This tour takes you up the famous Bamberger Route, a legendary via ferrata along the western ridge of Triglav’s northern wall. The ascent is demanding and requires excellent mountaineering skills and technical knowledge. With the right equipment and our expert guide, your Triglav ferrata tour is also the most fun you’ll have in the Julian Alps. The only way is up!
The Bamberger Route via Plemenice, a plateau on the edge of the northern wall, is the crème de la crème of via ferrata routes this side of the Alps. The marked trail was secured and put into use back in 1913 by members of the Carniolan section of the German-Austrian Mountaineering Association. It was named after one of the founders and the first president of the Carniolan section, Ottmar “Otto” Bamberg. This Triglav via ferrata route is considered the most difficult Triglav ascent, not only due to its rough features, but also because there is no mountain hut to stop off at on the way, meaning the ascent has to be done in a single push.
We start our ascent from Vrata Valley, from where we first climb to Luknja. The latter may translate to “hole”, but it’s just the opposite. In fact, Luknja resides at an elevation of 1758 m. Continuing along the ridge between Vrata and Trenta, we can feel the terrain acquiring its wild high-alpine character. This is where things get interesting.
The trail soon turns into an extremely steep via ferrata – probably the best in the country. As the path is perfectly secured, the ascent along it with the use of the right equipment is completely safe. But make no mistake, this path is an adrenaline-fueled climb, which allows no room for vertigo. The trail then ascends up the spectacular western edge of the northern Triglav wall, known among alpinists simply as The Wall. Magnificent views open up, reminding us of the sheer magnitude of this natural phenomenon.
Gradually nudging towards the top, we will also have the pleasure of witnessing one of the most spellbinding scenes the Slovenian mountains have to offer: a close-up view of the Sphinx – the steepest monolith, home to the most demanding mountaineering routes in our mountains. The route then leads us to Plemenice, a grassy plateau at the top of the Wall, from where we turn around towards the south and eventually reach Triglav’s summit. The descent will take us to the cosy Planika Lodge, where we will spend the night and recuperate. The next day, we will head back to our starting point in Vrata Valley, but along a much easier path. After all, the Bamberger Route demands a somewhat smoother finish. But fear not, the return journey will certainly be more than memorable!
NOTE: It can be busy up there in the summer. To ensure your spot in the lodge, we recommend booking the tour several weeks in advance, especially for the weekends. For last-minute bookings, we can not guarantee a free spot in the lodge, but we will try our best or find the most suitable alternative for you.