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Sviščaki - Veliki Snežnik

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Starting point: Sviščaki (1242 m)
Latitude/Longitude: 45,57420°N 14,40100°E
Walking time: 2 h 10 min
Difficulty: easy marked way
Elevation gain: 554 m
Elevation difference along the route: 600 m
Map: Snežnik 1:50.000
Recommended equipment (summer):
Recommended equipment (winter): ice axe, crampons
Views: 359.773
 11 people like this post
Number of photos: 50
Number of comments: 227
Access to starting point:
a) From Cerknica or Nova vas na Blokah we drive to Bloška Polica, from where we continue towards Lož and Babno Polje. In the settlement Pudob we turn right towards Snežnik, Ilirska Bistrica, Knežak and the nearby settlement Kozarišče. In Kozarišče we drive slightly left towards Snežnik and also follow the signs for Snežnik at the following intersections. At the end of Kozarišče the asphalt ends, and immediately after the bridge over Mali Obrh we turn left towards Mašun and Knežak. A long drive on gravel follows. After approximately 19 km from Kozarišče we arrive at an intersection where the road from Mašun joins from the right. Here we continue left towards Sviščaki. We have about 10 km of gravel road left, and at intersections we always follow the signs for Sviščaki. After a total of approximately 29 km of gravel we arrive at Planinski dom na Sviščakih, where we park.
b) We drive to Pivka, from where we continue towards Knežak. In Knežak at the marked intersection we turn left towards Mašun and the settlements Bač and Koritnice. A little further we go right towards Mašun and Koritnice (straight to Bač). After Koritnice the road starts to climb noticeably. After 18 km drive from the main intersection in Knežak we arrive at Mašun, from where we turn right towards Sviščaki. We have about 12 km of gravel road left. When we arrive at Planinski dom na Sviščakih we park.
c) First we drive to Ilirska Bistrica, then continue towards Sviščaki (the turnoff in the middle of Ilirska Bistrica is marked, but perhaps somewhat less visible). The entire regional road to Sviščaki is asphalted. After approximately 19 km of ascent we arrive at an intersection in the immediate vicinity of Planinski dom na Sviščakih, where we continue straight to the hut and park.
Route description:
From the parking lot at Planinski dom na Sviščakih we head onto the path towards Snežnik. The path first leads us across a meadow, then through the forest we ascend to the settlement of weekend houses and holiday homes. After the settlement we return to dense forest. After a few more minutes of walking at a small intersection we reach a macadam road, which we follow left in the direction of the markings.
We continue on the left road, which on the left side bypasses Madragočeva dolina, and on it we walk to the small chapel of St. Gabriel. At the chapel we turn slightly right from the road onto a parallel mountain path. Through the forest we continue to ascend moderately on a cart track. Higher up the path levels out, and a little further it gently descends to Lomske ceste, which we only cross. Further on we ascend transversely through the forest on the slopes of the peak Lom, later we reach a small valley where the path completely levels out for a short time. Here the path leads us past a cross, then we ascend moderately again through the forest. When the path descends slightly once more, we return to the road, which we reach near Kapetanova bajta.
We follow the road or wider cart track to the right. It turns slightly to the left and ascends transversely from the forest into a belt of dwarf pines, where after a few more minutes of walking we reach a leveling, a turning area and the end of the forest road.
There are some benches and information boards here, and from this part of the path we also get an exceptional view of Snežnik and the part of the path still ahead of us.
We continue on the wide marked path that runs through dwarf pines. A transverse ascent to the right follows, and from the path ever more beautiful views open up that reach across Gorski kotar all the way to Velebit, and the Kvarner islands, Učka etc. are also nicely visible. Higher up the path passes into an indistinct valley between the two Snežniks, where first Matetova pot branches off to the left, and higher up the path from Grda draga and Mašun also joins from the left (both paths lead over Mali Snežnik).
At both junctions we continue on the right path, and we are still separated from Zavetišče na Velikem Snežniku by about 5 minutes of transverse ascent over a somewhat steeper slope, where there is greater risk of slipping in snow.
When we reach the shelter, in front of it we continue left and in a minute of further walking we ascend to the highest peak outside the Alpine world in Slovenia, from which a view opens up in all directions.
route map - Veliki Snežnik
We recommend: trips from the same starting point, similar trips, panorama, summit register
Photos:
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Discussion about the trip Sviščaki - Veliki Snežnik
Show older messages
brencel3. 11. 2019
The path is fully asphalted to Sviščaki.
LP
brencel3. 11. 2019
The trail is fully asphalted from Ilirska Bistrica to Sviščaki.
LP
mirank3. 11. 2019
thanksnasmeh
leja12313. 12. 2019
I'm wondering if the road to Sviščaki is plowed regularly, does anyone know. I'd like to go up tomorrow, but I'm worried about the road because it's supposed to snow all night.
BaroA13. 12. 2019
The road from Ilirska Bistrica to Sviščaki is regularly plowed in winter. However, it can happen that in the earliest morning hours it hasn't been cleared yet, as it's not the first priority for plowing.
turbo13. 12. 2019
They forecast that 20 to 40 cm of snow could fall in the Snežnik area, so be careful.

