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Slovenian alpine pastures in all seasons

velkavrh10. 03. 2014 04:03:30

Yesterday on a beautiful sunny day to the Jezerce pasture below Krvavec. Jezerce pasture is the lowest lying pasture in the Krvavec area and accessible by asphalt road from Cerklje na Gorenjskem. Before we reach the gondola cable car that takes us to the Krvavec ski area in the village of Grad, we turn left onto a nice wide asphalt road towards the village of Šenturška gora. After about two kilometers we turn left to Stiška vas and the village Ambrož pod Krvavcem and further on a nice asphalt road to the large parking lot on Jezerce pasture. From here there's a barrier and paid gravel to Kriška planina and in dry conditions to the hotel under the TV tower.

The pasture is a grazing one. Its pastures are fenced and extend all the way to the top of Kržišče. On the pasture itself there are several holiday huts and as it looks two old huts. Some huts are already hidden in the forest in the lower part of the pasture.

I've never seen so many occupied parking spots as yesterday.

The hut on Krvavec is already visible from here.

And of course the TV tower with Krvavec summit.

Panorama before the toll road further to Krvavec.

To the right is the way to Planina Jezerce.

The alpine pasture is a starting point for pleasant not-too-long tours to other Krvavec pastures and peaks and also for pleasant rest in all seasons.

Immediately on the right a memorial to WWII greets us.

The pasture got its name from this livestock watering place, which is now frozen and covered with snow.

Above the pond, better said the summer puddle, is this new building.

Above the pond on the left, twin weekend houses are hidden among these spruces.

Along a nice path we arrive at the center of the pasture, where there are quite a few new and old buildings.

The very first one on the left is also ancient.

At the newer hut next door they even offer you a shot of schnapps in summer.

Behind it is this huge new construction.

And the elongated building appears to have multiple owners.

This is how that structure looks from the front.

On the left is the ancient hut of the Doverje family with Ambrož.

Next to the hut they have a slightly newer structure.

Behind them is this pleasant little house.

Further back there are also some really nice holiday cottages.

I would like to have something like that too.

Some of them are hidden right at the lower edge of the pasture, already in the forest.

Undoubtedly the nicest weekend spot of Jezerce pasture, at least for me.

On the far right edge of the mountain near the forest they are also building something.

As we climb up the hill to Kržišče we spot the last object of the beautiful mountain.

It is visible like this already from above on the path to Kržišče.

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velkavrh15. 03. 2014 17:35:39

Today wandering around Velika planina. In the Velika planina area there are several still living grazing pastures. Livestock is grazed on all of them in summer. The largest is of course Velika planina, then Mala planina and Gojška planina. Here we also have Marjanine njeve pasture and Kisovec pasture. In this area there are also Dol pasture, Konjščica and Rzenik. Today I visited the first three. The car stayed at Kranjski Rak, where there's a guesthouse at the intersection. Then behind the guesthouse left on gravel, but only to the signs for Gojška and the other two pastures. When we come out of the forest we reach so-called Rakove Ravni, where there's a large parking lot. Left of the parking lot the path leads us to Gojška planina. Most of the huts are on our right side along the slope. On this pasture we see for the first time the characteristic architecture of the huts, which are so typical for the entire Velika planina area.

For the refreshment place turn left into the forest

View of the right part of the pasture from the opposite bank, these huts are the first we see when we arrive at the pasture.

velkavrh15. 03. 2014 17:56:43

After Gojška planina over a small hill we arrive at Mala planina. On this pasture there are three huts-Jarški, Domžalski and Črnuški. We stopped at Domžalski and ate excellent wild garlic stew and tasty strudel-very praiseworthy.

velkavrh15. 03. 2014 18:15:17

The most extensive is of course Velika planina and it is somehow divided into individual areas. One could say that Velika planina has streets. We only viewed the area around the chapel and the hut-museum. All huts on Velika planina were burned during WWII except two that wouldn't ignite. So all buildings were constructed after it. It was only allowed to build this type of huts. The wooden chapel of Mary of the Snow was also newly built, which suffered the same fate during the war as the entire pasture. On the pasture they built and arranged the museum hut-Preskar's bajta, which is open in summer and presents the time and conditions in which shepherds once lived and grazed here on the pasture. Huts were formerly fenced only with stone fences, today the fences around huts are wooden. In summer I will view this pasture fully.

