Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R2
Rifugio Premuda » Matavun (Divača)
Trail crossing
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6h30 |
25.7 km
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614 m
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340 m
From the Premuda hut, the trail goes through Val Rosandra to Draga S. Elia, Pese and the border between Italy and Slovenia. It continues along the border on the Slovene side to Mount Cocusso/Kokoš, and then heads down to Lipica, famous for its magnificent and elegant white horses known as Lipizzani. The trail heads towards the Karst, with its vast areas of Karst depressions and its mild climate.
The route runs the length of the Rosandra valley, along the banks of the Rosandra river. Past an attractive waterfall the trail leads to Bottazzo. It crosses a disused railway (where it diverges from the Yellow trail and heads off towards the north west. It follows trail 17, through Draga S. Elia, arriving near a small church. From here, Venezia-Giulia regional road SS14 leads to the border post with Slovenia at Pesek. (Vittorio Aglialoro)
Follow the road from the border crossing for 300 m and turn left just before the petrol station at the junction, then take the first macadam road, which branches off to the left. The road leads you up across a meadow to a green, which can be seen from a distance. Cross the green to the remains of the Church of Sv. Tomaž (St. Thomas). 1h. Continue walking along the tarmac road past the one-time border guard hut to reach the crossroads. From here, Via Alpina follows the macadam road to Planinska koča na Kokoši (670 m), which you will reach in 30 minutes. The hut does not provide accommodation. The hike from the border crossing takes 1h 30min. From the hut, follow the marked path down along a ridge to the boundary stone. There is a crossroads from which a road branches off to the right and runs past Lipica to rejoin the Via Alpina. Turns left onto the path and follow the macadam road from Kokoši to the Lipica border crossing. Cross the regional road then continue walking along a somewhat poorer road, which eventually gives way to a dirt track on the right side and leads you to the entrance of the Lipica estate. The Lipica hotel complex lies just beyond. The hike from Kokoši takes 1h. The world-renowned Lipica stud farm lies in a typical Karstic landscape and is the home of the elegant white Lipizzaner horses. The stud farm was established on 1580. Via Alpina bypasses the hotels to reach the junction between the Sežana and Lokev roads. Continue walking along the tarmac road for another 300 m until you reach the first iron gate, then turn right onto the macadam road, which crosses a meadow and leads you to the Lipica quarry. 20 min. After a 15-minute walk you will come to a crossroads. Turn left and cross an overgrown meadow. When you reach the regional road, cross it and continue walking along the footpath to the Vilenica speleological hut, right next to the Vilenica cave. Walk straight ahead across the meadow and through the opening in the Karstic wall, then make a sharp right turn towards the hamlet of Lokev on the other side. Follow the narrow tarmac streets through the hamlet. 40 min. The hike from Lipica takes 1h. Turn left at the church and walk to the Divača - Lokev regional road. Cross the main road and continue along the village road going to Prelože. Turn left at the junction at the end of the tarmac road. Cross the meadow to reach the railway pedestrian underpass and continue walking below the motorway until you reach the main road. Cross the road and continue walking past the houses. At the next group of houses, turn left onto the macadam road, which eventually gives way to a dirt track. Go northeast across the field to the macadam road and walk up the slope along its right side. After 10 minutes, the terrain levels off on Na Prevalu pass. Climb down the other side to the tarmac road next to the Škocjan caves tourist information centre. The hike from Lokev to Matavun takes 1h 10 min. Source: Atlas Slovenije. (1996). 3. izpopolnjena in razširjena izdaja. Ljubljana: Mladinska knjiga in Geodetski zavod Slovenije (GZS). Notranjski Kras. (1997). Izletniška karta. 1:50.000. Ljubljana: GZS. (Albin Žnidaršič, Peter Šilak)
