Author: Anja Rot

  • Experiencing Ferragosto at the Slovenia-Italy Border

    Experiencing Ferragosto at the Slovenia-Italy Border

    Another adventure in peak summer – 14 and 15 August. It is a famous Italian holiday on the 15th of August – Ferragosto. Since it was Monday and Tuesday, we were off. And my friend was also off, because it is a holiday in Slovenia as well. We decided to hike up Mangart and to visit one canyon in Italy – Rio Malimberg.

    In summer, there is a hop on hop off bus. It takes you from Bovec to Mangart Saddle. More precisely, it goes to the last parking lot just underneath it. So, from there to the top of Mangart took us around 2.5 hours on the “Slovenian” way. Down we went on the “Italian” way in around 2 hours. Both ways are pretty demanding, you have to be careful and have proper gear, also in summer. It is smart to go early, to beat the crowds and hot summer sun. When we were going down, there were crowds going up. Many of them not properly equipped.

    Going up the “Slovenian” way.

    Photo by A. M.
    Photo by A. M.
    Photo by A. M.
    Photo by A. M.

    Getting to the top and the views from Mangart.

    Photo by random hiker
    Photo by A. M.

    The views are superb already from the Mangart Saddle. It is Slovenia’s highest lying road. In summer is crazy busy with cars, motorbikes and bicycles. In winter is fun for sledging or tour skiing. We were just in time for sunrise and it was magnificent.

    Edelweiss flower symbolizes alpinism, rugged beauty and purity. I am always happy when I see one. They are short-lived and only grow in mountainous areas.

    The views on the way down and delicious lunch at the hut. I had “ričet”, which is traditional Slovenian barley and bean stew. In 2025 the hut was not operating anymore, unfortunately. From 2026 probably new caretakers will take over.

    The next day we did a canyon, called Rio Malimberg. It is a short canyon. It took us 2.5 hours car to car. It is beautiful, with clear water and nice rappels.

    Photo by Rick
    Photo by Rick
    Photo by A. M.
    Photo by A. M.
    Photo by Rick

    It is a fun canyon, also appropriate for beginners. And my favorite, it doesn’t have any long walking passages. Great two adventurous days with my people.

  • Via Ferrata Hvadnik: Nature, Adrenaline and Safety Tips

    Via Ferrata Hvadnik: Nature, Adrenaline and Safety Tips

    Via Ferrata Hvadnik is a quite short but unforgettable adventure. It is tucked into a dramatic gorge near Gozd Martuljek in the Julian Alps. It’s accessible for beginners, since it is B/C difficulty. It is also exciting enough to make your heart race. It offers a perfect mix of adrenaline, nature and refreshing alpine air. I have done this via ferrata while doing a beginner’s course of safe movements in via ferratas with Kofler Šport. Our guide was very pleasant and helpful. Luckily for us, the group was very tiny, so we did the via ferrata in 2 hours. Before we started we had a brief explanation of course. And after we tried some more “tricks”. Basically, the whole course lasts around 5-6 hours.

    First part of the course at the polygon, right next to the Slovenian Alpine Museum. Photos are from our guide.

    Next we went to via ferrata Hvadnik. It is very beautiful. Photos are from our guide.

    I enjoyed Hvadnik and the course in general, thank you Kofler Šport!

  • Beginner Winter Mountaineering Course to Viševnik

    Beginner Winter Mountaineering Course to Viševnik

    This was my first proper winter hike on a mountain, which is 2050 m high. Viševnik (2,050 m) is one of Slovenia’s most popular and accessible two-thousand-meter peaks. It is rising above the Pokljuka plateau in the Julian Alps. The hike to the summit is relatively short (around 2 hours ascent) and non-technical. It is incredibly rewarding though, offering wide open views of Triglav, the Julian Alps and Lake Bohinj. Viševnik is a favorite year-round destination for hikers in summer and also ski tourers in winter.

    This hike was actually part of my beginner winter mountaineering course with Kofler Šport. Viševnik was a perfect destination for it.

    Photo by a hiker in the group

    Photos from our guide.

    Thank you for a very practical and useful course. It was a great winter hike!

  • Memorable Moments at Frankfurt’s Christmas Markets

    Memorable Moments at Frankfurt’s Christmas Markets

    After some years we met with my Canadian friend in Frankfurt. It was a perfect reunion at Christmas markets, what we loved to do when we were living in Belgium. We had one evening and then the whole next day. We for sure took advantage of it.

    Kartoffelpuffer (German potato pancake)
    Römerberg
    Currywurst

    We tried some typical German dishes and had some glühwein. It was a jolly weekend with many steps done.

  • Discovering Chiang Mai: Ultimate Mountain Biking Experience

    Discovering Chiang Mai: Ultimate Mountain Biking Experience

    Mountain biking in Thailand? Yes! Chiang Mai – a very different experience than anything else.

    Good and cheap food, many temples, hungry stray dogs, wild boars and some crazy trails. Also, nice and cheap massage!

    This was the first days of riding. We shuttled in a tuk-tuk! The trails ended at a temple. We’ve found some nice views too before going down.

