Climbing within the Julian Alps amongst flowers, a lake and beautiful views: Jerebica

To be fairly trustworthy, I had been eyeing this peak for years. A reasonably demanding day hike within the Julian Alps, whose peak opens as much as completely beautiful views of a lake. Mt. Jerebica is a ravishing hike all through, however its high will actually blow your thoughts away because it faces the 1,400-m lengthy and 400-m broad glacial Rabeljsko Jezero (Eng. Lake of Predil) from a thousand meters above. But, as a lot as I commit my life to the mountains, Jerebica has all the time managed to slide by someway. A few years in the past I even tried to hike it however failed badly as a result of lack of preparation. Sure, one mistaken flip proper initially of the path can ultimately lead you right into a maze of broad and deep Karst holes and cracks as an alternative of taking you to the comfy grass-covered peak with a view of a turquoise lake. Nevertheless, as soon as I did handle to climb Jerebica – I used to be not disenchanted! 

Right here’s what it’s good to know in regards to the hike within the Julian Alps above a ravishing lake.

View from Mt. Jerebica of Lake of Predil

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Dreamy lakeview Jerebica
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Jerebica

Driving by way of the seemingly abandoned villages to the Lake of Predil by way of a forested and mountainous land I made a decision to do the quicker route of two mountain climbing routes to Jerebica. The two,126-meter peak proper on the border between Slovenia and Italy is definitely accessible from each nations. Each routes are extremely lovely with jaw-dropping views however there’s a appreciable distinction within the size of the excursions beginning both from Slovenia or Italy. 

In the event you begin your journey from Ljubljana like me, the drive to the Italian begin of the mountain climbing route takes about an hour and a half (an hour from Bled). As a substitute, should you insist on mountain climbing Jerebica from the Slovenian facet of the mountain, that will add additional 40 minutes to the drive (20 minutes every approach) and three+ hours complete to the hike. Altogether, the Slovenian route provides one other 4 – 4.5 hours to the tour. Not one thing that I might consciously do. Then again, should you already are someplace within the Soča Valley, don’t miss the chance to hike Jerebica from the Slovenian facet. It’s imagined to be beautiful!

On high of that, the Italian path was marked as simpler in comparison with the extra uncovered Slovenian path, which meant that I might additionally convey my canine alongside. Yay!

A fast cease on the Lake of Predil unveiled the formidable and precipitous north-eastern facet of Mt. Jerebica dominating the horizon. It got here as no shock that solely two routes have been carved into this wild-looking rock formation hovering one thousand meters above the valley. As I drove additional alongside the lake in direction of the trailhead, eyeing the tall mountain on the left, it thankfully began to indicate a way more pleasant and inexperienced face.

Climbing to Jerebica, the lake peak (Cima del Lago) 

The path, which began a few hundred meters after Lake of Predil, nearly instantly started to climb at a relentless tempo up a steep beech and fir forest, which was quickly changed by lovely meadows accompanied by spectacular views of even greater mountains throughout the valley. A pair, who occurred to be on the identical path as me and had been hurrying up simply a few minutes behind, began to meet up with me. In one other scenario I might’ve been too aggressive to allow them to go however right here it was totally different. The wonder overwhelmed me. The golden solar filtered by way of the tall bushes glistening on the sleek lengthy beech trunks, the 2 beautiful mountain teams with the dominating 2,753-m Montaž and a couple of,666-m Viš proper throughout the Jezerska Dolina (Ita. Val Rio del Lago), the colossal 2K wall with the two,208-m Rombon on its left all rising above the Možnica Valley, and the wildflower-strewn meadows. 

Guided hike to the Dreamy lakeview Jerebica

I sat down among the many flowers, sighing on the sight of the mountains, and let the couple go. Reclined in opposition to the mushy grass within the heat morning solar, the silence was hypnotic, and my thoughts appeared to be settled in good equilibrium. I sat quietly within the empty meadow for a very long time. I considered the couple that ran to the highest of Jerebica with out blinking an eye fixed. It’s an excellent factor that they raced by quick.

On the best way to the highest I made a brief detour to 2,008-m Gorenji Rob, one more charming grassy peak with stupendous 360 views of the mountainous world of the Julian Alps. Nevertheless, it didn’t supply a sneak preview of Lake Predil. That was reserved solely for many who reached the highest of Jerebica. 

The height of Jerebica as seen from 2,008-m Mt. Gorenji Rob

The path to Jerebica wasn’t technical however there have been a few spots the place I had to make use of my palms to go safely. My doggie, nonetheless, danced throughout all of the tough spots with no single criticism, and I swear I might even see a delicate smile on her happy face. 

As soon as on the high, my jaw actually dropped on the sight. The glacial lake glittered a thousand meters beneath, trying a lot smaller from a distance, however no much less spectacular. Idyllically surrounded by steep inexperienced mountains that stretched ceaselessly in each path, each to Slovenia and Italy whereas additionally to Austria within the distance, the turquoise-colored Lake of Predil seemed so surreal that it was exhausting to think about it existed exterior of a fairytale. Perfection in its broadest sense.

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Dreamy lakeview Jerebica
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Triglav Lakes – Double Lake
7 Triglav Lakes Trek

By the point I sat down on the high of Jerebica, everybody else had already disappeared again down an undulating path throughout grass and rocks. The distant setting evoked a startling sense of isolation and awe, and I couldn’t assist feeling I’d entered a back-of-the-wardrobe secret land that had someway evaded the eye of the skin world. Candy and empty. Simply the best way I prefer it.

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