Natural and cultural heritage
Our trip across the Karst takes us through its highest reaches. Shortly after emerging from the steep Glinščica valley, the routes climbs up towards Veliko Gradišče, 741 m, the highest point on the plateau. Bypass the peak to reach the slightly lower peak of Kokoš. One only gets a proper perspective of the Karst plateau after the descent to Lipica. This stunning green oasis in the middle of a stony Karstic landscape with its manicured pastures, tree-lined vistas, riding tracks and training pens for the magnificent Lipizzaner whites has been home to the Lipica stud farm for four centuries. Archduke Charles II of Austria purchased the property from the Bishop of Trieste. He imported stallions and mares from Spain and founded the stud farm where the elegant and world-renowned Lipizzaner breed was born. Not far from the stables is another jewel of the Karst with an equally venerable history. The Vilenica cave has the longest tradition of speleological tourism in Europe (it began receiving visitors as early as 1633) and is believed by locals to be the home of good fairies. Magnificent stalactites decorate its cavernous halls, one of which is the venue of an annual international literary event. The neighbouring village of Lokev, one of the biggest in the Karst, also has a notable history. A tall tower known as Tabor stands in the middle of the village. The tower once formed part of region's defences against Ottoman incursions and today houses a military museum. The village is also renowned for its Karstic prosciutto, ham cured in the Karst's Bora fall wind. It is sliced wafer-thin and served with Teran, a blood-red Karstic wine. At the eastern edge of the plateau, the Reka river disappears into the Karstic underground and finds it way to the sea. The Škocijan caves, carved out of the rock by the Reka river, is one of the jewels of Slovene and European natural heritage. Source: http://www.lipica.org/ (Kobilarna Lipica) http://www.vilenica.com/ (jama Vilenica) http://www.kras-carso.com/muzej/tabor/ (muzej Lokev) http://www.burger.si/Lokev/Lokev.html (Lokev) (Igor Maher)
Other long-distance trails and alternative routes
Links up with the Via Alpina yellow trail which from the Premuda hut goes on through Val Rosandra, up Mount Stena and on to S. Lorenzo and Villa Opicina.
Useful topographic maps
047 ~ Tabacco (1:25000)
Primorje in Kras ~ Geodetski zavod Slovenije (1 : 50 000)
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.
Tipp: Man kann es sich ersparen, das im GPS-Track angegebene Wegstück von Pesek der Schnellstrasse entlang über die Grenze nach Krvavi Potok zu gehen. Ausgangs Pesek, beim Parkplatz eines ehemaligen Restaurants, führt ein links abzweigender schöner Feldweg über die grüne Grenze zum Hügel in Richtung Sveti Tomaz.
In Matavun kann man beim hübschen Hostel Skrla übernachten. Es liegt in unmittelbarer Nähe der absolut beeindruckenden Höhlen von Skocjan, die auf jeden Fall einen Besuch wert sind.
Mochileranja - 2023-06-19
Planinska koča na Kokoši is still under renovation but you can buy food, camp up there and buy 2-liter bottles of water from them during the weekend (I forgot to ask if they’re open during the week, sorry). Matavun is a cute place and the caves are super impressive!! Hostel Škrla still highly recommended - 10€/night for camping and really nice showers :-)
Rembert - 2023-04-08
Via Alpina Haiku
2/161 Tuesday April 4, 2023
Find route? no problem!
Komoot app, signs sometimes.
No, not much hassle.
Rivers we now cross
old bridges or just stones
Dry foot managed
Ciao ciao Italia
Slovenia here we come
Later more countries
Great view back. Goodbye
Mediterranean Sea
Alps awaiting now
Extreme winds blow us
off our feet. Balance we keep.
Freezing cold - no snow.
White horses we miss,
sheep, ponies and goats we see.
Friendly villages
But people are few
no hikers - we are alone.
Cave entrance - the end.
Feet hurt - no blisters
Thirty thousand steps today
And more tomorrow
Karsten - 2022-07-04
Lipica was somewhat disappointing, but at least some water (at WC facilities). Entry would have been 16.-. But the sight of the big herd of white mares with their brown foals was great.
