The name is pronounced Debela petch and means 'a fat crag'.

This nice and very popular mountain is the easternmost 2000m+ peak in Julian Alps. It is the last (or first) high peak in the long ridge, which stretches above the Krma valley in a SW-NE direction. Towards the north its slopes are steep and rocky. A part of this face is also a rocky wall, which offers some hard climbs in a solid rock. Towards the south its slopes are grassy, appropriate for easy hiking in summer and tour skiing in winter. These slopes are lowering to the high Pokljuka plateau.

In first place Debela pec is known as a first class panorama summit, which can be accessed from Pokljuka in some 2 hours. The most dominant figure in its panorama is of course Triglav, which is seen from east. The neighbouring Rjavina, also beyond deep Krma valley, adds very much to the panorama and wild Martuljek group behind it as well. Towards the west and south-west the rest of Triglav group can be seen. Towards the south and east almost a black forrest of Pokljuka determines the panorama. In distance Slovenian forehills and planes can be seen. And last, towards the east and north-east, beyond the Sava river valley the groups of Kamnik Alps and Karavanke are stretching.

Debela pec is also very often visited as a tour skiing mountain. From Pokljuka it offers some 800 meters of nice skiing slopes.

Thirdly its north face attracts also climbers. Routes are not very hard, but appropriate and beautiful enough to be popular.

In addition, although being easy to climb from the Pokljuka roads, Debela pec is also supported with a nice mountain hut on Lipanca (alpine meadow). The three huts there are a popular goal also for hikers who don't attempt to reach the summit of Debela pec.

Towards the E

North face

Towards the SW

The Ridge Towards South-West

Between the Veliki Draški vrh group and Debela pež on the main ridge above Krma valley there are several nice summits, all very appropriate for hiking and tour skiing. As they are not so important, for now I am describing them here. Each every one of them offers a nice panorama on Triglav group.

Brda, 2008m. An unimportant summit SW of Debela pež. The marked path goes just below it and in winter it is often accessed with skis.

Lipanski vrh, 1965m. A nice summit just above the Lipanca meadow. Its SW slope is ideal for skiing. The fore-summit it reaches, is called Mrežce. Marked path crosses these two summits too.

Debeli vrh, 1962m. A broad, grassy summit, also very appropriate for tour skiing.

Veliki Selišnik, 1952m. This summit is seldom ascended, because it is remote from the main ridge. Also the marked path goes north of it through the broad Solnice valley, which finishes high below Mali Draški vrh and is again very popular as a ski tour. Just before Mali Draski vrh lies Kota 1979m (point 1979m). It is more an edge above Krma valley, but offers a nice view on Mali Draski vrh and a ski tour towards NE (Solnice) and SW.

From Mrežce slopes

Below Debeli vrh

Selišnik and Mali Dra�ki vrh

Getting There and Routes Overview

A self-made map of the area

1. From Lipanca meadow. The easiest way to climb Debela pec is from the south-west. You start at the end of a forest road on Pokljuka, go up to Lipanca alpine meadow and continue by a marked path towards NE. From the road you need less than 2 hours.

2. From Krma valley. The other possibility is a marked path from Krma valley. From Kovinarska koča (hut) you proceed by the valley and after less than 2 km you find a marked path turning towards the south and south-east. The path uses beautiful passages and brings you over steep slopes above Krma valley to Lipanska vrata (saddle), 1898m on the main ridge, from where you proceed towards the NE to the summit. The 1150 meters can be ascended in some 3 hours.

Kovinarska koča (hut) is also a starting point for climbing tours.

You can find Information for the broader area on Julian Alps page.

Maps:
Julijske Alpe - Vzhodni del (Eastern part). Planinska zveza Slovenije. 1:50000.

Pokljuka forrests

Javornik meadow

On the main ridge

Climbing routes list

besides the two normal, hiking routes (both marked) in Debela pec north face there are a few climbing routes. According to Borut Kantušer the Jesih-Potočnik topo below was photocopied from the book: Slovenske Stene (Slovenian Walls) by Tine Mihelič and Rudi Zaman, Didakta, Radovljica. The author of the topo is Ale� Dolenc.

Severovzhodni raz - Arete NE: III-IV / IV+, 400m, 4-5 hours. First climbers: Daro Dolar, Dusan Lasic, August 25th, 1948. Topo.

Jesih-Potocnik: III-IV / IV+, 400m, 4-5 hours. First climbers: Pavla Jesih, Miha Potocnik, July 16th, 1928. Topo.

Sekloc route: IV-V / VI-. First climbers: Ljubo Juvan, Lojze Steblaj, June 23th, 1963. Topo.

Red Tape

A stiff viper

The whole Eastern Julian Alps are national parc. You can drive by the above mentioned roads at no fee.

When To Climb

For the summer ascent the best months are from July till October. For tour skiing usually the best conditions are from February till April. Otherwise in good conditions the mountain can be climbed any time of the year.

Weather: see the official page for Slovenia here.
Even better site is wunderground - here's the direct link to Kredarica station, 2515m (below Triglav summit.

Hard winter below Mrežce

Autumn on top

When kids are sleepy

Mountain Huts

On Pokljuka plateau you can sleep in Sport Hotel.

The two useful mountain huts of Debela pec are:

(1) Blejska koca na Lipanci, 1630m, (050) 633769, (050) 611903,
(2) Kovinarska koca v Krmi, 870m, (050) 631989.

Lipanca

Dawn on Lipanca

Lipanca

Images



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