Branica Valley

The route begins in the old town center of Vipava, which is adorned with the Baroque Lanthieri Mansion. From there, the route leads along the main road from Vipava towards Podnanos in an easterly direction. After a longer flat stretch, you reach a crossroads where you turn right towards Štanjel. In the village of Manče, a short climb begins to the turnoff for the village of Goče, where you can leave the route and climb up to this village. Goče is one of the oldest and most picturesque villages in the Vipava region, featuring more than 60 stone vaulted wine cellars. From the turnoff to Goče, we descend into the Branica valley. Shortly after the village of Trebižani, the road branches right towards Branik. We follow the main traffic-free road past orchards, vineyards, and fields until we join the main Štanjel–Branik road. From there, we continue towards Branik. On the left, you will soon see Rihemberk Castle, one of the largest and best-preserved castles in this part of Slovenia, towering above the village of Branik. We continue on the main road to Dornberk, where we turn right towards Ajdovščina. Before the village of Zalošče, we cross the Vipava River, where a short, easy climb to the top of the village begins. From here, we travel to the village of Selo, where we join the main Nova Gorica–Ajdovščina road. We suggest driving through the center of Ajdovščina, where well-preserved remains of the Roman fortress Castra are located. From Ajdovščina, we pass through the village of Budanje, where a large pilgrimage church, Mary Comforter of the Afflicted, stands by the road. A little further on, on a hill above the main road, is the Zemono Mansion, which you reach by a beautiful paved road through an avenue. The renowned restaurant Pri Lojzetu is located at Zemono Mansion. You can stroll around the mansion, which offers a nice view of the upper Vipava valley. From the village of Zemono, descend along a side road to Vipava, thus concluding your cycling excursion.