Arboretum Volčji Potok – Krvavec (climb of Pogačar’s youth)

This is one of the toughest climbs in Slovenia and can easily serve as a serious training benchmark. The route runs near the hometown of Slovenian champion Tadej Pogačar, and you will even pass through roundabouts decorated in Giro d’Italia pink and Tour de France yellow as a tribute to his victories.

The tour starts at Arboretum Volčji Potok and briefly passes through the town of Kamnik. The initial section includes slightly busier roads, but traffic is generally manageable. After Kamnik, we transition onto quieter backroads with gentle rolling terrain — perfect to warm up the legs before the real climb begins.

In Komenda, you will notice a pink and yellow roundabout celebrating Pogačar’s Giro and Tour wins. From there we continue toward Grad, where the ascent officially starts. The first section is the most demanding, featuring a long ramp at around 12%. It may feel like the hardest part, but the climb is far from over.

At the first key intersection, we turn left and continue climbing toward Krvavec ski resort. The gradients settle into a more consistent 6–8%, with a few steep kickers along the way. The steady effort and beautiful alpine surroundings make this a classic Slovenian climbing experience.

At the top, there are usually open mountain huts or bars where we can enjoy a dessert or refreshing drink before descending. The descent requires caution, with several sharp switchbacks demanding full attention.

After descending back to the earlier intersection, we turn left again and follow scenic backroads toward Kamnik, completing the loop with a short ride back to Arboretum Volčji Potok.