Mountain ranges / Polhograjsko hribovje and Ljubljana / Severjev grič

Severjev grič

Country: Slovenia

Mountain range: Polhograjsko hribovje and Ljubljana

Elevation: 401 m / 1316 ft

Lat/Lon: 46.06601°N 14.31655°E

Type: peak

Weather forecast:

Views: 364

Popularity: 17% (3096th place)

Number of pictures: 8

Number of paths: 1

Number of GPS tracks: 0

Description of mountain:
Severjev grič (401 meters) is indeed low but offers panoramic views as a solitary hill in Polhov Gradec. More precisely, it rises above the bend of Božna (the left headwater branch of Gradaščica) east of the town center. We can easily spot it, especially from the south, by the large wooden cross and national flag on top. Nearly the entire hill is forested, except the summit and some vertical slopes.

The first cross here was erected in 1936 to commemorate the Yugoslav Eucharistic Congress held in Ljubljana the year before. After World War II, authorities removed it for ideological reasons, and it was re-erected upon independence in 1991. Time had taken its toll, so the current 15-meter-high one was installed in June 2016.

Right after setting up the new cross, they added a pole with the national flag beside it. According to the Heraldica Slovenica association, it measures 5 meters (some locals say half a meter longer) and ranks 17th on their list of the largest national flags publicly and permanently hoisted on poles.

The hill features two distinct summits. The main, higher one is farther west, bearing the cross and flag; slightly east is a somewhat lower peak (unofficially around 395 meters by GPS measurements), separated by a minor saddle (unofficially about 392 meters). Forest cover makes it less prominent than the main summit.

Its steep slopes impress more than its height (it's roughly 60 meters lower than nearby Kalvarija); the north face and parts of the south are even vertical. From the main/western summit, we enjoy fine vistas over most of Polhov Gradec and surroundings (save the portion hidden by Kalvarija), including nearby elevations. To the west, the church of St. Lovrenc on (Polhograjski) Gora is sure to catch the eye.

You can reach it in just minutes via an unofficial, unmarked but well-trodden path from the westernmost point in front of Severjeva House, which gives it its name. It will likely be just an "extra" if time and energy remain after other local outings. Proper footwear and careful steps are essential to avoid slipping on the mostly steep sections.