The Smrekovec-Komen Ridge
Smrekovec is the only volcanic mountain range in Slovenia. Many people do not know that the Smrekovec volcano was once active above Ljubno ob Savinji, which is why rocks that are products of lava or ash can be found in the ground far and wide. Smrekovec volcanism was active around 30 million years ago in the geological periods of the Tertiary: the Oligocene and the Miocene. The volcanism took place in a marine environment. The characteristic rocks are andesite and andesitic tuff. The Periadriatic Seam runs beneath the northern slopes of Smrekovec - a tectonic fault zone that separates the African and European tectonic plates. The bedrock gave the range its external shape. With its ridge-like structure and indistinct, rounded and mostly overgrown peaks, it differs from its neighbour Raduha and other surrounding summits. Only at the top of Komen does bare andesite rock appear. Because of the non-calcareous, acidic substrate, plants grow here that are not found elsewhere in the Kamnik-Savinja Alps. As many as 358 plant species have been recorded in the range, among them 26 endangered species.
On Komen (1695 m), which from the centre of Ljubno appears as a mighty extinct volcanic cone, a ťcharmingŤ wooden chapel was erected in 1987 in honour of Saints Cyril and Methodius. On 6 July, when the holy brothers are celebrated, many residents of Ljubno set out there, wishing well for their soul and body. Next to the chapel there is also a signpost with boards: Raduha - 5h, Koča na Loki - 3h 30 min, Koča na Travniku - 1h, Uršlja gora - 6h, Dom na Slemenu - 4h, Dom na Smrekovcu - 1h 30 min and Ljubno via Travnik - 2h 30 min.