Otoče - Brezje Pilgrimage trail

The trail starts at the railway station in Otoče, from where it leads north on the main village street (signs for "Božja pot - Brezje"). After about 50 meters you will reach a junction in front of Iskra factory. Turn right on the road exiting the village, and walk towards the bridge across river Sava at Posavec. As soon as you cross the bridge, turn left and descend down the stairs ending at a quiet street. Walk up the street and pass the children's playground to meet the principal road next to the bus station.

If you choose not to visit Ljubno village (and head straight to Brezje), simply turn left and walk alongside the principal road until reaching the bridge across Peračica stream.

For Ljubno. cross the road, than look for a narrow trail leading across the meadow alongside the low hedge (sign: Ljubno). The trail soon enters the forest and climbs and ascends with the help of occasional handrails and stairs. Soon the trail ends on an asphalt road, where first houses of Ljubno are encountered.

Reaching the fork, follow the left road leading slightly upwards. Walk the village street (which occasionally gets quite narrow) towards the church tower of the Church of "Stricken Mary (direction: north) . Soon wonderful views to Karavanke, Kamnik-Savinja Alps and Ljubljana basin open to your right hand-side. The street ascends further to finally reach the square outside the church.

Retrace your steps back to the start of the village or (preferably) walk the lower village street to see the beautiful Pri Mohorju house and the old village linden tree.

As you will arrive back to the point where the forest trail from Posavec branches off, continue on the asphalt road descending down to Sava valley. As the village access  road reaches the principal road, turn right and head towards the bridge across Peračica stream (chapel of St. John Nepomuk).

Walk across the bridge an look for the stone stairs scaling up in the forest. The path soon widens and levels, you will see Peračica motorway bridge on your right hand side and an forest meadow on your left. Continue on the path which bends to the left and gradually ascends through the forest.  Exiting the forest, you will pass by an isolated house on your left hand side. Walk straight ahead towards the motorway (sign: Brezje),  than turn left by the isolated tree. Reaching the junction with the village road, you will see an motorway underpass on your right hand side. Walk through it to reach the meadows outside Brezje village (views of Mt. Dobrča and the Karavanke range).

Follow the wider road leading left towards the upper natural terrace. Coming out of the forest you will find yourself in Brezje village. Turn right (sign: Brezje). Passing by farm and residential houses, the street leads you north on the edge of the natural terrace (wonderfully carved portals of the green tuff from Peračica valley). Reaching the junction in the centre of the village, you will already see the massive cut stone spire of the basilica of Mary Help of Christians in Brezje.

From the direction of Ljubljana : Take the motorway exit No. 5 (Brezje) and turn right in the first junction. Drive across the motorway overpass and descend to village Dobro Polje. Drive straight through and descend to Posavec. Turn right by the grocery store in Posavec (signs for Mišače, Otoče) and drive across the meadows to Otoče.

From the direction of Radovljica, Bled, Jesenice : Take the motorway exit No. 5 (Brezje) and turn right in the first junction. Drive across the motorway overpass and descend to village Dobro Polje. Drive straight through and descend to Posavec. Turn right by the grocery store in Posavec (signs for Mišače, Otoče) and drive across the meadows to Otoče.

Most local trains from Ljubljana to Radovljica and Jesenice (and back)  stop at Otoče train station.

Look for the current timetables on the web page of Slovenske železnice (Slovenian railways).

Alpetour/Arriva operates regular bus service to Posavec (800 meters from Otoče railway station).

The church of Mery Help of Christians in Ljubno is an older pilgrimage site than nearby (and today much better known) basilica in Brezje. Following an incident in 1692 (when a stonemason struck the statue of Virgin Mary with his hammer) the church became popularly known as the Church of "Stricken" Mary. When in Ljubno, the visit is warmly recommended. The keys for the church can be obtained in the parsonage bellow the church.