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Slovenia: Hike with SKD Indijanci to Gradišče (Velika planina)

My friend and co-worker John came from New Zealand to Slovenia and with some others we decided to have a hike to Velika planina. The herdsmen's settlement on Velika planina is one of the few settlements of this size in Europe. Its distinctive architecture became a sort of a symbol of this mountain plateau.

The herdsmen were farmers used to a traditional way of life. A six-day workweek was followed by Sunday’s rest, which always included attending Sunday’s mass and socializing. This was partly the reason why the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows was built in the herdsmen’s settlement on Velika planina in 1939. In the Second World War the chapel along with 100 other wooden dwellings were burnt down. The new chapel was built in 1988 and is particularly known for its Christmas Eve midnight mass.

Velika planina is a part of the Kamnik-Savinja alpine range, rising high above the Kamniška Bistrica valley. It is Slovenia’s largest highland pasture, extending over 557 hectares at the altitude between 1,400 and 1,668 metres.

Roofs are covered with pine shingles, called “šinkel” or "skodla".

 

The herdsmen’s settlement on Velika planina.

On top of Gradišče, 1666 m, we had a quick break for some food and drinks. 

Atendees: Rok, Grega, John, Primož, Tuši, Nejc, Peter and Goran

Descent was made on a western track with a stop for hydration in Domžalski dom na Mali planini mountain hut, 1534 m.

International afternoon hike to Velika planina - ŠKD Indijanci - Outdoor Recreation #37

Read more about Velika planina in this brochure, Click, or visit their homepage.