Monumenti tra Sveta Gora e Plave

Depart from parking lot at city entrance of Gorizia (Gorizia Fiere, former ExpoMEGO).

Ride through the city into Slovenia and via bike paths to the slopes of Kekec, first elevation gain of the day. We cross the plateau of Kramarca with the wonderful view of the Soča valley then at km.13.2 we find the munumental complex dedicated to Field Marshal Svetozar Borojevi von Bojna, Serbo-Croatian commander at the head of the Austrian troops that managed to contain the assault of the Italian troops on the Karst front in WWI.

After riding the steep descent that takes us to Dol, at km 15.8 we find a handy fountain where we can refill our water bottles and face the climb to Sveta Gora, which we will not touch, however, so we will descend again and climb back up to Vodice. At km 20.4 we will find the Mausoleum of General Maurizio Ferrante Gonzaga, remembered here for conquering this peak during World War I. Retracing our steps and following the other path ignored just before, we arrive at a monumental stele of clear postwar inspiration.

We leave the summit and descend along a path that emerges from the woods to cross a magnificent meadow, then again hide in the vegetation: watch out for ticks particularly present here in certain seasons of the year! At km 21.4 we find the Vodice bell: we ring it and then pass, it is tradition! At km 22.3 we arrive at Novak Platz, a place so nicknamed in honor of Major General Guido Novak von Arienti, a Hapsburg army officer of Milanese origin who was particularly beloved by his men and who is remembered here with a monument.

The descent to Plave presents no technical difficulties, as does the subsequent bike path along the Isonzo/Soca River. Back in Italy the bike path also ends here, for tranquility, we will ride along side roads that take us to our starting point.