Again in the mountains: the Steiner / Kamnik Alps

To conclude our joint start to the Sabbath year, we go once again to the mountains north of Ljubljana, the Steiner or Kamnik Alps, with the 2558m high Grintovec peak. We hike to the small Camp Alpe, right by the cable car in the Kamniska Valley. To reach the highest mountains, one would have to climb up and down 2000m or stay at the mountain hut. That's too much for us. We decide to climb Kalska Gora, 2056m. We can ride our bikes to the actual hiking trail and then take an unmarked but well-visible path through the beech forest. Later, we walk below the rocks through colorful meadows until we reach the cliffs over scree. Now it gets really steep and we have to do some climbing. Luckily, there's also a rope. We are alone on our ascent and on the summit, we only meet people at the hut on the saddle. Today, we can enjoy the view in peace as the visibility is good.

The next day is much more relaxed. We take the cable car and chairlift and leisurely walk a round trip on Alpe Velika Planina. All the huts are made of wood. Some are round, others are square. There are beautiful arches made of crooked pine trees. Cowbells can be heard from everywhere. At times, we walk right through the herd. And there's coffee and beer up here too. To conclude our trip, we go out to eat once again, very traditionally: Jota stew with sauerkraut or Re... with pearl barley. And there's sausage too.

This morning, our paths separate: Ulla drives home by car and I go by bike. Possible route: Graz, Vienna, Prague, Fulda, or Dresden. We'll see!