Mind to get to Matavun well before 15:00 to join the last tour to te caves. I missed it by 30 mis but it is supposed to be impressive.
A stay at Hotel Skrla (22.- dorm) is highly recommended! Very good dinner, cold beer, interesting chats. Camping is also possible.
And a big shout out to the friendly and helpful staff!!!
Maria - 2022-05-08
The comment below about Idrija belongs in R6
Maria - 2022-05-08
The youth hostel in Idrija is closed until further notice.
Maria - 2022-05-08
Locanda Mario in Draga was closed for renovations on May 3rd 2022. Fortunately we were allowed to camp in the garden or on the parking lot of their property.
Carsten - 2022-01-10
After Bottazzo, when reaching the former railroad track, consider following it to Draga (probably nice). If one continues straight uphill, careful about the switch from trail 1 to 17.
Public water faucet in Draga.
After Draga, careful about when to leave the former railroad track.
Impressive cave system (big tourist attraction) at end of R2.
kessel_kolumna - 2019-06-25
Wenn man zum Gestüt in Lipica möchte, sollte man sich nicht auf die Beschreibung oben verlassen. Denn wie schon vor ein paar Jahren gepostet ist das Eingangstor zum Gestüt abgesperrt. Das heißt zurück und auf einer für uns als gefährlich empfundenen Landstraße entlang bis zum Abzweig zum Gestüt. Auch auf der Karte, die wir vom slowenischen Fremdenverkehrsbüro haben, ist es falsch verzeichnet. Wenn man direkt läuft, passt es vielleicht. Mit unserem Umweg wird es aber schon eine verdammt lange Etappe.
Vielleicht solltet ihr auch die Beschreibung der Tour entsprechend anpassen.
Noch ein Tipp: Im Wald nach Lipica gut auf die Wegmarkierungen achten. :-)
Und in Matavun gibt es sehr wohl Übernachtungsmöglichkeiten. Nur gibt es keine Restaurants. Wir haben hier übernachtet: žnidarčič apartmaji. Dort wurde uns extra ein Frühstück vorbereitet. Top. Das verdiente Feierabend Bier gab‘s Im Hostel Skrla. Die haben auch Kontakt zum Pizzalieferdienst. Sehr lecker.
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If you want to visit the stud in Lipica, do not rely on the description above. As posted a few years ago, the entrance gate to the stud is closed off. That means back and on a road that we consider dangerous, as far as the branch to the stud farm. Also on the map that we have from the Slovenian Tourist Office, it is incorrectly recorded. If you're running right, it might fit. But with our detour it is already a damn long stage. Maybe you should also adjust the description of the tour accordingly. Another tip: in the forest to Lipica pay attention to the trail markings. :-) And in Matavun there are very good places to stay. Only there are no restaurants. We stayed here: žnidarčič apartmaji. There we were extra prepared a breakfast. Top. The deserved after-work beer was served at Hostel Skrla. They also have contact to the pizza delivery service. Delicious.
Pedro57 - 2019-06-21
Pr'Vncki in Matuvan has changed name to Hotel Skrla in the same building. Excellent clean hostel run by an exceptionally nice ypung man and has now opened a campsite on the property.
Pedro57 - 2019-06-21
We have found the comments here very useful and decided to join in. We followed "Popeye's" advice and took the bus (51 or39) to Basovizza and walked to Lokev. Having previously walked the GR5 and GR10, we find an easy couple of days is good to start. On previous walks, I have purchased Viewranger maps but this time we are using (free) maps.me open street map and the KML file on this site downloads straight onto it. The downside is that there are no contours but accommodation can be booked directly from the site. Marking is there but often not at intersections so the above tool is great. Lokev has several Gostilinas, Muha is fine, as stated by others.
