Belopeška jezera - Vevnica (Via della Vita)

Access to starting point:
From the direction of Ljubljana on the Gorenjska motorway to the Hrušica exit. From there on the regional road to the Rateče border crossing and then a few kilometres further to the place Fužine / Fusine. Here we drive past the former chain factory and a little further over the bridge. Right after it there is a marked road turn-off (sharply left) towards the Belopeška lakes. On this road we continue to the upper lake, where there is a large parking lot. From Ljubljana to here we need approximately 1 hour.

Route description:
Access to ferrata:

We will go in the direction of the mountain pasture Alpe Vecchia, or rather on the shortest approach to ferrata Via de la Vita. On it we will ascend towards Vevnica.

The beginning of the path and signposts we find by the small inn on the edge of the parking lot. We continue past it on a nice macadam road in the direction of marks 512. Soon we come to a junction, where we continue on the right road with mark 513. This leads to the mountain pasture Tamar and continues along its left edge. Soon after the mountain pasture there is the next junction. Here we go left. The path mark is still 513. When we start climbing uphill, we must watch for the turn-off where the macadam path turns into a forest footpath. If we walk in the dark, it may be less visible. The turn-off is marked on the cut trunk of a spruce right by the road (see pictures). On the forest path we gently ascend towards the mountain pasture Alpe Vecchia and when we exit the forest, we are at the turn-off for ferrata Via de la Vita. To here we can walk without problem in the dark (with appropriate lighting of course).

The junction is now nicely marked and the footpath towards ferrata Via de la Vita is also well trodden. The beginning runs across a meadow and its course is clearly visible. The problem arises when the path turns onto gravel terrain and trackability is lost. The path runs along the right edge, where red dots are occasionally visible. We continue in the direction of a large boulder lying right of the rocky rib. We MUST NOT turn onto this rib, although a trodden path also leads towards it. We nicely continue past the boulder and above it we will catch the marked path again, which above the aforementioned rib turns left. From here onwards there are no more problems with trackability to the entrance into the ferrata. Difficulties may be caused by crossing the snowfield a little before the entrance, which usually persists all year.
Ferrata VIA de la Vita:
The entrance to the ferrata is a little before the start of the scree, specifically on the left side. It is marked with a red dot. In early summer the edge of the snowfield can cause problems here, preventing normal entry.
The beginning of the path is a story in itself. If it squeezes you already here, you have nothing to seek higher up. The safety steel cable is just for decoration and is unusable. This rocky jump is easiest overcome by free climbing along the right edge. For the less experienced, belaying with a rope here is very welcome. Higher up the safety gear is good. The path continues on a system of ledges and crosses several rocky steps. We ascend towards the central wall of the rocky massif. The atmosphere is unique, the views wonderful. We are approaching the most interesting part of the path, unfortunately also the most prone to falling rocks, which are usually dislodged by our predecessors. This part starts with a smooth rounded slab, on which we already see chains and iron footrests from afar. We have to get over it here. We grab the chain, find a good stance for push-off, study the holds and hop... we are already over. But carefully with the chain. It is not always well attached, which we usually see only once we are over.
The continuation is even more interesting. On a system of chains and pegs we ascend for a long time almost vertically to a distinct traverse where we turn right. Here there is space for the most attractive photos. But rest is minimal. Ascents and traverses continue until the wall breaks and we reach the scree. The hardest part is behind us. We follow the path and red dots to the rocky slope in the central part of the gully. On the left side there is a faded inscription Via de la Vita. We must pass it and start crossing the unsecured rocky slope in the direction of the easiest steps. There are enough holds, the slope is not too exposed, so we can advance quickly. We follow the red dots, or rather ascend towards the upper left edge. There we spot a metal ladder, which poses no problem as it is fully attached both below and above. Above it this part of Via de la Vita ends. We continue to the path junction, where the right leads to the bivouac, the left to Vevnica.

Vevnica:

The path to Vevnica is technically not demanding, but poorly visible. In fog it is practically unrecognizable. Red dots are sparser, so one must survey the continuation from afar. Safety gear is rare and mostly in good condition. In the initial part the path overcomes rocky steps, higher it turns into a ridge traverse over scree. The summit is getting closer and when you step up, you can be proud. You are one of the few whom Vevnica accepts. Pay it due respect and prepare for descent. Here you are in the middle of complete wilderness and a long, difficult path awaits you wherever you are headed.

Descent:

If you want to return to the starting point there are three options, none easy. You can return along the ascent route or continue towards Ponca from where you descend to the starting point (for this traverse see descriptions of Strug and Srednja Ponca). The third option is a short return to the bivouac, continuation of the path towards Mangart and descent past bivouac Norina to the starting point. If you are short on daylight or energy, of course you can overnight in bivouac Alberto Busettini. Good luck.

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