The Kamnik Saddle (Kamniško sedlo), one of Slovenia’s most breathtaking mountain passes, is the contact point of a difficult trail that received the most votes from hikers in this year's Best Hiking Trail competition. The trail between Mounts Brana and Planjava is expected to be renovated by the end of this August. With Zavarovalnica Triglav's support, seven trailblazers of the Kamnik Alpine Club, some of whom are also members of the trailblazing team of the Slovenian Alpine Association (PZS), will freshen up the markings along the entire trail and replace the wire ropes on exposed sections.
This has been the sixth year in a row that Zavarovalnica Triglav and the PZS have held the Best Hiking Trail competition, which is part of the Let's Clean Up Our Mountains campaign, to encourage mountain lovers to vote for the best Slovenian mountain trails in need of repair. In addition to the winning trail, five other (mostly difficult or very difficult) trails were shortlisted this year. Because all of them are damaged and in need of maintenance, hikers are advised not to use them until they are fully repaired.
The 2023 Best Hiking Trail will be repaired by seven trailblazers
“Mounts Brana and Planjava are the mountains closest to the Kamnik Saddle Lodge, which means they are very popular. So renovation is extremely important for those of us who make sure the trail is clearly marked and safe, as well as for the hikers using it. We'll inspect the trail and inventory the material and works required when it's free of snow. Then we'll prepare the material and start repairing this difficult trail, which runs at an elevation of nearly 4,000 metres," commented Zdravko Bodlaj, head of the Alpine trail section at the Kamnik Alpine Club, after the winner had been announced. The Alpine Club, which maintains the 2023 Best Hiking Trail, expects that it will take three days for the seven trailblazers to renovate the route. The club will be in charge of the technical part of the renovation, which will include replacing the wire ropes on the western part of Mount Planjava and on the ridge leading to Mount Brana, and freshening up the signs along the entire trail. If the weather is favourable, renovation will be completed by the end of the summer school holidays.
The Best Hiking Trail competition as a tribute to trailblazers' efforts
Slovenia’s trailblazers, who are committed to keeping the country’s mountain trails safe and properly marked, are the main reason why Zavarovalnica Triglav and the PZS has now held the Best Hiking Trail competition for six consecutive years. "The Best Hiking Trail campaign is actually a tribute to the nearly 1,000 trailblazers who make sure that over 10,000 km of trails stay safe and secure for hikers, keeping accidents to a minimum. Every summer, for the past six years, we've shared their joy and excitement when one of their teams receives our funds for renovating the trail selected by Slovenian mountain lovers. And what we find especially exciting is the fact that in recent years new volunteers, including many young people, have been training to perform this extremely hard, but very noble and brave work, thanks to whom our mountain trails will remain safe and properly marked long into the future," said Ana Cergolj Kebler, head of the Let's Clean Up Our Mountains campaign at Zavarovalnica Triglav, after symbolically handing over a piton to the Kamnik Alpine Club, which is responsible for maintaining the 2023 Best Hiking Trail.
