RECORD HEATWAVE

VIA ALPINA – DAY 02: TUESDAY, 23 JUNE 2026

PLANINSKI DOM KOKOŠ TO RAZDRTO

DISTANCE HIKED: 30.5 km
ELEVATION GAIN: 740 m

TOTAL DISTANCE HIKED: 58.1 km
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN: 2080 m

It is amazing how restorative a good night’s sleep can be. The campspot Hammer chose was perfect; amongst the trees and out of sight.

We woke to the sound of a gentle cool breeze blowing through the trees. The rain must have stopped at some point. The tent was dry this morning.  Beautiful start to the day.

Just as we were about start the trail downhill from Kokoš mountain a deer came out of the bushes. Yesterday the only wildlife we saw was a snake. Very flightly big and shiny black.

The descent off the mountain to the town of  Lokev was steep at first and then  flat rolling grass meadow into town. Quite pleasant walking.

We arrived in a very quite town of Lokev. Very relieved to find a small supermarket open. Ham and cheese roll and coke for Hammer and  vitamin hydrating drink for me and we were ready to go. Despite the heat, walking felt easier today.

By mid-morning we were passing Škocjan Caves, a World Heritage listed site.  Busloads of visitors  were arriving as we left. We were not keen to join them, although the coolness of the caves would have been quite welcomed.

At the caves visitors centre we filled up on water and connected to the internet for a weather  update. There is a severe weather warning for Slovenia with extreme heat for the next 7 days.

For the next couple of hours we put our heads down and moved along in silence. Hoping to shorten the suffering while crossing an open valley with not much shade.

We survived the searing heat to reach an old church. We stopped in the small courtyard near the entry.   Shade and breeze and bird song made for a nice rest break.

Just as we left, fat raindrops started slowly at first and then intensified. I never thought I’d say this but the rain was so welcomed. Cooled everything down while it lasted. Pretty soon the rain passed and the steamy hot weather returned.

After the valley we had a pretty nice forested walk while we climbed away.  Despite the unrelenting heat we were feeling so much better then yesterday. The hiking felt so much easier today.

We finished section R3 in Razdrto. Staying at a  commercial campsite with a pool, showers, cold beer and pizza. Hammer is in heaven.