Velika Planina as an example of responsible conduct – operation of facilities temporarily suspended, hikers still welcome.
Velika Planina, 5 September 2025 – Velika Planina also in challenging conditions proves that the safety of visitors and employees is its top priority. Following a preventive extraordinary inspection of the haul ropes, which was ordered and carried out due to a lightning strike last week, the temporary suspension of the cable car is the result of responsible, professional and careful action.
As there were about 250 visitors on the plateau at the time of the suspension, we took good care of everyone and provided them with safe and organised transport to the valley by buses.
“The safety of employees and visitors to Velika Planina is our highest value and is placed first. We put safety before everything else – even if it means a temporary suspension of operations. I am convinced that such action is the foundation of responsible company management, which everyone should follow,” emphasises the director of Velika Planina d.o.o., Tomaž Štefe.
After the incident, visual inspections of all supporting and haul ropes, including the cable car haul rope, were carried out in accordance with standard safety procedures.
Based on initial observations of a possible minor damage, we preventively ordered a magnetic-inductive inspection by the authorised organisation ZAG, which was carried out at the first possible appointment – on Thursday, 4 September 2025.
The inspection confirmed that the haul rope at the point of impact was slightly damaged, specifically, according to the verbal statement of representatives of the Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, to the extent of 6–10 %. According to the applicable safety standards, which stipulate that at least 94 % of the rope must be preserved for safe operation (i.e. a maximum of 6 % damaged), the detected condition was at the upper limit of permissible, which made the decision clear – the haul rope must be replaced.
“Since the haul rope needs to be replaced, we will sensibly combine the replacement with the already planned regular autumn overhaul of the cable car, which was scheduled for the period from 1 October to 15 November 2025. Therefore, we will start the works earlier, so that after the overhaul we will also carry out the replacement of the haul rope. The exact completion date of the works cannot yet be predicted, but according to initial estimates, the cable car could resume operation at the end of November 2025,” further explains Director Štefe.
Despite the temporary closure of the facilities, Velika Planina remains open to visitors – we invite all hikers to drive to the car parks at Rakovih ravneh, Ušivcu and Mačkinem kotu, and then proceed on foot to Velika Planina. They can enjoy autumn hikes and surrender to the pristine nature and breathtaking views offered by this mountain jewel.
The Zeleni rob mountain hostel on Velika Planina is open every day, where you can recharge with delicious homemade spoon dishes and excellent štruklji. The herder settlement is still alive, and for the time being, it is possible to visit Preskarjev muzej and the demonstration of trnič cheese production. For all current information, follow the website www.velikaplanina.si and our social networks.
Best regards,
Velika Planina d.o.o.
info@velikaplanina.si
www.velikaplanina.si
+386 (0)1 832 72 58
Source:
https://www.velikaplanina.si/2025/09/05/sporocilo-za-javnostvelika-planina-kot-zgled-odgovornega-ravnanja-obratovanje-naprav-zacasno-zaustavljeno-pohodniki-se-vedno-dobrodosli/