madeira - Recent messages

Sunday, 21.09.2025
It would really be a sin not to take advantage of the last summer Sunday. Since obligations didn't allow a full-day hike, I opt for an afternoon visit to Tolsta Košuta. Drive to the parking under Planina Spodnja dolga njiva was quite adrenaline-packed, so many oncoming cars. Road is ok. Already from the junction at Košutnik onwards it was practically almost all parked. Since I'm late, still manage to park at P and not somewhere by the road. To the hut LOADS of people, in front of the hut ALL full. From the hut onwards no one. Wonderful solitary hike. Below the summit it started blowing hard, just snap pics and turn back. From the saddle continue to Mala Košuta and circle back to the pasture. Follows enjoyable walk on both pastures. At parking still three cars, one of them mine.

Thanks to Novo Mesto path markers.

Picture 4: I can only say, finally they have (again) marked the branch-off to the Bohinj Gates. Although that scree right below the gates is not pleasant at all. Are the markers renewed too? Three years ago they were barely visible.

I'm always here, just don't think it makes sense to post such "ordinary" hikes, who would read that.

On Tuesday 19.08.2025 I did the trail without climbing any summit, walked quite some km, gained lots of elevation and enjoyed a wonderful day.
In the morning I parked at Savica waterfall. No crowd at the parking. Up via Komarča to Black Lake, enjoying total solitude there. To Double Lake I met some descending hikers, all foreigners. At Double Lake I took a bit longer break admiring the surrounding nature. Surprisingly few people. Headed to Komna and at the junction turned the Primorska way. Aimed for Velika vrata. The ascent seems endless but the views compensate. At Velika vrata surprised by two foreigners. Didn't expect anyone here, not crowded spots. Followed leisurely descent almost to Planina za Skalo. Just before the hut turned to the path to Komna. Again ascent, to Oslova škrbina. Views to mountains from the other side. Don't know all the peaks. From Oslova škrbina mostly descent. Via Lepa Komna to hut below Bogatin then most annoying part, descent to parking. Zigzags endless. Finally reached the one with number one. Second most annoying part still awaited. Drive through Bled. Don't know how locals endure it year after year.

Wonderful. But I'd ask what is that on photo 19? The plateau is full of them, and I still don't know what it is and what it's for.

Thursday 28.09.2023 Another summer-autumn day inviting to the mountains. Did a circular route Pl. Kuhinja - Krn - Batognica - Vrh nad Peski - Jezero v Lužnici - Pl. Kuhinja. Since it was during the week, no excessive crowds. Met only foreigners. From locals 4 chamois and one marmot, cows I didn't count. Wonderful peaceful day in our wonderful mountains. Just to recharge batteries.

Wednesday 27.09.2023. I've had Bavarian Grintavec in mind for a long time, but somehow I couldn't gather the courage. Not because of the path length, but because of the upper part of the path. With the thought that I can still turn back if it doesn't go, I park at the starting point and set off. The higher I climb, the warmer it got; in summer it must be really hot here. The path to Planina nad Sočo passed quickly and I enjoy the wonderful views. When the path reaches the screes, you need to step a bit more thoughtfully, but no panic. Before the gully I wait for the path to empty. Three are just descending and three dogs too. It took quite a while to get the dogs safely down. I could thoroughly check how the path is routed. Going up I had no issues and after a good 15 minutes I'm at the top. Alone. Views. All around. No clouds. At the top it was quite cold and windy, so soon I turn back to the valley. Down was harder than up. Really careful where I step. When I descend through the gully, I admit, I breathe a sigh of relief. The harder part is behind me. Below the gully two are waiting to go up. We wish each other a safe path. At the hunting hut I treat myself to a longer break and some martinček.
Bavarian Grintavec I don't know if it will see me again, but Planina nad Sočo must be fairytale-like when the larches turn golden. It's already planned for one of the next Octobers.

4-5 hours drive Ouch. Then it's really not for one day.

Indi your schedules seem crazy to me. Wow. Both tours very interesting.
At the same time let me ask you what the path from Tosc via Spodnja and Zgornja Grintovica to Krstenica was like? Well marked or easy to get lost?

With public transport visiting Črna prst is possible too. In Bohinjska Bistrica take the train to Podbrdo (just through the tunnel) and then over Črna prst back to Boh. Bistrica. To Boh. Bistrica by
train or bus.
Of course check the schedules before.

For the whole tour I took just under 9 and a half hours.

On Tuesday, 12.09.2023, the exact opposite loop to my predecessor: Vrata - Sovatna - Stenar - Križ - Bivak IV - Vrata.
Around 7 I parked in Vrata, where it was very lively. Many wanted to take advantage of the fantastic day ahead. Most went to Triglav, only a handful to Sovatna, even at a "safe" distance. My path in peace and quiet. Sadly no ibex on the way. On Stenar views galore. Can't decide which side nicer. Descent to junction Stenar-Križ, then under Križ to cable to Križ. Last part under Križ very unpleasant, pure scree, watch steps well. On Križ beautiful all ways again. From Križ lovely path to Bivak IV to valley.
Circular tour that thrills.

Thursday 27.07.2023
Finally a really nice day was promised, which I used for a visit to Vrtača and Svačica. On the standard path from Ljubelj to Vrtača, which had quite some visitors. Views really fantastic, sky like washed. Descent to the place where the path to Stol over Vatelca branches off, there I turn to that path and cross the scree. I admire Stol, which is like on the palm of the hand. From Belščica saddle to Svačica summit it is not far anymore. But steep. But worth it. Back to the saddle and to the lower path that goes from Stol to Zelenica. Nice loop it was.

Monday 24.07.2023
A nice sunny day was forecast, so I decided to go to Ratitovec. My starting point was Prtovč. Up via Razor and first visited Kosmati vrh. True, as written on hribi.net, at times the path is hard to follow, but markers were nicely visible (where they were). From the junction to the top of Kosmati vrh I met no one. Obviously not the most visited summit of Ratitovec. From there to Gladki vrh, here different story. Some people, even more in front of hut. Seems hut is the biggest magnet. Third summit Altemaver, then to Kremant. Guess what, no soul there either. Smelled like autumn. Meanwhile sunny day turned cloudy with threatening thunderstorm, so I quickly headed back past the hut via Povden to valley. Last half hour raining, luckily I was in forest then. When I reached houses sun came out again. Lucky escape.