recommended route
Bovški Gamsovec (2392 m) – Among the ibexes
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Start of the ascent - view from the gable of Zadnjica towards LuknjaPhoto: Janko Humar, Turizem Dolina Soce
Even the path past isolated homesteads through the wild Zadnjica valley has many interesting views that it could be a standalone full-day trip. The valley ends below Kanjavec, in a kilometre-long amphitheatre with several high precipices all around.
The mule track that takes you onwards towards Luknja is a true monument to Italian military builders. If we are being honest, the mule tracks remaining in the former border area in the Julian Alps and used today as mountain trails are the only meaningful and useful consequence of the former bloody political and military conflicts.
Further towards the top of Bovški Gamsovac, the climb leads you for the most part over sunny and blooming meadows. No wonder they are a popular habitat for ibexes, which you are almost certain to encounter. On the opposite side, the entire ascent looks completely different – dizzying stone columns of the mighty Triglav north wall. This wall is the only one that Slovenian climbers write with a capital letter. Every last one will know which one is called the Wall.
The last hundred metres of ascent requires some climbing skills, but at the top you will be rewarded with magnificent views.
The descent back towards the Trenta side is also something special. The descent leads you to Kriški podi, which hide three beautiful mountain lakes in their karstic basins. You should visit at least one. There is also a friendly mountain hut on Kriški podi, where you can get refreshments; if you decide to spend the night, your challenging tour will be more comfortable, and the experience even more pleasant.
The tour across Bovški Gamsovec is one of those that confirm the old Asian wisdom that the journey is more important than the destination
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Safety information
The tour is long and challenging, suitable only for physically fit hikers. The top section is exposed, and a slip could be fatal. The most exposed places are equipped with a steel cable, so we recommend a helmet and a via ferrata kit. Climbs to the top of Bovški Gamsovac should only be undertaken in stable weather conditions.Tips and hints
You will almost certainly meet ibexes on the tour. Do not frighten these mighty animals and do not approach them unnecessarily.Because the tour is long and challenging, we recommend an overnight stay in Pogačnikov dom na Kriških podih.
There are three beautiful mountain lakes on Kriški podi. They are worth visiting, especially if you spend a night in the mountain hut and have enough time for a visit.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
In the ravine, at the very end of the valley, far to the upper left, you will see Luknja (1758 m), the passage to the Vrata valley on the Gorenjska side, which is your first destination. It can be reached by a mule track that follows a fairly gentle incline and is easily traversable.
From Luknja, you continue uphill towards the left, over the mostly grassy southern slopes. On the other side of the valley, the mighty northern wall of Triglav is slowly coming into your view, and you will most likely be greeted by ibexes along the way.
The last hundred metres of the ascent to the summit ridge are an exposed via feratta. From the ridge, there is just a short and easier climb to the highest point of Bovški Gamsovac (2392 m).
From the top, you can return to the point where your approached the ridge, and then go down to Dovška vrata (2176 m), the saddle between Bovški Gamsovac and Stenar along the via ferrata over a short and broken wall. Then continue your descent to Pogačnikov dom na Kriških podih (2050 m) over the diverse karstic terrain.
From Pogačnikov dom, you still have a long descent into the valley. Just a few minutes below the hut, you can visit the lower, most beautiful and largest lake of Kriški podi, which can be found right next to the path. Then continue your descent along the mule tracks, through the dwarf pines into the forest and onwards to Zadnjica. Continue along the road for the last kilometre back to the parking lot (630 m).
Note
Public transport
In summer – from June to September – a bus connects Bovec and Kranjska Gora across the Vršič Pass. The bus schedule is available at www.nomago.si. This bus can take you to the village of Trenta. From the bus station to the parking lot, where your tour starts, is only a good five minutes' walk.Getting there
From the main Bovec–Vršič road near the village Trenta, at the last marked turn of the Vršič road (no. 50), turn into the Zadnjica valley. There is a parking lot (for a fee from May to the end of October) at the beginning of the valley, where you can leave your car and continue the tour on foot.Parking
Parking lot at the entrance to the Zadnjica valley (fee).Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
Sidarta: Bovec-Trenta, 1 : 25.000
Geodetski inštitut Slovenije: Turistična karta občine Bovec, 1 : 40.000
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