Belopeška jezera - Mala Ponca / Ponza Piccola

Access to starting point:
From Kranjska Gora over the border crossing Rateče we drive towards Trbiž / Tarvisio. Soon after the border crossing, the road in the direction of lakes Belopeška jezera / Laghi di Fusine branches off to the left, which in a moderate ascent we then follow to a large parking lot at the lake Zgornje Mangartsko (Belopeško) jezero.

Path description:
From the parking lot, we continue on the left side of the inn in the direction of the mountain hut Zacchi. The path at first runs on the forest road which we leave after few minutes, because blazes point us to left on a wide cart track. Cart track on which we walk little higher changes into ascending footpath. Relatively wide and well-marked path then in a moderate ascent through the forest in good hour of walking from the starting point brings us to the mountain hut Zacchi (to here possible also on the forest road).
From the mountain hut, we continue on the left path, which already after few steps of ascent goes into the forest. The path ahead at first in a gentle, and then in a moderate ascent crosses slopes towards the north, and meanwhile crosses large number of gullies. Some gullies we walk with the help of bridges, and other on a well-settled path. Forest path higher brings us to the vantage point, from which a view opens up on lakes Belopeška jezera and surrounding hills. The path then goes again in the forest and after few additional minutes of easy walking it brings us to a poorly marked crossing, where a short path to the cottage branches off to the right (1 minute).
And only few steps ahead from the left side joins the marked path from the lake Spodnje Belopeško jezero. We continue straight on the path which after few 10 strides it brings us to a torrent stream on which runs pleasant well. The path ahead crosses the mentioned torrent and then with the help of the small bridge returns on the right side (left bank). Next follows a little steeper short ascent on a wide graduated path which leads us through larch forest. After that, the path turns a little to the left and higher brings us to distinct gully, which is descending almost from the peak of Mala Ponca. The marked path here turns right and after further ascent gets very close to the border ridge. Only few meters before the notch partly unmarked path turns left and crosses slopes of border ridge, on which we notice numerous towers. The path ahead in a gentle descent crosses slightly exposed gully, behind which we turn right and we are then ascending by increasingly steep gully. After a short ascent, the path brings us to the top of gully between two towers of Mala Ponca. A sign on rock points us left on a steep path, which ascends through dwarf pines steeply upwards. Steep and slightly exposed path in 5 minutes of additional walking brings us to the summit of Mala Ponca.
The starting point - Rifugio Zacchi 1:15, Rifugio Zacchi - Zavetišče pod Ponco 45 minutes, Zavetišče pod Ponco - Mala Ponca 45 minutes.

On the way: Rifugio Zacchi mountain hut (1380m), Capanna Ponza (1657m)