The name Špik is pronounced 'shpik' and is in Slovenian language written with a caron above s.

As a mountain group Martuljek is certainly the most beautiful one in Julian Alps. Exhibited just above the main valley of Sava river it represents an ideal of a mountain harmony.

Peaks in Martuljek group are very wild. Julian Alps are for decades almost entirely explored and on many peaks marked paths lead. But not in Martuljek. Although being the closest to renown tourist resorts, among high peaks only on Špik a marked path leads (and on Škrlatica and Dolkova Špica, which are not in a narrow Martuljek group).

Špik itself is the ideal of a sharp pyramid peak. Although not the highest in the group it attracts all views. Its 1000 meters high north wall seems unclimbable. But, as usually in the Julian Alps, southern face is not so remarkable. This is where the route climbs up comfortably, only the last part is rocky and steep.

Being so prominent in Spik north wall an important episode of rock climbing history took place. In 1926 the Direct Route (even now a solid UIAA 5th degree) was climbed by a young lady Mira Marko Debelak and her climbing partner Stanko Tominšek - an act which echoed loudly in the alpine world - it resulted in the proclaiming of Mira Marko Debelak as the first woman overall to be a member of the prestige Great Britain Alpine Club.

Summit Panorama

360� panorama Špik - (Thank you, Gangolf!)

Summit View

Despite not being the highest summit in Martuljek group, Špik offers a very nice panorama. The view on Martuljek wilderness towards the east and south-east is stunning. Every single tower in the ridge from Rokav to Škrlatica can be seen. Škrlatica north face is just in front of us. Towards the south, across Krnica valley, two giants of Julian Alps are standing: Razor and Prisojnik. The view towards the west and the north is opened and we can distinguish many peaks of Julian Alps, Carnic Alps, Hohe Tauern and Nockberge. In a clear day also Dachstein can be seen.

Razor and Prisojnik

Špik silhouette

Martuljek summits

Getting There

Martuljek group - main summits, access roads and marked paths.

Travelling by the main valley of Sava River will bring you to Martuljek village. There, where the main road is crossing the river, is the most beautiful view on Martuljek group. Martuljek is also a trailhead for some marked (and non-marked) paths into Martuljek group from north. But they all end beneath high walls and only a few not so hard climbing passages are reserved for expert mountaineers. From north only a few peaks of Martuljek group can be reached by not climbing harder than UIAA 1st or 2nd degree.

Špik from the north

Špik from the west

To climb Špik by a marked path, you must drive in Sava valley to Kranjska Gora (a well known tourist resort) and there turn to Vršič Pass (towards south). After the Jasna lake, by a bridge over Pišica creek, a narrow road turns into Krnica valley. You can drive by this road to the parking place (near V Klinu meadow).

The first marked path ascends from the road to Krnica valley and reaches the peak of Špik in some 4 hours. The second path starts at Koča v Krnici (hut, 1218m) and is less steep, because it crosses the summit of Špik's south neighbour Lipnica (2418m). Both paths join just below the summit rocks and then climb jointly to the peak.

To climb Špik's north wall you depart from Martuljek village. Two marked paths lead towards south into Martuljek National Parc. The first one follows the picturesque creek, the other one goes above it. They join at the lower Martuljek Fall and only one path goes on towards the alpine meadow. But already after 10 minutes the path divides again. You turn right following the path to Bivouac under the Spik (Bivak pod Spikom, 1424m). The other path goes by the beautiful Upper Martuljek Fall and reaches the Bivouac No. III (Za Akom, 1340m), which is important for climbs in other Martuljek walls.

Maps:
Kranjska Gora. Community of Kranjska Gora - Tourist map. 1:30000
Julijske Alpe - Vzhodni del (Eastern part). Planinska zveza Slovenije. 1:50000.

Routes overview

A schematic map of Špik.

The upper cone from the south, from Lipnica

From west and south two marked paths ascend to the summit of Špik (see the map). They are both steep, on a few places secured with pegs, but not too hard.

Kačji graben route (west): It starts in Pišnica valley and climbs up a long gully up to summit rocks. Except the final, rocky part and a few rocky passages in the middle it can also be done with skis (a hard ski tour, rated as an alpinistic ski tour, III- degree).

Lipnica route (south): The path starts at Koča v Krnici (hut), goes up the dry creek of Gruntovnica, then over scree and around the needle of Gamsova špica, 1955, up the ridge (steel ropes) to the summit of Lipnica, 2418m, a bit down to the notch and by summit rocks to Špik.

North wall:

>Direktna smer (Direct route): V+, 900 m, 6 hours. The famous route climbed in 1926 by M. M. Debelak and S. Tominšek.

>Dibonova smer (Dibona route): IV, 900 m.

>Špikov graben in vzhodni greben (Špik gully and E ridge): III, 900 m.

Red Tape

No limitations.

When To Climb

The best months are in summer and autumn. In spring (if there is enough snow) you can do a hard skiing tour from just beneath the summit. In winter to climb Špik you need a complete winter climbing equipment, but the ascent is possible.

Weather: see here.

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

Camping

In Sava valley there are many huts and hotels. In Kranjska Gora, for example hotels: Lek, Larix, Kompas and many family hotels.
A few general facts for tourists and about camping you can find here.

The best option for a normal ascent is to sleep in Koča v Krnici (hut in Krnica valley, 1218 m).

Under the north wall of Špik there is a bivouac (1424 m). The keys are held by Mihaela Oman, Zg. Rute 24, 4282 Gozd-Martuljek, (04) 588-08-65 (Mountaineering Club Gozd Martuljek).

Images



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