Zgornje Jezersko: Hotels Between a Glacial Valley and Mountain Culture

Zgornje Jezersko lies at the bottom of a typical U-shaped glacial valley. Visitors can see erratic boulders and distinctive moraines there. Lake Planšar, also called Planšarsko jezero, is heart-shaped and was created in memory of the former glacial lake that gave Jezersko its name.

Nature

Other natural features include Ankova slapova: the upper waterfall is seven metres high and has a single drop, while the lower one has a broad, veil-like flow. Both waterfalls lie at an elevation of 1,240 metres. Jezerska slatina is a mineral water spring with a public collection point on the main road. Along property boundaries run the Jesenove meje, single-row ash avenues that are usually 400 to 500 metres long. Makekova tisa is a yew tree about 570 years old, associated with a local tradition of protection and a tradition involving Palm Sunday branches.

Planšarsko jezero can be reached via the signposted road towards the border crossing and is also accessible to visitors with reduced mobility. The Jezerska slatina collection point is likewise accessible to visitors with reduced mobility.

Trails

A short walk follows the Jezernica stream from the centre of Zgornje Jezersko to Planšar Lake. Another particularly scenic walk follows the trail in the Ravenska Kočna valley. Goli vrh lies above the Jezersko valley on the border with Austria. The viewpoint is steep but technically easy.

Slap v Ledenem grabnu waterfall can be reached via a signposted 0.5-kilometre access trail that ends at a prepared viewpoint. Ankova slapova can be reached via a marked footpath in about 35 minutes from the car park near Sv. Andrej, or in about one hour from the car parks in the village centre.

The marked approach to Češka koča leads behind Planšarsko jezero via the Ancel farmstead and takes approximately one and a half hours on foot from the car park. The hike to Schafsalzen includes a warm snack on the terrace of Češka koča.

Culture and History

Jenkova Kasarna is a building over 500 years old. It was originally built as accommodation for travelling merchants journeying between Carniola and Carinthia. Today, Jenkova Kasarna houses an ethnographic museum with collections of everyday objects and equipment, an exhibition on the history of mountaineering, and preserved inscriptions left by travellers in the 16th century.

Češka koča was officially opened on 26 July 1900 and stands beneath the northern walls of the Grintovci. Despite later renovations, it has preserved its original design. Šenkova domačija preserves the layout of a medieval, self-sufficient farming settlement, including most of the buildings once used there.

Stara cerkev sv. Ožbolta has 14th-century frescoes considered the oldest in Slovenia. The church can be reached via an asphalt road from the main crossroads at the Karničar farmstead. During restoration work at Cerkev sv. Andreja, 15th-century frescoes were discovered in 2010.

In Spodnje Jezersko stands Hubertova kapela, a hunting chapel built in the 18th century on a steep rock above the Kokra. It is dedicated to Saint Hubert, the patron saint of hunters. In the forests of Komatevra lies Partizanska bolnica Krtina, a forest hut used during the Second World War as a field hospital for wounded partisans. It was restored to its original condition in 1951 and preserves surviving medical equipment. A footpath with wooden steps reaches Partizanska bolnica Krtina after about ten minutes from the access road.

Ovčarski bal traditionally takes place every year on the second Sunday in August and is presented as Slovenia's oldest ethnographic event. It showcases customs associated with life on mountain pastures, the driving of sheep down into the valley, sheep-wool processing, and traditional dishes prepared over an open fire.

Activities

The Ravenska Kočna valley has 17 kilometres of carefully prepared cross-country ski trails suitable for all age groups and ability levels. Kolesarski park Jezersko is located near the family ski area in Park Jezersko and is intended for cyclists of all ability levels. Bike Park Jezersko also includes a 400-metre blue flow line for beginners.

Information Points

TIC Jezersko and Zgornje Jezersko offer guided tours, information about walks and hiking tours, bicycle and hiking-equipment rental, and maps.

Other destinations: Mlaka pri Kranju, Kranj, Kokra, Žabnica, Žerjavka, Šenčur, Stiška Vas, Cerklje Na Gorenjskem.

To the overview of the broader destination: Kranj.