The village where sustainability is in the air
Solčava is a small alpine village in the Logar-Solčava Valley, a tourist destination whose natural beauty attracts visitors from far and wide. The village’s unique way of fusing nature protection with the life of the locals makes it a true sustainable destination.
The region, which is situated in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps and runs along the Slovenian-Austrian border, is geographically bounded by the sources of the Savinja River. Most of the inhabitants of Solčava live in high mountain farms, as the narrow valley is surrounded by imposing mountains making only a few houses fit in.
Solčava encompasses three parallel alpine valleys transformed by glaciers: Logar valley, Robanov kot and Matkov kot. The village of Podolševa lies below Mount Olševa, where the famous Potočka zijalka cave is located, where the remains of an Ice Age hunters’ shelter were discovered. The hamlets between Matkov kot and Podolševa are connected by the Solčava scenic road, which offers beautiful views of the valleys and the surrounding Kamnik-Savinja Alps.
The cultural heritage of Solčava is brought to life by various ethnological activities, entertainment and multimedia presentations. A walk through Robanov kot reveals fragments of mankind’s connection with nature, spanning centuries. The tradition is preserved thanks to the wise thoughts of our predecessors and the heritage they have left us. Tourist farms and guesthouses invite guests to relax and enjoy local culinary delights, such as cured meat products, homemade cheese and dumplings with dried pears.
In recent years, the Solčava region has received numerous awards for sustainable tourism, such as the Slovenian Green Destination Gold Label, the TOP 100 award for sustainable destinations, five green certificates for sustainable tourism and many others.
HIGHLIGHTS
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Tourists become locals
In 2019, Solčava took part in the Integral Tourist Product project, created in the Logar Valley. It is a project that developed an anti-stress program for the modern guest, it includes all the elements of a simple rural life, with activities like socializing with locals, nature walks, spa treatments, herbal teas, baking and much more.
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Start small green big
Even though Solčava has just around 500 inhabitants, the administration and community are extremely active in pursuing the national goal of green destination. The municipality developed a Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the Logar Valley Landscape Park with measures such as no-plastic policies, forest care and electric mobility.
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Supporting the short value-chain
Solčava administration supports local producers creating physical selling channels. The Rinka Center is the local tourist organization that provides, not only information, but also local products, fresh bakery and a working space; furthermore, the community has invested in a common local-products-selling machine directly stocked by local farms.
