Where to go in Kranjska gora
Next to Posočje, the Gorenjska region is certainly the richest region in terms of ideas for a wide variety of trips and activities in nature. Gorenjska also has an excellent location, as its westernmost part (Rateče) is only a good hour’s drive from Ljubljana. The main destination of most excursionists who go to Gorenjska are Bled and Kranjska gora, two tourist pearls that are excellent starting points for longer and shorter nature trips.
Kranjska gora offers visitors a wide variety of activities in nature throughout the year. Today we will focus more on annual trips, although I will also mention sledding and cross-country skiing. We will start in Gozd Martuljko, where we will walk to the Martuljek waterfalls and visit the via ferrata on the opposite side of the village. We will stop at Zelenci and Planica, walk to Tamar and Tromeja, and finally we will visit the Krnica valley and get to know the sights there.
Kranjska gora attractions:
By the way, if you are looking for more similar ideas for trips in the Gorenjska region, I advise you to read the articles titled Where to go in Bohinj, Where to go in Bled and Where to go in mounthains from bohinj.
1. Martuljek watterfalls
- Walking time: 1 h 45 min
- Difficulty of the trail: easy trail (only if you want to climb all the way to the upper waterfall, but the finish is challenging)
- Height: 1150 meters
- Altitude difference: 400 meters
- Starting point: Gozd Martuljek (46.4821, 13.8380)
- Recommended footwear: sports walking shoes
As I already mentioned in the introduction, the view in Gozd Maruljek, when we cross Sava Dolinka, is one of the most beautiful views of our mountains in general. This scenery of Špik’s group inspires me again and again. You will leave your vehicle immediately after the bridge in a well-maintained parking lot next to the bicycle and walking path. We will go along this same route towards the heart of the view that we admired a little earlier.
The path is very well marked with yellow direction signs (waterfall 1,2). Along the way to the gorge, we are accompanied by a forest learning trail, which impressed me. While reading the tables, I learned a lot of interesting things about wood and the use of different types of wood for various purposes (construction, tools, footwear, heating, cleaning, stela…). At the same time, at the beginning of the learning trail, we are taught about the living and non-living nature around here, about the cultural heritage… A little later, next to the two “glamping” houses, the terrain is prepared for extracting charcoal according to the method that was used in the past. . Very interesting.
It will take you about 10 minutes to walk to the beginning of the gorge, where you will be greeted by two information boards on the other side of the bridge. The gorge begins quite calmly, it takes us past some drifted gravel, which is an ideal place to sit on hot summer days, but soon after that, the path cuts under the vertical walls of the gorge, and soon everything is set up at the end.
The well-maintained trail is very well maintained and, in my opinion, as well protected as possible. We will reach the first waterfall in a good 15 minutes from entering the gorge, especially in the spring months, when the bed is very watery, the waterfall and the other parts of the gorge are especially beautiful and wonderfully frightening. All that power of water…
A little above the 1st waterfall, we will come to a crossroads, where we can return to our starting point in a circular way, or we can continue the climb towards Jesenje mountain and the 2nd waterfall. Here the path leaves the gorge and continues along an extremely pleasant and not at all demanding forest path all the way to the upper waterfall.
During the ascent, signs will invite us to the Jesenje mountain, where you will be served in Ingot’s hut, and a little higher you can walk to Finžgar’s chapel. I suggest you save this stop for the descent.
A little caution will only be necessary when descending into the gorge below the 2nd waterfall when the steel cables will also help you. From the first vantage point, you can see practically the entire beauty. If you want to get up close to the 48-meter-high waterfall, you will have to climb steeply over the rocks and with the help of steel cables and wedges over the rocky slope.
Given that the 2nd waterfall is relatively high in the gorge, which is hidden from the sun, as it is pure north, it is necessary to take into account that in the spring time, there can still be very wintry conditions around the 2nd waterfall and the path can be security closed.
2. Ferattas Hvadnik and Jerman
If you are looking for slightly different, more adrenaline-filled ideas for a trip to the upper Sava valley, then you might be attracted by the wonderful ferratas in Gozd Matruljek. The starting points of the ferrata are only about 10 minutes’ walk away from each other and you can easily visit them one after the other. But ferratas are quite different from each other. Hvadnik is one of the most picturesque and friendly via ferratas in Slovenia, also suitable for family trips and those who have problems with heights. Meanwhile, Jernam is one of the more demanding ferratas in our country.
