about the trail

Total of 30km in 2 days made it a medium trail in terms of distance. The start of the trail was a nice, easy and familiar hike. Just below the mountain home Kredarica (2515m) the terrain started getting steeper. The first 2km of the trail were the same as the one we took to Viševnik. If you haven’t checked that one out you can do so on this link.

Except from the last part the trail was completely safe. The via ferrata from Kredarica to the top can be uncomfortable at points depending how well one handles height. It was not physically challenging, but having a big drop on both sides could create shakiness to some. For that reason a harness has to be used as a safety measure!

Day 1

We decided that it would be the best to drive somewhere close to the start of the trail, spend the night and begin the hike early. We found an adorable apartment in a place we would have never come across if it wasn’t for this trip. The place was called Hudajužna and it was an absolute gem of a village that represents everything that Slovenia is. Neatly cut grass with small hills all around the houses and little trails that lead to the top of each hill. There was also a river Bača flowing through the heart of the village while from all sides protected by heavy mountains. Two words for the ambient, soul nirvana.

Day 2

The plan was to reach the Kredarica hut with enough time to spare. Once we get there we would wait until the weather chages to start via ferrata. It took us 1h of drive from Hudajužna to the Hotel Center where our hike began. The weather was perfect with enough clouds to give the shade and enough sun to keep it warm. 2km after, we said goodby to the familiar path and took a left turn towards Triglav. Here the first landscapes of Koče (houses) on Konjšćica mountain appeared to our left side.

Vast fields followed us for majority of the way while green meadows gave off this cozy and relaxing tone. This ambient removes every bit of stress, if one could even have it in such a place. 400m futher down the path we reached an area called Jezerca (Little lakes). The name origins from a small stream that crates a pool of water and by following that stream we reached a higher spot and new admirable landscapes.

We couldn’t but to gaze on an incredibly photogenic peak called Ablanca as we were aproaching our next stop. It was another mountain hut called Vodnikov dom, below a peak named Vernar. It is safe to say that we could sit here for a week.

1h break and we were off again. The terrain started to get a bit steeper and green colours slowly faded away. Brown rocky ground and grey stones was our colour pallete for the rest of the way.

Once we reached Kredarica hut the weather was foggy as expected. We went to our booked room and relaxed until the weather changed, which was around 17 o’clock. Once the fog disappeared we took only the esentialls, the safety harness and the via ferrata could finally begin!

Via ferrata to the summit

The whole experience of climbing via ferrata was beyond exciting. Having that big drop on all sides made that feeling even more intense, but we have to say that it was not that difficult. Some parts were a bit on the edge, but just being focused and relaxed cleared out all danger.

These beautiful creatures made our way to the top even nicer. Every move they made looked so elegant and efortless regadless of the obstacle or the 400m huge hole below their hooves. You cannot beat the natural talent. It took us cca 1h to reach the top aka Aljažev stolp. Nedless to say that the views were breathtaking.

So far our highest peak we have been on and we were proud of it, 2864m! We took a good 1h of soaking in the feelings and sensations that this viewpoint radiates with. As magnificent as it was we didn’t want to climb down in the dark, therefore we hit the road back.

Climbing down felt much easier and we were down in no time. We were that lucky to even experience the warmest sunset as a reward for the hard day.

DAY 3

After a well deserved rest we had the last day in a complete relax mode. Since we already climbed the peak we could just sit outside in the sun and observe the hordes of people doing the via ferrata. Just a reminder, the Kredarica mountain hut can accommodate 300 people and it was full this weekend. 70% of them aimed for Sunday so we dodged a bullet by going the day before.

The clear sky indicated it would be very hot later, so we decided to head back while the temperature was still ok.

Last sips of tea in our favourite mug and of we go!

As expected we were going fast downhill, so we had some time to spare for a photo or two. The scenery in Triglav national park was absolutely gorgeous. Whatever you set your eyes on locks them for 2 minutes.

And just like that, our trip came to an end. Not gonna lie, we were so sad when we reached the car. Unforgettable experience filled with stunning landscapes, exciting via ferrata, loads of fun and great people. So many more amazing trails are located within Triglav park that just call out for visiting. And we most definitely will!

When global warming hits so hard that none of Croatian mountains have snow in late December, you have to become resourceful. There is a saying “if the mountain won’t come to Muhammad, then Muhammad must go to the mountain”, and we did exactly that. Since snow doesn’t want to come to us, we will go out and find it! For this beautiful, but unfortunately only one day trip, we decided to finally visit the Julian Alps of Slovenia. A stunning Triglav National park located in the north-west Slovenia was our last hope of “nearby” snow. Unfortunately Tess couldn’t join me on this trip, so I invited my brother instead.

Going from Split we would have around 6h of driving, but we decided to spend the night in Ljubljana. Having a beer and then early in the morning head for the mountain seemed like a good idea.

mountain day

We woke up at 7, had breakfast and hit the road. One hour away from Ljubljana we reached Triglav National Park. There is no entry fee, so we just parked the car alongside the road. Weather forecast for first half of the day was mostly sun and for the other part cloudy and foggy. Therefore we wanted to use the morning as much as possible.

The trail itself was not very difficult. Total of 9 km and 30% of it follows the ski-lift. Because of snow and ice presence ice gaiters and crampons were a must! It made the incline much easier and kept us safe. Our original plan was a circle tour Vojašnica – Viševnik – Jezerca viewpoint – Koča on Konjščica – Vojašnica, but due to snow covering all the trails beyond Viševnik peak and bad weather coming towards us we didn’t want to risk it and possibly ruin a very nice day.

Entering a beautiful tall pine tree forest where rays of sun lit up the snow around us felt very peaceful and it slowly guided us in the hike. As the trail wasn’t that long we decided to let the pictures talk.

The trail got a bit steeper after the ski-lift so crampons were needed since the snow turned into ice. Crampons are spikes mounted on hiking boots. The scenery along the trail was without a doubt breath taking. The combination of mountains surrounding the trees really gave the glimpses of the Alpes look.

4 km in we reached a new 90 degree turn towards the peak Viševnik at 1780 m altitude located just beside another peak on our left side called Plesišče (1801 m). We walked 200 m more and made a short break to enjoy the views and take some photos.

The Viševnik peak

The way up was trampled by the tracks of people so using GPS was not needed. Once we reached Viševnik the most amazing scene just opened in front of us. A 360 degree view of the whole area was more than words could describe. Right in front of us the peak Mali Draški Vrh (2132m) stood proudly and to the left was the big papa of Slovenia, the Triglav peak (2864m). Triglav was covered by clouds so we couldn’t see it clearly, but we hope that we will visit the highest point of Slovenia some time soon too.

We realized it was time to finish our tea with views and head back since the clouds were coming at us fast. We decided to give the circle trail a shot. About 200m after we saw that everything was covered in deep snow and it wasn’t the right time for testing our luck. It was a steep descent and we didn’t know exactly where the trail was, so we took the same way back.

Many footsteps were erased by skis so we had to be careful where we step not to fall in, but the way down was fast and easy. This trip was spectacular in all its views and nature. We could not recommend it more. True soul food that people like us always seek more and more. The day was slowly coming to an end, so we said goodbye to this beautiful nature rich country. Plenty more trips are ahead of us including Slovenia too, so stay close for more hygge trails.