Julius Kugy Three-Country Trail in 30 stages - E 4

Valley locations: Bad Eisenkappel, 556 m, bus (postbus.at) from Klagenfurt. Solčava, 664 m, and Luče, 522 m, bus (nomago.si) from Celje. 

Starting point: Vellachtal/Christophorusfelsen, 797 m, reachable by taxi from Bad Eisenkappel or via a 5.8 km footpath along the B 82; 1.30 h.

Connection E 4b/Approach Christophorusfelsen: From the stop Solčava, 642 m to Gladki Vrh 5, 1850 m (if walking counterclockwise). From there further along the Kugyweg to Vellachtal/Christophorusfelsen, 795 m. Moderate mountain hike: 9 h, 20.1 km, 1,450 m ascent and 1,300 m descent. 

Connection E 4a/Approach Koča na Loki: From Gh. Podobnik, 635 m, via Remscheniggraben, the large rock gate, 1502 m, to the Slovenian border, to Olševa and Koča na Grohotu, 1460 m. From there further on the Kugyweg to Koča na Loki pod Raduho, 1534 m. Strenuous mountain hike: 10 h, 22.8 km, 2,110 m ascent and 1,150 m descent.

Alternative 1: Over the Heiligengeistsattel to the southeast and down on the Southern Alps panoramic path to the pilgrimage church Sveti Duh, 1232 m, and in a left hook back onto the Kugyweg (additional effort: 1.10 h, 2.8 km, 210 m ascent and 200 m descent).

Alternative 2: At the crossroads about 300 m after the Bear Cave, turn left steeply up to the summit of Obel on the Southern Alps panoramic hiking trail - after about 500 m the path descending to the east meets the Kugyweg again (additional effort: 15 min, 300 m, 50 m ascent and descent each).

Alternative 3: At the fork about 1 km south of Koča na Grohotu, go straight ahead (south) and stay on the Slovenska planinska pot. This panoramic path no. 1 leads us to Velika Raduha and further to the stage destination Koča na Loki (additional effort: 30 min, 1.1 km, 80 m ascent and descent each). 

Summit goals/possibilities: Olševa/Obel kamen, 120 m, 15 min, black; Velika Raduha, 520 m, 1.40 h, blue (from Koča na Loki).

Water: 1 fountain, 2 captured springs and 2 streams. 

SHORT ROUTE DESCRIPTION  

Stage description according to the graphical route planning and along the Carinthian Border Trail: 

VellachtalChristophorusfelsen-Carinthian Border Trail-Plasnik-northern Sadonikhöhe/Borovnikov vrh/Pastirksattel/Kolarjev vrh-Heiligengeistsattel-Potožka zijalka/Bear Cave-Olševa/Uschowa (Govca-Odenični hriber-Lepi vrh)-Spodnje Sleme-Bukovnik-Koča na Grohotu pod Raduho-Durce-Koča na Loki pod Raduho

DETAILED ROUTE DESCRIPTION 

1. We hike (or with the help of the house taxi) along federal road B 82 about 5 km from Gh. Podobnik back (SW) to Christophorusfelsen or to the Carinthian Border Trail (KGW) (1st break, if no house taxi, 786 m).

2. We follow the KGW and path no. 612 to the left, NE, and after about 1 km leave path no. 612 - now we go straight on path no. 614. Past the Plasnik estate (1st break, 2.4 km, 1080 m) we climb higher and take the 2nd break north of Sadonikhöhe, 6 km, 1420 m.

3. We pass north of Pastirksattel in the Gmaina and meet the path no. 611 coming from the left - here, path no. 614 ends at a spring. Using path no. 652 as well as the Southern Alps Panorama Trail (PSA) and the KGW, we reach the Potožka zijalka/Bear Cave via the Heiligengeistsattel (3rd break, 12.3 km, 1675 m).

ALTERNATIVE 1:  Over the Heiligengeistsattel to the southeast and down on the Southern Alps panoramic path to the pilgrimage church Sveti Duh, 1232 m, and in a left hook back onto the Kugyweg (additional effort: 1.10 h, 2.3 km, 180 m ascent and 200 m descent - possible overnight stay at Gh. Pogar).

