Carsus Trail, stage 2: Renče - Lipa

Along the road, about 100 m, we continue right to the first stream, where we find a track that leads us into the forest. When the path starts to disappear in the ravine, we choose the track on the left, which takes us over a steeper hill to a small clearing. At the edge of the clearing is a hunting lookout.

From the clearing, we continue left uphill, cross the road, and continue through the forest to the village of VinišÄe. Below the village is an interesting renovated well, where residents once fetched water, as the village's water supply on the Karst was limited to rare water sources.

The path, also part of the Peace Trail in this section, takes us past the village to the World War I memorial park, where Slovaks erected a Bell Tower in 2022 in memory of fallen Slovak soldiers, a traditional form of their chapel.

We continue left, above the upper edge of the village, and further uphill through the forest to the start of the forest railways. In a semicircle, first right and then left uphill, we climb to the forest road, which steadily rises across the entire slope up to the scenic Cerje.

We continue along the road for 2.5 km through the forest of the former fire site, which still reveals charred tree skeletons, to the first contact with the ridge. Here we find a hiking trail that takes us from the saddle to the summit of Fajti Hill (434 m). We then follow the mountain trail along the ridge all the way to the monument on Cerje (about 2.4 km).

From Cerje, we continue along the fire road towards the Pečinka cave and Borojević's throne. For a visit to the viewpoint at the exit of Pečinka cave, we briefly leave the main trail. We return to Borojević's throne and from there continue along the fire road all the way to Kostanjevica.

We climb to the church and then descend into the village, where we walk to the primary school. Just below it, we find a crossing over the meadow and a field path that leads us out of the village into increasingly overgrown scrubland. Through the karst forest, we continue to the next village, Novelo.

We cross the road and continue along the outer edge of the village. Along the vineyard and across meadows, we continue to the road and the crossroads below the village of Temnica. Through the picturesque village, past the church, we walk to the sports field.

At the sports field, we turn right, slightly downhill through the village and then between fields and meadows to the track of the former military railway. We follow this track for about 1.5 km to a sharp bend or the connection to the fire road, along which we continue left, towards Trstelj. We finish the stage in the village of Lipa.

Standard hiking equipment: lighter hiking shoes and clothing suitable for the season.

The path is passable all year round; the most suitable and beautiful seasons are spring and autumn. It will not disappoint in winter either, but in summer one must accept the possibility of high temperatures.

The Monument to the defenders of the Slovenian land tells the story of wars and turbulent historical events in the ethnic areas of Slovenia, which fortunately ended in peace and prosperity in united Europe. Of course, it is worth visiting.

Pečinka cave is a natural cave that served as a dwelling and shelter for soldiers during the First World War. Soldiers dug the upper exit, which now allows a circular visit. The panoramic point at the exit can be visited, but the cave tour is only possible with a guide. 

Between the start and end of the stage, all the way to Temnica, there are no intermediate accommodations; it must be covered entirely in one go.