Kopiščarjeva pot is a via ferrata route in the Julian Alps, which leads through a rock window and can be continued to the Prisojnik (also known as Prisank) peak, standing at 2547 m. The route is called “Fensterweg” in German, meaning “window path,” while the rock window itself is called “Okno” in Slovenian.
Summary
Grade: B/C, 1 – view topo
Vertical: 700m ferrata, 900m total
Time: 30min approach, 2h30min ferrata, 1h30min descent, 4h30min total
Access / Parking: 46.4334,13.7435 – Google Maps or any Android maps app
Start via ferrata: 46.4285,13.7562 – Mapy.cz or any Android maps app
Map and photos
Access
We arrive at Vršič Pass (1611 m) via the scenic, winding road that connects Kranjska Gora in the north with Bovec to the southwest. There are a few parking areas along the roadside, but bear in mind they fill up quickly during the peak season.
An alternative starting point is located below the pass, towards Kranjska Gora, at Erjavec hut (Erjavčeva koča).
Approach to start
From Vršič Pass, we hike past the Tičarjev Dom na Vršiču hut and continue towards the old fortifications. Here, we reach a fork in the trail with two options for continuing:
- Take the path that descends through the forest, leading directly to the start of the via ferrata cable.
- Continue along the main trail to Sedlo za Sovno Glavo (1715 m), a mountain pass. From there, follow the path that slopes gently downhill to the northeast, eventually reaching the start of the via ferrata.
As we approach, we can already see the “Heathen Maiden” (Ajdovska deklica in Slovenian), a rock formation that resembles the face of a girl, with a legend associated with it.
The route
There are 3 distinct sections with cables on this via ferrata, with long, uninsured passages between them.
If you’re familiar with other high-altitude via ferratas in Slovenia, such as the nearby Mala Mojstrovka, you’ll have an idea of what to expect in the cable-free sections: scrambling over relatively easy climbing terrain, sometimes exposed.
The first via ferrata section is short. The one in the middle is longer and contains a large crack with a key point, where you might need to climb without your backpack. On the third section of via ferrata you climb straight through the rock window and arrive at the ridge, on the sunny side of the mountain.
From here you can continue to Prisojnik / Prisank peak (2547 m) on the normal route to the summit, or start the descent. With the summit, add an extra 2h30min to the total time and 300m vertical distance.
Descent
After passing through the rock window, descend along the normal path towards the southwest. This path is called “Grebenska pot,” which means “Ridge Path.” Follow it until you reach a fork with signs, then continue on “Slovenska pot” all the way back to the starting point of the tour.
Good to know
- Some sections are not secured with cable.
- The rock window appears small from below, but it is actually quite big, almost 100m in size.
- Times and vertical distances in the Summary section are for the tour without the Prisojnik summit.
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Video
Weather
Main sources
- outdooractive.com
- slotrips.si
- we climbed the route on August 29, 2017