Wanderin - 2019-05-17
Die Strecke zwischen Krvavi Potok und Pesek ist absolut ätzend und gefährlich an der kurvigen Straße ohne Gehweg. Wir haben uns gefragt, warum die Strecke hier über den Grenzübergang geführt wird, anstatt z. B. über Grozzana. Wir sind das aber nicht gelaufen, sodass ich die Alternative nicht bewerten kann.
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The route between Krvavi Potok and Pesek is absolutely corrosive and dangerous on a winding road without a sidewalk. We were wondering why the route here is crossed over the border instead of z. B. via Grozzana. We did not run that, so I can not rate the alternative.
POPEYE GG - 2018-06-12
8 juin 2017
Je suis parti directement du centre de Trieste par le bus 51 jusqu'à Basovizza, en en direction du centre de recherche "Aera Di Ricerca" et ai pris la route SP10 puis 205 pour retrouver le chemin de la Via alpina à Lipica; intérêt: éviter la montée dans la ville. Arrivé à proximité de Matavun, j'ai visité la grotte de Skocjan reconnues par l'Unesco: à visiter absolument! Il y a même des casiers fermant à clé où j'ai pu poser mon sac-à-dos pendant la visite!
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June 8, 2017 I left directly from the center of Trieste by bus 51 to Basovizza, in the direction of the research center "Aera Di Ricerca" and took the road SP10 then 205 to find the path of the Via Alpina in Lipica ; interest: avoid the rise in the city. Arrived near Matavun, I visited the cave of Skocjan recognized by UNESCO: to visit absolutely! There are even lockable lockers where I was able to put my backpack during the visit!
Sophia - 2016-09-23
@Klaus
Mehrere Unterkünfte in Matavun vorhanden. Haben dort 50€ für ein Doppelzimmer gezahlt.
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@Klaus Several accommodations in Matavun available. There have paid 50 € for a double room.
Klaus - 2016-09-11
Und am Ende der Etappe ist die Gostilna Muha direkt an der Hauptstraße in Lokev - in Matavun gibt es keine Unterkunft - zu empfehlen: Sauberes, relativ modernes Zimmer für 30€ und im Biergarten am Wochenende reichlich Essensauswahl in sehr guter Qualität, die man sich auch in der Küche aussuchen kann. Und Morgens ist ein englisches Gespräch über Gott und die Welt mit dem Padrone bei Ham&Eggs möglich.
Automatic translation
[Google]
And at the end of the stage is the Gostilna Muha right on the main street in Lokev - there is no accommodation in Matavun to recommend: clean, relatively modern room for 30 € and in the beer garden on the weekend plenty of food selection in very good quality, which you also in the kitchen can choose. And in the morning, an English conversation about God and the world with the Padrone at Ham & Eggs is possible.
Klaus - 2016-09-11
7:02 mit dem Zug ab Göttingen über Venedig nach Trieste. Dank dem gebuchten B&B InValle - 200m vom Startpunkt der 2. Etappe entfernt - wusste ich vom Bus 40, der mich um 21:30 fast vor der sehr empfehlenswerten Unterkunft absetzte.
Der erste Teil der Etappe zieht sich sehr schön im karstigen Rosandratal hoch und auch der Ausblick vom Kokos - die gute dortigen Gnoccis gibt's leider nur am Wochenende - ist nicht von schlechten Eltern.
Ich habe es erst 2 Tage später begriffen, dass man der Ausschilderung Aufmerksamkeit schenken muss, da häufig kleine Wege abzweigen, die man erstmal nicht wahrnimmt. Auch deshalb habe ich mit meinen 12 kg auf dem Buckel für die Etappe ca. 7 Stunden gebraucht.
