Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R4
Razdrto » Predjama
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4h10 |
15 km
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744 m
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801 m
Nanos lies ahead and is the first serious climb at over 1,000 metres. Follow the footpath through the forest. Higher up are picturesque meadows from which there is an exceptional view of the hills below. Cross the Nanos ridge and return to the valley, then pass through two quaint hamlets before reaching Predjama and the Predjama Castle, a unique historical and natural phenomenon.
The stage starts at the parking area near the motorway flyover below the southern slopes of Nanos. Go right and walk up the macadam road. There will be a crossroads where the road levels out, where you will turn right and cross the meadow. You will reach a forest and follow a poor dirt track to a crossroads, where a road branches off on the right side towards Vojkova koča. Walk straight ahead down the wide pedestrian path across the grassy Gradišče nad Razdrtom plateau and on to the knoll from where there is a good view. The path begins to narrow and climbs up the steep slope in stages. When you come out of the wood, the path levels out on a grassy slope and gives way to a stone path, which leads up to the Church of Sv. Hieronim (St. Jerome). 1h 15 minutes. Before that, turn right at the junction and climb up the grassy slope. Walk along the edge of the plateau to the macadam road and continue walking along the steep western edge to reach Vojkova koča na Nanosu (1240 m), which lies below Pleša, one of Nanos' peaks. The walk from the church takes about 45 minutes. Walk past the clearing until you reach the direction panes, then turn north towards the forest and the village of Strane. Climb down through the forest, maintaining your original direction. When the terrain levels out, you will reach a crossroads, where you make a right turn and continue climbing down the eastern slope. 30 minutes. The path gives way to a broad stone footpath which leads to the valley. Ahead of you will be steep cliffs and the basin with the town of Postojna to the right. You will suddenly notice a chapel in the middle of the forest. 45 minutes. The path turns right here and descends down to a spring. When the terrain levels out, there will be a dirt track which turns left and leads to a populated area. Turn left onto the macadam road at the beginning of the tarmac road and walk to the church in the village of Strane (656 m). 30 minutes. Follow the road around a left turn and when the tarmac comes to an end, follow the dirt track across the meadow to a hunters' observation post. Turn left off the dirt track and cross the meadow to reach a beech wood. After you come out of the forest, walk across the meadow then straight across the stone bridge until you reach a crossroads, where you will turn right. Walk past a farmstead to the tarmac road, which leads to the village of Šmihel pod Nanosom (590 m). Follow the tarmac road that branches off to the left and continue walking until you reach a resting area with stone benches and table. 30 minutes. Walk past the resting area along a stone fence to the forest. At the crossroads, turn left onto the dirt track, the left again onto the path just before reaching the clearing. Climb down the path to the macadam road and follow it for about 20 m, then turn right across the footbridge and meadow to reach the road. There you will find the renowned Linden tree beneath which the knight Erazem Predjamski is rumoured to be buried. 30 minutes. The entire stage takes 4h 45 minutes. The impressive Predjama Castle, which is built into a steep rock face, will be visible from the last part of the route
Source: Dobnik, Jože; (1998). Slovenska planinska pot. Planinski vodnik. Založba: PZS. Atlas Slovenije. (1996). 3. izpopolnjena in razširjena izdaja. Ljubljana: Mladinska knjiga in Geodetski zavod Slovenije. Notranjski Kras. (1997). Izletniška karta. 1:50.000. Ljubljana: GZS. (Peter Šilak)
Natural and cultural heritage
The Littoral plateau of the Karst is behind us. The route into the interior leads through a wide chain of high plateaux extending in a NW-SE direction all the way to the Soča river in the west. This is known as the High Karst, characterised by Karstic limestone and magnificent forests. The same applies to the Nanos plateau, which is part of this chain, except for its southern extreme, known as Pleša ("bald head"), which shows a grassy and rocky face. Pleša is the destination of the route starting at Razdrto. The entire rim of the chalky limestone plateau pushes through the Eocene flisch of the Vipava valley. It is steep and rocky and covered in a mix of Mediterranean, Dinaric and Alpine flora. With the exception of a few isolated farmsteads, the