Go Together Life

📍 Circular Route | 14 km | 950m Elevation | 5.5 Hours
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Four Wobbly-kneed Stars

On day three of our hiking adventure through Slovenia, we set out from our hotel just outside the village of Hrib, legs tired but spirits undeterred. The night before had included an impromptu fireside (or rather, lobby-floor) chat surrounded by an eclectic collection of taxidermy, including a giant stuffed bear, a truly surreal prelude to what turned out to be a wildly memorable day.

With daypacks on and an ambitious route ahead, we set off toward one of Slovenia’s iconic white hilltop churches, Sv. Jakob, which had caught our eye throughout our trip. The trailhead was easy to find, marked by the now familiar red-and-white trail markers, and we found ourselves in good company with plenty of locals out hiking or running the trails.

The first major climb to the church was steep but motivating, we’d heard glowing reviews of the homemade baked goods at the Iskra mountain hut, perched next to the church. Four kilometers of heart-pounding uphill later, we arrived sweaty, hungry, and more than ready for a break. And the hut delivered. We devoured apple strudel and cream while lounging in deck chairs overlooking a jaw-dropping valley view. Honestly? We could have happily stayed there all day.

But the adventure wasn’t over yet.

Fueled by sugar and scenic splendour, we pressed on toward Javorjev Vrh, heading further uphill along a forested trail. Those without hiking poles cast envious glances at those who had them, especially as the trail became steeper. Plans for short breath-catching breaks were swiftly cancelled when we discovered we were not alone, a colony of very enthusiastic and very large ants seemed eager to crawl over anyone who stopped moving. Our ant-inspired marching pace was punctuated by breathless laughter and occasional stomping.

Eventually, after two further kilometers of climbing, we emerged onto a ridge, and were finally able to stop without being overrun by the ever persistent ants. The panoramic views were every bit worth the effort. That is, until Mandy spotted ominous weather approaching. Driven by an overwhelming desire not to be caught on an exposed ridgeline mid-storm, she became our new personal drill sergeant, herding us downhill with more determination than the ants had shown on the ascent.

The clouds passed us by, and we safely made our way to our designated lunch stop: the alpine hut at Hudičev Boršt. Fair warning: it’s only open on weekends and holidays. Thankfully, we came prepared and enjoyed a relaxing picnic at the outdoor tables while congratulating ourselves on surviving both the climb and the bugs.

The descent from there to Preddvor was long and winding, a mixture of single-track forest trails and loose gravel roads that tested our already trembling legs. The final stretch had us doing awkward dance moves as we tried to stay upright, arms flailing for balance on shifting stones. At this point, hiking poles became currency and the bartering began in earnest.

We even spotted a gorgeous little fire salamander as we hiked down through the forest and spent a few minutes admiring his striking colors as we gave our grateful knees a quick rest.

But as the gravel ended, so did the worst of the struggle. We emerged into quiet alpine villages, winding our way toward the serene Črnava Lake. The views, peacefulness, and sense of accomplishment made every step worthwhile.

We limped (okay, some of us limped) back into our hotel that evening feeling exhausted, proud, and very ready for the Michelin-starred dinner we’d booked. It was one of those rare meals that felt truly earned and tasted even better because of it.

🧳 Packing List

• 🎒 Daypack
• Hiking poles
• 💧 Water bottle or hydration pack
• ⛑ First aid kit
• 🧢 Hat & 🕶 Sunglasses
• 🌧 Rain jacket
• 🧥 Warm top/layers
• 🧦 Hiking socks
• 👟 Proper boots/shoes
• 🍫 Snacks and a packed lunch