Via Alpina Slovenia: Purple Trail: Stage 2 (Vrata-Dovje)

Pause for a moment in front of Aljažev dom (1,015 m) to view the spectacular Triglav North Face before setting out for the hike through the Vrata valley. The deep, U-shaped Vrata valley is a typical glacial valley. Start at the road that runs through the bottom of the valley to the north-east.

Walk past the parking area, then through the wood and around the edge of Turkov Rovt, a small glade in the middle of the wood. Continue along the level road through the valley, which gradually narrows. At the next glade, known as Poldov Rovt (approx. 2 km, 25 min), the route branches off to the right onto a dirt track, which runs above the Triglavska Bistrica stream. The dirt track gives way to a forest track, which leads across an area known as Galerije.

The path then descends slightly and gives way to a pastoral track. Follow the track past overgrown meadows and a hayloft to reach the tarmac Mojstrana - Aljažev dom road (30 min). The Triglavska Bistrica stream runs far below this point and rising above it is the rock face of Cmir. Continue walking along the road, which turns to the right, and climb down the steep Kreda slope. The inclination of the slope is up to 25 degrees at places. After a 20-minute walk, you will reach Koča pri Peričniku. 1h 15 min from Aljažev dom. A detour to view the Peričnik waterfall (a 15-minute walk) is warmly recommended. Follow the signposts. The Peričnik waterfall consists of two falls. The Spodnji (lower) fall is the taller of the two (52 m) and cascades over an overhanging wall, which makes it possible to walk behind the thundering curtain of water. A secured path leads to the Zgornji (upper) fall.

The Via Alpina route follows the road for a few minutes then turns right and crosses an iron footbridge onto the right bank of the Bistrica stream. The route continues down a gently declining and shady track. At the bridge over the Bistrica, turn off the track (which continues along the stream's right bank) and follow the path marks across the bridge back to the road. Walk past a small glade, known as Pri Rosu, and the houses by the road. The steep, wooded slope to the right is Črna gora (1,378), which separates two large Alpine valleys - Vrata and Kot. Continue walking along the road until you reach a large wooden illustrated chart with information on the Triglav National Park. From here, the road descends all the way to the village of Mojstrana. 1h. Walk along the road through the village, passing the shop to the left. The road crossing the bridge at the end of the village takes a sharp left turn and follows the stream, whilst the route runs up a tarmac track towards the main Jesenice -Kranjska Gora road. 15 min. The stage ends at the bus station next to the monument to clergyman Jakob Aljaž, one of the foremost figures in the history of the Julian Alps. The hike from Koča pri Peričniku takes 1h 15 min.