POREZEN MOUNTAIN

VIA ALPINA DAY 06  – SATURDAY 27 JUNE 2026
GORENJI NOVAKI TO VRHO BAĆE

DISTANCE HIKED:  23.6 km
ELEVATION GAIN: 1,775  m

TOTAL DISTANCE HIKED: 160.9 km
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN: 7,336 m

The overnight rest and the pleasan coolness of the morning gave us a spring in our step as we headed out. 

Despite heading downhill for a couple of kilometres, we made slow progress due to the steepness of the gravel road.  As we experienced yesterday afternoon, our digital map takes us onto non-existent roads and tracks in some sections. There is some trail signage on trees which  gave us confidence that we were heading in the right direction.

At one point this morning, on the way to the Franja Partizan Hospital (a heritage listed site dating from WW2), we found ourselves in a stinging nettle overgrown gully with no obvious trail. Following contours we managed to get out and continued to descend towards Dolenji Novaki.  We made the hospital site eventually, but it was still closed after some storm damage.

From the hospital we were on a nice wide trail in shade. Just the sound of birds, a flowing stream and buzzing of bees. This serenity set us up for what followed. For a little while anyway.

The heat was relentless and with the steep climb made for a brutal combination. 
The climb up to Mt Porezan was nothing but a slow, sweaty grind. Rising 1,000m over 5km, which felt vertical at times.

The first 2 kilometres were really just awful. Steep and rough underfoot, overhanging with stinging nettles. It felt like we were hiking in treacle. Moving at snail pace.

We sat down a few times to recover. We questioned our life choices. Whose idea was this hike?  What were we thinking?  Are we being foolish to be out here when its so hot and we don’t have to be here?   We are carrying plenty of water, the weight if which is also adding to the snail pace.

The rough section of trail gave way to a lovely grassy field, where a farmer was rolling hay. We stopped to chat to his wife, who was sitting in the shade of a tree with his lunch. Feels like a way  of life that I though had pretty much disappeared.

From here the trail quality improved somewhat. While the grade didn’t change much, it was a bit more pleasant underfoot and surrounded by a tall forest. Slowly we made it above the treeline for the last one and a half kilometres. From here we could see a few people  like tiny ants,  slowly making their way up the spine. They looked so far away.

With plenty of stops along the way we finally made the summit of Mt  Porezan at 1,632m. Fantastic views in all directions, especially a clear view of Mt Triglav. The wildflowers were prolific. Was the slog uphill worth the view – absolutely.

We stopped for lunch at the Mountain Hut on Porezen near the top. We shared a table with a cyclist who was out for a couple of days testing some gear for a longer trip. Hammer was impressed with the bike setup and they chatted for a while about various cycling trips.

With lunch finished we set off for a 6km descent to Petrovo Brdo.  Nice trail at first, then it got rough and steep with lots of switchbacks was hard on our knees. As we descended it felt hotter. My energy and enthusiasm were flagging. I was dreading the next stage, 10km all uphill with the sun on our backs.

We sat in the shade for almost an hour willing our energy and enthusiasm to return.  I just didn’t think we had enough time to make it to the Mountain Hut at Črna Prst, inside Triglav National Park.

We hiked halfway up and found a spot to rest and recover for the night. Feeling sunburnt and thoroughly exhausted. It has been a tough, although a rewarding day.