Šmarna gora, Hill in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Šmarna gora is a hill in Ljubljana, Slovenia, rising to 676 meters (2218 feet) above sea level. It stands at the northern edge of the city and is covered with forest, with a church and a few buildings near the top.

People have lived on and around the hill since prehistoric times, and a small settlement once stood near the summit. The church was built in the 15th century and later rebuilt after a fire.

The name Šmarna gora comes from the church of St. Mary at the top, and locals often call it simply 'the hill'. On weekends, many families walk up to the church and then stop at the inn for a bowl of soup or a slice of cake.

Wear sturdy shoes because the trails are rocky and steep in places. The paths are not marked with signs everywhere, so carry a map or use a phone app to stay on track.

The hill is one of the few places in the world where you can find a type of rock called tonalite, which is used to make curling stones. A small quarry on the slope supplied stones for curling teams in several countries.