Makekova Kočna - Vratca

Access to starting point:
From highway Ljubljana - Jesenice we go to the exit Kranj - vzhod and follow the road ahead in the direction of Jezersko. In Jezersko at the bus stop we turn right into a valley of Makekova Kočna (direction waterfall Čedca, Veliki vrh and mountain hut Češka koča). The road then over a bridge crosses Jezernica, and only few meters ahead at the crossroad at the chapel, we turn left towards the nearby sports field by which we park.

Path description:
From the parking lot, we return to the chapel, and then we for some time continue on the asphalt road which ascends through a panoramic meadow. Higher, the road passes to the edge of the forest, and at this spot, we continue left in the direction of the mountain hut Češka koča and homestead Zupan (straight waterfall Čedca and Veliki vrh). After 150 meters the road at mentioned farm ends, and we continue the ascent on a marked cart track, and it quickly brings us to a little larger clearing. Here blazes point us to the left on the mountain path, on which in few minutes we ascend to the nearby forest road. We follow the road to the left, and it soon makes a sharp right turn and then above a lonely house ascends even steeper. We continue on the road only a short time, after that mountain signpost for mountain hut Češka koča points us left on an ascending cart track. We for some time continue the ascent on a cart track, and it higher crosses quite ruined forest road. Cart track, which runs through the forest, gradually changes into a pleasant forest footpath, and it quickly brings us to a well.
Above the well path steeply ascends, and then turns a little towards the right, where after few minutes of additional walking joins the cart track. We continue straight on occasionally quite panoramic path, and it higher passes into a dense forest and brings us on a small saddle Kačji rob.
Further, we continue in the direction of the mountain hut Češka koča almost horizontal. After a good ten minutes of crossing we come to difficult part of the path. The path crosses very steep slopes, which are in wet very dangerous for slipping, but in dry they don't cause bigger problems. We get help from a fence, which isn't exactly safe, just sense of security is little bigger. After that part we join the path from cableway to the mountain hut Češka koča. After that, the path soon comes out of the forest on panoramic slopes, where we have fixed safety gear for help, which aren't necessary. The more and more scenic path then over a ladder soon brings us into a valley Mrzla dolina. Here through an indistinct small valley cold air is descending. In the morning we can notice, that on this spot is a little colder (in windy weather there is no difference). Further, follows only few minutes of easy walking to the mountain hut Češka koča.
From the mountain hut, we continue right on the path in the direction of Kočna, Grintovec and Vratca (left mounain hut Kranjska koča through Žrelo). After a short ascent, we come on flat ground with sign H (intended for landing a helicopter). The path ahead runs on at first gentle scree, which is partly covered with dwarf pines. In the lower part of the scree we get to a smaller crossing, where the path on Vratca branches off to the right (slightly left Kočna and Grintovec). The path ahead is ascending on the scree and soon brings us to a gully below Vratca. The path through the gully is well secured but caution is needed because of falling stones. When we step from the gully, the path turns right. From here to the top we only have few minutes of panoramic walking. The last meters are in wet dangerous for slipping.
Makekova Kočna - Češka koča 2:00, Češka koča - Vratca 45 minutes.

On the way: Češka koča na Spodnjih Ravneh mountain hut (1542m)