Triglav via Plemenice
Triglav is the highest mountain in Slovenia, standing at 2864 meters and is a prominent symbol of the country, featured on the national coat of arms and flag. Located in the Julian Alps, it is a popular destination for hikers and climbers, offering challenging routes and breathtaking views. The mountain holds significant cultural and historical importance, often regarded as a national symbol of pride and identity for Slovenians.
Čez Plemenice (or Bambergova Pot) is one among many trails that takes us to the peak of Triglav and is considered to be the most demanding (excluding the climbing ones naturally). It starts from Luknja pass and leads up through western slopes of Plemenice peak. It's a pretty steep climb from the start, part of it is a classical via-ferrata, however most of the trail is unprotected. There are maybe two sections that require more attention as they are exposed (and maybe thus rated II climbing difficulty), the rest is a really enjoyable scramble and hike. My personal experience was to use a single trekking pole which proved much more helpful than actual via-ferrata set, I could scramble and hike at the same time using it.
As already mentioned Čez Plemenice is the most challenging tourist path to Triglav and that comes as a combination of technical difficulty but also the effort one needs to make. Starting from Vrata valley it requires sligthly over 700 meters of elevation gain to get to Luknja pass and then another 600 meters of steep climb to get to the peak of Plemenice. Keep in mind another 500 meters that are separating from the peak of Triglav. However once Plemenice are reached the path eases off with inclination allowing to catch breath on giant limestone plateau just below western face of Triglav.
After joining Kugyjeva Pot the difficulty rises again to involve us in scramble up to Triglavska škrbina pass. From here, partly secured we continue to the peak of Triglav. This section is rated A+ using via-ferrata scale which is not considered a big challenge, just that already covered elevation gain and altitude start to kick in as the main factor slowing us down.
Descent goes along Lesser Triglav which is connected to his big brother with a sharp and bit airy ridge. There are exposed sections but all of them are secured in key moments with metal railing. Difficulty - A+, most picturesque moment of the trip !
From Dom na Kredarici mountian shelter we can already head down back to Vrata valley or hike to top of Kredarica which results in another 100m of elevation gain. Either way, we will get to the Tominškova Pot and Čez Prag trails crossroad. I preferred Tominškova Pot as it is a bit longer but less steep and also lands us closer to the parking in Vrata valley.
Tominškova Pot is less vertical than Čez Prag path, at least in the first sections. It’s basically a serie of secured descending traverses with some time to appreciate surrounding landscape. It’s exposed slightly in two spots but technically is really easy. Protection is there for you when needed. In the lower part it gets nastier, as the path is eroded a bit and caution is required when setting foot on the ground. It also gets steeper which is not pleasant after good 1500 meters of descent. But that's the price one needs to pay for visiting Triglav.
Sunny with considerably warm feeling for November. Still, the mild wind gusts were ice-cold, on the top the temperature was around 0 degrees but thanks to sun shine it was comfortable to sit around.
All of the trails taken during this trip are well marked, either by red-white dots or red arrows. Paths are well-trodden, rock bears signs of frequent tourist traffic. Plemenice section which is the most demanding part is only partly-protected with metal stuff but the rock offers a good quality and with enough care reasonably safe to cross. Only parts below Luknja pass and lower parts of Tominskova Pot are of lesser quality - first because of scree, the second is eroded and requires more attention. Some patches of snow on the northern side but irrelevant for this trip.
Triglavski dom na Kredarici mountain hut
Aljažev dom mountain hut
Dom Valentina Staniča pod Triglavom mountain hut
Links:Dom Valentina StaničaAljažev domTriglavski dom na Kredarici
Starting point reached by car. There's a parking lot just below Aljažev dom mountain hut.
Triglav is a sacred mountain for Slovenians, Instagram hikers and Crown of Europe mountains collectors as well. These three make a deadly combo of extreme crowds during the season. During the summer weekends are advised to be avoided at any cost. However even during workdays it would be naive to count on seclusion and ultimate mountain experience - thefore not the full 5 stars.
Demand creates supply and due to that crowds mentioned Vrata valley is now protected with road barrier. A day of parking cost (2024) 24 EUR in high season (15.06 till 15.09) and 15 EUR in lower. In the winter the barrier is closed for good. Whoever is short on budget will set off from Krma valley which parking space is free so far.
I saw somewhere a reference in German to Triglav as a 'Kniebrecher' - knee breaker. There is much truth to that saying as 90% of the descent happens on rock ground with no amortisation whatsovever that for example a soily ground offers. Just be warned.
Mostly related to overcrowding of the summit - falling rocks, jams in key moments, unprotected passages.
trekking poles, 20l rucksack, helmet, via-ferrata set
