This stage starts at Roblekov dom below Begunjščica (1,657 m). Signposts indicate the direction to Koča na Prevalu. Descend southeast to the crossroads, where a path branches off across Poljška planina to the village of Begunje. 10 min. Our route turns east across the southern slopes o Begunjščica, then descends towards Preval. To the left, the slopes climb steeply towards the ridge of Begunjščica and its highest peak Veliki vrh (2,060 m), and to the right there is a view of the valley, Bled and its lake, and Radovljica, birthplace of Slovene writer A.T. Linhart. The Skofja Loka hills can be seen in the background. There is a wealth of Alpine flora along the route. Follow the path down to road from Poljška planina. Close by is the Roža stream, offering a refreshing drink of pure mountain water. 50 min. Follow the road eastwards for 15 minutes to Preval. 1h 15 min from Roblekov dom. Preval (1,311 m) is a broad pass connecting Begunjščica and Dobrča. There is a shepherd's hut here where home made dairy products are served. Preval also marks the border between the Karawanken mountain range and the Kamnik Alps. Alternative: From Roblekov dom, follow the Slovene balcony trail to Preval via Veliki vrh. The route runs along a ridge and includes a difficult descent. Caution is advised because most of the route crosses a steep and grassy terrain. There is a danger of slipping when the grass is wet. Rejoin the VA route at Preval, then follow the Slovene balcony trail. Climb up along the edge of the wood to a small pass. After a short descent, climb up a steep slope to Čisovec (1,418 m), and along its south-eastern slopes. Continue walking along the ridge. To the left are numerous rocky outcrops and scree slopes known as Šobrove čeri. There follows a rather steep descent to the Vrh Luž pass (1,202 m). 1h15 min. The deep ravine of the Beli stream winds to the east, and the ravine of the Črni stream winds to west. From Preval, climb up the steep slope through woods and pass along the eastern side of a small peak. A relatively level footpath runs along the ridge and past the Sivora peak (1,310 m) to a sign on a tree pointing out a nearby stream. Climb up the steep western slope of Dobrča. After the climb, the path levels out and leads to Podgorska planina pasture. Cross the pasture and go through the wood to Koča na Dobrči. 1h. It is a 2h 15 min walk from Preval. Dobrča is a broad mountain in the western part of the Kamnik Savinja Alps. Although it is not particularly high, it offers a good view. According to one explanation, its name is derived from the Old Slavonic word "dobr"; meaning oak. The hut lies at the edge of the steep southern slope.
Source: Dobnik, Jože; Slovenska planinska pot: planinski vodnik, Planinska zveza Slovenije, Založba PZS, 1998; Klinar, Stanko; Karavanke: planinski vodnik, Planinska zveza Slovenije, Založba PZS, 1997; Atlas Slovenije, 3. izpopolnjena in razširjena izdaja, Mladinska knjiga in Geodetski zavod Slovenije (GZS), Ljubljana 1996; Karavanke, 1:50.000 GZS, Planinska založba PZS št. 149, Ljubljana 1995 Gorenjska, izletniška karta1:50.000, GZS, Ljubljana 1998
(Peter Šilak)

Koča na Prevalu once served as shepherds' lodgings. Alpine grazing is a special form of stock farming in which livestock is moved from areas of permanent human settlement to graze on seasonal pastures higher up in the mountains. This is done in order to increase the amount of available fodder and enable the breeding of a greater number of animals. Alpine grazing began to spread during the High and Late Middle Ages and is characteristic of the Alps. Depending on the dominant type of livestock, alpine pastures are divided into dairy, young cattle, ox, horse, sheep or mixed. Alpine grazing has been affected by the general situation in stock farming and agriculture and by the decline of farming. Many of the alpine pastures at higher altitudes are difficult to reach and are being abandoned, whilst those at lower altitudes and closer to vital farming areas are being maintained. Permanent settlements have grown on a number of pastures, whilst others have been overwhelmed by tourism or have wholly been transformed into tourist residences.
There is a good view of the Šentan (or Mošenik) valley east of the path running from Preval to the hut on Dobrča. The Ljubelj Pass (1,369 m) represents the shortest route between the Ljubljana and Klagenfurt valleys. It has been in use since Roman times and more intensively since the Middle Ages. In the 16th century, the steep, serpentine path was upgraded to a through road and the first tunnel was built. Due to the poor quality of the construction, fresh plans had been made by the 17th century to build a longer tunnel closer to the valley floor. However, plague prevented the tunnel from ever being built. In June 1943, the German military began excavating a tunnel in order to supply their troops in Yugoslavia. By December, the mostly French internees from a branch of the Mauthausen concentration camp broke through to the other side. The inhuman suffering they were subjected to is described in André Lacaze's book "The Tunnel at Loibl Pass". The 1,561-m long tunnel was completed after the war at an altitude of 1,058 m and opened for traffic in 1963.
The spot on which Koča na Dobrči stands in known as Na Kresu (the Bonfire) because, according to tradition, bonfires were lit here as warnings against impending Ottoman incursions. Ottoman armies ravaged these lands between the early 15th and late 17th centuries. There was a total of 45 incursions, mostly into Carniola. Because defences were inadequate, a well-thought-of warning system comprising lighting bonfires which were visible from far away, firing cannons and ringing church bells gave the peasants ample time to run to safety.

(Mimi Urbanc)