A beautiful hike in the Ratitovec mountains.
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.
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.
The woods make way for a power line. The path becomes a bit icy here but is manageable with just hiking poles.
The path after the clearing is narrower and the forest denser.
The forest starts to thin out and gives way to some beautiful views.
Then the cabin high on Ratitovec comes into view.
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.
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.
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.
The church and parking lot come into view during the last bit of the path down the mountain side.
