Mountain Hiking the Julian Alps in Slovenia
This morning we got an early start heading down the hill from “Mystery Hotel” to catch a bus – which we verified twice yesterday will run. Beforehand we grabbed a standing cappuccino at the corner nice hotel/restaurant, while simultaneously checking for the bus and previewing the dinner menu. At 8 a.m. I had already decided on the salmon and potatoe croquettes!
Well the bus never did come, so we decided to walk around the lake, as it was a fresh, beautiful clear morning and the lake was still and gorgeous! We passed a nice church and a small cute farmhouse so memorable of that ever evasive simple lifestyle.
Finally about 8:50 a.m. we were at the trailhead for the waterfalls. There is also a tourist bus which goes up there, but we had decided to walk. Actually Michael had our whole day’s’ hiking itinerary- including the huts we would stop at – all planned. It was going to be a long day we already knew.
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/slovenia-julian-alps/index.html
He had called me a “softy” as I definitely didn’t want to carry a heavy pack and overnight at a hut – which it turns out probably would have been much softer than what we did. I was therefore doggedly determined to lead the way. Especially since he was already panting hard on the way up the hotel hill. I already knew I was in better condition than he was, since I run on a regular basis and he does nothing in between the occasional hikes or walks.
The hill was leading up to the waterfalls and then we had to pay to walk up 181 stairs, or 300 stairs, or something to get to the falls- along with all the out of shape, old, heavy tourists. It was a gradual hill in the woods, sloping wooden stairs, and finally to the top where there was a cavern wall and the rushing waterfall from way up high. It was beautiful. And loud. But not near as impressive as the Upper Falls at Yosemite that boyfriend and I hiked up to. After a few photos and some moments of quiet meditation, and photo swapping with other tourists we headed on.
Michael had the hiking map which he checking, much the opposite of the all day hike with Luise’s brother where we had no map at all!
Die Mauer
We spent actually a very pleasant and fun hiking day ranging from walking through quiet cool woods, and up steep hillsides carved of rock with built in metal rungs for steps, and ropes along the side wall to hang onto during the one meter cliff area, called The Wall… Die Mauer. Michael, in his pursuit to find out exactly where we were, was asking the returning hikers directions and we heard already about Die Mauer. One couple turned back because he was schwindig, or dizzy. I always think its better not to know what’s coming. It wasn’t near as bad as they made it sound, all turing back because of die Mauer.
After that section the weather cooled up higher and we came to a glacier lake in a rocky volcano like summit. We relaxed there to my request, before moving on. It was so peacefully beautiful, I had insisted that we enjoy the moment. We continued upwards and found the first hut to stop at. It was colder, with grey clouds moving in, as we encountered the Hutte across a beautiful area of meadow, wild Alpine flowers, and huge green lilly-like plants. It was gorgeous. And peaceful. So other worldly and just unreal. I think the last time I felt so peaceful and removed was with boyfriend in that Yosemite tree meadow valley of the dinasaurs, where I have the picture I framed.
After enjoying the sheer beauty and quietness and all the small colorful flowers that I’ve never seen before – it was heavenly – and we went into the little hut. The friendly Slovenian lady was so homey taking our orders – and luckily it was 14:50 and the lady who makes the crepes was due in at 15:00. We watched back in the kitchen as they prepared the foold as if for an extended family. Michael had his soup and Wurst and a beer; while I had my choco crepes and the special tea she was pushing in a tin cup!
A Slovenian couple asked us whether they should continue on to the next Hut, I responded that we were continuing down a 6-hour trek. It seemed like a lot and I questioned Michael’s judgement, but braved it up against the seemingly darkening darkening weather and moved on at a quicker pace.
