The peak of Staneta Kosca stands eyeball to eyeball with Šmarna Gora. The geological stand-off between these two hills is one for the books!

Yet, when you’re looking for a peaceful location near Ljubljana for a day of forest bathing, this forested hillside is the right place. Plenty of people stroll through this forest on holidays and weekends, but they’re more dispersed throughout the forest, making it feel more peaceful.

This observation tower (“razgledni stolp” in Slovene) sits above a small village called Rašica and is about 17m tall. Don’t worry; there are stairs, so you don’t have to use superpowers to reach the top—no need to reveal your secret identity. Once you’ve conquered those last few steps, you can enjoy a fantastic view of Ljubljana, the Kamnik–Savinja Alps, and central Slovenia.

If you’ve parked your car where I’ve planted the marker, you should walk towards the houses a bit down the street. The first signposts will appear on your left and guide you into the forest. If you’re fortunate enough, you’ll be able to observe the inspiring art of careless Balkan parking, a talent most Slovenes master as soon as they get their driving license!

There are several well-marked pathways (red arrows and red and white circles painted on trees and rocks), but I suggest following the Vrh Staneta Kosca signs. These will take you to the observation tower and the nearby inn that serves typical Slovene dishes (Tip: try their Štrukli!) and well-deserved coffee at reasonable prices.