Pohod na Ovčji vrh: Stol in Vrtača, kot ju ne poznamo #video

In late October, hikers in Slovenia's border region have been drawn to the slopes of Mount Ovčji vrh (also known as Kozjak or Geissberg in German), where golden larches provide a striking backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts. The area around the mountain includes several notable locations such as the Dolina Triglavskih jezer, Vele Polje under Tosc, Trupejevo Polje, Križevnik on the Dleskovška planota, and Zelenica beneath Vrtača. Additionally, the mountain can be accessed from both sides of Vrtača, with trails leading into the Slovenian border region above the Poden Valley. The starting point for hiking to Ovčji vrh from the Poden Valley is an asphalted road ending at an organized parking lot. From there, hikers take a macadam path through the forest toward the summit. After a few minutes, they encounter a fork in the trail, offering two options: one direct route along the forest path, which leads to the summit in approximately one hour and fifteen minutes, or a longer detour to the right, adding roughly thirty minutes to the hike. As hikers ascend, they are rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including the northern walls of Vrtača and the valley below. Continuing along the marked path, hikers pass through the forest and eventually reach the Vgriz plateau, situated just below the eastern walls of Ovčji vrh. This plateau offers a breathtaking view of the northern ridges of the border area, including Palec, Zelenjak, and Vrtača, as well as the highest peak of the Karawanks, Veliki vrh. From the Vgriz plateau, hikers proceed along a marked trail towards Celovška koča, encountering a more technically challenging section crossing the Štince. This part of the trail involves climbing over rocky terrain, with iron rungs providing assistance. Hikers should remain cautious due to the exposed nature of this segment. Reaching the junction near Celovška koča, hikers turn right onto the southern path leading directly to the summit of Ovčji vrh. The final ascent involves navigating steep terrain, with marked paths guiding them safely to the top. Hiking to Ljubeljska Baba (also known as Košutica) presents another intriguing challenge for adventurers. Located at an altitude of 1,968 meters, this mountain has two names, Ljubeljska Baba for Slovenians and Košutica for Austrians. The trail begins near the Ljubelj border crossing, following a poorly maintained macadam road before entering a narrow, unmarked path through the forest. This path winds through a beech forest, offering occasional glimpses of the surrounding peaks. As hikers ascend, they cross a fence marking their arrival at the plateau. Continuing for about twenty minutes, they approach the marked trail leading to the border with Austria. At the Dovjakovo sedlo, hikers face a challenging climb over a rocky ridge, requiring careful navigation and the use of climbing gear. The summit provides a stunning panorama of the surrounding mountains, including the northern cliffs of Košute, Tolsta Košuta, Košutnikov Turn, Ostrv, Tegoška Gora, Kladivo, and Veliki vrh. To the west, the view extends to Begunjščica, Zelenica, the Možeh Ridge, Palc, Vrtača, and Stol. In the distance, the Julian Alps stretch out with Triglav visible. After reaching the summit, hikers descend along the ridge to Hajnževa sedlo, continuing to the Korošica plateau before returning via the descent route back to the marked trail. The hike, lasting approximately six hours, is considered highly demanding due to its technical challenges and elevation gain of 1,000 meters.