The trail connecting the Posavje and Zasavje areas, from Bizeljsko in the east to Janče in the west across lonely plateaus, steep slopes and river valleys is over 200km long, ending on the mighty Kum, which the eye follows throughout the entire hike.
Last week on Monday I set off on vacation to Bizeljsko where I began the 'expedition'. A gentle breeze helped conquer the changing landscape from Pannonian plains to increasingly hilly slopes above Kozje, culminating on the broad Bohor. At the junction of pre-Alpine and pre-Dinaric highlands, gentle snowflakes escorted me to the hut in the evening.
The morning of the second day surprised me with cold and a completely different landscape clad in winter white. From Bohor towards Lisca, fog shadowed me for a while, preventing easy trail marker following. Intense focus and good orientation were required. Trudging through snow was hugely fun, allowing childlike glee in solitude and silence I hadn't anticipated all days. But when wind joined, constantly scattering my daypack, I got mad. I quickly let it go; anger is pointless and unnecessary here.
On the third day I headed across sv. Lovrenc where a four-legged friend joined me. I named him Ben. Though he urged me to Veliki Kozja peak, I declined as the trio of rain, snow, and steepness was too risky. The path from Zidani Most to Kopitnik deserves special mention. Steepness you won't forget for a long time. Across Gor to Zgornja Rečica where Z-markers for the Zasavje trail are either very faded or missing. Lots of fallen trees and again those Zasavje slopes, the main feature of this linking trail.
After overnight rest on Šmohor, confusion hit my mind seeing the snow-covered meadow—what season is it?
The charm of long trails lies in accepting the reality nature hands you moment by moment. Shoes dried, I'm rested, so off I go. Along the way I thank the wind for sparing me and marvel at how the world changed in mere days. Across Kal and Mrzlica to Podmejo pass and over Sveta planina to mountain hut Vrhe, from where on day five I continued to Čemšenik. The steepness in knee-deep snow eased as I saw blue sky atop. How my eyes thirsted for sunbeams that followed me from descent to Izlake to ascent over Zasavska Sveta gora. Priceless vistas and indulgence in following days. A very nice and interesting view above the quarry over Kresnice. From Ušta Žerenk's home along the path to Jevnica valley I admired Ljubljana basin with Polhograjske peaks, Triglav looming over mists, and eastwards to Ksa. Nice forest path from Janče to Litija officially ends via Ostrež on Kum. Last stage mischievously longest; I tweaked it cautiously to catch public transport back to reality.
Anyway, a trail worth attention. Whole or in stages, whatever. Plenty of huts, churches, farms, meadows, historical and cultural heritage remnants. We cross railway, Savinja, and mother Sava shaping most of this wonderful rugged landscape.
"On the long solitary trail I revisit and discover my bright and dimmer, known and unknown soul fragments"