Aljažev dom v Vratih - Triglav (Gamsja pot okoli Triglava)

Access to starting point:
We leave Gorenjska highway at exit Hrušica and follow the road ahead in the direction of Kranjska Gora. Just a little before the village Dovje the road which goes to Mojstrana (Vrata, Kot and Krma) branches off to the left. We follow the road ahead in the direction of valley Vrata and we drive on that road to the large parking lot near Aljažev dom.

Path description:
1st day: Aljažev dom - Bovški Gamsovec (over Sovatna) – Luknja – Triglav (over Plemenice) – Dom Planika (over Mali Triglav)
Aljažev dom – Bovški Gamsovec: From the parking lot, we continue on a macadam road which after 3 minutes of walking brings us to a crossing at Aljažev dom. We continue straight in the direction of Triglav, Luknja and Pogačnikov dom (right Škrlatica) on a wide path, which goes behind the chapel (on the right side) and Aljažev dom (on the left side) into a lane of a forest. A wide tourist - walking path past the winter bivouac brings us out of the forest, where in front of us we notice the famous wedge (monument dedicated to fallen partisans mountaineers). We continue straight (left Tominšek route) on the path which returns into the forest and it brings us to the next crossing. We continue right in the direction of Pogačnikov dom (straight path čez Prag and Luknja) on the path that starts ascending steeper through the forest. A moderately steep path at the altitude of 1300m brings us to a pleasant well, where we can refresh ourselves. The steepness is then gradually decreasing and the path brings us out of the forest on bushy slopes, where the path towards Bivak pod Luknjo branches off to the left. The path ahead turns slightly towards the right and at first, it is gently ascending on grassy slopes below Sovatna. The steepness of the path then quickly increases and the path soon becomes very steep. The path over Sovatna is on some spots slightly exposed, but in the dry there is no significant danger. When we overcome the steep grassy jump path brings us on a gravel. Difficult ascent on the gravel follows to more kindly slopes below Bovški Gamsovec. Here we can on meadows and walls of the mentioned summit often observe herd of ibexes, which can get very close to visitors. The path ahead is slowly ascending and brings us on Dovška vrata, where there is a crossing. We continue left in the direction of Bovški Gamsovec, straight runs the path towards Pogačnikov dom, and right towards Križ and Stenar. From the crossing, the path is at first moderately ascending on rocky terrain and then turns slightly to the right and becomes a little more demanding. Few times we cross pretty steep slopes by the steel cable, and then we turn slightly to the left and we are steeply ascending with the help of iron spikes and steel cables. A little below the summit from the left side, the path from Luknja joins and only few more meters of ascent follows to a scenic summit.
Bovški Gamsovec – Luknja: From the peak we descend few steps back on the same path, where on the right there is a turn-off towards Luknja. The initial part of the path is a little more demanding, but secured with a steel cable and iron spikes. The path on the ridge, which is partly covered with grass, continues to ascend quite steeply through meadows below the mountain walls of Bovški Gamsovec and Pihavec. A lot of ibexes and alpine marmots are usually here. On the path towards Luknja a nice view opens up on mountains above the valley of river Soča.
Luknja – Triglav (over Plemenice):
Further, we continue straight in the direction of Triglav over Plemenice (right downwards Zadnjica, left Vrata). The path already after few steps ascends on a wall almost vertically upwards. In front of the entry into a climbing part of the path, we put on a helmet and a self-belay set. In the initial part we have fixed safety gear for help, which are in the upper part rare. When we climb initial wall path flattens which doesn't mean, that there is end of problems. From here ahead there almost isn't any fixed safety gear and occasionally we walk on a footpath above a deep precipice. In wet great risk of slipping! Difficulties then slowly decrease and the path brings us to the famous Sfinga (steepest Triglav column), to see it we have to step a little away from the marked path. The path ahead brings us to plateau Zahodna Triglavska planota, where there is a crossing. We continue left upwards in the direction of Triglav (right Dolič) over the scree to the entrance in the next climbing part of the path. This part is much easier as the one over Plemenice so it won't cause bigger problems (but it can be quite crowded). The path ahead with the help of numerous fixed safety gear ascends diagonally and brings us below the notch Triglavska škrbina. Further, we ascend to the notch, where we come to a crossing. We continue left upwards (straight downwards Planika) on a steep but well-secured path. After few minutes, the steepness decreases and to the top there is only few minutes of ascent on the upper slope of Triglav.