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7:02 by train from Göttingen via Venice to Trieste. Thanks to the booked B & B InValle - 200m from the starting point of the 2nd stage - I knew from the bus 40, which settled me at 21:30 almost before the highly recommended accommodation. The first part of the stage stretches very nicely in the karstic Rosandra valley and also the view from the coconut - the good gnocchi there are only on weekends - is not from bad parents. I realized it only 2 days later that you have to pay attention to the signposting, as often small paths branch off, which one does not notice first. That's why I needed about 7 hours with my 12 kg on the hump for the stage.
Regina - 2015-08-01
Wanderung in umgekehrter Richtung: Abstecher zur Stud Farm in Lipica für Interessierte lohnenswert (stündlich Führungen -Dauer 1h, Kosten 2015: 12€). Mit dem Abstecher kann es sinnvoll sein, die Etappe R3 bis nach Lokev zu verlängern und die Etappe R2 um 6km zu verkürzen. Damit bleibt ausreichend Zeit für die Farmbesichtigung.
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Hike in the reverse direction: detour to the Stud Farm in Lipica for those interested worthwhile (hourly tours -Duration 1h, costs 2015: € 12). With the trip, it may be useful to the stage R3 to Lokev according to lengthen and the stage R2 to shorten 6km. This leaves enough time for the farm tour.
Brigitte Duquesnay - 2014-09-17
N'ayant pas pu nous entrainer avant notre départ, nous avons décidé de commencer à Premuda et de faire étape à Lipica. Très bonne introduction. La descente de Kokos à Lipica est très glissante par temps humide.
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Having been unable to train us before we left, we decided to start Premuda and to step in Lipica. Great introduction. The descent of Kokos Lipica is very slippery in wet weather.
Our B&B is just few hundreds metres from Rifugio Premuda. We are open all days of the week for anyone who wants to stay for the night ! Breakfast , wi-fi and private bathroom included in the price ! Booking the room in advance is strongly recommanded since we have got just one room ( max 3 people) . For more info visit our site: www.invalle.com or our facebook page www.Facebook.com\bebinvalle
Mountain Girl - 2013-10-21
Take a sharp L immediately after RR trestle beyond Draga. This is Trail 17, even though marker isn't numbered here (no VA sign either).
If you miss this turn, fear not: continue on RR track, passing old Sant Elia RR station, cross border & take next L uphill. This will take you up to hamlet of Michele. Follow the paved road to highway, near gas station, where VA is rejoined. Note: If you follow Option 1, turn R on reaching highway. You will need to walk ~1km on this busy road, crossing border into Slovenia, then watch for gas station on left and VA trail marker.
John from Bath - 2013-05-21
The Kokos refuge is open weekends only. If you are using the Kartografija Via Alpina map, this shows 2 routes between Kokos and the stone quarry E of Lipica. If you go to the border crossing, then to the original entrance gate to the Lipica estate (behind the petrol station), there is a private notice. If you then walk down the old drive, there is a security guard at the first buildings who will direct you to go round the road which circles the two hotels to the public road. The paint markings and signs are met again at the stone quarry.
Good news: The trail between Muggia and Premuda is now clearly way marked. Follow red-white (CAI 1) or blue-white (Alpe Adria Trail)
Mountain Girl - 2012-12-22
My general advice for hiking through Slovenia: get a good local map and be vigilant for the red & white trail markings and/or place name signs. Via Alpina follows Trail # 1 through Slovenia, and trail markings DO exist, but are often faded, tiny, or obscured by brush. (It’s a bit like an archeological expedition!) If you haven’t seen any trail markings for a while, you’re probably going the wrong way. Enjoy the experience—it’s a beautiful country!
Elisabeth - 2012-11-17
"Refuge" de Kokos fermé en semaine. Balisage assez confus autour de Lipica (plusieurs sentiers ont le même balisage rouge et blanc. Pas d'indications aux croisements.
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"Refuge" of Kokos closed on weekdays. Markup quite confused about Lipica (several paths have the same red and white markings. No indications at intersections.