plateau is uninhabited. The locals, whose large flocks of sheep once grazed here, built a small church on a peak on the rim and dedicated it to St. Jerome (Sv. Hieronim), the patron saint of translators who translated the Bible from Greek into Latin. It is said that an oil lamp burns eternally in the church, showing the way to seafarers in the Gulf of Trieste. There is a magnificent view from this grassy, wind-beaten rim, as well as from the nearby Pleša, where there is also a tall TV transmitter. To the east extends an extensive basin named after the Pivka river, which will be our destination after the descent. The Pivka river with its tributaries, including the Nanoščica, forms part of the Karstic river basin of the Ljubljanica, the river with seven names. Pivka sinks into the renowned Postojna Cave. It makes its way into the neighbouring Planinska jama cave, swelling the waters that flow here after sinking in Karstic fields, including the intermittent Lake Cerknica. These waters flow as the Unica across the Karstic Planinsko polje, where they sink again, and finally emerge as the Ljubljanica, which flows into the Sava river. The Pivka basin has another hydrological peculiarity. Streams at the extreme north of the basin do not flow into the Pivka river, but to the Adriatic sea. The Lokva stream, for example, sinks in the cave near Predjama Castle, runs through the hollow interior of the Nanos and emerges 14 km east and 400 m lower at Vipava. The renowned castle can be reached through the western part of the basin. The descent from Nanos leads to Strane, where a large, dark green yew tree stands next to the Church of the Holy Cross. This is one of the biggest yews in Slovenia. Its trunk has a circumference of almost 4 metres and it is estimated to be at least 500 years old. In neighbouring Šmihel, the path leading to Predjama runs below the formidable embankments of a prehistoric site, testifying to the historical significance of this area.
Notranjski kras ~ Geodetski zavod Slovenije (1 : 50 000)
Useful guidebooks
Vodnik po planinskih postojankah v Sloveniji ~ Planinska zveza Slovenije (ISBN 961-6156-10-1)
Slovenska planinska pot ~ Planinska zveza Slovenije (ISBN 961-6156-11-x)
Picture gallery
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Comments
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.
Rembert Biemond - 2024-03-31
(continued... because > 100 digits limit...) Komoot App for routefinding was adequate. The route is popular with day hikers on weekends. And is quite alpine in the second hour.
The hut at top of Nomos is still closed but looks new from the outside, so might be opened soon. They were selling food and drinks out of a blue container near the hut.
At the end of the stage do visit the castle. - when you are already there.
We overnighted at Nona B&B (google or booking) some 6 km from th the castle. Not mentioned on this site - can be recommended. Free pick up and drop of from the castle and superb breakfast. They are familiar with Via -Alpina hikers.
Rembert Biemond - 2024-03-31
We did a couple of stages very early in the season or actually out of season, including this one. Which we walked on March 23, 2024.
Razdrto can be reached by Public Bus from Ljubliana for some 6,50 EUR.
(Platform 12 at Busstation)
We overnighted before the stage what now is called Ekoturizem Hudicivec.
It is mentioned on this page but with outdated info. (Google the name as stated here) Can be recommended.
It is a 30 min flat walk from the end of stage 3 / beginning of stage 4.
So early in the season you need to check snowconditions. We had zero snow, but there would have been snow the next day.
Die Vojkova koča na Nanosu war Mitte Juli 2023 wegen Renovationsarbeiten geschlossen.
Tony - 2023-07-18
A memorial stage today: for the first the altitude reaches more than 1000 meters!
mochileranja - 2023-06-22
Vojkova koča na Nanosu was closed, they only sold some (warm) drinks like soda and beer from a stall, no toilets.
If you can’t find accommodation in Predjama it’s well worth it to continue to Gostišče Stara Pošta v Hrušici - the owners are super friendly and caring, the food is delicious and there’s even a small museum at the back.
Oh and I also almost stepped on a snake in the forest today so watch out and take care :-)
Karsten - 2022-07-04
Big shout out to Carsten (10.1.22)! Your descriptions of water supply have proven very helpful, mate!!! Cheers!
I couldn't get accomodation in Predjama due to the weekend (only food). So I continued on the trail for 1-2 km uphill to some fairytale meadows in the forest at a little sidetrack to the right to find a perfect bivouac spot.
Vojkova Koca was open for business, selling good Apfelstrudel and drinks. No free drinking water.
Sleeping at the hut was not possible, despite it's 48 beds. Apparently they're planning a new hut and want to close soon.