Read more about both ferratas in the article entitled Ferati Hvadnik and Jerman in Gozd Martuljek
3. Sava Dolinka spring at Zelenci
- Walking time: 5 minut
- The difficulty of the route: easy
- Višina: 845 metrov
- Height difference: 0
- Starting point: Parking lot on the Rateče – Podkoren road (46.4944, 13.7338)
- Recommended footwear: sports shoes
The spring of our largest and longest river lies in the extreme north – west of our beautiful country. It always fascinates me that if Zelenci were only a few hundred meters further west, the Sava Dolinka would flow into the Adriatic and not the Black Sea. It’s a good thing that the watershed is near Rateče and not a little lower, so that the Sava Dolinka flows through Slovenia and not into Italy.
Zelenci are about 1200 meters long and on average 150 meters wide. On one side, they are wedged in by the steep slopes of the Julian Alps, and to the north they are bounded by the Karavank ridge. The water that supplies Zelence mostly flows from Planica or Tamara. That is where the Nadiža stream originates, which flows on the surface for only a few hundred meters and then sinks into the gravelly ground (you can read more about the Nadiža 3 subheadings below). This water flows again during the day at Zelenci.
The water flows into Zelenci through the porous sandy soil, which is composed of lake chalk. This gives the lake its characteristic greenish color, after which Zelenci (the greens got its name. Pearly clean water boils into daylight in many smaller boilers, which have a constant temperature of 6°C regardless of the season, so Zelenci does not freeze even in the coldest winters.
The greater part of Zelenci, which has been declared a nature reserve since 1992, is otherwise a swamp rich in many animal and plant species. A wooden footbridge leads to and around the lake, where a large part of the Sava Dolinka falls during the day, allowing all tourists to see this pearl without causing damage to the nature reserve. Educational boards with descriptions of the animal and plant species living here are placed next to the lake. For a better view of Zelenci, the observation tower is very useful.
The total length of the Sava is only 10 kilometers less than 1000 kilometers. The Sava route ends in the capital of Serbia, where our beauty flows into the second largest river in Europe – the Danube and is by far its largest tributary.
In the parking lot near Zelenci, a very nice inn has been newly built, where you will also be very kindly served a wide variety of delicacies for all tastes. Next to the inn is a small playground with swings, so your little ones will quickly get distracted…
Zelenci can also be accessed from the road that leads from Kranjska Gora to Planica and is mostly used by cyclists and walkers, and in winter there is a cross-country ski trail.
4. Ascent to Tromeja
- Ascent time: 1 ura 40 minut
- Difficulty of the route: easy
- Višina: 1508 metrov
- Height difference: 643 meters
- The starting point: Rateče (46.498, 13.7165)
- Recommended equipment: hiking shoes and hiking poles (in winter, crampons and sleds)
The starting point for the next ascent is only a minute’s drive from Zelenci. The village of Rateče is the last village before the Italian border, and in addition to being one of the coldest villages in Slovenia, it is also the sunniest village in our country.
Tromeja is a very popular destination in all seasons, hikers and cyclists climb towards the border of the three countries in the summer, and sledders and hikers in the winter.
Read more about climbing Tromeja in the article entitled Tromeja climb for all seasons.
5. Planica
- Height: 926 meters
- The starting point: Planica (46.4746, 13.7226)
- Recommended footwear: sports shoes
Despite the fact that every Slovene knows Planica, I know that the vast majority of our citizens have never been there. Planica has developed a lot in the last 10-15 years, it has become much friendlier for visitors. Today, we can enjoy many different options for actively spending our free time.
If you like adrenaline, you can go to the top of the biggest ski jump in the world and go down the zip line towards the bottom, if you would like to try what it’s like to float in the air, the Nordic Center offers you a wind tunnel that allows you to do that. Or you can try your hand at a sport called disc golf, where you test your accuracy in throwing a frisbee into special baskets. The playground in Planica offers you about 60 minutes of fun activities in nature.
Of course, in addition to “organized” activities, Planica offers you many other options for spending your free time more or less actively. Planica is a true paradise for all hikers. The valley under Ponce can be a starting point for many tours in the highlands. If I only mention the Ponce ridge, Slemenova Špica, Mojstrovka, and, of course, the “king” among Slovenian peaks, Jalovec.
In addition to hiking, Planica is also a paradise for cyclists. Of course, we must not forget the winter season, when many lovers of winter joys flood Planica, Rateče and Tamar, and enjoy hiking, sledding, cross-country skiing, skiing and activities on snow and ice.
