Ratitovec: Snow and Sun Hike March 2025

Hike in the Julian Alps, Slovenia, visiting Krek's lodge on Ratitovec and Gladki Vrh, 38 weeks ago.

Recorded route

Ratitovec Alpine Loop Hike (v1, GPX) planned route

7,144 meter flat distance

20 % average gradient

1,663 meter highest point

1,004 meter lowest point

699 meter sum ascent

702 meter sum descent

A beautiful hike in the Ratitovec mountains. End quote.

Ratitovec is a mountain ridge in the Slovenian Julian Alps. This hike from Prtovč to the Gladki Vrh peak, one of the highest peaks on Ratitovec at 1667 meters, passed Krek's lodge in beautiful snowy surroundings.

Reported by Binokkio.

Parking

06:10 - 06:19 (9m25s) @ Prtovč Parking Lot

The parking lot at Parkirišče Prtovč is nearly empty on this early Saturday morning. Paying the fee is quick and easy via text message, though availability may depend on your mobile network provider. See the second picture for details and alternative payment options.

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This parking lot can get quite busy, but not this early today.

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The sign with instructions for Parkirišče Prtovč.

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The parking lot instructions.

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Into the woods

06:19 - 06:55 (35m19s)

From the parking lot, I walk through the small village of Prtovč, to the start of the "na Poden" path up Ratitovec. Here a rocky path leads up the mountain side. This part of the path is crossed by a couple of small streams.

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The path is in a good condition.

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The first stream that crosses the path up Ratitovec.

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Soon the first stream crosses the path.

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Another stream that crosses the path up Ratitovec.

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And here another.

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The sun comes up from behind.

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Ice and electricity

06:55 - 07:06 (11m25s)

The woods make way for a power line. The path becomes a bit icy here but is manageable with just hiking poles.

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3 paths leading into a dense bit of forest.

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I take the left-most of these 3 paths.

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Into the woods again

07:06 - 07:40 (33m51s)

The path after the clearing is narrower and the forest denser.

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A narrow path leading into dense forest.

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Above the forest

07:40 - 07:57 (16m49s)

The forest starts to thin out and gives way to some beautiful views.

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Krekova koča na Ratitovcu

07:57 - 08:07 (10m15s) @ Krek's lodge on Ratitovec

Then the cabin high on Ratitovec comes into view.

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The cabin on Ratitovec seen from a distance.

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There it is in the distance.

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It is not yet busy.

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The Altemaver peak partially covered in snow.

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From the cabin you can see the Altemaver peak. It looks a little too icy so I leave it for another time.

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A structure that is part of a cable cart system.

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Looks like there is an easier way to get up here, or perhaps it's only for supplies.

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Gladki Vrh

08:07 - 08:27 (19m47s) @ Gladki Vrh

Close to the cabin is the Gladki Vrh peak, the path there is more snowy then icy, making it again manageable with just hiking poles.

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A plate with markings that indicate what things seen in the distance are.

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This disk tells you what's what.

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Quite the view.

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The icy way back

08:27 - 09:11 (44m4s)

There is a path on the other side of the mountain ridge that leads back down to the parking lot. The path is less exposed, but has a lot more snow and ice. Crampons definitely recommended.

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An ice and snow covered plain on Ratitovec.

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The last bit

09:11 - 09:36 (25m10s)

The snow clears leaving an at first very muddy path, but soon it is the same type of rocky path as on the way up.

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Back at the parking lot

09:36 - 09:45 (8m56s) @ Prtovč Parking Lot

The church and parking lot come into view during the last bit of the path down the mountain side.

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The last bit of the path down Ratitovec, with the church and parking lot seen in the distance.

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Here the church and parking lot can be seen off to the side of the path.

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This sign points out the 2 paths I took, up via Poden and down via Razor. Both paths are marked with the red-white symbol shown here.

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There is more parking on this side of the church.

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