Free Hop On-Hop Off
Kamnik Savinja Alps
During the main summer season, from June 20 to September 13, the shuttles will run twice a day – in the morning in one direction and in the afternoon in the opposite direction. The van with eight passenger seats (8+1) will connect the towns of Kamnik, Komenda, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Preddvor, Jezersko, Solčava, Luče and Gornji Grad. This circular route, which is fully financed by the participating municipalities, allows visitors to easily travel between the starting points without using their own vehicle. Due to the limited number of seats, advance seat reservation is mandatory on the website www.hopon-hopoff.si, which is also available in English.
This year, the organizers are further emphasizing greater flexibility to the individual wishes of passengers. By prior arrangement, pets are welcome in the van, there is space for bicycles or larger amounts of luggage, and it will also be possible to get on and off at any intermediate points along the route. Users are kindly asked to contribute to a smooth experience by following the timetable and making advance reservations for both directions. In the event of a change in plans, they are also asked to cancel in a timely manner, as this will allow transportation for other passengers.
Introduction to the season at the expert meeting in Solčava
The new transport season was officially announced at the expert event “Sustainable Destination Management: Challenges and Opportunities of Sustainable Mobility in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps”, which took place at the Rinka Center in Solčava. The third event in a series taking place within the framework of the Added Value of Water project was intended to exchange experiences and find solutions in the field of sustainable mobility in the region. Before the expert work, the mayors and representatives of the participating municipalities also met, emphasizing that the challenges of the mountain area can only be successfully solved through coordinated action.
The participants were initially welcomed by the Mayor of Solčava Municipality, Katarina Prelesnik, who highlighted the importance of such projects for the local environment: “I am convinced that by connecting knowledge, experience and good practices, we will more easily find solutions that will enable the coordinated development of tourism, the protection of nature and the quality of life of the local population.” The attendees were also addressed by Anton Špeh, president of the LAS of the Upper Savinja and Šaleška Valleys and Mayor of the Municipality of Gornji Grad, which is joining the project as a new destination this year: “The mountains teach us patience, but traffic flows do not wait, so it is important that we act wisely now and, above all, together.“
The main expert contribution at the event was prepared by Dr. Matej Ogrin from the Department of Geography of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Ljubljana and President of the CIPRA Slovenia Association, who emphasized the importance of long-term thinking about mobility in mountain landscapes. At the round table that followed, representatives of Solčava, Jezersko and Železna Kapla discussed how small mountain communities manage traffic flows and what challenges locals face.
The Hop on – Hop off service around the Kamnik-Savinja Alps is not only a story about comfortable tourist transport, but above all a story about responsibility. The project represents a thoughtful interweaving of advanced shared mobility and active nature protection. The central, long-term goal of all participating municipalities remains the development of tourism based on respect for nature and the permanent protection of its resources. The free Hop on – Hop off transport is a joint contribution to this commitment – to preserve a clean and unspoiled mountain world today and for generations to come.