6. Tamar, the Nadiža spring, and the Črne vode waterfall
- Walking time: 45 minutes
- Difficulty of the route: easy
- Višina: 1108 metrov
- Height difference: 190 meters
- The starting point: Planica (46.4746, 13.7226)
- Recommended footwear: sports hiking footwear (in winter: winter boots)
Tamar is also a deep glacial valley, which is probably known to the vast majority of Slovenians. Tamar is a kind of conclusion of Planica valley, or the valley under the Ponce mountain range, as we like to call it. The steep walls of high mountains rise above Tamar. The most impressive of them all, as I already mentioned in the description of Planica, is Jalovec. All peaks above Tamar are practically higher than 2000 meters. The highest, Jalovec, with 2645 meters, is the 5th highest mountain in Slovenia.
Tamar is an extremely popular excursion point for easy hikes in all seasons. In the summer, there are also a lot of people with mountain bikes, and in the winter, in addition to hikers and walkers, cross-country skiers and touring skiers dominate, and many hikers go to Planica with sleds.
If you decide to walk to Tamar, I advise you to go to the spring of Nadiža (no, it’s not Nadiža near Kobarid, only the name is the same), which is only a few hundred meters west of the cabin in Tamar. It flows into daylight from a rock crack at the foot of Zadnja Ponca.
In its only 300-meter-long stream, it forms numerous rapids, small pools and a cascading waterfall about 12 meters high between the rocks. After about 300 meters, it sinks into the gravel floor of the valley. As already mentioned in the description of Zelenci, this water reappears, as Sava Dolinka. So, the first spring of Nadiža is the first spring of our longest river, but it has to go underground for about 10 kilometers to get to the real spring.
Although Tamar hides quite a few natural beauties, the accesses may be a bit too demanding for a family trip. The exception is the 70-meter beauty of Črne vode, which otherwise originates under Slemenova špica and flows through numerous waterfalls into Tamar, where we can admire the last and highest waterfall of all.
I highly recommend visiting the waterfall, as it will only take you about 10 minutes to walk to it, and you will also have wonderful views of the entire Planica valley, of Jalovec, Ponce… Similar to the water of Nadiža, the stream of Črne vode shortly after when it falls to the ground, sinks into the gravelly ground and merges with the water from Nadiža, and comes to light again in Zelenci.
The cottage in Tamarje is one of the most visited cottages in our Alps. No wonder, as it has an excellent location and is open and accessible all year round. The cottage is managed by locals from PD Rateče. It stands on the edge of a large grassy plateau, which is a true paradise for all visitors, especially in the summer, when they enjoy the sun’s rays and sit on deckchairs and the beautiful grassy ground.
7. Jasna lake and Krnica valley
- Walking time: 1 hour 20 minutes (hut in Krnica)
- Difficulty of the route: easy
- Height: 1113 meters
- Height difference: 270 meters
- Starting point: parking lot at Lake Jasna (46.4714, 13.7847)
- Recommended footwear: sports walking shoes
When I describe various more or less interesting points in our beautiful country, it is always more difficult for me, because I want to use long adjectives that describe this point with each new presented place, point, and attraction. Unfortunately, the English language does not have enough synonyms for the words wonderful, beautiful, breathtaking, and the like.
Anyway, let’s try… Krnica is a beautiful alpine valley that is approximately 6 kilometers long and starts at Lake Jasna and winds deep into the heart of the Julian Alps. To the foot of some of the highest peaks in our Alps. The steep walls of Škrlatica, Razor, Dolkova Špica, Prisojnik and some other lesser-known peaks rise above Krnica. The mentioned peaks are all much higher than 2500 meters.
After a good hour of walking into the Krnica valley, from the starting point at the parking lot at Lake Jasna, the path leads us to the mountain hut in Krnica. The cabin stands in a forest glade at an altitude of 1113 meters. The hut is managed by the Kranjska gora mountain association. It has been standing in this place since the 1930s. The people of Kranjska gora have thoroughly renovated it several times, and today it is available to its guests during the extended summer season from May 1 to October 31. In winter, the cottage is open on weekends and holidays, of course, as long as the weather permits.
Krnica is an excellent starting point for all the peaks listed above and many others. You can also walk to the cottage in Krnica from the Russian Cross along the road to our highest mountain pass. In the summer season, the cottage in Krnica is a very popular spot for mountain and E-bikers.
In Krnica flows the pearly clean stream Velika Pišnica, which is formed by the source streams Velika Suha Pišnica and Suha Pišnica, and from the merger onwards, it is only Velika Pišnica. The stream flows over the gravelly floor of this beautiful alpine valley. At Lake Jasna, it merges with Mala Pišnica and, as Pišnica, flows through Kranjska Gora and into Sava Dolinka.
Mala Pišnica flows from the valley of Mala Pišnica, and originates under Slemenova špica and Mala Mojstrovka, and through a difficult-to-access valley, which is said to still be a part of the primeval forest, where the oldest larch trees in the world, over 1000 years old, reign. I haven’t seen it myself, but you can read a lot about it online.
