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Košuta Pastures

viharnik29. 09. 2011 17:12:59

MTB tour on Košuta pastures is one of the nicest around here and always draws me back.
In the morning at 8°C I start in Jelendol at the playground and freeze in short sleeves all the way to the steep road, so I don't build up speed yet. Sun hits the valley only after 9. After 10km and 1h 30min I'm at Dolga Njiva by the hut. There the morning peaceful calm was rippled by a breeze, so I just stop for a while and enjoy nature's solitude and get balanced.
Next for a change I take the upper meadow path that crosses all the way to Tegoška planina. Path is all sorts, from wide forest road to narrow cut trails, real treat. You ride at least 2/3 of it, some sections (rocks, roots uphill) on foot. Before Tegoška pl. better stick to upper meadow path, because lower road not passable now-spruce logging. From Kisovec 1563m some descent to pasture. Continue to Pl. Pungrat, refuel a bit with fruit, energy bar and biscuits. Then longer detour to Šija pl. (all closed) and quarter hour to Kofce. Temps just right with NE breeze over Košuta ridge. Tour was balm for the soul in autumn calm nature and though I crossed whole ridge which is long for hiking, on bike not too long. Unexpectedly picked two boletuses by path, few this year. Stats: Dist 32km, effective ride time 3h 31min, avg spd 9.12km/h, elev gain under 900m on path. From Kofce to Jelendol 750m (Koncenpohar) 17min descent on road that needs major fix (slope raking, hole filling) macadam. Lp nasmeh

Košuta Pastures In the cold Medvodja valley steam is already rising from the raufenko tub in the morning

Košuta Pastures I in the frost on Košuta but they are already warming

Košuta Pastures On the cart track right before Dolga nijva

Košuta Pastures Cows have been gone for almost a month, only two donkeys are still enjoying the pasture.

Košuta Pastures On the path to Košutnikov turn

Košuta Pastures Initially a nice forest path

Košuta Pastures I arrive at a grassy plateau that glowed in golden light

Košuta Pastures Here too, driving requires full balance and proper brake distribution on the wheels

Košuta Pastures Still life, that's what I came for today among other things

Košuta Pastures View from Kisovca to Tegoško pl.

Košuta Pastures In dense vrtače and kuclje I dismounted a bit (too steep gradient, seat tosses around, rear braking alone insufficient), further adrenaline - for the seat (braking mainly on the front wheel)

Košuta Pastures Still the traverse of the ascent, around the corner the third Pl.Šija

Košuta Pastures Human folly and material greed

Košuta Pastures Eventually had to say goodbye to the beauties of Košuta

pikec129. 09. 2011 20:43:08

Great viharnik, didn't you go from home? nasmeh

I also have this still planned, but from home. I'd rather not write where, which way with the bike, because they only attack you...
Lp, Grega

viharnik29. 09. 2011 21:08:56

I wasn't the only one driving there. From Kisovec I noticed a fresh Profi tire track in the muddy ditch velik nasmeh

. Correction on elevation difference, approx 1050m on the tour. If nature protectors knew what devastations of logging are there (see pictures), then our bike riding is like a field mouse crossing a plowed field. Similar scenario on Pokljuka (talk with friend), where from Brdo, Debele peči we clearly see whole holes of cut areas on Pokljuka. I think forest inspectors act only for forest owners' benefit and are under influence of some internal deals under the table. cool

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geppo29. 09. 2011 21:26:46

"mountain bike trail in the forest"

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pikec129. 09. 2011 22:47:33

A while ago I was at Orglice waterfall, the path all destroyed for the needs of ,,foresters,, even walking was impossible and how can I take kids there then? And that's not the only case. Then they complain how much cyclists destroy - we destroy nothing!! Paths are more technical, so you go down slowly. If you want to go wild and destroy go to Kranjska or maybe to the polygon. I wonder what a cyclist riding on a path can destroy? This year I did over 2k mountain km, I don't write on hribi.net anymore because it's pointless (only oppositions). If they knew how super organized it is abroad (Italy, Austria) where I rode, no one would squeak. Riding a bike in mountains is more strenuous than hiking, more adrenaline, same as in winter when they ski down from various peaks.
Viharnik, could you hit some tour?
Where all M&M ride I better not say, I support them and wish many more such feats.
Good night, Grega

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Loni30. 09. 2011 08:02:03

Viharnik, we two hiked (partly ran) a similar route at the beginning of August, but starting from Tržič and then over pastures to Dolga njiva and back (over 35 km total). Time-wise it took us just over 9 hours.
The host at Pungrat pasture was so tired when we arrived that we just left him snoring on.
Otherwise, I really don't know, this year I was quite disappointed when I went on the home part of the transverse from Idrija towards Sivka, foresters literally plowed up the trail, my shoe almost stayed in the mud. Now they at least fixed it by making a path around, and I assume not foresters, but the mountaineering club.
Mountain bike is waiting for me and waiting, obviously I'll miss all these nice tours if they really plan to close everything.

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tomiš1. 10. 2011 16:26:55

"descent on the road that calls for thorough renovation (grading hills, filling potholes) of gravel"

I wouldn't agree, but it would be better to close the road at the bottom! Otherwise let someone else say that cyclists destroy nature, last Sunday at least 100 cars drove on the mentioned road towards Kofce and some of them were really aggressive, because they couldn't pass two cyclists or because they themselves are so clumsy at overtaking!That's all! jezen

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viharnik30. 04. 2017 17:12:46

Košuta pastures never disappoint, already with the peace and views, let alone the views of peaks and dark spruce forests in the hollows.
Start in Jelendol, where up to shady Medvodje it gets a bit chilly. Climbs further just warm the body together with the sun changing with clouds. On Tegoska pl. I meet only one hiker, no livestock for a while yet, because grass isn't growing yet. On Pungrat plateau I think I'm riding through some taiga, all soaked from rains. The hut was closed. Continue to the shoulder of the bend before Šija at 1600m with remnants of winter along the path and beautiful views north to KSA. At the hut they treat me to excellent buckwheat omelette stuffed with forest berry topping and cream. A window of clear weather opens, we're like little martins on the panoramic balcony, is there anything better? The last part awaited me over Pl. Ilovica to the well-known Kofce, where the terrace was crowded with guests. Most of them drove up to the end of the upper road, as a little effort from the valley could hurt. Down as always a bit faster, up there quite chunky stones to the road, but still 20min to the car in Jelendol and so I roll 30km Gorenjska sausage.
As a curiosity, Austrians already know winter operation of Pl. Šija, so they come over to us to see it over Škrbina 1869m.