Triglav – Planika: From the peak towards Mali Triglav path soon steeper descends, where it brings us to Stanič shelter, which is from the path distant 30 meters. Next follows exposed, but very well secured path on the ridge. Ahead more panoramic path with the help of fixed safety gear brings us on an indistinct peak Mali Triglav. Soon after this, we turn right towards Dom Planika through the gully, where a view opens up on the other side into a precipice. Descent through the gully isn't difficult and is secured. From the gully ahead we are descending on the path which is in parts covered with thin gravel (slippery sand on the path) to plain below Triglav, where there stands a mountain hut Dom Planika. Here we spend the night.
2nd day: Triglav (over Mali Triglav) – Koča na Doliču – Kanjavec – Dolič (over Hribarice) – Dom Planika – Kredarica – Aljažev dom
Dom Planika – Triglav:
If we want next morning from the peak Triglav admire sunrise, we have to go on the path early enough well equipped with lamps and skilled for walking in dark and take enough time, that we don't rush. While walking at night difficulty of the path increases, so previous day we view the path well and remember how it goes on exposed parts. Again we ascend over Mali Triglav on Triglav.
Triglav – Tržaška koča na Doliču: From the peak at first follows few minutes of descent on the upper slope of Triglav. Then follows steep but well-secured path. We descend to the notch Triglavska škrbina, where we come to a crossing. We continue right downwards (left Planika). The path ahead with the help of numerous fixed safety gear descends and brings us below the wall. We continue left on the scree downwards all the way to a crossing, where to path towards the mountain hut Koča na Doliču from the right joins the path over Plemenice. Ahead we walk in the direction of Dolič on karst terrain, where caution is needed, that we don't step into some hole and twist a leg. Terrain flattens and the path stops losing the altitude. Half an hour before the mountain hut we descend to it on a mule track.
Tržaška koča na Doliču – Kanjavec: From the mountain hut, we continue right towards the west past the winter bivouac (direction Kanjavec). The path for few meters descends, and then again starts rising. The path is nicely routed and it is moderately ascending on a rocky slope. After one hour of walking from the mountain hut on Dolič the path steeply ascends, and we also get help from some fixed safety gear. When we overcome this steepness we have to the top only few steps.
Kanjavec – Planika: We go towards the western summit of Kanjavec. The path quite steeply descends and runs through an indistinct small valley between the eastern and western peak of Kanjavec. After few minutes of walking, we come to a crossroad on Hribarice, where we join the path on Dolič over Hribarice. The path ahead starts descending on the scree downwards towards the saddle Dolič. After half an hour of descent follows light ascent to a saddle, where there is the next crossing. Here we turn right towards the mountain hut Dom Planika. The path with nice views is ascending and descending, meanwhile there is some secured path with iron spikes. Steeper ascent follows only a little before we get to scree below Planika, where the path is secured with a steel cable. In zig-zags on the scree we get to the mountain hut.
Planika – Kredarica: At the mountain hut, we go on the path towards Kredarica. At first, the path is slightly ascending to exposed ledge, which is secured with a steel cable. We slightly descend and we continue on the scree below Mali Triglav. The path used to lead below the wall of Mali Triglav, but now we descend down towards the path which is coming from Vodnikov dom towards Kredarica, where we turn to the left.
Kredarica – Aljažev dom:
From Kredarica we start slightly descending. The steepness of the and the path gradually increases and in parts we get help from a steel cable. The path downwards runs on Triglavski podi, where we can have some problems with orientation (mainly in fog). The path ahead soon brings us to the next crossing, where we continue left in the direction of the mountain hut Aljažev dom (right Staničev dom). A little later by the path, we notice a pleasant well where we can take a rest. We continue on the scree, where at the crossing for Tominšek route we turn left on the path over Prag. Easy part of the path soon becomes more demanding again and there are steel cables for help, for safer walking. Next follows the hardest part of the path Čez Prag. With the help of stemples and a steel cable we descend on 15 meters high, almost vertical chimney. Further, we are descending with nice views on the path which is occasionally surrounded by dwarf pines. Before we leave the last rocky part follows also steep part of the path, where we get help from iron spikes. With the help of fixed safety gear path quickly brings us on a meadow, where we cross a torrent. We continue right on the path which runs through the forest, past a famous wedge. A wide tourist - walking path leads us to the mountain hut Aljažev dom v Vratih.

On the way: Aljažev dom v Vratih mountain hut (1015m), Koča na Doliču mountain hut (2151m), Dom Planika (2401m), Triglavski dom na Kredarici mountain hut (2515m)