Blate is one of the villages in the southern part of the Ribniška Valley where pottery was practiced. The area is also home to designated natural features and specific hiking information. When planning, it is worth considering these topics according to their respective focus: the pottery tradition places the village in its cultural and historical context, while a hiking description gives starting points, approximate distance and walking time.

Pottery tradition in the southern Ribniška Valley

Blate’s pottery tradition is part of the pottery-making area in the southern part of the Ribniška Valley. Janez Vajkard Valvasor first reported on this area in 1689. The year dates the report, not the beginning of pottery-making. Blate is therefore part of a regional craft tradition that extends beyond a single village. This adds a cultural and historical perspective on the southern valley to its natural and hiking connections.

Natural features and their locations

The designated natural feature Rakitnica - izviri refers to springs below Velika gora, west of Kot pri Rakitnici. Rakitnica - ponikalnica is a sinking stream on Ribniško polje. Blate – mokrotne površine is designated as a natural feature. The names refer to different forms: springs, a sinking stream and wetlands. This makes it possible to identify the named natural features by their respective locations.

Izvir Rakitnice is also designated as a natural feature. The spring also serves as a water intake and is therefore fenced off. Take the fence into account when finding your way if this spot is part of your plans.

Hiking: starting points, distance and route

A route description published in December 2020 gives two possible starting points for the hike: the Ugar car park or, a little further up, the road junction for the road to Zadolje. The route is approximately 12 km long; depending on your walking pace, it takes two and a half to three hours. This time range is a guide, not a minute-by-minute estimate. Parking and access conditions may change; check them before your visit.

The Pot vodnih virov route runs via Ugar–Zadolje–Blate–Obrh–Prigorica–Brezje–Ugar. The route description dates from December 2020; Ugar appears at both the beginning and end of the sequence, and Blate is one of the listed places. This sequence answers a different planning question than the walking time: it shows which place names are part of the described route. Check current trail conditions before setting out.

If you are looking for a holiday apartment for a stay in Blate, the trip idea can help structure your plans: the hike has a described distance and time frame, while the pottery tradition offers a cultural and historical perspective on the village. Consider which focus you would like to spend time on before deciding how long to stay. This keeps your accommodation search aligned with your own travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Hrib-Loški Potok, Glažuta, Draga, Retje, Rigelj Pri Ortneku, Sodražica, Ribnica

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