16698

Slovenia: Kapelica sv. Janeza Krstnika - Chapel of St. John the Baptist

Below the ridge of Košuta stands the Chapel of St. John the Baptist (sv. Janez Krstnik), a small but historically rich landmark below Kofce pasture. It was originally built in 1926, alongside the first mountain hut, and solemnly blessed on 24 June 1928 - the feast day of St. John the Baptist - when the first Mass was held there. A few years later, in 1931, the chapel received its small bell, completing its modest but heartfelt presence in the mountains. Its story, however, is far from peaceful. During World War II, the chapel suffered heavily. At the beginning of the German occupation in 1941, it was damaged by a local member of the Kulturbund. The final blow came in February 1945, when partisans burned the nearby mountain hut to prevent it from being used by German forces. The fire spread to the chapel, leaving behind only fragments of its walls and roof. What stands there today is largely the result of postwar reconstruction. The chapel was rebuilt and blessed again in 1966 by the Tržič parish priest, Msgr. Viktor Zakrajšek, restoring its role as a quiet spiritual point beneath the ridge. Today, Nada, Bronco, and I walked up from our village to visit it again - Garmin Connect. Despite its turbulent past, the chapel now feels calm and timeless - a place where history, nature, and silence meet under the slopes of Košuta.

 

At the start of our hike we visited the lake in our village.

  

On the local hill, called Vršič, Bronco did some posing.

 

Bronco rarely looks at the camera, making moments like this special.

 

Few more shoots and then we move on.

On the way towards Ravni.

 

Destination reached.

Nada, Bronco and Tuši.

#hiking #mountains #CatahoulaLeopardDog #Karawanks

16697

Slovenia: Kamnek - Pirmance - Veliki vrh - Kršiše

Bronco and I had another day to ourselves. Nada kindly dropped us off in Tržič, where we set off on a scenic hike along the ridge connecting the town with the Košuta range. About halfway up, we decided to leave the main ridge and explore some quieter, less-traveled paths, enjoying the peaceful surroundings as we made our way back home. The change of route added a nice touch of adventure to an already great day outdoors - Garmin Connect.

There’s something special about hiking in bad weather - the trails are quiet, and you often have them all to yourself.

The Love bench on top of Kamnek, 873 m.

 

We continued over Pirmance.

On Veliki vrh above Završnik, 968 m.

Helleborus niger - one of the earliest signs of spring, often appearing while there’s still snow on the ground.

#hiking #mountains #CatahoulaLeopardDog #Karawanks

16691

Slovenia: Prelaz Ljubelj

In the morning, Bronco joined me on my 3th hike to Koča na Ljubelju this year. Nada drove us to Ljubelj and from there we reached our destination. Our way back was a bit longer, since we needed to hike all the way back home - Garmin Connect.

Bunker on our way back after a short detour.

Bronco doesn't like cows, so we needed to go quite around them.

#hiking #mountains #Karawanks #CatahoulaLeopardDog

16690

Slovenia: Altemaver

Altemaver, at 1678 meters, is the highest peak of the Ratitovec ridge. From its grassy summit, hikers are usually rewarded with magnificent views of the Julian Alps, Jelovica, the Karawanks, the Kamnik-Savinja Alps, as well as the Škofja Loka and Cerkno hills. At least, that's what you'll read on the internet. But mountains don't always reveal their grand panoramas. When the weather doesn't cooperate, there is still plenty to enjoy - the peaceful forest trails, the mountain meadows, and the beauty that surrounds you every step of the way. Today, Nada, Bronco, and I did exactly that on our hike to Altemaver. Although the distant views remained hidden behind the clouds, the journey itself proved once again that in the mountains, the path can be just as rewarding as the destination.

Hunter's hut near Boserplote, 1518 m.

One of many bunkers on the way, that were part of Rupnik Line, a system of fortifications built by the former Kingdom of Yugoslavia in the 1930s. Their purpose was to defend the border with Italy, which at that time lay not far west of Ratitovec.

Grassy ridge.

The directions were clear.

Hiker Bronco.

We were prepared for cold weather.

Approaching the summit.

Where is that view, that was mentioned on the description,

Another bunker without soldiers.

 

Last meters were quite icy. Bronco and his 4-leg drive worked flawlessly.

Last meters.

That's us on the top of Altemaver and even the sky opened up for a minute.

Time to go back. Today we used the same way.

Slippery.

 

Exploring the bunker.

How to scare Bronco?

 

And he escaped.

Pasture on Spodnji Jirn.

 

And the hike was soon over - Garmin Connect.

#hiking #mountains #CatahoulaLeopardDog

16684

Slovenia: Rovnik and Waterfalls Slap Šum in Lomščiški slap

It was quite a cloudy and foggy day, but despite the conditions, Nada, Bronco and I decided to head out for a short hike. We started by driving to Zgornja Besnica, from where we set off on foot towards the nearby Rovnik, 707 m. The trail was calm and quiet, with the mist giving the landscape a slightly mysterious atmosphere. On our way back, we made a small detour to visit the waterfall Slap Šum, also known as the Nemiljski Šum. Even with the fog hanging in the air, the waterfall made for a nice stop and a refreshing highlight along the route. After about an hour and a half, we returned to our starting point - Garmin Connect. Since we still had some time left, we decided to make another quick detour, this time to Tržič, where we visited Lomščiški slap - Garmin Connect. Despite the grey weather, it turned out to be a very enjoyable outing - a perfect example of how even a short trip can offer plenty to see and experience.

 

Nice and easy hike in the forest.

 

Another shape of water.

 

Tuši and Bronco.

 

On top of Rovnik, 707 m.

 

Hairy leaves.

 

Slap Šum, the highest stream waterfall in Slovenia (25 m), flows in stages over layered limestone, gathering into a single powerful drop deep within a basin shaped like a giant pitcher.

 

Lomščiški slap, a 7 m high waterfall on the Lomščica stream, a left tributary of the Tržiška Bistrica, is a scenic and lesser-known natural attraction near Tržič.

  

Mother nature playing.

#hiking #mountains #waterfall #CatahoulaLeopardDog