    This was one of our first lunches after MTB – Anchan Noodles. We loved their noodles so much, we went there a few more times. It was slightly more expensive than your average Thai place, but still much cheaper than European restaurants. The owner gifted us dried anchan flowers for tea. They use this flower as food coloring, also for their noodles. I decided to get an anchan tattoo. Anchan is known as butterfly pea flower, which in many different cultures has significant meanings. “The Butterfly Pea flower is ruled by the planet Venus. It is connected to the element of water. These associations give it the attributes of love, emotion, serenity, and protection. In India, this flower is named after Hindu goddess, Aparajita, meaning one who can’t be conquered or defeated.”

    I have also visited probably one of the most ethical elephant sanctuaries Elephant Dream Project. There is no riding and no touching. The elephants are free to walk around. The sanctuary is trying to motivate others to start the same eco-tourism and keep the elephants in their natural habitat.

    Photo by Dee
    Photo by Dee

    One day of our 3-weeks-holiday we went on a Thai cooking class. We cooked and ate the whole day, it was fun! We got to see their garden as well.

    We visited street food markets quite often.

    And some more MTB adventure and other sight seeing (with a scooter).

    Photo by Rick
    Photo by Rick
    Photo by Rick
    Photo by Rick

    An adventure, which I will remember for sure.

  • October Views from Jerebica’s Summit

    October Views from Jerebica’s Summit

    Another hiking day out with Rick. It was a beautiful day, quite warm for the end of October. Jerebica or Cima del Lago in Italian is 2126 m high mountain in the Julian Alps. It borders between Slovenia and Italy. You can access it from either side, but from the Slovenian is harder and longer. We went up and down on the Italian side.

    Here are some nice views on the way up.

    Views from the top.

    Photo by Rick
  • Hiking Cima di Terrarossa: Alpine Views and Wildlife

    Hiking Cima di Terrarossa: Alpine Views and Wildlife

    Cima di Terrarossa (or Špik Hude Police in Slovenian) is a striking peak in the Julian Alps, rising near the Italy–Slovenia border. Known for its reddish limestone rock, which gives the mountain its name. It offers wide alpine views over surrounding peaks and valleys. The area is rich in history, with remnants from World War I along old military paths. It’s common or almost sure to spot Alpine ibex moving effortlessly across the rocky slopes. These steinbocks are very curious and not afraid of people. You have to be careful not to get some rocks on your head from them moving around.

    I rarely go hiking in summer, because normally I work and on my days off I am doing something else, honestly. I also am not a fan of crowds. It was 15 August when we went hiking on an Italian mountain with Iva. So we were expecting it to be busy. And it was, but on the way down. So when people were going up, we were already on our way down. Going up we only had the good type of crowds.

    Photo by Iva

    We were also lucky with the weather – it was not too hot and not too cloudy to enjoy the views.

    Photo by Iva

    On the top.

    Photo by Iva
    Photo by Iva

    Another gorgeous day in the mountains!

  • Winter Hike to Matajur

    Winter Hike to Matajur

    My friend and I decided to do a nice, easy hike in winter with some snow. We decided to go up Matajur from Avsa, which is not demanding. We needed less than 2 hours up and even less down.

    On the top of Matajur.

    Matajur (1641 m) is a prominent mountain on the border between Slovenia and Italy. It is known for its grassy summit. It also offers one of the most beautiful panoramic views in the Julian Alps. From the top you can see the Soča Valley, the Adriatic Sea on clear days and even the Dolomites. Matajur is also historically significant. During World War I, it marked an important breakthrough point. Traces of military history can still be found along the trails, like many other mountains around.

  • Krasji vrh: A Serene Autumn Hiking Escape

    Krasji vrh: A Serene Autumn Hiking Escape

    Krasji vrh is a peaceful starting point for autumn hikes. It offers open paths, wide views and the forests glow in fall colors. Perfect for those who enjoy quiet trails and nature without crowds.

    A beautiful autumn choice. My friend and I drove to Drežniške Ravne, where we started our hike. The hike itself is not demanding, but it does take around 2.5 hours up and around 2 hours down. It was warm, my watch said around 14 degrees Celsius.

    We had some company at the beginning of our hike.

    Going up there are beautiful meadows and views.

    The views from the top of Krasji vrh.

    Photo by Iva

    Thanks to Iva for a beautiful day in the mountains.

  • Hiking Mission: An Easy to Unmarked Adventure

    Hiking Mission: An Easy to Unmarked Adventure

    In the same year we did another hiking mission. It was a bit more challenging for us at the time, but the views were incredible. We also miscalculated a tiny bit, but we got to see the sunset.

    We started our mission close to Žaga. Then, we headed up to Skutnik. After that, we went over to the Italian side for some time. We passed Bivacco Franco Constantini and went around Velika Baba to Veliki Babanski Skedenj. After we made our way down back towards Bovec, finishing in Gozdec. Altogether we did more than 20 km, more than 2000 m in elevation gain. We were on the way for about 7 hours.

    Our first goal was Skutnik. Very easy, winding path.

    Globoški potok
    The peak of Skutnik
    Border stone between Slovenia and Italy in the middle

    Then we were on the Italian side, making our way to the Slovenian side on a rocky, unmarked terrain. It took quite a lot of focus. We were happy to make it Veliki Babanski skedenj.

    On the top of Veliki Babanski Skedenj.

    We started making our descent and the sun was setting.

    We came back down in darkness of course. Luckily, my dad saved us some more walking on gravel road. Quite an adventure.