"The snow cover will thicken during the day today. By tomorrow morning, 20 to about 40 cm of snow will fall in the Julian Alps. A similar amount is expected on Snežnik, 10 to 30 cm elsewhere in our mountains. It will snow on mostly hard base, so there will be a weak layer under the new snow on which the new snow can slide. Wind will create drifts. In the coming days, it will warm up considerably at higher elevations. Initially, due to the warming, the snow cover will become more unstable. We expect that slab avalanches of non-settled new snow may slide spontaneously first, then also loose snow avalanches, and lower down also ground avalanches on steep grassy slopes. At the same time, the snow will settle and transform faster, and by Monday or Tuesday the snow cover will already stabilize somewhat."
danielenidoma15. 12. 2019
@leja123 too bad, because I didn't see your question earlier. The plow went up already before 8am, so up there it was nicely cleared and the road was fine (of course with winter tires). I arrived around 9:30am at Sviščaki, they were just plowing the parking lot and Sviščaki.
Iztok Možina5. 02. 2020
Please, site maintainer, correct the path description, as the road is apparently asphalted now.

LP
Lobnican19. 02. 2020
Has anyone been to Snežnik, is it icy at all or how much? thanks, lp
BaroA20. 02. 2020
On Sunday the upper part of the path was icy in certain places.
grega_z_brega20. 02. 2020
A couple of cm of snow, below is ice.
miamia10. 08. 2020
This Saturday, 8.8.2020, we were up there; besides the sun it was also very windy, but still a great trip. We were all the more disappointed with the catering offer in the hut: only jota, jota with sausage or just sausage was available. Hungry, we ordered jota, which was tasteless, just water and cabbage :-(
bizgo9315. 02. 2021
Yesterday, after a long time, we did a winter ascent to Snežnik along the described path and skied back down to the valley. With full gear, it took us just over 2 hours, and crampons were essential for the ascent from the last shelter to the top. It was quite windy below and on the summit, so the cold feeling was intense, but it was worth it. We had practically all of Slovenia, the entire Kvarner with islands, Gorski Kotar and Lika, part of Istria, and the Gulf of Trieste (almost to Venice) in the palm of our hand. The descent was great too - the snow was mostly firm to the bottom, so even we with less off-piste experience had a chance to slide a few times on the icy surface. On top of that, the hut was operating take-away this weekend, so we gladly helped the owner with some drinks in these tough times. Perfect day!
michael661. 04. 2021 10:49:38
Up to Sviščaki the road is now asphalted...no more macadam.
grega_p1. 04. 2021 14:05:45
Well, it's been talked about for a long time, but I wonder if this is an April Fool's joke?
lozarbogdan1. 04. 2021 15:16:52
Grega it's not April Fool's, I was there in December and there is asphalt up to Sviščaki!
grega_p1. 04. 2021 16:49:01
Then okay - nice to hear, thanks for the info!
padez1. 04. 2021 20:11:35
Not now, the asphalt has been there for quite some time, about two years already...
mornar7. 05. 2021 05:29:57
Has anyone been to Snežnik, what's the path like, is there still snow? L.P.
BaroA8. 05. 2021 10:04:35
The path from Sviščaki is mostly bare, but there are still quite a few snow patches and drifts, which are frozen in the morning, but soften during the day.
mornar8. 05. 2021 11:40:21
Many thanks and best regards.
malihodec28. 05. 2021 19:39:19
Path Sviščaki Veliki Snežnik, hiked 26.5. Completely snow-free, only don't recommend vehicle access on the potholed macadam road from Kozarišča to Sviščaki. Better from Il. Bistrica on asphalt
willym17. 12. 2021 21:38:42
The path to Snežnik is always exceptional, both in summer and winter.

