Vršič - Kol (via ridge)

Access to starting point:
From Kranjska Gora, we drive towards Bovec or vice versa, but only to mountain pass Vršič, where we park.

Path description:
From the parking lot on Vršič we go on at first badly marked path which leads on Mojstrovka and Sleme. After a short ascent, the path brings us to bigger rock on which we notice a sign Mojstrovka left. We continue in the direction of Mojstrovka (right Mojstrovka over Hanza route and Slemenova špica) on the path which is ascending diagonally through a thin larch forest. After approximately half an hour of ascent, the path brings us to extensive scree below Mojstrovka. At the spot, where the marked path on Mojstrovka gets very close to a wall we come on an unmarked crossing, where we continue sharply right. We continue the ascent on an unmarked path, which in a gentle diagonal ascent leads towards the slopes of Šitna glava. A relatively well visible footpath soon brings us into a small indistinct valley between Mala Mojstrovka and Šitna glava. Here the path turns a little to the left and it ascends a little steeper on the more and more rocky slope. When the path already gets quite close to the summit, it turns right, crosses partly overgrown scree and then it ascends on a grassy peak.
From Šitna glava we continue on the ridge at first slightly downwards after that upwards in the direction of Mojstrovka (unmarked). A poorly visible footpath on which we are ascending after good 20 minutes of walking from Šitna glava brings us to the spot, where we join the Hanza route on Mojstrovka. Further, the orientation is easier, and the path increasingly steep. After additional few minutes, the steepness decreases and the path brings us on more plain terrain, which we bypass on the right side. Further, the path gets closer to the ridge and in front of us, we notice Mangart and Jalovec. Here the path turns slightly left and it brings us to steep part of the path. With the help of some iron spikes, and mainly without fixed safety gear we ascend on a steep upper slope of Mala Mojstrovka to its panoramic summit.
From Mala Mojstrovka we continue in the direction towards Velika Mojstrovka. At first, we descend a little and go on a footpath which leads a little right towards the saddle between the both peaks of Mojstrovka. After that, the path crosses scree and starts in ascent crossing the steep south slopes below Velika Mojstrovka. The slope becomes soon less steep and the path turns right upwards. From here follows only a short ascent on a rocky slope to the top of Velika Mojstrovka.
From the top, we continue on the ridge in the direction towards the west. After that, the path soon becomes a little more demanding and starts ascending on a slightly crumbly slope on the south side of the ridge. The path on this part is marked with numerous cairns. Next follows an ascent towards the ridge where we soon reach the secondary peak of Velika Mojstrovka.
From the top, we still continue on a very panoramic ridge. Ridge on the northern side is all the time precipitous, but it is enough wide, so that a walk there doesn't cause bigger problems. Later also the slope becomes a little steeper on the south side of the ridge and then follows also a little steeper ascent on a rocky ridge to the top of Zadnja Mojstrovka.
The path on the ridge further becomes demanding and if we are not used of walking on demanding unsecured terrain, it is recommended, that we return few minutes back, where south slopes are not so steep and we descend on an unmarked footpath which runs little lower on less steep south slopes parallel with the ridge. If we continue on the ridge we at first descend a little on a narrow and quite exposed ridge. The path further gradually becomes again less demanding, and then it brings us to a little more grassy slope. On this part practically there isn't any footpath and then follows crossing of a steep slope on which there is also some thin gravel, so that this part is dangerous for slipping. A little after that follows also a steep descent into a narrow notch from which we have to climb on a very steep slope. There is otherwise only few steps of climbing, but we have to be very careful, because the slope is exposed. After that, the path becomes less demanding and brings us on slopes below Travnik. Here the path turns slightly to the left and starts ascending over the scree. Later, the path turns to the right and follows the last ascent on a rocky slope to the top of Travnik.
From Travnik we continue on the ridge and we start descending. The steep ridge we can avoid slightly on the south side and then we cross a slope parallel with the ridge. At the end, we turn right and a short ascent follows to the top of Kol.
We can descend on the ascent route or on an easier path which runs a little lower on the south side parallel with the ridge.

On the way: Šitna glava (2087m), Mala Mojstrovka (2332m), Velika Mojstrovka (2366m), Zadnja Mojstrovka (2354m), Travnik (2379m)