I went the 21km and 300m of elevation gain to Col and stayed at Gostilna Tratnik. Very nice owner sells beer and food even though the restaurant was closed.
Next day I reconnected to the Via Alpina at Javornik.
Carsten - 2022-01-10
Spring halfway down Nanos. Trickle on 2 July 2021 after rains. Water fountain in Strane. Faucet and picnic table at exit out of Smihel. Creek just before Predjama; toilets/water at the ticket office to the Predjama Castle.
Pedro57 - 2019-06-23
The pizza at Mirjam is not bad!.... And the breakfast is excellent. Mirjam also has a campsite which we didn't use as we had walked in heavy rain for most of the day. As the morning was clagged in with little chance of views and a good chance of more rain, we avoided the climb over Nanos and walked picturesque backroads to Srane (5.0km). This meant we arrived in Predjama at lunchtime and had plenty of time to visit the castle.
Wanderin - 2019-05-17
In der Nähe von Razdrto eine super Übernachtung im Bauernhof Hudicevec mit super Frühstück. Das Küchenpersonal hat abends extra auf uns gewartet und sehr leckeres Essen gekocht. Wegen strömendem Regen hat uns die Chefin netterweise im Auto zur Höhle von Skocjan gefaahren.
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Near Razdrto a great night in the farm Hudicevec with great breakfast. The kitchen staff waited for us in the evening and cooked very delicious food. Because of pouring rain the boss kindly drove us in the car to the cave of Skocjan.
POPEYE GG - 2018-06-12
10 juin 2017
J'ai entrepris depuis le 8 juin la Via Alpina que je vais parcourir pendant 35 jours jusqu'à l'étape R37 me menant à Finkenberg (Mayrhofen exactement, d'où il y a un train pour le retour vers Innsbruck).
Pour qui est intéressé, voir aussi mon blog "vivelaretraitesurlaviaalpina.blogspot.com".
Aujourd'hui, un première étape en montagne, et l'arrivée à Prejama est superbe avec son chateau surprenant niché à même la roche.
Par contre, attention, il y a bien un hébergement, mais pas de ravitaillement!
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10th of June 2017 Since 8th June, I have started the Via Alpina, which I will go through for 35 days until the stage R37 leading to Finkenberg (Mayrhofen exactly, from where there is a train back to Innsbruck) . For who is interested, see also my blog "vivelaretraitesurlaviaalpina.blogspot.com". Today, a first step in the mountains, and the arrival in Prejama is superb with its surprising castle nestled in the rock. By cons, be careful, there is a lodging, but no refueling!
Koča near Pleša, I had a nice stay there last year October. Friendly staff, good Jota and they totally spoiled me with coffee. Possible to camp in the garden.
Klaus - 2016-09-16
Gostlina Pozar liegt direkt an der Einflugschneise zu beeindruckenden Burg (Foto), die von vielen Touristen benutzt wird.
Winziges Dachzimmer ohne TV für 45€. Nette Bedienung, gutes Essen und schöne Terrasse mit Blick auf die Burg.
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Gostlina Pozar is located directly on the entry lane to the impressive castle (photo), which is used by many tourists. Tiny attic room without TV for 45 €. Nice service, good food and nice terrace overlooking the castle.
Klaus - 2016-09-16
Tour am 12.09.2016 - 5,5 Std.
- Gutes Frühstück im Mirjam.
- 2:30 Std. steiler Aufstieg auf passabler Wegeführung bis Vojkona Koča, die auch am Montag geöffnet hat.
- 1:45 z.T. steiler Waldabstieg bis Strane
- 1:15 auf geteerten oder geschotterten Wald- und Wiesenwegen bis zur Burg in Predjama.
- Ohne GPS-Unterstützung reicht die Markierung auf dieser Strecke nicht aus!
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Tour on 12.09.2016 - 5.5 hours - good breakfast in the Mirjam. - 2:30 hrs. Steep climb on passable route to Vojkona Koča, which is also open on Monday. - 1:45 partly steeper forest descent to Strane - 1:15 on paved or gravel forest and meadow paths to the castle in Predjama. - Without GPS support, the mark on this route is not enough!
Henk - 2013-04-27
If staying in Predjama is not possible, there is a school bus at 14:18 to Postojna (great youth hostel). Next day, take the bus back to Predjama at 5:25 am.
|
4h10 |
15 km
|
744 m
|
801 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.