Hiking (mountain trail, in places narrow and exposed)
Alpine route (equipped or very exposed section, snow field, blocks)
R6
Črni vrh » Idrija
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2h10 |
11.9 km
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129 m
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407 m
This route crosses the Idrija hills, to the west of which is the expansive Trnovo Forest. The relatively short and flat stage provides good air and pleasant forest shelter. At the end there is a steep climb down to one of Slovenia's oldest towns, Idrija, famous for its mercury mines, Idrija lace and klavže - wooden water barriers.
Start from the main square in Črni vrh and walk to the church across the road, then turn right. Turn left at the end of the fence and walk along the tarmac road running past the church. Continue walking past the resting area where the road ends, then turn into the forest and cross the hill. When you reach the dirt track, turn right towards the isolated farmstead. 50 m ahead, at the electricity pole, make a sharp left turn off the road. The turn is poorly marked. Pass through a narrow gap between the rock and cross the meadow on the other side to reach the macadam road, which gives way to a tarmac road. You will have arrived at the small hamlet of Spodnje Griže. 15 minutes. Go left along the tarmac road which gives way to a macadam road only a few metres later at the picturesque hayrack. The level road runs through spacious meadows and grassland in an idyllic rural setting. Turn right when you reach the tarmac road and walk for 15 minutes until you reach a crossroads. A religious monument stands on the traffic island in the middle of the crossroads. You will be standing in the elongated hamlet of Idrijski Log. The hike from Spodnje Griže takes approximately 40 minutes. At the crossroads, go left along the road and walk past the holiday house. Turn right onto the macadam road immediately after the house (approx. 100 m), when you reach the stone scarp. Walk past the newly-constructed building and head into the forest. The road makes a sharp left turn after about 5 minutes. Here, the Via Alpina route turns right onto the dirt track. After about 100 m, turn right again and climb up a secondary dirt track, which soon gives way to a narrow path. Climb up across the clearing onto the top (Smrekovec (729 m)), then walk lower down the forest road to reach another road. Turn left here and walk to the Pevc farmstead. 15 min. At the farmstead, a narrow road branches off to the left. Cross it and walk down the broad forest road. When the terrain levels out, make a sharp left turn. The last section of the route overlooks the Idrijca river valley and is very steep. You will reach the road at the dam, opposite which is the beginning of a water channel. Go right along the road for 200 m until you reach a wooden footbridge across the Idrijca river. 30 minutes. Cross the footbridge onto the left bank of the river. Walk along the very good pedestrian path which follow the channel. Go right along path right to the closed mercury mine for which Idrija is renowned. Follow the water channel all along the way. The water flows into the large stone building that can be seen on the right as you pass the mine. This is the so-called "Idrijska kamšt" - a large waterwheel in the building drives the pumps that draw the water from the mine. (The wheel is the largest in Europe with a diameter of 13.8 m). Walk along the road until you reach the crossroads then follow the smaller branch past the small hydroelectric power station Mesto and the school playground. Walk through the metal construction across the road to reach the Idrija bus station. The walk along the water channel to Idrija takes 30 minutes. This is one of the shorter stages and takes 2h 15 minutes. Sources: 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 sparsely populated Črni vrh plateau is named after the biggest town in the area, Črni Vrh. Javornik’s ridge forms the plateau’s southern boundary, whilst to the north it descends steeply towards the Idrijca river. Its sparse population and remoteness from urban light pollution make it an ideal location for an astronomical observatory, which lies in the middle of the plateau. Several streams wind down the plateau and disappear into sinkholes between Črni Vrh and Idrijski Log. The subterranean world here can be up to 300 m deep, as is the precipice known as Habečkovo brezno, which is not far from our route. We shall meet the waters of these streams again later. The plateau's serenity is broken dramatically by the Idrijca valley. We descend into the hilly and furrowed terrain around the town of Idrija. When the African plate moved north to create the Alps, the tectonic forces in the area resulted in faults and fractures running in all directions. Indeed, the Idrija Fault runs thorough the entire territory of Slovenia in a NW-SE direction. The mercury mine near Idrija was created by a combination of tectonics and volcanic activity. The many natural scientists who were employed by the mine spread the word of the area's natural jewels. Primary of these is Divje jezero lake in the valley of the Idrijca river, which is accessible via a steep path from the Črni Vrh plateau. This Karstic lake, which is fed by waters from the plateau above it, is tucked away below a sheer cliff. The lake is a vauclusian Karstic spring, which means that the stream surges up as from a siphon from great depth, as in Vaucluse, France. A path runs around the lake and panels provide information on the geological conditions that gave rise to the lake. They also describe many botanical species, such as the Primula carniolica, one of the most beautiful Slovene endemites. The waters of the lake drain into the Idrijca river after a short 55 metres. There is a dam just above the confluence and the water flows through a series of troughs to the town of natural science and technical culture. Sources: http://slo-astro.lmbitea.si/ (astronomski observatorij) http://www.burger.si/Slapovi/Izviri/DivjeJezero/DivjeJezero.html (Divje jezero) Divje jezero. Več avtorjev. (1996). Zbirka vodnikov Kulturni in naravni spomeniki Slovenije, 188. Ljubljana, Ministrstvo za kulturo. (Igor Maher)
Useful topographic maps
Notranjski kras ~ Geodetski zavod Slovenije (1 : 50 000)
Picture gallery
Add your own pictures!