This area behind Mala planina is called Poljane.

Towards the central part of Velika planina.

The Chapel of Mary of the Snow is visible from afar.

The alpine pasture has a nice background.

We are leaving the central area of the alpine pasture.

velkavrh19. 03. 2014 19:13:10

Today on the way back from Kališče or from the Dom na Kališču I also checked out the Kališče pasture or lower Kališče as it's also called. Here there are only three objects and even a little wish fountain. There's also a NOB monument.

This is what Spodnje Kališče looks like.

By the path leading downhill there is a wish bell.

At this altitude all wishes come true. When we reach the valley I don't know what happens to the wishes.

That is supposedly the proper name for this pleasant clearing.

The second belongs to the pasture community. I haven't seen cows here in all the years I've passed by.

From the other side too. It even has a house number.

velkavrh30. 03. 2014 19:46:03

Today I present Potoška Planina. It is only half an hour away from Valvazorjev Dom and the path is marked. I went from Koroška Bela, which is two hours walk from there. The path from Koroška Bela is poorly or not marked at all - not recommended.

Under Potoška planina there is some abandoned pasture with crumbling huts, I'd say.

Then we arrive, I think already at Potoška planina. At the beginning there is this nice weekend cottage.

To the barn and hut on Potoška planina there is a fairly extensive pasture.

In front of the hut this beautiful pasture.

In front of the barn on the alpine pasture.

velkavrh30. 03. 2014 20:01:59

The next pasture I visited today was Žirovska Planina. It is only about twenty minutes away from Valvasorjev Dom. Here stands a brand new barn-still unfinished and the hut on Žirovska Planina.

Beautiful backdrop of the alpine pasture.

I walked along the edges of the alpine pasture.

velkavrh30. 03. 2014 20:11:43

The next one was Zabreška Planina, which is about twenty to thirty minutes away from Valvazorjev Dom. You go over Žirovska Planina or under it. Here a pleasant hut awaits you. The warden with his wife is there and serves you friendly. The hut is large and has seating outside and under the roof. Highly recommend! It had a lot of visitors.

Already before Žirovska planina, a signpost for the alpine pasture.

A surprise awaits us before the alpine pasture.

The most beautiful decoration of the hut is genuine Gorenjska carnations - they survived the winter here.

This they have below the hut on the slope.

velkavrh24. 04. 2014 18:07:46

Yesterday to the Planina Za Liscem. You can start already in Bohinjska Bistrica itself. It's closer for us if we drive through the village Ravne, which is somehow on the edge of the Kobla ski area and park near the former Mencigerjev Dom, which has been in private ownership for quite some years. Here from the good forest or mountain gravel road after a few tens of meters a marked path branches left to Črna Prst. Currently I see only a mark on the rock there that directs us to the path. Before the branch there is a notice that the path is closed due to landslide. I said to myself I'll go check the situation. If it doesn't go, I'll return. But I didn't understand from the notice what kind of landslide it is. Soon I encountered an earth landslide that literally carried away more than thirty meters of the path before the water intake. But a trodden detour has been made that avoids the dangerous spot. Further the forest path is nice. Then we reach the upper forest path, which is not drivable. It is full of snow and rocks. There are warnings along the road about snow avalanches. We walk along the road about one kilometer then head to the easier marked path that runs through the forest to Planina Za Liscem. There is a lot of snow. It is completely spring-like, still firm, sinks only rarely. In the morning it might be frozen, so crampons are needed. But the trail is poorly traceable. Tracks are erased due to dirty snow and thaw. You have to stick to the more central direction if we no longer see marks. If we go too far right we would miss the pasture and arrive too far under Lisec. If too far right we would also miss the hut. Let me say that on the way back I easily followed the marks on trees and rocks, only twice had to climb over fallen trees. On the pasture is Orožnova Koča, which is permanently open in the summer season. It is the oldest mountain hut in Slovenia, which was burned in unknown circumstances during WWII and was rebuilt as it was a year ago - I don't know which year. It is managed by PD Bohinjska Bistrica. Under the hut is the only shepherd's dwelling on the pasture. The grazing area is not large but fenced. Behind the hut on the left the path continues to Črna Prst. Very soon along the path the botanical trail starts. Along the path there are signs with names of mountain flowers that grow along the path. Every spring they set them up new where the flowers grow, in autumn they remove them. Črna Prst is known for rare mountain flowers - silver bloodwort, alpine soldanella. Now it's still winter up there and it will take another month to wait for the first flowers.

