Slovenia: Kranjska Gora, Day 2

Our goal today is the Slemenova Spica Hike. During the summer season, there is a free hourly bus from Kranjska Gora to Bovec over the Vršič Pass. This time of the year the free bus still runs on a reduced schedule. The hike ascends from the Vrsic Pass, the highest pass in the Julian Alps at 1,611 meters elevation, to Slemenova Spica at 1,911 meters. One of our guide books says if you only do one walk in Slovenia, this is the one. We could not agree more. It's like we are back in the Dolomites.

On the way home we got off the bus at Lake Jasna and walked back. John felt slightly better today.

We hopped off the bus at Vrsic Pass, and our task was clear; the blue sign verifies the elevation, and the red sign points 1hr 30 minutes to Slemenova Spica.




And soon we've gained some altitude.




Sun-Ling hates scree but makes the crossing in good shape.


The sign says 55 minutes!


And across a forest.


And then an amazing view down to Ratece where we walked yesterday. Wow!


Even though we are in the highest pass in the Julian Alps, the peaks are still high above us.


Then unexpectedly, just before the Slemenova Spica Viewpoint, we crossed a dry high meadow with sheep. Lots of sheep droppings. It smelled like a barnyard. The sheep tried to eat the food of two hikers who were heating a can of beans (or something) on a small stove (2nd below). Chaos for a few minutes. ;-)




Slemenova Spica Summit at 1,911 meters elevation. 2nd and 3rd below are views down to Ratece and its ski lifts. Notice the large parking lot.






Panorama


The summit was too barnyard-like to eat lunch, so we headed down a bit.


And with a good lunch in our bellies we made good time down to the bus stop.




Sun-Ling Powers Through the Scree Crossing


We got off the bus one stop before Kranjska Gora at Jasna Lake.

Slovenia: Kranjska Gora, Day 1 (And it's John's Birthday!)

After the weekend, we left Lake Bohinj to backtrack to Kranjska Gora on the other side of Triglav National Park. Now that the trail run was completed, we could get a room. Getting there was not too easy. First, we had to take a bus towards Ljubljana to connect with a bus from Ljubljana. Slovenia has bus schedules, but when the routes are so long and intercity buses also double as village buses, you might as well not have them—and be like other developing countries. I have to remember that not everyone judges countries by their public transport systems.

After arriving in Kranjska Gora in the afternoon, we rode the bus to Rateče, the first/last village on this side of the Italian-Slovenian border, to walk back to Kranjska Gora. The valley walk started on the Alpe Adria Trail, a 750 km long-distance trail through Austria, Slovenia, and Italy that is very popular with bicyclists. Around here, one of the Caminos to Santiago de Compostela also coincides with it. The trail took us by the Zelenci Nature Reserve, which looked like a wetland on the map but turned out to be pretty dry. Surely there must be more water in the spring, except for the small lake formed by the underground spring. Nevertheless, the setting is very scenic.

We veered off the trail to look at the village of Podkoren, yet to be infected by mass tourism, before plodding our own way back to Kranjska Gora. John had a hard time on the walk. His cold is still not getting better, and it was his birthday, too; however, when we went out for dinner, he still had his usual good appetite.

On the bus towards Ljubljana.


Passing Lake Bled.


Streets of Kranjska Gora


The bus dropped us off in Ratece and we started walking back to Krankjska Gora.


Holy Spirit Church, and a barn in Rateče




More Ratece: Giant Cabbages and Custom-Painted Beehives




We loved the turquoise waters of Zelenci Natural Reserve..




Roller Skiers and Cyclists on the Alpe Adria Trail at Podkoren.




The City Center of Podkoren and a view of the Julian Alps.




View to the Julian Alps from Podkoren


Ostriches in Podkoren?


John's Birthday Dinner: Pizza, Eggplant, and Mushrooms


The Streets of Kranjska Gora as we head home from dinner.

Slovenia: Lake Bohinj Part Two

Lake Bohinj is quiet and serene. We based ourselves in Stara Fuzina, north of the lake. The village still has a traditional feel; that is, you can smell the barn. The first day we rode the train to Most na Soci where the Soca river is dammed for hydroelectricity (see previous blog post) before it is joined by the Idrijca river. The Soca is known for its turquoise color, and we plan to explore its upper part later in a few days.

After we got back to Stara Fuzhina, we set out to walk the Mostnice Gorge (below). We continued to where the trail comes out in the Voje Valley. It was a rather enjoyable walk. There weren't so many people as it was late afternoon.

The next day we found a bus route that took us 550m above the lake to Vogar Blato, then ascended another 300m to a viewpoint of the lake on a combination of wooded trails and logging roads.

After visiting Most na Soci, we arrived back in Stara Fuzina with enough time to walk the Mostnice Gorge Trail before dark. Some of the water from the gorge was diverted into a small channel centuries ago for mills, small factories, and town drinking water.




We paid 5 Euros total to walk the gorge - cash only.


The gorge was narrow with rushing clear waters that reflected the blue sky and green trees.




There were many waterfalls.






Not to mention Elephant Rock, which we took in from both sides.




We turned around at a viewpoint to Voje Valley.


And our efforts are rewarded with a beautiful view of Stara Fuzina on the way home.


The next morning we hopped on the Vogar Blato bound bus to take us up, up, up the hills behind Stara Fuzina for some views of Lake Bohinj






At one point the walking was sharply uphill, but not a goat path.


This stone marks the side trail to the viewpoint.


Our Selfies above Lake Bohinj! And we spotted a paraglider!




We followed a logging road for about half the return to the bus stop. The first part was steep, otherwise like a highway.








And eventually we joined the paved road.






Cheers to Stara Fuzina!