CLIMBING MOUNT TRIGLAV

 The jewel in  Slovenia's crown is,  Mount Triglav, the highest peak at 2864m set in the heart of the Triglav  National  Park.

There are numerous tracks up the mountain, ranging from the more difficult, strenuous climbs to easier hiking routes. However, this is not a climb to be taken lightly and certainly not just a mere wander in the mountains.

The route to the summit is best taken over two days, stopping overnight in one of the huts found high up the mountain.

Starting at Stara Fuzina take the path towards Planina Vogar.  After about an hour you will reach the Vogar meadows, where the path goes west towards Prsivec, and the best view of  Lake  Bohinj. Head towards the  Black  Lake, the warmest of the seven Triglav lakes.

Carry on north towards the Great Lake, the largest and deepest of the

lakes.  From here the path rises steeply up to the Yellow Lake, leading to a limestone plateau and the Hribarice saddle.  Rising in front of you is the summit of Triglav.

 From here the path rises and falls for about an hour and a half, when you reach a steeper section which is helped by cables set in the mountainside.

There is still about five hours to the Koca pri Triglavskih Jezerih (The Hut of the Triglav  Lakes) at 1685m.

This is the best place to stay overnight and go on to the summit the next day.

  The path now becomes steeper but the climb is aided by ropes and cables along the path, taking you over rocks and scree to the foot of the cliff and the final climb to the top.

This final section is more a climb than a hike and is helped by sections of fixed cable handrails and steel pegs for footholds.

Finally reaching the summit of  Mount Triglav  where there is a small refuge hut erected here in 1865.

The shorter alternative and more popular route starts at the Hotel Zlatorog along the  shore of  Lake Bohinj.

  Head towards the Savica Waterfall, where just before the fall, take a steep path to Komarca Cliff. The path is a strenuous climb of some 700m but helped by a fixed handrail.

At the top of the climb you’ll see the  Black  Lake at 1294m where you head north, climbing more gently through pine trees and a limestone plateau to the Koca pri Triglavskih Jezerih (The Hut of the Triglav Lakes) at 1685m. Here the path meets with the longer but easier track from Stara Fuzina.