✍️ Tadej Maligoj
Uroš Zupan is constantly in motion. Not because of results or the need to prove anything, but for movement itself, for exploring new paths, for the feeling of being outside, in nature. A native of Bohinj who now lives in Ajdovščina. Even though he looks at the mountains from the other side now, they are still home to him.
Did you go from Ljubljana back home to Ajdovščina by the shortest route, or did you take a detour along the way?
When I became eligible for retirement, I realised that the phrase “going into retirement” isn’t quite right. Most people “drive” into it. I decided I would actually go. On foot. On my last day at work, I clocked out for the final time and set off from Ljubljana towards Ajdovščina. By the shortest route, through Vrhnika, Logatec and Podkraj.
No symbolism, no grand plan. Just walking. And freedom. And time to think about what to do with all the free time ahead.
You often use trains and public transport. What does it mean to you that the journey begins on the platform and not in a parking lot?
I used to commute to work by bus as well. It took a little longer, but my head was calm. On the bus you can read, doze off, or simply look out the window. When I retired, I immediately arranged a free public transport pass, and since then, every interesting journey begins the moment I leave home. Today I plan almost all my trips to include a bus or a train, and in summer, also a bike.
From Ajdovščina, with a bit of combining, you can get almost anywhere – last year, for example, I travelled to Scotland and back using only buses and trains. I’m proud of my carbon footprint.
A few mountains separate you from your native Bohinj. What is life like on the southern side of them?
I think I’m lucky: Bohinj and the Vipava Valley. In my opinion, two of the most beautiful parts of Slovenia. On one side, a sunny valley with vineyards and orchards; on the other, a valley surrounded by the high Julian Alps. I still return to Bohinj often. Of course, by train! From Ajdovščina via Gorizia and Podbrdo to Bohinjska Bela, and then on foot up to Gorjuše to visit my sister.
The mountains… I can’t imagine life without them.
You help with route planning and lead groups on training tours. How do you come up with ideas for routes – with a plan or by instinct?
When Anja invited me to join the guides, I initially had no idea what that would involve, whether I was suitable, and there was some nervousness until Andi quickly cut through it with: “You can do this!” And that was that.
Andi still chooses the routes, I sometimes suggest a change or a detour. I also build my own ideas in my head, and there will certainly be time for them. When I explore, experience allows me to rely on instinct, which serves me well. Above all, I think about what the route will offer the runners on the training tour.
You are currently also checking a long circular route across the Karst. Is this a project, exploration, or just a good excuse to spend more time outside?
It’s more than 100 kilometres long, a circular route across the Karst landscape between the Gorizia region and the Gulf of Trieste, developed in cooperation between several municipalities, with the Mountaineering Society of Ajdovščina also involved. When we talked about marking the route, they jokingly told me to just run the entire trail and check what needs to be fixed. And I did! In fact, twice. Now everything is ready for marking.
One of the stages starts in Sistiana, which meant an interesting journey to the starting point: bus from Ajdovščina to Nova Gorica, city bike to the railway station in Gorizia, train to Sistiana – then running in three stages to Renče, and finally back home by bus.
It sounds complicated, but to me it’s an interesting challenge. Everything is possible.
The next training tour goes towards Nanos. How would you describe the route in one feeling?
This will already be the fifth training tour. We are slowly approaching the UTVV race, for which these training tours are primarily intended. It’s understandable that the distances and terrain are becoming more demanding. The route towards Nanos will offer paths that will be new to many. And since winter has really taken hold here as well, the tour will be interesting because of a very special running surface – snow!
But don’t worry – if there’s too much of it, we have a plan B.
