RUPNIK LINE – 1. stage - Turizem Škofja Loka

RUPNIK LINE – 1. stage
START: Žiri (Smrečje)
FINISH: Gorenja vas
MIN. ALTITUDE: 402 m
MAX. ALTITUDE: 962 m
VERTICAL DIFFERENCE: 560 m
TIME: 8 hours
Tourist facilities:
- Goropeke Hut, Marta Maček, Goropeke 15, 4226 Žiri, tel.: 04 519 11 22 (Sunday lunches,
groups, cycling, hiking, outdoor school, sports practice, skiing; specialties: escargots with parsley
and garlic, frog’s legs, mushroom specialties, pork)
- Kasarna Inn, Anica Hribernik, Smrečje 48, 1373 Rovte, tel.: 01 754 01 67 (lunches, snacks, local
specialties, groups)
- Matija Cafe, Silvo Cankar, Lučine 27, 4224 Gorenja vas, tel.: 04 518 25 45, 031 792 036 (on-site
catering for groups, stews, outdoor picnics, lunches, snacks, local specialties)
- Pr' Bukovc Farm, Damjana and Alojz Krek, Žirovski vrh 44, 4226 Žiri, tel.: 04 519 14 94, 041 864
152 (brandy tasting, liqueurs, dried fruit, dried fruit and brandy for sale, homemade items ideal
for business gifts)
- Javorč Hunting Lodge, Žirovski vrh Sv. Urbana, 4224 Gorenja vas, tel.: 04 518 23 00 (soft drinks,
groups, venison dishes a la carte)
- Pivk Open-Door Farm, Branimir Jurca, Kladje 5, 4224 Gorenja vas, tel.: 04 519 19 08 (local
dishes, dried meats)
- Peternelj Organic Farm, Žirovski vrh sv. Antona 9, 4224 Gorenja vas, tel.: 04 518 12 10, 041
527 914, e-mail: anja.peternelj@guest.arnes.si (guided tour of the farm, picnic area, produce
from the organic farm)
- Lipan Inn, Matilda Filipič, Hotavlje 5, 4224 Gorenja vas, tel.: 04 518 13 10 (international cuisine,
venison dishes, fresh-water fish, homemade dried meats, local seasonal dishes; fried sausages,
sauerkraut, turnip, black pudding, žganci (buckwheat groats), ocvirkovca (savoury roll with
cracklings); house specialties: venison in wild game sauce, venison with mushrooms and cream,
trout with parsley and garlic, homemade dried meats)
- Poni Inn, Trata 28, 4224 Gorenja vas, tel.: 04 518 14 51, e-mail: gostl.dobar@siol.net
(military kitchen, guided tours of the Rupnik Line, groups)
- Vlastja Museum of Photography, Trata 9, 4224 Gorenja vas, tel.: 04 518 31 05, 04 519 18 64,
www.obcina-gvp.si/muzej.htm (an extensive collection of cameras, movie cameras and other
photographic equipment)
This exciting adventure, which promises a leap back in time without the use of modern
technology, begins in Žiri and continues with the ascent of Goropeke along the Škofja Loka
Alpine Trail all the way to Smrečje. Smrečje is an alternative starting point which reduces the
length of the trip by 3 hours. Since the middle of the 1930s, the trail has been lined with
fortifications which vary both in their form and in their purpose. The largest ones are
astonishing, and wonders never cease upon entering their network of underground tunnels and
chambers. This part of the trail can be enjoyed by both hikers and cyclists, and it leads past
numerous farms. The lives on these farms were forever changed by the artificial, imposed
border. Yet the sturdy locals never gave in. They earned their living in part through contraband