Jasna Lake is an artificial lake fed by both Pišnica. It is located at the foot of the beginning of the climb to Vršič. Lake Jasna is actually formed by two lakes, which are connected to each other. For everyone who enjoys short walks by the lake, sitting in nature, on wooden benches and piers, this is the right place. Just a stone’s throw away is huge amounts of drifted gravel where the two Pišnica rivers merge. The place is perfect for family trips. For throwing pebbles in the water, for playing by and in the water. Otherwise, the water is very cold even on the warmest days of the year, so you can cool off in Pišnica or in Lake Jasna without any problems.
By Lake Jasna, there is also a wide variety of catering options. Because in my blogs I always say where I was satisfied with the service, but I also always say where I was not satisfied, and at Jasna resort, unfortunately, I was not satisfied with their attitude. Maybe the service just had a bad day…
8. Vršič, Ajdovska deklica and the Russian Chapel
Every Slovene probably knows Vršič, most of us have already driven through it, and I believe that not just once. The bigger question is whether we know the sights that accompany us when climbing the 1,611-meter high pass. In addition, Vršič is a very popular starting point for longer and shorter trips to the highest peaks of Slovenia.
On the way up to the top of the Vršič pass, it is worth stopping at least two roadside parking lots. The first checkpoint is a few meters after the 7th serpentine, under the Russian chapel. The chapel stands there in honor and glory of the Russian prisoners who were building the road to Vršič and were buried by an avalanche during construction.
The chapel is a very popular outpost, both for Slovenian visitors and for foreigners. If you’re lucky, you’ll come across an open door and a talkative gentleman who explains the history and meaning of the chapel in 4 or 5 languages.
The next attraction that tourists visit or better said, what they see is the face of the Ajdovska deklica, silently observing the events on Vršič. The face can be seen in the north-western cliff of Prisojnik. The face is easily visible from several places, a little below the top of the pass, at Tonkina’s hut, a descriptive board along the road invites us to see the face of Ajdovska deklica. You can also see the face of the girl from the vicinity of the Poštar cottage in Vršič, but you will have to walk to get there, approx. 20 minutes on foot.
9. Ascent to Visoki Mavrinc
- Ascent time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Difficulty of the route: easy
- Height: 1562 meters
- Height difference: 350 meters
- Starting point: Cottage on the forest (koča na Gozdu) (46.4399, 13.7622)
- Recommended equipment: sports hiking shoes and hiking poles (in winter, also crampons)
Visoki Mavrinc is a peak with exceptional views, under which the road leads towards the Vršič pass. There is no marked path leading to the top, but it is possible to reach the top by following two well-trodden paths. Read more about the two ascents to Visoki Mavrinc in the article entitled Visoki Mavrinc, a scenic peak on the edge of the Julian Alps.
10. Ascent to Slemenova špica
- Ascent time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Difficulty of the route: easy
- Height: 1911 meters
- Altitude difference: 300 meters
- Starting point: Vršič pass (46.434, 13.743)
- Recommended equipment: sports hiking shoes and hiking poles
Slemenova špica is a very popular destination for family trips, this grassy peak (eastern slope) is especially popular in autumn when visitors rush to take pictures of the golden-yellow larch trees and chase the face of Jalovec behind them. The peak is easily accessible and you can visit it even with small children.
Read more about the climb to Slemenova spica in the article entitled Hills 2 hours of walking.
11. Ascent to Vitranc and Ciprnik
- Ascent time (Ciprnik): 3 hours
- Difficulty of the route: easy
- Height: 1745 meters
- Altitude difference: 965 meters
- Starting point: Lake Jasna (46.4718, 13.7846)
- Recommended equipment: sports hiking shoes and hiking poles
Vitranc and especially Ciprnik are exceptional scenic peaks, I would dare to say that Ciprnik is even the peak with the most beautiful view of all the ones I invited you to in this article. It is true that it is also the most physically demanding. But given that a chairlift will probably be leading to the top of Vitranac as early as 2022, this beautiful peak will also be much more accessible even for those hikers who are a little less warm.
Read more about the climb to both peaks in the article with the simple title Vitranc and Ciprnik.
Conclusion
Kranjska gora and its surroundings are one of the pearls of Slovenian tourism, unfortunately, this pearl has faded considerably in the last few 10 years of the previous and also in this century, but even in this part of Slovenia people are slowly waking up and realizing that only with nature and without organized infrastructure and a good tourist offer will not work. I believe that you have also found a destination for yourself in the suggestions for excursions. Have a good time and go to Nature!
