hell - a damn good escape

They are baked from the best organic ingredients, made by hand Angelika Mlinar, a doctorate in international law, who exchanged prestigious legal positions for dedication and joy in creating melt-in-the-mouth angel biscuits. You can also buy them in one of the nearby Drogerie Markts and take a bite to remember that the only thing that counts in life is what is made of complete joy. Very easy, but only for those who dare. That's why we bravely move on, in the direction of Vrhnika, where we turn at the first exit for Brezovica and then continue towards Podpeča. Already from afar, we are greeted by the newly built bridge, which gives the settlement a new stamp. Its aesthetically arranged arches serve not only as a beauty detail, but above all as a support for the entire bridge. The essence is often hidden from view, but one of the most well-kept picnic areas should not remain hidden. It is located on the right side of the main road, where we must watch carefully so as not to miss its signpost. On the grassy surface with the Ljubljanica River on the side, you can relax with football, beach volleyball, handball, darts, canoes and boats Ljubljanica and other recreational activities. We can also use the city as a starting point for hiking St. Yes or cycling on Rakitno.

In hell
Curiosity pulls us forward, so let's continue to the place Blueberry, where the largest brick railway viaduct in the world used to climb at that time. It was destroyed during the Second World War, and the remains of one pillar still stand in the middle of the settlement. This directs us forward, all the way to the wild gorge Hell. We leave the vehicles in the parking lot in front of the Pekel inn and head towards the unknown. Right at the entrance, it becomes clear to us who is the boss here, as we are greeted by a large statue of the devil. Let's not let ourselves be scared and continue our journey in good faith along the safe path taken. Let's surrender to the sparkling murmur of the stream Otavščica, which originates on the Bloško-Rakitnik plateau, and we follow the bridges from one bank to the other. The gorge, which got its name because of the difficult accessibility, overhanging walls and perhaps also because during the rains its ravines become dark, difficult to pass and thus dangerous for visitors, is famous for five waterfalls that freeze in winter and are suitable for climbing. But winter is still far away, so the waterfalls and their roar pleasantly refresh and calm us and ensure that despite the summer heat, our adventure is pleasant. Between the third and fourth waterfall, we will notice a solitary rock, the Devil's Tooth, which can also be climbed in about an hour and a half. The area of Pekla is also a refuge for many animal and plant species, which will further enrich our journey. Nature can also be admired on the benches and posts placed along the path, and we can use our five minutes for a snack or just a meditative observation of the overflowing water into the infinity and incomparability of its forms. We will forget that we were in hell until the stifling heat from our vehicle blows into us. That's why, before our departure, we cool down in the shade of the Pekel guest house, which is famous for its peaceful atmosphere, friendly service and perfectly prepared trout. It is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 12:00 to 22:00, on Sundays and holidays from 12:00 to 18:00. A visit to the guest house will once again raise the question of why hell has such a negative meaning, because we will once again feel like we are in paradise.

In paradise
To make sure that there is nothing bad for us in hell, or rather the opposite, let's go to Pekel Caves in Šempeter in the Savinjska Valley. Maybe we will get a different impression at the other end of Slovenia, but probably not, because the Pekel cave is one of the most beautiful pearls of the Styrian karst and in terms of beauty and preservation it competes with many tourist caves in Europe. We get there on the Vransko-Maribor highway, and from the exit for Šempeter, we are directed by information boards. The entrance to the cave itself is very impressive, as it once again represents the devil, this time made of rock. The cave can be visited every day from 9 am to 6 pm on the hour, and groups as soon as a guide is available. Appropriate footwear and clothing are recommended, as the average temperature in the cave is 10 °C. The tour follows a well-guarded path past numerous stalactites and side tunnels and climbs up to a 4-meter-high underground waterfall on the stream The hellhole, which is also the largest underground waterfall in Slovenia. The stairs lead us to the upper, dry, stalactite-rich part. Through the artificial exit, we reach the surface as much as 42 meters higher and descend along the forest path to the log cabin, where we can have refreshments. So our hellish day ends with just the opposite aftertaste.