smuggling, which flourished here between the two world wars. Butter, eggs, shoes, tobacco,
carbide etc. were smuggled into Italy, while cloth was smuggled into Slovenia. Some people
made enormous amounts of money by smuggling and could even afford to hire a servant to do
the actual smuggling. The customs officers and border guards were also paid a little extra.
The highest point of the first stage is Goli vrh, which is also the first major resting point. You will
visit a fortification on a ridge with two artillery blockhouses overlooking the surroundings.
Reliable equipment and the desire for new experiences will foster an unforgettable descent into
the largest underground system of tunnels on this part of the trail. The visit is possible only if
accompanied by a guide.
The trail along the Rupnik Line continues past the remarkable machine-gun bunkers on Javorč
and towards the Hrastov grič hill, which is crowned by one of the largest fortifications from the
mid-1930s. From there it is possible to descend past the Pivk Open-Door Farm or directly past
the Peternelj Organic Farm to Gorenja Vas. Two more bunkers stand by the old road to Žiri which
loom over the village like ancient guards.
RUPNIK LINE – 2. stage
START: Gorenja vas
FINISH: Zali Log
MIN. ALTITUDE: 402 m
MAX. ALTITUDE: 1562 m
VERTICAL DIFFERENCE: 989 m
TIME: 5 hours
Tourist facilities:
- Penzion Rezka, Hlavče Njive 1a, 4224 Gorenja vas, tel.: 04 518 11 48
- Pivoarna Gamsar, Miha Primožič, Čabrače 4a, 4224 Gorenja vas, tel.: 04 518 23 43
- Koča na Blegošu, tel.: 050 614 587
- Alpine Association Škofja Loka, 13 Kapucinski trg, 4220 Škofja Loka, tel.: 04 512 06 67, 051
332 777, e-mail: info@pd.skofjaloka.com

RUPNIK LINE – 3. stage
START: Zali Log
FINISH: Soriška planina
MIN. ALTITUDE: 522 m
MAX. ALTITUDE: 1667 m
VERTICAL DIFFERENCE: 1145 m
TIME: 6.5 hours
Tourist facilities:
- Pri Slavcu Inn, Zali Log 22, 4228 Železniki, tel.: 04 514 62 09
(delicious lunches, dishes a la carte, groups; specialties: trout, local dishes, pork in the
wintertime)
- Krek’s Hut on Ratitovec, Selška dolina Alpine Society – Železniki, Trnje 39, 4228 Železniki, tel.:
050 621 944
(alpine hut offering overnight accommodation and an excellent selection of stews)
- Soriška planina Tourist Centre, Selca 86, 4227 Selca, tel.: 04 511 78 35, fax: 04 511 78 39
(excellent ski slopes for the entire family, ski passes, food and beverages, accommodation)
- Litostroj Hut on Soriška planina, Zgornja Sorica 54, 4229 Sorica, tel.: 04 50 611 340 (food and
soft drinks)
Throughout the third stage of the trip there are wonderful
views of the Selška dolina valley on one side and the Julian
Alps with Triglav on the other. The trail begins in Zali Log and
follows a marked path through Groblje to Povden. Not too far
from the starting point is a fascinating view of the village,
which is best known for its blue-green slate-covered roofs. A
few metres further up you will come across the first
fortification built above the village.
The partly rocky forest path leading towards the top of
Ratitovec affords idyllic views of the villages below, which
rank among the highest villages in Slovenia. Krek’s Hut at the
top of Ratitovec offers food and beverages. Ratitovec, which is
sometimes called the last mountain in the Julian Alps, was a
very important strategic point at the time when the Rupnik
Line was constructed, so fortifications will not be hard to find
on this part of the trail. The bunkers, which are scattered both
on the top and around it, serve as a reminder of the old
Yugoslav military strategy. The trail continues along the
Ratitovec ridge across Altemaver and Kremant towards the
Soriška planina. It follows the Škofja Loka Alpine Trail and
passes the Danjarska planina, where if you are lucky you might
come across a herd of beautiful horses. After a three-hourwalk
from Ratitovec, you will reach the Soriška planina, with a
magnificent view of Lajnar, Možic and Slatnik.