We park by the road past the former Menciger hut.

On the left side soon after the hut a path turns left into the forest.

The path is closed. I didn't notice anywhere that the path is closed or I checked poorly.

Higher we walk along the upper gravel road, which is not yet passable for vehicles.

Here we turn left from the road into the forest, the path is initially quite steep.

In the forest we must be careful not to stray too far.

The alpine pasture is fenced - here they graze in summer.

This is the only hut on the alpine pasture.

Next to it is Orožnova koča. It is open in summer.

The snow around the hut has already melted.

In summer, coexistence of pastoralism and hiking prevails here.

The alpine pasture even has a trough for watering livestock.

On the right is the pathless Lisca, after which the alpine pasture is also named. No path leads along its ridge.

Straight ahead we see Črno prst. To the summit we have an hour and a half of pleasant path, of course in dry conditions.

From here there are wonderful views towards Bohinj. I can't even distinguish the peaks. Today wasn't a day for nice pictures either.

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velkavrh27. 04. 2014 05:22:10

Inadvertently, yesterday I found an ancient pasture unknown to me and probably to many others - Planina Stare Stale. I don't know if "stale" is capitalized. Of course, I had bigger goals - to reach Korošica under Ojstrica. I've been to Korošica several times from Kamniška Bistrica over Presedljaj. To Šraj pesek I haven't succeeded yet, and from Robanov kot - exceptionally beautiful secured path - I recommend. Since I don't know the accesses from Podvolovljek yet, I inadvertently went from the starting point Za Loncem. Now I know why it's called that. Before the starting point, just five minutes from the good gravel road, there is a large stone basin in which water collects. An old tale says that the stone bowl rolled down from the giant from Planina Stare Stale into the valley. The path to the wonderful pasture, hidden from eyes, first leads through the forest along the stream, which you see once and in a moment dries up again. Otherwise, it is full of springs that flow into Lučka Bela - that glacial corner from above - and form nice little waterfalls, small rapids, and cute pools and potholes. The path to the pasture is quite steep. From the starting point, we walk to the pasture approximately two hours. Before the plain where the pasture is located, I encountered winter. There is still a lot of snow here. It is southern, does not break through because the ground is frozen, and walking on it causes no problems. Early in the morning, you might need crampons. Behind the plain, in a semicircle of surrounding shrubby rocky smaller peaks, a wonderful flat valley has nestled, large enough for two soccer fields, say - ancient pasture - Stare Stale. Here also lives a drying lake, fed by a stream that pours out from under the snow in a wonderful double waterfall - one after the other - into the pool below. Then the water miraculously somehow disappears under the snow. The waterfall was very full of water - no water below. If they still graze anything here, I don't know - it is very remote. I didn't notice a passage further to Korošica, so I walked the whole pasture and enjoyed.

Here I turned into Podvolovljek. On the way back there was a maypole and tent at the beginning of the branch here. Many people around. I don't know what they celebrated.

I got only to halfway, further it was not possible due to fallen trees.

Here is the signpost for Lonec by which the starting point for the tour to Korošica is named.

Already here we see peaks that I don't know.

Sometimes it flows even on the path, which is quite steep.

Below the plateau snow begins and here we still have winter now.

When we reach the level area at the top of the ascent we see below us a pleasant valley enclosed on that side by several smaller peaks.

