Kopica : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost

What's New On This Page?

March, 28th, 2005 - Initial set up of the page.

Overview

Kopica is standing like a huge nugget on the long mountain crest above the Valley of Triglav Lakes. Its shape is so characteristic, that it is recognisable from all sides. Its compact SE wall is falling down on the ridge, which runs towards Ticarica and also down towards the Valley of Triglav Lakes. I heard that locals did one or two hard climbs there, but I have no detailed information about them. For the majority of mountaineers Kopica is so a hiking mountain. The marked path, which crosses the whole ridge, ascends very high below its summit, so it is visited by people, who are hiking up or down the valley Za Kopico (=Behind Kopica).

The view from the summit is specific and nice. The most attractive is to look down on blue eyes of Triglav lakes. Beyond the valley a vast Komna plateau stretches and from the summit of Zelnarica you can see all mountain chains above it: The Lower Bohinj Chain, Veliko Spicje chain and in distance the Krn group. Towards the other side the view is a bit obscured with other, a little higher mountains of the Bohinj group: Vogli, Debeli vrh, Vrsaki.

Routes Overview

A self-made map of Kopica and its routes

For a broader overview see the Bohinj Group page!
How to reach Koca (hut) pri Triglavskih jezerih and Prehodavci (hut) see the 7 Triglav Lakes Valley route on the Triglav page - sections 1 and 2!
How to reach the Planina Jezero (hut) see the Bohinj Group page, section Camping & Huts!

1. From the upper part of the Valley of Triglav Lakes. Either ascending by the valley, coming from Prehodavci hut or descending from Hribarice we must reach the crossroad on half of the slope towards Hribarice. There we turn southwards, cross the slope below Vrsaki, ascend to Vrata, 2192m (the saddle between Zelnarica and Zadnji Vogel) and from there either go over both peaks of Zelnarice or continue by the valley and ascend the summit later. From the Koca pri Triglavskih jezerih (hut) some 3h 30min, from Zasavska koca na Prehodavcih 2h 30min. The path is marked, but on several parts steep and unpleasant (screes).

2. Through Za Kopico valley. This valley, running parallelly with the Valley of Triglav Lakes is very different from the latter. It is dry, no water source can be found there and on both sides the slopes are only moderately steep. Below, it begins on Dedno polje alpine meadow, 1560m. This nice pasture can be reached from many sides. There four paths are crossing: from the west comes the path from Ovcarija pasture (and from the valley of Triglav Lakes), from the south comes the path from Planina Jezero (there's a mountain hut), from the east comes the path from Planina Laz and towards north goes a path into Za Kopica valley. So, from Dedno polje we first ascend over a steeper lower part of the valley, until we pass Kovaciceva glava and reach a small basin between Ticarice and Vogli. We continue towards NW, pass the flat part and start ascending moderately again. The valley gets the northern direction and becomes more and more narrow. Here we turn left (no path) and over a rugged terrain (but no difficulties) ascend towards the summit of Kopica. Soon we hit the upper path and go by it to the summit. From Planina Jezero hut 2h 15min, from the parking place at the end of the Suha road 3h 30min, from Bohinj valley (Stara Fuzina) some 6h+. This is also a nice ski tour. Only the summit slope is quite steep and requires a careful ascent/descent when snow is hard or slopes are icy.

As an interesting combination, see also the Tour around Za Kopico valley.

3. From Koca (hut) pri Triglavskih jezerih. If you are in the Valley of Triglav Lakes, you can ascend Kopica also from south. From the hut go up the scree (towards E) to Stapce notch, 1851m, then proceed N towards the summit of Mala Ticarica, pass it on the E side and follow the marked path below Velika Ticarica to Kopica. From the hut 2h 30min. Easy, marked path, only before Stapce notch there is a short vertical wall to overcome (pegs, steel ropes).

Getting There

For a broader overview see the Bohinj Group page and the Julian Alps page!

On the map left you can see that all roads end in the Bohinj valley. The mountaineering trail for the Valley of Triglav Lakes starts at Savica, 653m, the trail for Planina Jezero starts in Suha valley, 1150m or below in Voje, cca 700m.

Red Tape

Kopica stands in the Triglav National Parc. So, please do everything to preserve nature!

Almost all parking places around Bohinj lake need to be paid. Also the road through Suha valley needs to be paid.

When To Climb

Kopica can be ascended in almost all seasons. Only in hard winter condition the ascent is not recommended. So, in snow-free times the best months are June to October in times of tour skiing March to May.

For weather see here. Even better site is wunderground - here's the direct link to Kredarica station, 2515m (below Triglav summit).