Aljažev dom v Vratih - Razor (via Sovatna)

Access to starting point:
We drive to Mojstrana, then follow the signs for Vrata Valley. We continue on the toll road, which is closed to public traffic in winter, following it to the large parking lot located a few minutes before Aljažev dom v Vratih.

Route description:
From the large parking lot in Vrata Valley, we continue along the gravel road, arriving at Aljažev dom v Vratih in a few minutes of walking.
From the hut, we continue straight towards Triglav, Stenar and Kriški podi (right Škrlatica) and proceed along the wide tourist path. The path ahead ascends barely noticeably through the forest belt, where we bypass the winter bivouac on the right, then the forest thins and after a few more minutes of walking we reach the large cross (monument dedicated to fallen partisan mountaineers). From the monument, we continue straight (left Tominškova pot) along the path that gradually enters the forest again and leads us somewhat higher to a marked junction, where we go right towards Pogačnikov dom (straight Triglav and Luknja). From the junction, the path starts to ascend more steeply through beech forest (the area is called Bukovlje), which leads us just above 1300 m a.s.l. to a pleasant spring that dries up in dry periods. A few more minutes of walking through forest or higher shrubbery follow, and the path takes us out of the forest to the foot of Sovatna, where a quite overgrown path from Bivak pod Luknjo joins.
From here, the path becomes increasingly steep and panoramic. The path offers beautiful views of Triglav north face and leads us higher to a short slightly exposed passage requiring extra caution especially when wet. The path ahead levels slightly but continues ascending relatively steeply. An ascent through scree follows, then the valley narrows and the path leads to a short rocky step which we climb with fixed protection.
Above the step, the slope flattens, and the path leads across a series of small valleys where we often spot a herd of chamois. Higher, the path switches to the left side of the valley, then ascends transversely across a wide shelf that is slightly exposed on a short section. From there, another 10 steps or so, and the path reaches a marked junction at Dovška vrata.
We continue straight towards Pogačnikov dom (left Bovški Gamsovec, right Stenar and Križ). The path starts descending gradually through ever more beautiful alpine terrain. In a slight right bend, we notice cairns on the left side of the path. Here, an unmarked path branches left, crossing scree under Bovški Gamsovec before rejoining the marked path at Pihavec. We continue on the marked path which gently descends further to a marked junction.
Here a marked path to Pihavec branches left; we take the lower path towards Pogačnikov dom na Kriških podih. The path crosses slopes above Spodnje Kriško jezero, visible left below us. The path descends a bit more to the next junction where it meets the path from Zadnjica Valley starting point.
We continue right uphill (left downhill to Zadnjica and Spodnje Kriško jezero) reaching Pogačnikov dom in less than five minutes, located on a scenic knoll.
From Pogačnikov dom, we continue towards Razor and Križ along a path that descends slightly, reaching the next junction in a few steps where we go left (right Križ, Škrlatica and Krnica).
The path leads left across scree where we descend slightly, then a rocky step blocks the way. We climb it using fixed protection and at the top continue left along the exposed rocky slab. On the other side, we reach scree again and proceed towards Planja saddle where the path from Vršič joins.
From Planja saddle, we go sharply right (left Planja, straight Vršič) along a path initially ascending natural passages where it is occasionally slightly exposed. Further on, the path passes a cavity usually holding ice and snow almost year-round. From the cavity, we ascend to a notch, taking care not to dislodge rocks. Further, we reach where the new path splits from the old. The old path is permanently closed due to 2013 rockfall, so we take the well-marked new path right, soon reaching a short demanding ascent where PZS recommends mandatory via ferrata kit use. Using cables and pegs, we climb the vertical/short overhanging chimney exposed to falling rocks from above. Once secured section ends, only ridge ascent to Razor summit remains.
Starting point - Aljažev dom 0:05, Aljažev dom - spring in Bukovlje 1:25, spring in Bukovlje - Dovška vrata 2:30, Dovška vrata - Pogačnikov dom 0:30, Pogačnikov dom - Planja saddle 1:05, Planja saddle - Razor 0:55.

Along the route: Aljažev dom v Vratih (1001m), Spomenik padlim partizanom gornikom (1020m), V Plazičih (1040m), Izvir v Bukovlju (1317m), Bukovlje (1418m), Dovška vrata (2176m), Pogačnikov dom na Kriških podih (2050m), Sedlo Planja (2352m)

The trip can be extended to the following destinations: Križ

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