National secretariat - Slovenia - 2012-09-21
To avoid any problems, be careful when folowing Via Alpina after the hut on Kokoš. Go straight over the yard and find the path. Do not follow the path to the Lipica border crossing!
Mountain Girl - 2011-10-30
The refuge at the top of Kokos opened WEEKENDS ONLY in June 2011. (I'm not sure about the high season.) It offers food and a simple dorm.
Hotel Klub at the Lipica Stud Farm offers affordable rooms in a bucolic setting. I loved staying here! The higher-priced hotel next door provides food and draft beer: Enjoyed my first taste of Slovenian beer, "Lasko" on tap. A sublime experience.
The refuge at Kokos offer no accommodation. You can stay at Lokev (Good, 3 beautiful apartments funded by the EU) opposite the new Tourist Office, and at Ledenica.
Alpinisten - 2011-09-27
Es gibt seit Sommer 2011 eine sehr schöne neue Übernachtungsmöglichkeit auf einer Farm kurz vor Matavun: "Domacija Vrbin", Kcice-Pared 25, 6215 Divaca, Tel.: +386(0)5 763 10 65, GSM: 040 601 651, 041 473 905, e-mail:vrbin@volja.net; liegt direkt am Weg! Wir haben in Matavun übernachtet in Pr`vncki, ganz toll, muß man aber unbedingt reservieren.
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There since the summer of 2011 a beautiful new place to stay on a farm just before Matavun: "Domacija Vrbin" Kcice-Pared 25, 6215 Divaca, Tel: +386 (0) 5 763 10 65, Mobile phone: 040 601 651, 041 473 905, e-mail: vrbin@volja.net, is right on the way! We have stayed in Matavun in Pr `vncki, quite mad, but absolutely necessary to reserve.
WestCoastHikers - 2010-09-06
When descending from Kokos, contrary to the instructions on this site, do not follow the path to the Lipica border crossing. The road from there to Lipica is blocked by a gate and you will be forced to walk along the highway to Skibini.
I believe there is a path from the back of the mountain hut down to Skibini.
vohi - 2010-09-01
Wege sind ab hier immer schlechter ausgeschildert..
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Paths are signposted here from bad to worse ..
ROUSSELLE - 2010-01-06
A Matavun même, possibilité d'hébergement à l'auberge Pr'VNCKI
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A Matavun even overnight accommodation at the inn Pr'Vncki
ROUSSELLE - 2010-01-06
à Lipica, ne pas entrer dans le domaine des Haras mais partir vers Velenica et Lokev
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Lipica, do not enter the field but from Stud to Velenica and Lokev
ROUSSELLE - 2010-01-06
Possibilité de logement à Draga Sant'Elia : Hôtel Locanda Mario 22 San Dorligo delle Valle 34018 Italie Tél.: 0039 40228193 Bon rapport qualité prix pour la 1/2Pension
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Possibility of housing Draga Sant'Elia: Hotel Locanda Mario 22 San Dorligo delle Valle 34018 Italy Tel.: 0039 40228193 Good value for 1/2Pension
miriam - 2009-09-04
empfehlenswerte Übernachtungsmöglichkeit: http://www.sloveniaholidays.com/deu/zimmer-pr-vncki . Das sympathische und hilfsbereite junge Gastgeberpaar gab uns interessante Wandertips in der Umgebung und ein herrlich liebevoll hergerichtetes Frühstück :) Dazu Hängematten im Garten und interessante Gespräche mit den GastgeberInnen Ervin und Tamara.
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recommendable place to stay: http://www.sloveniaholidays.com/deu/zimmer-pr-vncki. The sympathetic and helpful young couple hosts gave us interesting Tips for hiking in the area and a wonderful breakfast :) This lovingly prepared but hammocks in the garden and talking with the hosts Ervin and Tamara.
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6h30 |
25.7 km
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614 m
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340 m
Favourites, criticisms ? Make your personal comments on this stage. For more general notes please use the comments section of the page Over to the Via Alpinists.