Stories of the mountain can be quite brutal. Without a doubt, giants deserve some serious respect. Even the not too demanding 3,5h hike on the old Vrsic Trespass. That stays true if you took a drive to the Tonka house from Kranjska Gora.
Nature has different ways to surprise; don’t underestimate the 620m climb. However, worry more about the mountain bikers and less about the “eat your knees” situations. You can find that kind of steep climb not too far from the Old Vrsic Path. Here at the Old Vrsic pass, the focus is on the glorious mountain forest that gives pleasant shade.
About the Hiking Trail
Whining path surprises in its own way. One of which is the famous Heathen Maiden image in the stone. Mossy carpet surely is a privilege to whiteness, especially because of the big rock. Most likely, the rock is responsible for such a dreamy picnic place. However, don’t step all over. Please show some affection and leave nothing behind!
Why not walk the hike in silence and mind your mental chatter? That is certainly easier than running to the top of Vrsic. This was exactly the case for this local guy. He facetimed his grandparents, and that sure was a sweet moment. If you keep your eyes open, you might even see the Fox and Prisank window along the way as well.
Heathen Maiden Legend
The girl, whose face can be seen in a rock, is a nymph with a kind heart. She shared a home with her sisters, other Heathen girls, right under the Prisank mountain with a stunning backyard.
She was particularly known for her kindness to travelers. Whenever someone in need happened to pass by, she was there to help. Besides some fortune-telling, she also helped with the passage across the Vrsic Mountain. But because of one loudly expressed vision, she turned into a rock on her way back home. It was about a newborn shooting the sacred animal, the Goldenhorn chamois. When other nymphs heard about the prophecy, they cursed her. And now there she is, stuck in a rock.
The first Step
Now let’s focus on the first step. Which takes you off the main Vrsic road and continues past Tonka’s Hut. A whimsical place for a night or two with necessary prior arrangements. Then continue on the medieval trading route to the top towards Vrsic and take a look around. Connect to the eagle inside you and enjoy the grand picture. During the season, you can also enjoy a refreshment at the Postal Home Hut at 1725m. It is just a short walk away from the Vrsic mountain peak.
See Where You Are
Then also make sure to check other landmarks nearby, like the emerald green source of the Soca River. Visit the Russian Chapel and honour fallen Russian prisoners of World War I., who built today’s Vrsic Pass. This modern road should really be called the Russian Pass Vrsic.
Along the way, you can find some Mountain huts where you can take a rest. Why not enjoy some time at Juliana Alpine Botanical Garden? The very same garden that Julius Kugy, a man of many talents, helped come true in 1926 is open from May to October.
"The enchanted gardens of the goddesses of fate have disappeared long ago. The dark story about the Goldhorn tells us how it happened. But here, a new magical garden has emerged, in the middle of the bright present."
Julius Kugy, from his book “Days Past”
