In this very short thread on the Lonely Planet forums, etcs is trying to create something that at least one other Lonely Planet member does not support, but it seems like a pretty interesting idea to me and so I hope the effort proves successful.

Namely, etcs has challenged fellow travelers to identify off the beaten path attractions in Europe that are easily accessible via train. And etcs has kicked the thread off with a short list, most of which are located in Eastern Europe – around the same area of Croatia and Slovenia featured in the trip report I wrote about recently.

Slovakia, Dobsina Ice cave railway station on the Banská Bytsrica – Margecany(-Kosice) line, station name Dobsinska Ladova Jaskyna

Slovenia, Vintgar Gorge near Bled, nearest railway station Podhom ca. 1 km on the Jesenice – Nova Gorica line.

And perhaps the strangest and coolest of the stations and sights etcs listed:

Czech Republic, Jedlová is just a station in the middle of the forest of Luzicke Hory(Lausitz Mountains) on the Varnsdorf – Decin line. It’s about 2-3km hike from the ruined castle of Tolstejn or from the Jedlova peak viewing tower.

Aside from sfgirl42, who doesn’t seem to be supportive of this topic, only arizona has added to the list as of this writing – highlighting some very cool attractions in The Netherlands that absolutely sound as if they would be worth hopping off the train to take a look at.

I have to imagine there are several more interesting, if somewhat out-of-the-way attractions along the rail lines of Europe. If you know of any that you can add to the list, please do – if you are a Lonely Planet forum member add them to the thread, and if not feel free to add them in the comments section below.

I will be bookmarking both for review prior to our next European vacation.

Read the thread in its entirety: Off-the beaten track sights by train