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
We did this stage on top of the previous stage, out of season, on March 24 and in melting snow conditions. It took us almost 4 hours. From 15:00 to 18:45.
The wording "a relative flat stage" is true for the first part but absolutely not for the last part as that is steep down...Slippery when wet. See also flautix comment.
Idrija is the first real town since start With all Townish infrastructure. We overnighted 50 m from stage end at Aumetz Square Apartment Not found on this site but on booking. Very nice place. Owner had done shopping for us as we arrived on Sunday.
In Idrija lohnt sich der Besuch des Quecksilber-Museumsstollens Antonijev Rov, auch das Museum in der Burg Gewerkenegg ist sehr eindrücklich.
flautix - 2023-08-20
Wir haben unsere Tour hier begonnen und sind mit dem Bus von Ljubljana nach Črni Vrh nad Idrijo gefahren (Vorsicht: es gibt einen zweiten Ort namens Črni Vrh im Süden von Slovenien!!):
10:30 ab Busbahnhof gegenüber Hauptbahnhof, 11:36
an. Tickets in der NOVAGO-App.
Der steile Abstieg nach Idrija hinunter war mühsam, da aufgrund des Unwetters im Juli diesen Jahres zahllose Bäume umgestürzt waren und den Weg versperrten. Badestelle kurz hinter der Hängebrücke unten empfehlenswert. Das Wasser ist aber eisig kalt!
Tony - 2023-07-21
The strawberry donuts with the vanilla heart perfectly mark the
complete Crni Vrh-Idrija route
Julien Trieste Monaco - 2022-08-05
At Crni Vrh the hotel was close as it welcomes Ukrainian refugees. There another place that is never mentioned: Turistična Kmetija Pr Mark. There are rooms restaurant and a camping. Lots of nice grassy spots but no so much of shade. 25€ for camping and dinner. Friendly owner.
Oliver - 2022-07-04
Hostel in idrija is open. A bit run down but great value for the price. Super friendly staff too.
Karsten - 2022-07-04
I highly recommend Idrija Hostel!
Built to be a monastery it has plenty of space (I had a 12 bed room for myself...). Fully equipped kitchens with free coffee, toast & jam (19.- dorm bed).
Very friendly & supportive staff! Big help in organizing my next stage.
Again - highly recommended!
Maria - 2022-05-08
The youth hostel in Idrija is closed until further notice.
Carsten - 2022-01-10
Idrija: first full-service town since Trieste; all major supermarket chains with big stores.
Geopark 100m off route, at suspension bridge across river, c.2km before Idrija.
Wanderin - 2019-05-17
Sehr günstiges regionales Essen in Idrija bei Pri Skafarju. Gute Busverbindung zwischen Idrija und Ljubljana. Von Idrija sind wir in 5 Tagen nach Triest gelaufen. Es war eine absolut wundervolle Tour!
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Very cheap regional food in Idrija at Pri Skafarju. Good bus connection between Idrija and Ljubljana. From Idrija we went to Trieste in 5 days. It was an absolutely wonderful tour!
POPEYE GG - 2018-06-12
12 juin 2017
L'étape R6 étant trop courte, j'ai prolongé jusqu'à Idrsek (début de l'étape R7).
Le Suisse Fabian me quitte à Idrija pour rejoindre Ljubljana, d'où il reprendra la Via Alpina plus loin). Après notre repas de midi commun, je repart donc seul dans une montée qui m'en fait baver sous la chaleur!
J'ai trouver l'hébergement à l'auberge Fortuna (il fallait téléphoner, dur dur quand on ne parle pas le slovène, mon anglais et celui de mon hôte étant des plus succinct!). Il se trouve sur la hauteur avant de descendre sur Idrsek.
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June 12, 2017 As step R6 is too short, I extended to Idrsek (beginning of step R7). The Swiss Fabian leaves me in Idrija to join Ljubljana, where he will take the Via Alpina further). After our common lunch, I leave alone in a climb that makes me drool in the heat! I found accommodation at the Fortuna hostel (you had to call hard, hard when you do not speak Slovenian, my english and my host's being very succinct!). He is on the height before descending on Idrsek.
Between Idrija and Idrijski Log the blazings don't fully match the GPS track, for as far as there are blazings. It's a mess, a lot of muddy forest roads, overgrown trails and cut down trees. I think the ice storm of three years ago and this bug that is killing trees kind of damaged this part of the forest.
