Kneške Ravne - Vogel (via Žabiški Kuk)

Access to starting point:
From the road Bača pri Modreju - Podbrdo, in the settlement Kneža we turn onto the road in the direction of Kneške Ravne. Further on, we ascend along the road, which continues through the valley of the stream Kneža. Initially quite gentle and partly macadam road, higher up it starts ascending more steeply, on the steep part the road is mostly asphalt. Higher up, the road splits, and we choose the slightly left road, which is still asphalt and leads towards Kneške Ravne (slightly right macadam road which leads in the direction of the mountain pasture Planina v Prodih). Next follows the crossing of the scenic stream Prošček, and then we quickly ascend to the parking lot before Kneške Ravne, where we park.

Path description:
From the parking lot, where there is an information board of Kneške Ravne and surroundings, we continue upwards; at the first crossroad by the NOB monument, we go straight (left homestead Pri Jakopu and homestead Pri Jaklnu). The road soon turns left, from it a road to the homestead Pri Francu branches off to the right. Here too we go straight, at the next crossroad we go slightly right (slightly left homestead Pri Pologarju). The asphalt road splits once again, this time we choose the left path (right one arrives at the homestead Pri Francu), which loses the asphalt covering and leads us over a grazing fence. Further on we ascend along a cart track that leads us above the orchard, then it turns left and through a strip of forest and over several grazing fences brings us to a junction by a smaller partly stone hut. Here we go right, the cart track higher up turns left again, then brings us in a few minutes to the hunting observatory. At the hunting observatory we go sharply right, then from the worse cart track immediately left, straight up the slope. After a short ascent a footpath appears, which mostly ascends transversely through the forest, leading us parallel to the edge of the nearby hayfield. Higher we reach the ridge between Ljubinjske stene and Masovnik, where the footpath becomes more distinct and takes us to the other, western side of the ridge. Next follows crossing of slopes and some gullies, the path along which we notice some old, already quite faded blazes, later starts to ascend transversely. Higher we arrive at overgrown screes and in a few minutes ascend to the junction at the foot of Ljubinjske stene.

We continue left in the direction towards mountain pasture Razor (right mountain pasture Planina v Prodih and Rut), the path leads us directly below the cliffs, where especially in spring time there is increased possibility of falling rocks. Next follows a transverse ascent and the path brings us into the forest, where it leads us past a spring. Behind the spring the path temporarily ascends steeply, after two serpentines it flattens again. A little further we cross another grazing fence, the path brings us from the forest to the upper part of mountain pasture Kuk, to the area called Močila, where along the lower side we bypass some huts. Behind the huts we reach a track road, which we follow to the right (left mountain pasture Kuk and parking lot), along it we quickly arrive at a junction, where to the right branches the path to Žabiški Kuk (also Žabijski Kuk) - path past Gradič (old military path).

We continue along the mentioned path (straight Koča na planini Razor 30 minutes), which on the grassy slope starts to disappear. During the ascent wooden poles help us, which in the upper part are painted red. When higher we enter the forest, several small paths appear, we continue along the one by which there are red lines. For some time in transverse ascent we cross fairly steep slopes to the right, then we exit the forest and arrive at steep grassy slopes. Next follows crossing in a slight descent, where especially when wet there is danger of slipping, then the path turns left and turns into a steep, mostly grassy gully surrounded by dwarf pines. Along the indistinct gully the path, still marked with red lines, ascends straight upwards, so the steepness of the path is considerable. Higher the footpath turns slightly right, the slope also flattens somewhat, and with nice views we reach the old mule track. For some time we ascend along the old mule track, then the path from the dwarf pines passes along the edge of the ridge, where we ascend along the edge of steep slopes. Higher the ridge becomes somewhat more pronounced, and in a few more minutes we arrive at the miniature Aljaž tower, located on Žabiški Kuk (1844 m).
From the summit logbook we continue briefly along the ridge, then the red lines direct us to a worse small path, which on the left side bypasses point 1881, the highest point of the ridge of Žabiški Kuk. With nice views of the surrounding mountains the path soon returns to the ridge, along which we descend to the saddle between Žabiški Kuk and Vogel. From the saddle follows a short ascent and we reach the marked path leading from mountain pasture Razor towards Vogel.
We continue the ascent and after 10 minutes of further walking we arrive at the panoramic summit.
Kneške Ravne - Močila 2:10, Močila - Žabiški Kuk 1:55, Žabiški Kuk - Vogel 0:30.
Description refers to the condition in 2018 (July), pictures are from various periods.

On the way: Močila (1258m), Žabiški Kuk (1844m)

Trip can be extended to: Črna prst , Vrh Krnic