Thus these little peaks enclose the ancient highland of Stare Stale—from left to right above the highland.

I don't know these little peaks by name.

Here between them the path runs forward to the Korošica highland.

No tracks, no signs either, so I didn't know where to turn in this snow and ended the tour here. Need to repeat in summer.

From the middle shadows somehow catch up, so I descend through the snow into the valley and reach the wonderful double waterfall.

This is the upper waterfall, which as it seems flows from under the snow over the rocks.

The lower one however flows so cutely into the pool below.

Around the pool there is so much snow. I didn't dare get closer so as not to end up in the water. That would be a bit unpleasant.

This waterfall forms the highest stream in our Alps.

From the plain above the pasture Velika planina is also visible.

Already from the plain above the pasture some puddles were visible on the right and that is probably a drying lake under the snow where water from these waterfalls drains. I didn't dare get closer so as not to end up in the water.

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otiv27. 04. 2014 06:45:19

Good morning!
Brane, you wrote Stare Stale correctly. Both with capital letters. On the pasture, of course in summer we also meet livestock, as everywhere in the direction of Korošica and Podvežak. Livestock is brought along the road Podvolovljek - Podvežak. A little above the pasture is Vodotočno Lake, which is also one of the nice spots of KSA.
Best regards!

velkavrh1. 05. 2014 14:14:56

This morning I walked almost the entire Kriška planina under Krvavec. This is actually the most visited pasture in the Krvavec area. It offers us all seasons practically everything. In winter alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowmobile rides. In summer it is a beautiful grazing pasture with beautiful grazing areas that are fenced so that livestock doesn't stray too much into the actual Krvavec grazing part and forest, and to Kržišče, which is somehow the grazing part of Planina Jezerce. It is also extremely tourist developed, because besides the former so-called apartment hotel, whose apartments companies mainly sold to private individuals. In it there is still a snack bar and next to it the chairlift station from Krvavec. On the opposite side we see a complex of four extensive buildings. The first from below is Turistična kmetija Viženčar - owners from Ambrož, then follow apartments whose owners I don't know, then pleasant apartments Škrjanc - owners from Stiška vas and at the top beautiful planšarija Pr. Florjan - also at the top of Ambrož near the church they have a large guesthouse, one could say. At both you eat well homemade food - highly recommend and can also overnight. They are open the whole dry season, in winter during ski season and in between on weekends for sure. Everywhere you are served friendly. In front of these objects in the middle of the pasture former pasture community building, which was mostly sold to privates. In the direction to Krvavec there are numerous beautiful private vacation objects. To the pasture itself by gravel road and by mountain path that runs above the gravel road from Planina Jezerce. So we can drive to the pasture by road - have to pay toll - I think five euros. Don't turn right at the sewage plant because the parking under apartments is intended for their owners. We drive on the nice gravel road straight and then at signs for guesthouses turn right and then turn to the guesthouse or apartments where we are headed. To Krvavec itself to the hotel and chapel leads a pleasant path above the objects and brings us exactly there. The grazing area of the pasture spreads on the right eastern side of the objects and is quite extensive. It is fenced so that livestock doesn't enter the Kržišče grazing area which Planina Jezerce somehow uses and of course doesn't enter the forest where the path to Planina Koren continues to Planina Košutna. At the end of the pasture already behind the fence is the winter point - here in winter snowmobiles go towards Kržišče. Here also leads the path from Kamniški vrh and from Kamniška Bistrica.

Path above the macadam road towards Kriška planina.

Only from planina Jezerce there is a short incline, otherwise it runs flat.

And then already Kriško planina with buildings.

On the left is the chairlift station from Krvavec and apartment building with buffet.

On the right side there are four clusters of buildings.

The first is the tourist farm at Viženčar.

This sculpture greets us in front of the entrance.

The third in sequence are the Škerjanc apartments.

To the right of them is the pasture community building, also owned by private owners.

Further right is already the lift to Kržišče ski slope.

Kržišče offers pleasant skiing in winter if there is enough snow. It is never overcrowded.