photos 7.12.2021
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-2xx5qZnezovGVrw5tFhfIgOZ_Npy0FR?usp=sharing
montura15. 01. 2022 12:46:52
Please for info, what is the road from Il Bistrica like. Probably this is the best option, right? Thanks jn lp
padez15. 01. 2022 15:01:45
Asphalt and passable. Check the camera at Sviščaki...
saram15. 01. 2022 18:51:03
Today at Sviščaki and Snežnik. Road clear.
montura16. 01. 2022 21:52:48
Thanks for the info both!
valerija11228. 02. 2022 08:19:36
The question really repeats, because it's a month and a half since the last answer. I'm interested if the road to Sviščaki is plowed after the last snowfall. Thanks
padez28. 02. 2022 11:41:03
Plowed and passable...
valerija11228. 02. 2022 13:03:19
Thank you very much again.
darkom30. 10. 2022 18:10:57
Yesterday, 29/10/22, walked the mentioned path. It is well marked and normally passable.
J.P.5. 11. 2022 08:38:54
After 6 years we repeated the visit and were nicely surprised: asphalted road to the hut and the day also caressed us with warm rays and nice views. Praise to the community for the road. LP
darinka42. 02. 2023 13:56:22
To describe yesterday's conditions from Sviščaki. The road is clear. During the week quite a few ski hikers and snowboarders gather. The track is nicely made. The path is beautifully laid out. Wind starts cooling in the last part below the summit and on top. There you have no choice but to dress well, because it blows through you constantly. The bivouac is clean. Two benches inside, so you can at least partially avoid the wind. Regarding winter gear. Yesterday the snow was fine for walking. Most had small crampons. Still need to be careful. Nature is really beautiful in the winter snowy idyll.
B22. 02. 2023 22:08:50
Yes Darinka.
Now after visiting the terrain, you can really give first-hand information...
darinka43. 02. 2023 09:14:54
No problems for Snežnik at all because it's well-visited. And the path is beaten. Otherwise, when you're there, you see.
matej1233. 02. 2023 12:07:35
Hello. Is the road from Kozarišča to guesthouse Mašun plowed?
MinasTirith22. 05. 2023 09:29:10
Was on the mentioned trail on 27.5.2023. The trail really isn't demanding. It's excellently marked and definitely an excellent hike for relaxation. I took 1.15h to the summit, nice easy hiking pace. And at the top there's a hut with service, so you can recharge energy for the way down.
Pohodnica1314. 10. 2023 11:44:41
Caution, today fairly large bear spotted just below Sviščaki along the macadam road.
mornar24. 02. 2024 14:05:31
Has anyone gone to Snežnik from Sviščaki, what's the condition of the trail. Thanks for the info and best regards.
ločanka9. 03. 2024 18:01:55
Does anyone know where to get the stamp at this time? Thanks in advance.
J.P.4. 04. 2024 19:46:17
Lady and gentleman who went down from the top of Snežnik around 12 today have lost gloves(2x) and a hat. I exchanged a few words with the lady about the strong wind at the top. If you see the post, contact me. LP
Ancek4. 04. 2024 21:29:35
J.P., what are the conditions on the path like? nasmeh Thanks
J.P.4. 04. 2024 21:42:09
Anček, the path is dry. The hut is currently closed (they start in May, on weekends).
Ancek4. 04. 2024 22:13:11
Excellent, thanks. But today they posted on Facebook that the hut will already be open all this weekendnasmeh
marco24. 03. 2025 20:39:46
The mountain path is temporarily closed in the middle section between Mali Sviščaki and the intersection of Snežnik and Madragočeva roads due to logging and timber extraction.
More detailed status is shown on the attached map in the link:

https://file.si/rnBE/zaprta-pot-m-sviscaki-madragoceve-doline.jpg
Andrej Friedl 29. 11. 2025 21:39:21
Today, 29.11.2025, I headed to Snežnik from Sviščaki through the forest. Beautiful day, thin snow cover, powder snow, crampons were really useful in the upper part. I also recorded a short video, best regards A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5okuflCvnU
Vrhovka26. 02. 2026 14:25:20
Has anyone been to this starting point in the last few days, is the road plowed and in what condition? Thanks and best regards
turbo26. 02. 2026 16:02:18
Current conditions are in the Forum - Conditions and not under commented trips. At least it was like that not long ago . . . zavijanje z očmi

https://www.hribi.net/trenutne_razmere/slo/mali_in_veliki_sneznik/26/883
mirank26. 02. 2026 18:20:33
Bojan, it's all in vain, I've already written something about this matter several times myself, but it doesn't stickzavijanje z očmi. There are also a couple of examples who strictly publish the same tour with practically the same text here and under current conditions. The Forum is otherwise very well set up, here you post if you have some comment or correction to the access description, everything else about how it was on the tour goes under current conditions
Evjuna26. 02. 2026 22:36:07
The road is snow-free, at Sviščaki there is almost no more snow.
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