Klaus - 2016-09-16
Tour 13.09.2016 - 3:45h
Direkt im Anschluss an die vorherige Tour ab 14:15 in Crni Vrh.
Anfangs ohne GPS nicht zu findende Wegführung. Dann ca. 2h auf einer Asphaltstraße, ein Steilabstieg im Wald - bei dem man auf Grund von dichtem Buschwerk z.T. seine Füße nicht mehr sieht - und zum Schluss noch eine gute halbe Stunde entlang eines Bewässerungsgrabens in die ehem. Quecksilberstadt Idrija.
Gostlina Pri Škafarju nahe des Hauptplatzes hat geschlossen, aber eine nette Nachbarin - die klöppelnd vor ihrem Laden sitzt - kann helfen: einfaches Zimmer für 35€ incl. Frühstück.
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Tour 13.09.2016 - 3: 45h Immediately following the previous tour from 14:15 in Crni Vrh. Initially without GPS not to find guide. Then about 2 hours on an asphalt road, a steep descent in the forest - where you can not see his feet because of thick bushes partly his feet - and finally a good half hour along an irrigation ditch in the former mercury city Idrija. Gostlina Pri Škafarju near the main square is closed, but a nice neighbor - sitting in front of her shop - can help: simple room for 35 € incl. Breakfast.
clemens - 2015-09-18
As this day of hiking is quite short and the next day quite long, I found an accomodation an additional 2 walking hours and 7 km from the City of Idrija. 50 m from the crossing of the trail (street) with the street downhill to Mokraska is the guesthouse Fortuna (0038640600811, kmechi.hram@siol.net, Idrsek 1A,Razpotje 5281,Sp.Idria) very nice and friendly
family business with good food. It is not shown on the Via Alpina map, but deserves to be visited.
Mountain Girl - 2013-10-21
At Idriski Log junction, turn L on asphalt road, then R after ~30m. onto what looks like a private driveway. (A badly-faded marker can be discerned on the rock wall.) Trail continues beyond the driveway into the woods. Watch for a Husky dog kennel on your left to be sure you're on the right track!
Andrea - 2013-05-31
In Idrija enjoy a traditionional chinese massage & foot reflexology: Salon Kitajske Masaze Gini, Kosovelova ul. 17 (close to Gostisce Barbara) Tel. 041 456 478. Probably your hosts can make an appointment, as the lady is not speaking English or German.
Henk - 2013-04-27
From Črni Vrh onwards, the trailblazes get worn. The gpx track from this website is excellent and will save you time and trouble.
Mountain Girl - 2012-10-16
"Gostisce Barbara" is another nice option in Idrija. Great ethnic food, comfortable rooms.
IMPORTANT: If you walk the reverse direction, from Idrija to Crni Vrg, note that the footbridge near lake Divje is closed! There is an alternative footbridge about 1 km north. From Idrija, following the former railway, by the little guard-house go down and cross that footbridge. (Be careful: this bridge is very unsafe too!) From there, follow the east-bank past lake Divje. Some 100's of meters after, the track suddenly goes sharp left uphill.
Lots of B&B downtown in Idrija. The Dutch will like to stay in the Pizzeria, which is Kut.
Alpinisten - 2011-09-07
In Idria wegen Unterkunft an die Touristeninformation wenden, man kommt direkt dort vorbei. Die Apartma Andrea liegen weit außerhalb und sind nur mit dem Bus erreichbar.Wir möchten die Apartma "Na Starmu Placa" empfehlen (Tel.00386 31 603 333)
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Contact in Idria for accommodation at the tourist information center, you will pass there. The Apartma Andrea are far out and only by bus erreichbar.Wir want the Apartma "Well Starmu Placa" recommend (Tel.00386 31603333)
Apartma Rožica lies in the city centre of town Idrija and offers affordable accomodation with breakfast in rooms with air-conditioning, mini-bar, 24/7 Wifi high-speed Internet access and cooking facilities. The Family informs you about local sights, dishes and possibilities. Warmly recommended to all long-distance hikers going across Via Alpina!
A noter à Idrija, le bar XXX et son accès internet (proche de la gare routière)
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A note in Idrija, the XXX bar and internet access (near the station)
miriam - 2009-09-04
Idrija Wer nach einer kostengünstigen Unterkunft mit Frühstück und Kochmöglichkeit sucht, ist in der Jugendherberge gut aufgehoben.
Link: http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels-Jugendherbergen-Idrija---Youth-Hostel-Idrija-092534.de.htm
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Idrija Those looking for an affordable accommodation with breakfast and cooking facilities, is in the youth hostel in good hands.
Link: http://www.hihostels.com/dba/hostels-Jugendherbergen-Idrija---Youth-Hostel-Idrija-092534.de.htm
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2h10 |
11.9 km
|
129 m
|
407 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.