4. Partly secured by ropes, we follow the marking (NE) upwards - after approx. 250 m we go straight ahead at a fork to Uschowa, more precisely: to the highest point of the day's stage (to Govca with a beautiful view) and further to Odenični hriber to the 4th break, 11.3 km, 1862 m - just after Govca, we leave and the PSA returns to NE direction.

ALTERNATIVE 2:  At the crossroads about 300 m after the Bear Cave on the Southern Alps panoramic trail, turn left steeply up to the summit of Obel - after approx. 500 m the path descending to the east meets the Kugyweg again (additional effort: 15 min, 300 m, 50 m ascent and descent each).

5. We hike (south past Lepi vrh) down to the Zgornje Sleme crossing - at a fork we turn half left and at this crossing we meet the hiking trail "Uschowa/Olševa - Koča na Grohotu pod Raduho" which leads us to the 1st hut of the stage. While still at the crossing, we turn half right on the main farm road (HWW) at a fork and after about 1.5 km, at a large crossing, we reach the village Spodonje Sleme (5th break, 14.5 km, 1270 m). 

6. We leave the crossing to the south, follow a forest road uphill - at the farm entrance "Bukovnik" we keep left, south, and after about 500 m leave the forest road and go left, NE, along a forest path to Planina Grohot (here we first meet the Slovenian mountain hiking/panorama trail/Spp no. 1) - we reach the managed Koča na Grohotu pod Raduho (6th break, 17.4 km, 1460 m).  

7. We continue uphill towards the south and after about 1 km come to a fork (right leads to Velika Raduha, 2062 m) - we take the 7th break, 18.4 km, 1680 m. Along path no. 18 we reach after another approx. 280 m ascent and 1 km in the cirque the somewhat strenuous crossing "Durce" (8th break, 19.3 km, 1909 m).

ALTERNATIVE 3: At the fork about 1 km south of Koča na Grohotu go straight ahead (south) and stay on the Slovenska planinska pot. This panoramic path no. 1 leads us to Velika Raduha and further to the stage destination Koča na Loki (additional effort: 30 min, 1.1 km, 80 m ascent and descent each).

8. Here we leave the Spp no. 1 and path no. 18 and go first on path no. 1d to the east, later to the SE, down in the forest and reach the stage destination Koča na Loki pod Raduho (25.3 km, 1545 m).

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E: EXACT DIRECTIONS

1. We hike (or with the help of the house taxi) along federal road B 82 approx. 5 km from Gh. Podobnik back (SW) to Christophorusfelsen or to the Carinthian Border Trail (KGW) (1st break, if no house taxi, 786 m).

2. We follow the KGW and path no. 612 to the left, NE, and after about 1 km leave path no. 612 - now we go straight on path no. 614. Passing the Plasnik estate (1st break, 2.4 km, 1080 m) we climb higher and take the 2nd break north of Sadonikhöhe, 6 km, 1420 m.

3. We pass north of Pastirksattel in the Gmaina and meet the path no. 611 coming from the left - here path no. 614 ends at a spring. With path no. 652 as well as the Southern Alps Panorama Trail (PSA) and the KGW we reach the Potožka zijalka/Bear's Cave via the Heiligengeistsattel (3rd break, 12.3 km, 1675 m).

ALTERNATIVE 1: Over the Heiligengeistsattel to the southeast and down on the Southern Alps panoramic path to the pilgrimage church Sveti Duh, 1232 m, and in the left turn back onto the Kugyweg (additional effort: 1.10 h, 2.8 km, 210 m ascent and 200 m descent - ask at Gh. Pogar for overnight stay).

4. Partly secured by ropes, we follow the marking (NE) upwards - after approx. 250 m we walk straight ahead at a fork to Uschova, more precisely: to the highest point of the day's stage (to Govca with a beautiful view) and on to Odenični hriber to the 4th break, 11.3 km, 1862 m - just after Govca leaves and the PSA returns to NE direction.

ALTERNATIVE 2: At the crossroads approx. 300 m after the Bear Cave with the Southern Alps panoramic trail, turn left steeply up to the summit of Obel - after approx. 500 m, the path descending to the east meets the Kugyweg again (additional effort: 15 min, 300 m, 50 m ascent and descent each).

