Rodine - Smokuški vrh (via Sankaška koča)

Access to starting point:
We leave Gorenjska highway at exit Lesce, after that from the roundabout we go to the exit in the direction of Radovljica. From the next roundabout we go to the exit Hraše, and then we drive through the underpass below the highway, and then we already get to Hraše. Through Hraše we continue straight, and at the crossroads, we follow the main road. After Hraše the road leads us below the high voltage power line, after that from the next crossroad we continue straight. Next follows driving on a narrower asphalt road, and then we get to Rodine and a little further to a crossroad by birth house of Janez Jalen, where the described footpath starts. At the starting point, there aren't any parking spots.
To the starting point, we can get to also from Žirovnica or Begunje na Gorenjskem.

Path description:
The path at first leads past Jalen's birth house and church of St. Klemen, and at the crossroads, we follow the road in the direction of the path Pot kulturne dediščine Žirovnica. Higher, the road leads us also past children's playground and recycling spot, and then we get to the upper edge of the village, where we cross a metal grazing fence. On the other side of the fence we continue on a cart track which leads us through the pasture, and by the edge of the forest turns left and entirely flattens. We short time continue by the edge of the forest and then the path turns slightly to the right in the forest. Through the forest, we are ascending diagonally towards the left and then we quickly reach another cart track, and on which we are ascending only few steps. After few steps, we go right, on the path which is further ascending diagonally towards the right. This moderately steep path, which most of the time runs through the forest, we then follow all the way to Sankaška koča, from which a beautiful view opens up.
From the mountain hut, we continue in the direction of Begunjščica, mountain hut Roblekov dom, mountain pasture Poljška planina and Završnik, where we at first steeply ascend, and then we continue in a gentle descent to the near private cottage, which we bypass on the right side. Next follows a relatively short ascent, and then we get to the hunting cottage LD Stol - Žirovnica. Here from the nearby viewpoint a nice view opens up on Gorenjska and Julian Alps, and the path returns into the forest and continues on a cart track. At the crossings, we follow the blazes, and for some time we also leave the cart tracks. When we return on a cart track, the terrain gradually flattens, and from the marked path we continue left in the direction of S.V. and we continue on a little narrower cart track. At the nearby crossing, we choose the bottom cart track, and then follows a shorter crossing. When the crossing ends, cart track passes into a forest path, and there we in few minutes ascend on a panoramic peak.
Rodine - Sankaška koča 0:55, Sankaška koča - Smokuški vrh 0:50.
Description and pictures refer to a condition in the year 2017 and 2019 (August).

On the way: Sankaška koča (867m)