Bavšica - Šmihelovec (via Kanski preval)

Access to starting point:
From the Bovec - Predel road, an asphalt road branches off to the right at Kluže fortress into the Bavšica valley. We take the mentioned road, which we follow in a moderate ascent to the parking lot in Bavšica (the parking lot is located next to mountain signposts and an information board).

Route description:
From the parking lot we continue on the right road, which quickly takes us to the Bavšica Mountain Education Centre. We continue straight, initially still on the cart track towards Planina Bukovec and Bavški Grintavec. At the benches with a table the cart track ends and the markings direct us slightly right onto a footpath. The path crosses the Kopica stream, which it then ascends alongside. We soon cross the streambed to the left side and then for some time ascend relatively steeply mostly above the mentioned stream. The path leads us occasionally through forest and occasionally by shrubbery. Higher up the valley we are ascending narrows and the path leads us under steep walls. Here the path comes very close to the streamlet and later also crosses it. After crossing, the path ascends a steeper slope where a piton helps us at one short spot. There follows another ascent mostly through forest, after which the path takes us to the hunting hut on Planina Bukovec.
From the hunting hut we continue right on the marked path and the path soon takes us to a steeper slope above a vegetated gully. On a small trail we descend to the gully and cross it to the other side. The slope above the gully is quite steep so some caution is needed. At one short section a few pitons and crampons also help us.
On the other side of the gully the path runs southwards and takes us to slopes partly overgrown with dwarf pines. From here increasingly beautiful views of the surrounding mountains also begin to open up. Here we can notice an unmarked trail branching off to the right, but we continue for a short time on the left marked path and then reach a marked junction.
Right leads the path towards Bavški Grintavec via Vrh Brda, but we continue left towards Sedlo Kanja. The path then runs eastwards and leads us occasionally across scree and by some dwarf pines. The path ascends quite steeply and takes us to the southeast side of Kanja peak. Here the steepness eases a little and a crossing of a larger scree field follows. In a gentle ascent we cross the mentioned scree field towards Sedlo Kanja, which we see ahead. The path turns slightly left, then an ascent straight up a gully follows. There is quite a lot of rubble in the gully so quite some caution is needed.
When we reach the saddle, we continue slightly left and begin descending a steep slope where some caution is still needed. We quickly reach a junction where a path branches off right to Bavški Grintavec and the valley towards Zadnja Trenta. At the junction we continue left towards Zavetišče pod Špičkom as directed by an inscription on a rock.
The path descends a little more and the slope becomes more grassy. The path here is marked but very poorly trodden. We soon leave the marked path and continue through the valley between the peaks Šmihelovec on the left and Zagorelec on the right towards the saddle Čez Lužo. Here we can walk on the valley floor where a trail is occasionally also visible. When we get a little closer to the saddle Čez Lužo, we will notice to the left of Šmihelovec peak a distinct gully leading towards the ridge. Across scree we head towards the mentioned gully, which then takes us to a small notch on the ridge. The gully, which is relatively steep, also has quite a lot of rubble, so it can be quite slippery. It is advisable to ascend along the left edge of the gully where we can also use the rocks for help.
At the notch where a view opens towards the west we continue right and first cross the slope on the left (western) side of the ridge. During the crossing some caution is needed, as the slope is slightly exposed and dangerous for slipping. At this section a few cairns also help us. After a few dozen metres of crossing we then head right upwards on a fairly steep slope, partly overgrown with grass. On the slope, which remains dangerous for slipping, we ascend towards the ridge. Shortly before the ridge the steepness eases a little, we continue slightly left and only a short ascent to the scenic summit remains.

Along the route: Planinsko učno središče (713m), Planina Bukovec (1346m), Sedlo Kanja (2014m)

We recommend: trips from the same starting point, similar trips, panorama