Right at the pasture edge on this side there is only one building.

Left up the hill the holiday cottages start. This one is somehow in the middle.

Above this chalet you can already see the hut on Krvavec, which I think is in private lease.

Next to the hut is the famous Plečnik chapel, which was built before the 2nd World War.

From the apartments we go along the road to the main road for Gospinc and soon on this road a road branches off to the right to more chalets. This is the first.

Along this road there are even more of them.

We first encounter the first-aid container - a reminder of the winter season.

Right after the apartments the nice chalets begin.

Everything is photographed from the road.

Somewhere in this area there are large panels with birds of this area and medicinal plants.

Roughly like this you turn from the main gravel road onto the right gravel road to the buildings on the alpine pasture.

At the junction we learn what awaits us.

Whichever of these two destinations you choose will be fine. You are welcome everywhere.

velkavrh22. 05. 2014 04:04:59

Spring is already coming to an end and we will start doing tours a bit higher again. Last Tuesday my colleague and I went to Vošca. We got a bit confused in Mojstrana where to turn to get to the mountain village Srednji Vrh, but it was very simple. Right after the entrance to Martuljek there is a turnoff on the same side for Srednji Vrh - there is a sign and we drive over a small bridge on quite narrow and steep asphalt road to the parking in the village. The parking is even planned. Here we leave the vehicle and go on foot towards Vošca to the right on asphalt past the chapel and past the nicely preserved farm, past the abandoned guardhouse. Then continues gravel to the ecological farm Jurež. They even have sheep. From the farm then through pastures into the forest, where a rather steep path leads us to their pleasant pasture - Jureževa Planina. The pasture looks like a huge clearing in the middle of the forest. It is fenced, even old troughs for watering livestock are placed. Unfortunately I photographed it too little.

Along the cart track across their pastures.

I only have this photo from the planina - only at home did I realize that it is the planina.

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velkavrh31. 05. 2014 21:47:21

Last day of May on Struško and first pasture on the way is Pusti vrh. This is the first pasture at the foot of Struška ridge - at 1296m altitude. It's elongated - they graze in summer. Has a trough for watering livestock, which is even covered. On the pasture there's also a hunting observation post. On the pasture there's a shepherd's building with auxiliary building. Up leads a nice wide gravel road from Dom Pristava.

Behind the lodge they are already grazing, not yet on the pastures.

Shepherd's hut with auxiliary building is on the left side of the road.

velkavrh31. 05. 2014 22:05:03

Second pasture today is Svečica or Belska planina - 1703m. said to be the highest lying still active Slovenian pasture. That means livestock grazed here. It's fully 400m higher than its lower neighbor. Nice mountain road leads to it, branches right soon after Pusti vrh pasture and after half hour walk from junction brings us to nice pasture which has pure mountain character. No such nice meadows here. Beautiful open-type shepherd's hut where they kindly serve in summer. Hut looks new - nicely built - next to it some old one. Surroundings offer much space for rest - lots of natural tables and chairs. Overall few such exemplary huts in our hills. Watering troughs for livestock. Collect rainwater. Really liked it here. If we drive to road junction this pasture really close.

Parking lot before the ramp to Pusti vrh pasture.

If the ramp is open we can drive to the junction on the pasture itself.

Surely they will serve sour milk in summer.

The livestock will not be thirsty in summer.

Without this it doesn't work here either.

velkavrh5. 06. 2014 15:40:08

Yesterday on tour to Košutica and on this path we go over wonderful pasture Korošica. We reach it via lower path on mountain road which in upper part becomes cart track - suitable for tractor to supply the shepherd's hut on this grazing pasture. Upper path - so called border or hunting path much more pleasant for walking. First winds in zigzags through forest. In between two viewpoints. From them beautiful view on Begunjščica ridge. Soon we reach woods that open first meadows under Zajmenove Peči. Here even small spring with wooden trough for livestock. From here livestock comes from pasture. In between bit steep terrain nicely fenced so livestock doesn't fall. The path nicely leads over small valley covered by forest above and below and world opens to pasture. Grazing pasture quite extensive extends up to saddle where also watering trough. Pasture has large shepherd's hut open type in grazing season. Get home food and lots to refresh. Beside main building also barn for livestock. Around hut lots of space to sit. From here two paths to home mountain Košutica and to saddle and from saddle via ferrata to main peak of Košuta ridge - Veliki vrh.

