Razor (2,601 m a.s.l.) is one of the highest peaks in the Julian Alps, the highest mountain range in Slovenia. It is accessible via an interesting hiking trail that runs through limestone rocks and is secured with a ferrata on the more demanding sections. One of the starting points for trips to Razor is the popular Vršič pass (1,611 m a.s.l.), which can be reached by car via an asphalt road. An alternative is trekking from the south – from the Pogačnik hut on Kriški podi, located at an altitude of approximately 2,050 m a.s.l. In this post, we will cover the first of these options.
Table of Contents
- Approach from Škrbina v Zadnjem Prisojniku
- Through loose scree and gravel
- Approach from Planja pass
- Razor – the summit
- Razor – descent
- From Na Robu to the Vršič pass
- Trip Map
Approach from Škrbina v Zadnjem Prisojniku
It is 2:30 PM, and we are at the Škrbina v Zadnjem Prisojniku pass at an altitude of 1,987 m a.s.l. We have already summited the nearby Prisojnik (2,547 m a.s.l.) via the Kopiščarjeva pot ferrata and descended to the pass via the Jubilejna pot. Our trip to Slovenia this year was designed to be short but very intense. Although the sun is scorching mercilessly today, we make the decision at the pass for an afternoon ascent of another prominent peak – the nearby Razor. Adventure awaits!
400 meters after leaving the pass, Jubilejna pot joins the Slovenian Mountain Trail (Slovenska planinska pot). We are now walking on the most important long-distance trail in Slovenia, which stretches for nearly 600 kilometers in total. The change of trail does not involve any differences in marking. All routes in Slovenia are marked exactly the same way – with a red circle with a smaller white circle in the middle.
After joining the Slovenian Mountain Trail, the approach becomes much more intense. The problem here is not so much the slope as the loose, stony ground. Gaining altitude is therefore laborious, and despite maintaining focus, you occasionally slide on the scree slope. In crucial moments, the approach is secured with an iron ferrata. As a consolation, a beautiful view of the impressive Prisojnik massif, which we explored in the first part of today’s trek, opens up behind us.
Through loose scree and gravel
We climb the scree approach to an altitude of 2,140 m a.s.l., only to find – what an unpleasant surprise! – we have to descend again. We lose about 60 meters of altitude before making a sharp 90-degree left turn and starting the ascent again – of course, on a steep, stony slope. This section is quite demanding: the incline is significant, the ground is loose throughout, and no artificial aids have been installed here. At this stage, we meet a group of slightly frightened Italians shouting “difficulto” to each other! We manage much better, but it must be admitted – steps must be taken carefully, and the incline is steep enough that hands are needed in some places.
A kilometer after leaving the pass, we reach an altitude of 2,200 m a.s.l. The trail remains stony but is clearly gentler. Following the path that rises in sharp zigzags, we gain another 150 meters of elevation over a distance of 300 meters. At approximately 2,350 m a.s.l., our route flattens out significantly. For half a kilometer, we traverse the western slope of Razor. Our target looms on our left, appearing as a massive and raw peak from this perspective. To the right, a charming panorama opens up towards the east with the impressive Triglav in the background.
Approach from Planja pass
At 3:20 PM, we check in at the Planja pass (2,352 m a.s.l.), located between Razor and Planja mountain (2,449 m a.s.l.). The Slovenian Mountain Trail continues towards the Pogačnikov dom hut on Kriški podi. We, however, turn left here, beginning the direct ascent to the summit. We still have 250 meters of elevation gain to cover over a distance of 600 meters. The first stage of the approach follows a comfortable path that zigzags up the slope. At an altitude of 2,435 m a.s.l., we encounter a small cave – Kriški podi 30.
The second stage of the approach is much less pleasant and leads through loose, inhospitable terrain. After several minutes of sliding on tedious pebbles, we reach the summit parts of Razor. A section of short but quite intense climbing up a vertical wall awaits us here. The trail is secured at this point with numerous staples and an iron ferrata. The climbing stage of the approach to Razor takes us about 15 minutes, but given the intensity of today, it costs a lot of energy. I reach the summit satisfied but also incredibly exhausted.
