16992

Slovenia: Prelaz Ljubelj

We started the day with a walk straight from home. Bronco and I followed a forest track that brought us to the trail leading from Ljubelj to Prevala Mountain Pasture. From there, we continued through the famous Born tunnels before descending to Ljubelj and making our way back home - Garmin Connect. Waiting for us there was an excellent reward: Nada had prepared some delicious homemade potato chips.

In the afternoon, we met up with our neighbors for the fifth traditional hike marking Rudolf Maister Day. Once again, our destination was Ljubelj Pass, where a generous feast awaited us. Naturally, no proper gathering would be complete without raising a toast together.

Rudolf Maister Day commemorates the events of 23 November 1918, when Rudolf Maister and his troops disarmed the German security forces in Maribor and secured large parts of the Slovene-speaking territory of Styria and Carinthia for what would later become part of modern Slovenia.

It turned out to be one of those perfect autumn days: a pleasant morning walk with Bronco, a warm welcome at home, and an afternoon spent outdoors with neighbors, good food, and good company.

Previous gatherings: 4th - 2024 - 16626, 3rd - 2023 - 16260, 2nd - 2022 - 15896, 1st - 2020 - 14853.

Following a forest track toward the mountain trail.

A view toward home and our beloved Šentanska dolina valley.

Košutica framed by a tunnel window in the Born tunnels.

 

The Born Tunnels were excavated on the orders of Baron Julius Born, who used them to gain easier access to his hunting grounds on the southern slopes of Begunjščica.

Our afternoon destination: Koča na Ljubelju.

Nada's homemade potato chips were the perfect reward after the walk.

Halfway to Ljubelj Pass, the western ridge of Košuta comes into view, crowned by Veliki Vrh.

Looking at the snow-covered slope, we all agreed that bringing a sled would have been the smarter choice.

 

The annual Rudolf Maister Day hike brought the neighbors together once again.

Long shadows and golden light signaled the approaching sunset.

The last stretch before a well-earned stop.

 

Only Žiga was smart enough to bring a sled.

The final sunlight of the day illuminating the Šentanska dolina valley below.

We had made it to the end of the uphill trail.

We quickly occupied the tables and made ourselves comfortable.

A hearty meal after a day outdoors always tastes a little better.

The participants of our 5th traditional Rudolf Maister Day hike - Garmin Connect.

The evening wasn't over yet. On the way home, we found one more place to stop.

#hiking #mountains #Karawanks #Neighbourhood

16991

Slovenia: Vošca and Blekova planina

For this cloudy autumn day, we chose a hike to Vošca and the nearby Blekova Planina. We drove to the village of Srednji Vrh above Gozd Martuljek and started our ascent along the mountain trail that passes through Jureževa Planina.

The day was cold, so we did not stay long at the summit of Vošca. Instead, we headed across the fresh snow toward Blekova Planina. With no one else around, Bronco was free to run and explore. At one point he picked up the scent of wildlife and disappeared in pursuit, apparently crossing over to the Austrian side. Whatever he was tracking, we certainly were not tracking him. After a somewhat anxious wait, he finally returned, as if nothing had happened. He always seems to add a little drama to our adventures.

We then continued on leash to Blekova Planina, stopped briefly for a few photos, and began our descent back to the valley. Although the weather was grey and chilly, the fresh snow, quiet trails, and peaceful mountain scenery made for another enjoyable day in the Karawanks - Garmin Connect.

  

A winter touch in autumn on the trail to the summit.

A lone wind-shaped tree stands watch over the neighboring Julian Alps.

Bronco loves making the first paw prints in fresh snow.

A joyful sprint across fresh snow, complete with airborne ears.

A classic Julian Alps panorama featuring Mojstrovka and Jalovec.

Nada was probably wondering how many people had been up here before us. Bronco had already made sure it looked like hundreds.

Nada and Tuši on the summit of Vošca, 1737 m. Bronco was somewhere out of frame, conducting his own mountain expedition.

Stone walls and foundations are all that remain of the old border guard station.

 

After Bronco's unscheduled wildlife expedition, we continued on leash toward Blekova Planina, 1629 m.

 

Following the Jerman Stream, we made our way back down to the village.

#hiking  #CatahoulaLeopardDog #Karawanks

16985

Slovenia: Geocaching on Rašica

As had become something of a routine lately, Nada had a few errands to take care of in Ljubljana, while Bronco and I headed out for another geocaching adventure. This time, our destination was Rašica and the GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica series.

The weather looked uncertain all day and seemed ready to turn at any moment, but luckily the rain held off. The gloomy forecast worked in our favor, as there were hardly any people on the trails, allowing us to enjoy the forest and the hunt for caches in peace.

