TRAVNIK, 19.8.2023
Something else was planned for the weekend. But since it fell through, I said to myself, something else then. And the decision is the mountain above Trenta. Yes, I haven't been to Travnik for three years, and it's so beautiful up there. As usual, I leave home at four in the morning. No traffic on the road. I wonder how many cars will already be parked, if I'll have to search for the start of the path like three years ago when there was storm damage. But when I arrive at the starting point, I'm surprised: no cars. I gear up and go along the cleared path. No trace of fallen trees. Even the little bridge over the stream is renewed – they put fresh logs. Apparently they hauled away the fallen trees. I continue on the well-known trail and speed up well to Planina za Skalo. I'm thrilled to be at the most beautiful alpine pasture. I treat myself to some enjoyment, then onwards towards Travniška dolina. First over scree to the passage where the wire cable is still helpful. Just the little ladder isn't there anymore, so I had to climb out on all fours. Views open up that take your breath away. I continue on the followable little path. But it seems little used. And when the view opens to Travnik, its neighbors and the valley strewn with boulders, I decide to go up to the summit on the right and descend via the notch. For a while the path is followable and marked with cairns, but then suddenly it's gone, appears again, disappears.... and so to the top. I turn into steep grass, search for passages and scramble several times. During the ascent a herd of chamois crosses the slope to the notch, coming from Čelo. Marmots could be heard too. And finally overjoyed at the summit. I'm early, so my gaze wanders to Plaski Vogel. But it didn't tempt me, because I decided it's time to enjoy the solitude and silence, occasionally disturbed by aircraft noise. And only butterflies were my company. I caught a full two hours of enjoyment. I descend towards the notch and continue on the path along the slope. Hm, but the path soon disappears. So I carefully step on steep grass. Here and there I hit the path. Obviously weather and animals have changed the path quite a bit. I breathe a sigh of relief when I step onto flatter terrain, rocks, where I again struggle to find the path. Several times I go wrong and have to turn back. No problem, since I know the direction. When I step onto the followable path, no more issues. I overcome the passage with the wire cable and I'm already at the most beautiful alpine pasture. I hurry down the valley because I have to pick up the best cheese in Kamnju before 6 pm. Then refresh my feet in Soča and home on the empty road.
I spent a wonderful day in Trenta solitude, where silence whispers. And I can't believe I didn't meet any hikers all day.