Razor – the summit
We reach the summit of Razor at around 3:50 PM, less than an hour and a half after leaving the Škrbina v Zadnjem Prisojniku pass. With great satisfaction, I sit on a stone and absorb the panorama stretching in every direction. The most impressive are the two highest mountains in Slovenia – Triglav (2,864 m a.s.l.) to the southeast and Škrlatica (2,740 m a.s.l.) to the northeast. The Prisojnik massif (2,547 m a.s.l.), explored in the first part of today’s trek, also looks beautiful from here.
Razor – descent
After about fifteen minutes of rest, we pack up and return the way we came. We cover the secured climbing section and the unpleasant, brittle descent to the Planja pass. From there, we continue the trip along the familiar variant. We check in again at the junction of the Slovenian Mountain Trail and Jubilejna pot around 5:30 PM. This means that due to the difficult, brittle terrain and progressive fatigue, the descent from Razor took us roughly the same amount of time as the ascent.
At this point, I start to feel more seriously the consequences of a cardinal mistake I made at the beginning of today. It’s nothing to be proud of, but I’ll write about it – maybe someone will be wiser than I was :D. In the morning, while approaching the hut on the Vršič pass, I lost a large bottle of isotonic drink. Since there was no drinking water in the hut tap, I assumed I would replenish fluids during the trek, “somewhere on the route.” Well, I won’t. The Julian Alps turned out to be beautiful mountains, but scorched to a crisp. As a result, even though Martyna selflessly gives me some of her supplies, I become severely dehydrated. Ah, what a rookie mistake!
Because of this, the next kilometers are exceptionally hard for me. We continue along the Slovenian Mountain Trail, starting the descent through the upper parts of the Mlinarica stream valley. We spend the first half kilometer after the trail junction on a stony, slightly loose path, where we lose 200 meters of elevation. Then, the trail hits the northern slope of the Prisojnik massif and sticks to it for the next 2.5 kilometers. The path now runs among patches of dwarf pine, partially entering rocks secured with staples. The greenery is intense here, giving the surroundings an exceptionally idyllic character. The path is very comfortable, so we even try to run some sections. Unfortunately, my current state does not allow me to maintain an increased speed for very long.
From Na Robu to the Vršič pass
Traversing the slope, we descend to an altitude of approx. 1,650 m a.s.l., only to… ascend again (and quite a bit, unfortunately!). The path leads us to the Na Robu junction, located at an altitude of approx. 1,820 m a.s.l. At this point, the Slovenska pot, which is the most popular descent variant from Prisojnik, joins our chosen route. I won’t lie – although the approach is not very steep, I subjectively perceive it as very demanding. Dehydration has hit me to the point where I am literally dragging my feet, and at one point I even sit on the grass from lack of strength. It’s hard to describe this feeling – as if I had aged about 50 years in a few hours.
The section from Na Robu to the hut on the Vršič pass is two kilometers of gentle trekking along the western slopes of Vrh Kraj sten (2,314 m a.s.l.; part of the Prisojnik massif). While covering this part, an impressive view of the neighboring Velka Mojstrovka massif (2,369 m a.s.l.) opens on the left. We reach the hut around 7:30 PM. Exhausted, we sit at a wooden table and order a deserved non-alcoholic beer of the local Laško brand. John Farnham’s song “You’re the Voice” is playing quietly from the speaker, which, heard in such circumstances, almost automatically becomes the anthem of our entire trip.
We reach the car at 8:40 PM. The combined expedition to Prisojnik and Razor proved to be one of the most demanding treks in our mountain career. Despite fatigue and dehydration, we primarily feel satisfaction. After all, nothing is as pleasing as achieving ambitious goals! And what about tomorrow? Tomorrow we will be tackling the famous Triglav, the highest peak in Slovenia and the entire Julian Alps.
Trip date: August 11, 2024
Trip statistics: 14 km, 1,010 meters of elevation difference [part of a longer trip with total statistics: 24 km, 2,470 meters of elevation difference]
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