We followed a circular route of around 15 kilometres, making our way from one cache to the next. Some hides were quick and easy finds, while others required a bit more searching, but that only added to the fun. By the end of the day, we had achieved an impressive haul of 59 geocaches.

Not a bad way to spend a day outdoors: quiet trails, fresh autumn air, great company from my four-legged geocaching partner, and another successful caching adventure in the hills above Ljubljana - Garmin Connect.

One of many hills on Rašica, Magarovnik.

 

Quiet woodland paths and hardly a soul in sight.

After 59 finds, Ceguvenški bajer was the perfect place to wrap up the day.

Geocaches found (all received a visit by trackable items "Second Angel of peace", TBA8B55 and "Twin Star", TB33TN8):

- #01 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9BVH

- #02 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9CF9

- #03 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9CFW

- #04 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9CGR

- #05 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9CH8

- #06 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DBC

- #07 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DBE

- #08 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DBG

- #09 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DBJ

- #10 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DBM

- #12 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DBN

- #13 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DBQ

- #14 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DBV

- #15 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DBW

- #16 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DCC

- #15 - Mengeš - Rašica Trail, GC8V3AM

- #17 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DCE

- #16 - Mengeš - Rašica Trail, GC8V3AW

- #18 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DCF

- #17 - Mengeš - Rašica Trail, GC8V3B1

- #19 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DCG

- #18 - Mengeš - Rašica Trail, GC8V3B8

- #20 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DCJ

- #19 - Mengeš - Rašica Trail, GC8VTB7

- #21 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DCK

- #20 - Mengeš - Rašica Trail, GC8VTBH

- #22 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DCP

- #23 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DCQ

- #24 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DCW

- #25 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DD2

- #26 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DD5

- #27 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9FNB

- #28 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DGB

- #29 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DGC

- #30 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DGT

- #31 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DGY

- #32 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9DHC

- #33 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9G5Y

- #34 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9G62

- #35 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9G67

- #36 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9G6C

- #37 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9G6M

- #38 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9G6W

- #39 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9G71

- #40 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9G76

- #41 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9G7A

- #42 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9G7D

- #43 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9GFR

- #44 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9GG1

- #45 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9GG5

- #46 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9GGB

- #47 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9GTF

- #48 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9GTH

- #49 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9GTJ

- #50 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9GTK

- #51 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9GTM

- #52 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9GTN

- Bonus 2 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9M9H, where I spotted trackable item "Nima´s 5000ster Fund", TBB4VXP and picked up "SOURICETTE", TB7FT4A, that stayed with me for the rest of the day

- #53 - GeoArt Mengeš - Rašica, Mystery, GCB9GTP

#hiking #geocaching #CatahoulaLeopardDog

16984

Slovenia: Under Korošica

After a rather demanding evening celebrating Klemen's birthday, it was time to get some fresh air and stretch our legs. Bronco, Nada, and I set off directly from home and headed towards the area known as Vranček, below Korošica. The walk was not particularly long, but it was exactly what we needed after the previous night's festivities. Once there, we spent some time exploring the remains of old zinc mining activity scattered across the hillside. For quite some time now, I have also been trying to find the actual entrance to the old mine, but once again it managed to stay hidden. Maybe next time.

 

Searching for the mine entrance - Garmin Connect.

#hiking  #CatahoulaLeopardDog

16983

Slovenia: Kršiše and Klemen's Birthday

Today, Bronco and I had the day to ourselves, so we took a leisurely walk across Kršiše and down to the village center. In the evening, it was time for Klemen's birthday party. As always, good company meant good conversation, and of course, we raised a glass to celebrate the occasion. Cheers to another year and many more gatherings like this one!

 

On the hike to the village - Garmin Connect.

  

Happy Birthday Klemen!

#neighbourhood #birthday #hiking  #CatahoulaLeopardDog

16981

Slovenia: An Unplanned Evening

No planning, no special occasion. Sometimes the neighbors just gather for a beer. That's how the best evenings happen.

One seat is empty. Where is Rajko?

#neighbourhood

16978

Slovenia / Austria: MTB - Prelaz Ljubelj

Santa Claus gave our family a wonderful Christmas gift: lunch at the mountain hut on Ljubelj in 2025. Today, we finally found the time to enjoy it together.

Nada and I headed up by bike from the Austrian side, while the rest of the family hiked up from the Slovenian side. We all met at the hut, where we enjoyed a hearty meal and great company. It was the perfect way to make the most of Santa's gift and spend a beautiful day together in the mountains - Garmin Connect.

  

Making our way uphill by bike towards the hut.

The reward at the top: good food and great company.

 

The toughest decision of the day: ribs or sausage?

Looking down over our home valley, Šentanska dolina.

#MTB #Karawanks #lunch