Ravenska Kočna - Štruca (on ferrata and over Dolgi hrbet)

Access to starting point:
From the Ljubljana–Jesenice motorway, take the Kranj–east exit and follow the road ahead in the direction of Jezersko. In Zgornje Jezersko, just a little behind the gas station, we will notice a road which branches off to the right from the main road (direction Planšarsko jezero). The road then leads us past the mentioned lake and behind it steeply ascends for a short time. Higher, the road flattens and at the beginning of a large meadow loses its asphalt covering. We then follow the macadam road to a marked larger parking lot.

Path description:
From the parking lot, we continue on the macadam road following the signs »Češka koča, Ledine« and after approximately 15 minutes of walking, we come to a cargo cableway. At the cargo cableway where there is a junction, we continue following the signs for Kranjska koča na Ledinah (Skozi žrelo/Slovenska pot) and Češka koča (umik žrela). At first for a short time, we walk through the forest, then the path brings us to terrain which is partly covered with dwarf pines. Here the path starts to ascend a little steeper and brings us to a junction.
We turn right onto the scree where a sign on the rock »Ferata Češka koča« directs us. After a short ascent on the scree, we come to the entrance to the climbing path. At the entrance to the climbing path, an easier path also branches off to the left, which bypasses the initial most difficult part of the climbing path. This path is marked with the sign »umik«.
At the beginning, the climbing path ascends very steeply along the steel cable (difficulty C/D) and since there are few footholds, considerable arm strength is needed. A short less demanding traverse on the slope covered with grass and dwarf pines (A/B) follows. The path then becomes more demanding again and ascends diagonally up the steep wall (C/D). In the wall the path turns left upwards and brings us through a short but still quite demanding overhang (E) to somewhat less demanding terrain. Here we ascend along the steel cable on the slope which is partly covered with grass and dwarf pines (B/C). The path then brings us to easier terrain where the first part of the climbing path ends.
For some time we then ascend on an undemanding slope through dwarf pines, then we come again to the steel cables where the second part of the secured path begins. Here the path that bypasses the initial most difficult part also joins from the left. For some time we then ascend along the steel cable on a not overly demanding slope (A/B), then the path turns left and a short vertical ascent (D) follows. Thereafter we steeply ascend along the steel cable for quite some time (C and C/D). Such a path then brings us to the registration box where for a short time the path becomes a shade less demanding (B/C). The path then ascends steeply once more (C/D), then the steepness begins to ease. The steel cables then end and soon we join the path »umik Žrela«. Here we continue right and to the hut, which we already see ahead of us, it is only a few minutes' walk.
From the hut we continue right on the path in the direction of Kočna, Grintovec and Vratca (left Kranjska koča through Žrelo). After a short ascent we come to flat ground marked H (intended for helicopter landing). The path continues over initially gentle scree which is partly overgrown with dwarf pines. In the lower part of the scree, the path to Vratca branches off to the right, we continue straight in the direction of Kočna and Grintovec. After approximately half an hour of walking from the hut, we come to the next junction. We continue on the left path in the direction of Grintovec (right Kočna) on the path that quickly brings us to the start of the wall. Here we put on our helmets and start the climbing section of the path. The climbing is initially not difficult, but the ascent is dangerous due to loose stones on the path (slip hazard). The wall along which we ascend then becomes steeper, and the fixed protections become more frequent. Climbing follows on natural passages through grooves, gullies and ledges. Throughout the ascent, beautiful views open up towards Jezersko and the surrounding peaks. After just under two hours of "climbing" we step out of the wall onto Mlinarsko sedlo, from where a view opens towards the south. Here we are at a junction, where we turn left in the direction of Dolgi hrbet and Skuta (right Grintovec). From here we have just over 30 minutes of secured climbing path to the top of Dolgi hrbet. Initially the path leads across the southern slopes of Dolgi hrbet, but with the help of numerous fixed protections it quickly brings us back to the ridge. Further we walk along the ridge, locally the path runs above 1000 m precipices. This path, which is slippery when wet, soon brings us to the top of Dolgi hrbet.
From the top of Dolgi hrbet we continue along the ridge ahead in the direction of Skuta. With the help of fixed protections the path brings us to the point where the path from the bivouac pod Grintovcem joins. Here the path levels out and transitions from precipitous to less steep slopes. On the marked path towards Skuta we walk to the point where the path starts to descend, then we continue right (south direction) and continue the ascent on easier pathless terrain, which we follow all the way to the top of Štruca.
The pathless terrain is short and in fine weather orientationally undemanding.
Ravenska Kočna - Češka koča 2:00, Češka koča - Mlinarsko sedlo 2:45, Mlinarsko sedlo - Dolgi hrbet 45 minutes, Dolgi hrbet - Štruca 25 minutes.

On the way: Češka koča na Spodnjih Ravneh mountain hut (1542m), Mlinarsko sedlo (2332m), Dolgi hrbet (2473m)