5. We hike (south past Lepi vrh) down to the Zgornje Sleme crossing - at a fork, we turn half left and at this crossing, we meet the hiking trail „Uschowa/Olševa - Koča na Grohotu pod Raduho“ which leads us to the 1st hut of the stage. While still at the crossing, we turn half right on the main farm road (HWW) at a fork and after about 1.5 km we reach the town of Spodonje Sleme at a large intersection (5th break, 14.5 km, 1270 m).

6. We leave the intersection towards south, follow a forest road uphill - at the farm entrance „Bukovnik“ we keep left, south, and after approx. 500 m leave the forest path and go left, NE, along a forest path to Planina Grohot (here we first meet the Slovenian mountain hiking/panorama trail/Spp no. 1) - we reach the managed Koča na Grohotu pod Raduho (6th break, 17.4 km, 1460 m).

7. We continue uphill towards south and after about 1 km come to a fork (right leads to Velika Raduha, 2062 m) - we take the 7th break, 18.4 km, 1680 m. Along path no. 18, after another 280 m ascent and 1 km in the cirque, we reach the somewhat strenuous crossing „Durce“ (8th break, 19.3 km, 1909 m).

ALTERNATIVE 3: At the fork about 1 km south of Koča na Grohotu we go straight ahead (south) and stay on the Slovenska planinska pot. This panoramic path no. 1 takes us to Velika Raduha and on to the stage destination Koča na Loki (additional effort: 30 min, 1.1 km, 80 m ascent and descent).

8. Here we leave the Spp no. 1 and path no. 18 and first go on path no. 1d to the east, later to the southeast, down in the forest and reach the stage destination Koča na Loki pod Raduho (25.3 km , 1545 m).

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DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS

1. We walk (or with the help of the house taxi) on federal road B 82 approx. 5 km from Gh. Podobnik back (SW) to Christophorusfelsen or to Carinthian Border Trail (KGW) (1st break, if no house taxi, 786 m).

2. We follow KGW and path no. 612 left, SW, and after about 1 km leave no. 612 - now we go straight on path no. 614. Past the Plasnik estate (1st break, 2.4 km, 1080 m) we climb higher and take 2nd break north of Sadonikhöhe, 6 km, 1420 m.

3. We pass north of Pastirksattel in Gmaina and meet the path no. 611 coming from the left - path no. 614 ends here at a spring. With path no. 652 as well as Southern Alps Panorama Trail (PSA) and KGW, we reach Potožka zijalka (3rd break, 12.3 km, 1675 m) over Heiligengeistsattel.

ALTERNATIVE 1: On the right. Hike over Heiligengeistsattel, St. Leonhard, Schelesnigsattel and Kupitzklamm to Gh. Kupitz in Eisenkappel and then by public transport to Klagenfurt.

4. Partly secured with rope, we follow markings (SW) uphill - after approx. 250 m go straight at fork to Uschowa, more precisely: to the highest point of the day's stage (to Govca with beautiful view) and on to Odenični hriber to 4th break, 11.3 km, 1862 m - immediately after leaving Govca and PSA back in SW direction.

5. Descend (south of Lepi vrh) to Zgornje Sleme - at fork go half left and at this place meet hiking trail "Uschowa / Olševa - Koča na Grohotu pod Raduho" leading us to first hut of stage. In town, go on the main farm road (HWW) at fork right and after about 1.5 km at a big crossroad reach Spodnje Sleme (5th break, 14.5 km, 1270 m).

6. Leave crossing to south, follow forest road uphill - at Bukovnik farm entrance keep left, south, and after about 500 m leave forest road and go left, SW, on forest path to Planina Grohot (here we meet for first the Slovenska Planinska Panoramic trail / Spp. no. 1) - reach managed hut Koča na Grohotu pod Raduho (6th break, 17.4 km, 1460 m). ALTERNATIVE 2: Overnight at Koča na Grohotu pod Raduho and next day reach stage destination. 7. Continue uphill south and after approx. 1 km reach fork (right goes to Velika Raduha, 2062 m) -

7. break, 18.4 km, 1680 m Koča na Loki pod Raduho -Durce via path no. 18; after further 280 m ascent and 1 km in the cirque reach somewhat demanding pass Durce (8th break, 19.3 km, 1909 m). 8. Here leave Spp no. 1 and path no. 18 and first go with path no. 1d to east, later southeast, down in forest and reach stage destination Koča na Loki pod Raduho (25.3 km, 1545 m).