Trail nr. 10: Jelenk – the Mountain with Botanical Treasures
HIKING AND CYCLING TRAILS
Starting point
Spodnja Idrija (Hidria) industrial zone
Jelenk is a magnificent mountain rising above the Idrijca and Kanomljica river valleys.
The steep access road leads past large homesteads in a unique natural environment that combines Karst, prealpine and Mediterranean influences. Their combination allows for various plants to grow along the roads. In the spring months, the precipitous rock faces of Jelenk are home to the extremely rare local plant: Primula x venusta.
Although the view fron the top of Jelenk is not especially breath-taking, the nearby viewpoint in the rock face above Idrijca will make up for it. There, the view opens towards the opposite ridge above the Idrijca River, towards the Škofja Loka and Polhov Gradec Hills, all the way to Mount Triglav.
Climb to Jelenk – the royal botanical mountain.
Attractions
- Alpine Wall fortifications
- The Charcoal Burning Festival
With the establishment of the Idrija mercury mine at the end of the 15th century, the demand for charcoal skyrocketed. Charcoal burning thus became an important source of income, particularly for the less wealthy inhabitants of Idrijske Krnice who did not own enough land to survive through farming. The almost forgotten art of charcoal burning is revived every year in Idrijske Krnice with the Charcoal Burning Festival. - Trails in the vicinity
From Oblakov Vrh to the Vrhovec Panoramic Summit
From Idrijske Krnice to Jelenk - Panoramic summits
Jelenk
Vrhovec
Local services
Trail map
Trail description
Reaching the starting point: From Logatec, drive towards Tolmin, or vice versa. When you reach Spodnja Idrija, turn left (or right, if you are driving from Tolmin) towards Kanomlja. After 300 m, you will notice a large Hidria parking lot to your right, where you can park on weekends and holidays as it is reserved for employees.
Trail description: From the parking lot, cross the bridge across the Kanomljica River and continue straight ahead on the asphalt road. After a short ascent, the markings for Jelenk will lead you left, across a meadow. The road then leads steeply up through the forest. Higher up, it brings you to a viewpoint and then leads you to a road where you turn left. Continue on the road for a good 100 m, then follow the markings up and right. When you reach a crossroads, follow the “Jelenk – čez robe” direction and follow the markings that lead towards the right. The path through the forest soon brings you to a wide ridge. Here, it turns left and keeps ascending the ridge for a while, then it veers to the right. The slope that you are traversing on a narrow path is becoming steeper and steeper, while the views to the surrounding hills grow more beautiful. You soon reach the first belays. The road turns left and you face an almost vertical ascent with belays. After a few short traverses and ascents with belays, you reach the most demanding part of the trail with the chechpoint. The ascent with belays is almost vertical while the path can crumble so be extra vigilant. A few short transverses are then followed by another very short, almost vertical ascent. The road then grows gradually less demanding and soon brings you to a viewpoint where the belays end. Continue through the forest until you reach the Kenda homestead, where you turn right onto a cart track. At first, the road is flat, but once it narrows into a footpath, it starts gradually ascending through the forest. The slope is becoming less covered in vegetation. Go past the panoramic meadow with a hunting tower and continue on the cart track. Just under the peak, you will reach another homestead with markings for Jelenk that will point you to your right. In a few steps, you will have reached the peak.
Return option:
From the top of Jelenk, return to the homestead and continue in the direction that you came from – towards the hunting tower and downwards. When the road through the forest leads you to the point where markings point to the left (the direction of your ascent), pick the unmarked path that turns right; after a few steps, you will notice a military bunker on your right. A few more steps and you will reach a cart pathc that starts descending, leading past old military facilities. When you reach a crossroads, turn left. The road leads to the Hladnikovše homestead, where you follow markings for Spodnja Idrija. After approximately 300 m, you will traverse a gravel road and continue descending. A few minutes later, the forest path will lead you above the Pri Graparju farm. Traverse the meadow slightly to the left, then follow markings for Spodnja Idrija. The path will soon lead you to a cart road that you follow to the left (approximately 500 m). The markings will then lead to the right and soon you will reach the familiar crossroads to Jelenk (steep vs. gradual path). Follow the familiar road back to the starting point.
*Recommended equipment: via ferrata set, helmet; crampons, ice axe (winter)
VISIT IDRIJA
