Zelenica – 1,536 m

A paradise beneath the northern slopes of Begunjščica.

In less than an hour from Ljubljana, we arrive in a true mountain world beneath the northern slopes and mighty scree fields of Begunjščica. And just as the song says, this place draws us back again and again.

Our Zelenica is unique,
and its wall is like a mountain goat’s,
this beautiful mountain world is full of flowers,
that’s why this place draws me back again and again.
(Zelenica, Marjan Perko)

We park to the left of the plateau before the entrance to the Ljubelj Tunnel, in the gravel parking lot below the former hotel. We have three options to reach the Zelenica Mountain Hut: a marked hiking trail, an unmarked border patrol trail, or a transport and rescue trail. We chose the marked hiking trail, which runs along the left side of the former ski slope toward Zelenica, Vrtača, and Stol.

Along the ski slope toward the summit

After about 15 minutes of walking along a moderately ascending cart track through a beech forest, we reach an abandoned ski slope. From the trail, the view opens up to the left onto the large scree slopes below Begunjščica and to the right toward the Ljubeljščica ridge.

On the overgrown meadow in front of the hut at Vrtača, the mid-station of the former chairlift, you can observe the lady’s slipper in full bloom in late May or early June. But let’s not forget: this magnificent flower, with the largest bloom among European orchids, is a protected plant species, and its habitats are part of the European Natura 2000 network.

Forty minutes into our hike, we arrive at the hut on Vrtača. From here, we continue along the marked trail, which leads through a belt of dwarf pine and climbs steeply for a short section. The final part of the route to the hut can be covered via a gently ascending supply trail or a lower-lying mountain trail.

Zelenica Hut

The Zelenica Hut is situated on the Zelenica Saddle between the northern ridge of Begunjščica to the south and the Na Možeh border ridge to the north. From here, you can continue on to the Roblek Hut on Begunjščica, to Begunjščica, Vrtača, and Stol; other nearby hikes are also interesting, such as to the hut at the source of the Završnica, to Palec, or to Zelenjak.

The Zelenica Hut was destroyed by fire in 1999, and the current one opened in 2011. It also houses the Zelenica Mountaineering Training Center, where various mountaineering training courses are held. It provides guidance and logistical support for the implementation of programs by mountaineering organizations—mountaineering courses, training for mountain guides, trail markers, and mountain rescuers—and gladly welcomes groups of young hikers. The lodge offers internet access.

A popular destination for ski tourers

In winter, Zelenica is a popular destination for ski tourers from Slovenia and neighboring Austrian Carinthia, primarily due to its easy access to the trailhead.

Nearby trails:

The Born Trail to the Preval Mountain
The Zelenica Secured Climbing Route
The Tržič Mountain Trail