Hajnževo sedlo & Zelenjak

Country: Slovenia
Region: Ljubelj
Length: 22,6 km
Elevation gain: 1816m
Maximum elevation:
  1920 m
Technical difficulty: 5/5
Download GPS Track: Hajnževo sedlo i zelenjak
Date of ride: 27.07.2024.
Suitable for E-bike: Yes

Our initial plan was to ride Kofce, but due to popularity of this trail, we decided to postpone our trip, and to go on the other side of the same mountain to somewhat more secluded place than Kofce. I got three gpx tracks which I combined into one track. Plan was to visit Hajnževo saddle, Zelenjak and to ride Bornov pot. Later we canceled the last one. These gpx files I got from Aleš, he is Slovenian mountain biker, and probably a guy who biked almost everything in Slovenia and he is always helpful when I have some questions (which is lately very often). This is his region, so he investigated these parts in detail. When I got those gpx files, I decided to put them all in one trip. We parked our car in a parking lot just before the tunnel and soon started our journey. First destination is Hajnževo sedlo (saddle). First part is on gravel road. About 3 km of steepest gravel road I ever rode. Almost all the time inclination is 20% and above. After reaching some sheperd’s house starts singletrail which lasts about 1 km, and leads directly to saddle. We end our ascent at the beginning of the ferrata, which leads to Veliki vrh (peak we intended to climb by bike, but from the other side).

Since we already passed trail uphill from sheperd’s house to saddle, we knew what to expect on descent. There was a few though parts, but mostly it was interesting trail. But later, after shepard’s house comes unknown part which goes through the forrest . This part was really god, full of switchbacks and roots. I was happy how I rode those switchbacks and I feel like I improved my skbill regarding pivoting during last years, only twice I had too put down my foot on the ground.

Later, after descent we went for another saddle, right under peak Zelenjak. Again we encountered on steep gravel roat, but this one was dissipated, which made it harder to ride, but doable with e bike. After about 4 km on steep gravel road we reached mountain hut “planinarski dom na Zelenici”. On the picture above, you can see how we charged our bikes, we planned to go on third ascent at this point. Food was really good. I ate here maybe the best beans that I ate in any mountain hut. From this hut starts our uphill on trail.

First part is not soo steep, and it is rideable with e-mtb, but after 1 km becomes soo steep that it is even difficult to push your bike with assistance that at one point we decided that it is easier to carry them on our backs. We had like 1,5 km of carrying and pushing our bikes. As I remember correctly, from hut to saddle under Zelenjak peak took us about 1,5 hours.

At one point Andrej decided that he have had enough and that he will not go to the saddle. I felt good so I kept walking to the saddle. Up there I had a nice view on Begunjščica. Very nice looking mountain, few years before I had a nice hiking day on this mountain.

After I took a rest a little bit i descended on sipper. At the begining it was rideable, but as i went further down, it become steeper, more scattered and almost all the time I,ve had one foot out, which gave me a feeling that i haven’t rode everything. I always have a problem when having one foot down, it gives me a feeling of unclean ride. On few occasions I walked because this kind of trail is not for taking a big risk. Later, after again reaching hut “Planinarski dom na Zelenici” trail becomes very interesting technical trail with though but rideable sections. Few times erosion from the rain intersected trail and ruined it, but it doesn’t affect our impression of the trail.
Note: If you ride this route without e-bike, if you are not in very very good condition you will probably walk with your bike almost whole ascent on gravel road (boath ascents) because they are pretty steep. We were on e-mtb so we had it easier on gravel road, but it was harder for us on upper paths, specially second ascent.

Map of route:

Elevation profile:

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