At the start of the hunting trail, a tamed torrent.

The storm did not spare the path. It is now cleared.

Logs on the pasture below Zajmenove Peči.

Somehow below the pasture we go to the gully.

Directly in front of the alpine pasture - everything prepared for fencing the pastures.

Pastures of the alpine pasture with a beautiful view.

This sorrel makes gray hairs for the shepherds.

On the right side of the alpine pasture on a small knoll there is a pleasant alpine dairy.

They even brought Gorenjska carnations up there.

And plenty of space for a pleasant rest.

The water won't be closed off - it flows.

I am moving away from the hut towards the upper part of the pasture in the direction of the saddle.

Home mountain of the pasture - Košutica.

And prestigious goal for the elect - via ferrata from the Austrian side to Veliki vrh - highest peak of the Košuta ridge.

velkavrh12. 06. 2014 04:45:15

Yesterday again over Konnščica pasture. Now in late spring it's beautiful. Livestock already grazing. Smoke from chimney in shepherd's hut. On way back could already go for feast and chat and report how it's towards Vodnik dom.

This time at the end of the path to the pasture I turned across the stream.

Above the stream, part of the central pasture with huts is visible.

Then I ascend to the pasture and go past this ruin, the only one on the pasture.

The pasture is nicely green - livestock is grazing.

Smoke rises from the chimney on the planšarija,

I head towards Jezerce pasture and then to Studorski pass.

velkavrh12. 06. 2014 04:58:36

From Studorski preval you can nicely see the abandoned pasture Zgornja Gruntovnica. The path to it leads from Tosc pasture, which is also abandoned. I thought to go to it but only after Tosc realized that there is no other way than to descend the slope over the meadow and find the path down, which is well visible from Studorski preval. Next time.

This is the abandoned Spodnji Tosc pasture - 1652 m.

It is so nicely laid out. This is the path of the first ascenders to Triglav.

Only the foundations of the buildings are still visible. If I counted correctly, there were three or four.

velkavrh12. 06. 2014 05:09:26

When going on the path to Vodnik dom the path is almost flat, actually above the meadow of the abandoned Tosc pasture. Below the path there are still today visible ruins of buildings. Here only sheep graze, which I see every year. This year I have not seen them here. In summer I always run into them.

Roughly in the middle there is an upward branch of the unmarked path to Tosc.

Deep below, roughly at the start of the pasture, we see ruins of several shepherds' buildings.

Visible ruins. This was once the highest-lying Bohinj pasture.

The wood has rotted away, only the lower stone parts remain, which have also collapsed to the ground. Essentially, only the rockier foundations are left.

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velkavrh12. 06. 2014 05:29:07

Then I went to Malo polje which is not treated as pasture but as high alpine bog. Through it now a quite watery clear stream flows which has main spring a little below Vodnik dom on the right, also fed by spring at Vodnik dom currently in strong flow down the slope and joins the main stream. The stream somehow moves around the valley so finally it doesn't sink at the end of the valley and comes out in Vojah as river Mostnica which at end of Voj forms famous potholes. Over the pass at end of Malo polje there is disappearing lake which dries over summer. Currently full of water fed from small spring beside. In summer that spring dries. Further to almost abandoned pasture Pod Mišelj vrhom. Not far from lake. Here you feel the flow of history. Pasture no longer grazing. Don't know when last grazed here. Unlikely livestock from Velo polje strays here. Small pasture somehow located under mountain. Had quite large stable with living part sadly only ruins and couple typical Bohinj huts. Somehow hut stood on pillars. Below open space for livestock above was simple closed one-room chamber for shepherd and his necessities for life on pasture. Except one hut being renovated others decaying-shame.