Gozd Martuljek: Waterfalls, Trails and Hotels in Slovenia

Gozd Martuljek is closely connected with water: the Martuljek stream flows over steep slopes and rock faces, forming waterfalls, cascades and rapids. The Martuljek Waterfalls lie above the Gozd Martuljek valley; their area became part of Triglav National Park in 1981.

Nature

The two large waterfalls showcase different forms of the landscape. The upper Martuljek Waterfall plunges in three stages over a 110 m-high rock face. The lower Martuljek Waterfall drops over a 50 m-high wall into the 400 m-long, narrow Martuljek Gorge, which was formed from limestone. The Martuljek mountain range has several marked forest trails for hikers. The Karavanke Hiking Trail also passes through Gozd Martuljek and continues along the lower slopes of the Karawanks; the Martuljek Group can be seen from a viewpoint.

On the Way

Several trails provide access to the surrounding area. The Rutarška Trail runs from the Keklov Bridge to the Srenški Bridge. Its features include exercise stations, a book box, viewing aids for the Martuljek Group and several benches. The trail is 1.5 km long and can be walked in 20 minutes. It also runs along the Sava Dolinka between Gozd Martuljek and Kranjska Gora.

The approximately one-kilometre-long Rute Forest Educational Trail is a loop suitable for all generations. It follows the Martuljek stream towards the first Martuljek Waterfall and provides information about the forest as well as old stories of Ledenec and Srebrnokrilec. The Path over Stone begins in the upper part of Gozd Martuljek near the Kekelj Bridge; an information centre for visitors is located there.

Secured climbing routes have their own seasonal and sporting details. The Hvadnik Via Ferrata is a climbing route through a wild gorge in Gozd Martuljek. It is half a kilometre long and reaches an elevation of 250 m above sea level. The secured Hvadnik Via Ferrata is closed from 31 October to 1 April. The secured Jerm’n Via Ferrata is closed during the same period, from 31 April. It has a difficulty level of approximately D throughout, and even E in some sections.

Cycling

Gozd Martuljek is also connected to several cycling routes. The 34 km-long Mojstrana–Korensko sedlo stage of the Trans-Karavanke Cycling Route passes through Gozd Martuljek. The Kranjska Gora 03 cycling tour crosses the Sava Dolinka in Gozd Martuljek via a bicycle bridge. Another loop is called Kranjska Gora–Gozd Martuljek–Srednji Vrh–Gozd Martuljek–Mojstrana–Gozd Martuljek–Kranjska Gora and passes through Gozd Martuljek.

Culture

The name Rute refers to the history of the place. Rute is an earlier name for Gozd Martuljek, which locals still use today as a reminder of the past. Near the Kekljev Bridge, information boards about the Heritage of Rute explain how Gozd Martuljek developed and what customs and traditions existed there. The content about the Heritage of Rute is intended to preserve the local heritage and memories and share them with locals and visitors.

Charcoal burning is also part of the valley’s history: it has a centuries-old tradition there, dating back to the time of ironworking. The Triangel Restaurant offers a culinary connection to traditional recipes. There, forgotten traditional recipes such as pear-filled dumplings, Krapi, are reinterpreted with a sauce.

Local

A local market with homemade specialities and handicrafts, as well as products from local providers, is being established in Gozd Martuljek. Fresh vegetables, goat’s milk products and homemade jams are listed for this emerging local market.

More destinations in the catalogue: Kranjska Gora, Mojstrana, Planina pod Golico, Rodine, Zgornja Radovna, Hrušica, Jesenice, Breznica.

To the overarching travel overview: Jesenice.