What the Route 66 means to U.S., the road 409 means to Slovenians. Before the A1 motorway was built this was “The Road” most Slovenians used to travel to the coast for their summer vacation. Perhaps that’s why it grew so close to our hearts, but I suggest you take it as the A1 alternative simply because the road is well maintained, with nice scenery, and sparse traffic. It offers plenty of opportunities to switch to A1 in case you accidentally caught a glimpse of the clock.
Author: Simon Rozman
2003 Fat Boy
Vrhnika-Logatec-Postojna
The road 409 provides a belowed alternative to A1 motorway when travelling to or from the coast to the inland.
Along the route at Logatec, you’ll drive thru a linden avenue from 1805 planted to celebrate the wedding of Napoléon Bonaparte and Marie Louise of Austria.
Between Logatec and Postojna, you shall enjoy some of the best slowly twisted (Grčarevec) or tight twisted (Planina) roads motorcyclists from Ljubljana and around come to enjoy on weekends.
If the town Postojna sounds familiar to you, it’s because the Europe largest cave system lies beneath it. A must see.
Harley-Davidson Ljubljana
Harley-Davidson dealership in Ljubljana
Jezersko and Pavlič Saddle
Start at Preddvor taking road 210 to Jezersko. Soon after Zgornje Jezersko village (“jezero” is Slovenian word for lake) is a nice place with a restaurant by the Planšarsko jezero (lake) – about 300m to the right from the road 210.
Take the border pass to Austria and soon after arriving in the valley turn right to Pavličevo sedlo (Paulitsch Saddle). Pavlič Saddle is another mountain and border pass back to Slovenia.
If you are rarely in this area, take time and detour to Logarska Valley.
Follow 428 to Radmirje where it joins 225.
From there you can break and head thru Gornji Grad to Kamnik.
Or continue in the direction of Polzela to A1/E57 motorway.
Žužemberk-Kostanjevica na Krki
Start at Žužemberk taking the road 216 to Dvor. Drive thru Dvor and at Soteska drive straight to 419 in direction of Novo mesto.
In Novo mesto just keep on 419 straight thru the city (direction Šentjernej). After Šentjernej you shall arrive at Kostanjevica na Krki. Small village on an island made by two channels of Krka river.
Kamnik-Savinjska Valley
In Kamnik take the road 225 in the direction of Gornji Grad. The road will take you over the mountains to Savinjska Valley
Kolpa River
At the West side of Kočevska Reka village take 656 in the direction Osilnica (unmarked intersection).
At Osilnica there is an adrenalin park. Follow the river Kolpa at 657 to Brod na Kolpi.
Unec-Sodražica: Bloke Plateau
Plain and simple: Leave the A1/E61 motorway at Unec and take the road 212 thru Cerknica, Nova vas and Sodražica.
Or vice versa.
Or forth and back… 🙂
Or forth and back with a break at Bloško jezero (pictured). 😀 In Nova vas look for an intersection for Bloško jezero (45.786450, 14.514858).
Škofja Loka-Bohinjska Bistrica
From Škofja Loka take 403 to Železniki. Continue on 403 then take 909 at Sorica.
The road will take you across the mountains to the North-neighbouring valley. You will arrive at Bohinjska Bistrica.
From Bohinjska Bistrica you can follow 209 West to Lake Bohinj or East to Lake Bled.
Mrzlek-Matavun
At Mrzlek take 405 thru Gornje Vreme to Vremski Britof. At Vremski Britof turn left and take 940, cross the river Reka (“Reka” in Slovenian means river) to 409.
Once at 409, you can follow it left to Portorož. Or take the nearby A1 motorway.