The Pihavci Ridge is a side branch that splits off at the Vrh Osojnika saddle from the main Pelci - Bavški Grintavec ridge towards Bavšica and thus roughly separates the well-known alpine valleys Zadnja Trento to the east from Bala to the west. The ridge with average height just over 2,000 m has officially named and marked on maps only two peaks: Veliki and Mali Pihavec and further slightly south the descent-important peak Obljak.
When searching for route descriptions in this area, most useful stuff is found on the Primorske stene portal, on the essence, approach, difficulty and demands of the tour in M & M online notes, of course every explorer of this mountaineering paradise goes a bit their own way, so no trodden paths on approach, even less on descent, most noticeable are chamois tracks which can sometimes be usefully used.
From own experiences and insights the tour is best started in Bavšica, across Bala valley, the Pihavci ridge traverse from north to south, that is from Vrh Osojnika saddle to Obljak /for many the nicest ridge in Julijci/ and then from Obljak down very steep grass and steep forest to Bavšica, which in contrast to previous enjoyment on the ridge is no longer pleasant, as the descent is technically and orientationally veeery demanding.
The Pihavci ridge itself is exceptionally beautiful, panoramic and wildly exposed tour, up-down over numerous teeth, small ascents and descents, unlike surrounding ridges also mostly healthy and solid rock, steep Trent grass makes crossing harder rather than easier, especially dangerous in wet weather or frozen in shady spots.
The Pihavci ridge due to difficulty, exposure and variety that climbing offers is a very demanding tour, with Trent grade from M&M between II and III, would advise recreational without proper experience and mileage against it without belaying and guiding, as any retreat and descent from the ridge is out of question, to Bala valley or the other side to Dolič valley towards Bukovnik, due to precipitousness and cliff-cut walls, practically you can fly.
The most demanding part of the ridge traverse is certainly the descent into the notch between Veliki and Mali Pihavec which exceeds III, so better to rappel into it, there's a peg installed, abseil about 25 m. As mentioned above, don't underestimate the descent on steep and dense grass either, where you'll be grateful for the recommendation to bring a light ice axe.
We did the tour on a nice October day 2021, total time about 10-11 h, … more in descriptions under photos.