Overview
The central position, the pyramidal SW aspect, the elegant ridges, the severe N wall with still a bit of a glacier - all this contributes to the fame and magic of Skuta (2532m), one of the three 2500ers in the range.
Skuta has two sides, the N side above the Ledine glacial terrace, and the S side above the Kamniska Bistrica valley.
The N and NE faces reach the Ledine plateau with a 500m drop above a disappearing glacier.
The south side of Skuta is divided in two parts: to the east, the karstic grounds Mali Podi below the Skuta SE wall, and to the west the karstic grounds Veliki Podi below the Skuta S wall. What separates these grounds is a prominent ridge leaving the summit southeastwards, elegantly twisting until it finally drops to Konec (Kamniska Bistrica).
The ridge which leaves the summit westwards becomes Struca (the loaf) and further Dolgi Hrbet. The length of this ridge is more obvious as we know that Dolgi Hrbet means: the long back.
The E ridge (the famous Rinka-Skuta Ridge) very slenderly reaches Kranjska Rinka.
Getting There A bird flies ten miles from LJU to Skuta.
The vicinity of an airport is of course an advantage (also when mountain rescue is involved).
Logistics:
Youth hostels, campings, public transports (including airports), gear stores and so on are available in Ljubljana (Slovenia) and in Klagenfurt (Austria).
Trailheads:
The Kokra Traihead, the Jezersko Trailhead, and the Vellach Trailhead are along the 210 road from Kranj continuing to the 82 road towards Voelkermarkt. Bus Info, search: Ljubljana to Jezersko.
See this page by SPer flow for info regarding the Vellach Trailhead.
The Kamniska Bistrica trailhead (and hut) is at the upper end of the Kamniska Bistrica valley (get off the 225 road at Stahovica). Bus info, search: Ljubljana to Kamniska Bistrica.
The Logarska Dolina Trailhead, is at the upper end of the Savinja valley (road 428 to Solcava). Bus info, search: Celje to Solcava.
Mountain paths connect each of the mentioned trailheads to mountain huts. This hut access map might help. Throughout Slovenia the marked-and-secured-mountain-paths are categorized in: mountain path (planinska pot), demanding mountain path (zahtevna planinska pot), very demanding mountain path (zelo zahtevna planinska pot).
Huts:
Summer or early autumn mountain hikes heading for the summit along the W ridge start from the Cojzova Hut or from the Ceska Hut.
If we choose to summit from the E, we may start at the Kamnik saddle Hut and then cross Turska gora to the Mali Podi grounds below Skuta SE. The Okreselj Hut start and the Turski Zleb route also lead to the summit via the Mali Podi grounds.
The unmarked South scrambles crossing Gamsov skret or Zmavcarji start from the Kamniska Bistrica trailhead.
Skiers will favour the Kranjska Koca na Ledinah hut, or the Zmavcarji slopes.
Alpine climbers will mostly approach Skuta S (as well as other walls below it) by starting at the Kamniska Bistrica trailhead, crossing Gamsov skret or Zmavcarji, but maybe also descend towards the Cojzova hut. There are two bivouacs on the S side: Kemperl below Grintovec E, and Mali Podi below Skuta SE, which tends to promote winter ascents.
The NE and N walls rise above the Ledine hut.
Maps:
Grintovci 1:25000
Kamnisko-Savinjske Alpe 1:50000
Steiner Alpen 1:50000
Steiner Alpen 1:50000Red TapeUnless expressly signalized (barrier, signpost), and upon your own responsibility, macadamized roads are allowed and visible on maps (these roads are mainly maintained for lumbering and hut cargo cable-way station access purposes).
Fishing and hunting are regulated.
Wild camping and open fires are not allowed.
The Kamnik-Savinja Alps are part of the Natura 2000 program.
The Logar valley (Logarska dolina) is a Landscape Parc and there is a fee for the road along the upper part of the valley, in the summer months during the daytime.
CampingLjubljana
Kamnik
Trzic
Voelkermarkt
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