Trail nr. 8: From Idrijske Krnice to Jelenk
HIKING AND CYCLING TRAILS
Starting point
Idrijske Krnice–Masore crossroads
The pristine natural ambience of Idrijske Krnice and Jelenk – where the terrain is a mesh of Dynaric, Karst, and Subalpine elements, with even some occasional Meditterranean influences reaching up from the valleys of the Soča and Idrijca rivers – is home to a rich array of local flora, including an endemic plant that thrives in this area: the Carniolan primrose (Primula x venusta).
Various panoramic points offer scenic views towards the Julian Alps to the north, to the villages of Jagršče and Šebrelje to the west, and the torrent valley of the Kanomljica River to the south-west.
From the top of Jelenk, the view is not particularly scenic, but a more panoramic view can be found at the nearby viewpoint above the slopes of the Idrijca Valley: the view opens up towards the ridges over the Idrijca and the hills of Škofja Loka and Polhov Gradec all the way to Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain.
Besides the varied flora, you can also observe the fortifications of the Alpine Wall along the trail. They were built in the area of Idrijske Krnice during the interwar period between WW1 and WW2 by the Italian army.
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, an ethnological holiday accompanied with entertainment and dancing. - Trails in the vicinity
From Oblakov Vrh to the Vrhovec Panoramic Summit
Krnice Plateau - Panoramic summits
Jelenk
Vrhovec
Local services
Trail map
Trail description
Reaching the starting point: Take the road from Logatec to Tolmin (or vice versa). When you reach Spodnja Idrija, take a left turn (or a right turn if you are coming in from the direction of Tolmin) towards Kanomlja. After 1 km, you will reach the sign showing the road to Idrijske Krnice (to the right, uphill). After 5 km, the rising road flattens and leads to a crossroads with a wooden signpost and and an information board, where you can park.
Trail description: At the wooden board with signposts, take a right turn towards Masore or Jelenk. Keep to the right and follow the markings toward Jelenk. Continue past the Fajfk farm by following the rising gravel road past the Italian fortifications and bunkers. When you exit the forest to a meadow, you will soon notice a trail on the left leading to the top of Jelenk. From there, take the path that leads toward the lower trail. Cross the trail and continue past a large rock (between the rock and the nearby field), where you will see a red sign (“Prehod-Kanomlja”). Continue in that direction toward the edge of the forest, where you will see markings again. These will lead you through the forest to the hunting lodge. From there, continue downwards along the gravel road (cca. 500 m) until you reach the asphalt road, where you take a right turn in the direction of Idrijske Krnice. After about 10 minutes of walking, you will reach the starting point.
VISIT IDRIJA
