Freiberg / Setice / Setitsche : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost

Overview

Freiberg/Setiče above Zell/Sele

Summit views

Freiberg / Setiče (also Austrians write the Slovenian name Setitsche) is a broad mountain massif west of Hochobir, in the northern chain of Karavanke / Karawanken. Even if it does not exceed 2000 meters, many summits in the area have also steep and rocky slopes. The views from the highest points are very nice, especially towards the south on Košuta range and further in the distance along the valley of Drau/Drava river. As I only once ascended the highest summit, I will give here only basic information. If someboy wants admin rights, please let me know to grant them.

A Bit of Geography

Freiberg / Setiče rises on the southern end of the mountaineous area which stretches between Freibach valley on the east and Waidischbach / Bajdiški potok valley on the south-west. The northern border of the area is Drau/Drava river valley. Around the southern side the road goes, connecting Ferlach/Borovlje and Eisenkappel / Železna Kapla. In Zell/Sele towards the north the road through Freibach valley deters.

The higher mountains in the area form three smaller groups. Freiberg / Setiče is stretching from Wrata/Vrata saddle on the west to Freibach valley on the east. North of it a long ridge goes from the double summit of Jauernik/Javornik, 1690 m, on the W-SW to Schwarzer Gupf / Črni vrh, 1685 m, on the E-NE. And finally NW of Jauernik/Javornik there is tge summit of Matzen/Macna, 1627 m. Between these three parts of the massif there are two saddles, which can be crossed by quite good paths: Wrata/Vrata, 1376 m, and Hansenruhe/Koce, 1356 m.

Freiberg / Setiče itself has a quite steep, partly also rocky southern slope and a forrested northern slope, descending into Suchagraben / Hudi rov (Klešče). In the eastern ridge, there is a bump called Terklturm / Kriva peč, 1798 m, which further to the east lowers on Baerengrube / Medvedja raven. North of the summit, at the end of Suchagraben, there is an alpine meadow, called Raunigalm / Ravenska planina, 1265 m, over which one of the ascents on top goes.

Getting There

Zell-Pfarre / Sele pri cerkvi

You can start hiking into the massif og Freiberg / Setiče from almost all sides. For the highest summit, the most important trailheads are:

1. Zell-Pfarre / Sele - Pri cerkvi. Here the shortest and most used (and beautiful) approach starts.
2. Waidisch/Bajdiše or the point on the road 2.5 km SE of the village, where the mountain road goes up to the ex Vabucnik farm.
3. Terkl/Trkelj inn in Zell/Sele.
4. Homoelisch/Hmeliše, near the southern shore of the lake.

All these points are either on the road Ferlach - Eisenkappel, into the valley of Freibach, you can drive also from the north, from the valley of Drau/Drava river (Wildenstein).

Routes Overview

The path from Zell/Sele gains the main ridge by this small hut

SW views

Summit plateau

On the summit ridge

From Zell-Pfarre / Sele - Pri cerkvi. From the bus station, 948 m, (inscriptions nearby) we go by the marked path No. 603 towards the north. The path soon starts turning towards the NE, then even towards the east and in one hour we reach Užnikkreuz (cross) on Hundsruecken, 1300 m. Here the paths are branching. The left marked path goes across the western slopes on Wrata/Vrata saddle (or before the saddle down to Vabucnik), our path continues in the NE direction by the ridge up. Soon we reach the hunters hut on 1406 m (Nikolaushuette). From the meadow by the hut we have a nice view on Košuta range. By the hut paths branch again (towards the right an unmarked hunters path goes), but we simply keep to the marked path which goes left. Then a steeper part of ascent starts. In several turns the path goes up, but on a few places it also crosses steep western slopes of the mountain. The path gains the summit grassy ridge on some 1700 m. It is almost a plateau-like ridge, on which we turn right and comfortably ascend the highest point. Except a few steep parts the path is not difficult (by the Swiss hiking scale T2), 3 hours altogether for the ascent.

From Waidisch/Bajdiše. From this village the marked path goes up towards the NE on Hansenruhe/Koce saddle. But that is a longer option, because in the continuation we must cross the summit slope of Jauernik, descend to Wrata and from there continue on top. A shorter route starts some 2.5 km SE of the village, 661 m, by the bus station where a mountain road starts up towards the ex Vabucnik farm, 940 m. From there, you can continue towards the E-SE and reach Užnikkreuz (then on top as described above), or continue on Wrata and from there right on top. Altogether 4 h.

From Terkl. By this inn an unmarked approach goes on the east ridge of the mountain. We go first some 5 minutes by the road towards the west, then by a mountain road up towards the north. Above, the path is poor and brings us on Baerengrube / Medvedja raven, where we turn left and continue by the panoramic east ridge on top. 3 hours, less recommendable.

Through Suchagraben. We enter this valley by the southern shore of Freibach lake. The mountain road is closed for public traffic and ultimately brings us to Raunigalm (alpine meadow). From there by not steep slopes towards the south (meadows) on the main ridge and left by it on top. This is also a possible ski tour. 4 h to 4 h 30 min.

Other approaches on Freiberg / Setiče are longer. But also other summits of the group can be rewarding goals of a hike. Jauernik is also very panoramic and can be reached either from the west, east or north (and also from the south through Vabucnik valley). Very interesting is also the protected path from Užnikkreuz across the western slopes of Freiberg.

Matzen/Macna is a bit lower, but also harder mountain. The northern and the southern ridge are marked hikes, but require some experience (the northern route is less demanding). Otherwise the mountain is known by the chapel of St. Anna, 1536 m, which every year host crowds of visitors, coming on pilgrimage (on July 26th). On the eastern slope of Matzen/Macna, on the altitude of some 1100 m, there is a so-called Eiskeller (Eisloch, Ledenica), a cave which is through a whole year filled with ice. How deep the ice is, can be seen by the 7 meters deep fountain. The summit, the chapel and the cave can be easiest reached from Hintergupf/Zavrh hamlet, where in the famous Kroschlhof/Krošel inn we can also sleep.

Huts & Camping

Welcome!

In the whole massif there are no official mountain huts, but all around there are a few old-time inns with rich heritage, like Terkl/Trkelj, Kroschlhof/Krošel, and others.

Red Tape

No limitations.

When to Ascend?

Freiberg / Setiče can be ascended any time of a season. For the route from Zell-Pfarre dry season is recommended. The path is steep enough that in snow it can become dangerous. The northern approach is also suitable for skiing.

Zell/Sele and Freiberg/Setiče at dusk

Images



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