Gozd Martuljek: Waterfalls, Trails and Local History

Gozd Martuljek is shaped by the Martuljek stream, steep rock faces and trails in the Martuljek mountain range. Waterfalls, hiking trails and cycling routes provide a clear direction when looking for a hotel. There are also equipped via ferratas with a seasonal closure period, and information boards about local heritage.

Martuljek Stream and Waterfalls

The Martuljek stream flows over steep slopes and rock faces, forming waterfalls, cascades and rapids. The Martuljek Waterfalls lie above the valley of Gozd Martuljek; the area became part of Triglav National Park in 1981. The upper Martuljek Waterfall plunges in three stages over a 110-metre-high rock face. At the lower waterfall, the water falls over a 50-metre-high face into the 400-metre-long, narrow Martuljek Gorge, which was formed from limestone.

Hiking Trails and Orientation

The Rute Forest Educational Trail is an approximately one-kilometre circular route and is suitable for all generations, provided normal trail conditions allow. It runs alongside the Martuljek stream towards the first Martuljek Waterfall. Along the way, the trail shares information about the forest and old stories of Ledenec and Srebrnokrilec.

The Rutarška Trail is 1.5 kilometres long and takes 20 minutes to walk; stops and exercises can affect the walking time. It leads from Keklov Bridge to Srenški Bridge and runs along the Sava Dolinka between Gozd Martuljek and Kranjska Gora. Facilities along the trail include exercise stations, a book box, viewing aids for the Martuljek Group and several benches. Installed facilities may change.

There are several marked forest trails for hikers in the Martuljek mountain range. The Karavanke Hiking Trail also passes through Gozd Martuljek and continues along the lower slopes of the Karawanks; the Martuljek Group can be seen from a viewpoint. Trail conditions and markings may change, so check the current situation if needed.

The Path over Stone begins in the upper part of Gozd Martuljek, near Kekelj Bridge; a visitor information centre is located there. Check its availability before travelling.

Via Ferratas with a Seasonal Closure

The Via Ferrata Hvadnik is a climbing route through a wild gorge in Gozd Martuljek. It is half a kilometre long and reaches an elevation of 250 metres above sea level. The Via Ferrata Jerm’n has a consistent difficulty rating of around D, reaching E in some sections. Both equipped via ferratas are closed from 31 October to 1 April. Take this period into account when planning; for Hvadnik, the length and elevation are the main points, while for Jerm’n, it is the difficulty ratings.

Cycling and Local Heritage

The 34-kilometre Mojstrana–Korensko sedlo stage of the Trans-Karavanke Cycling Route passes through Gozd Martuljek. The Kranjska Gora 03 cycling route crosses the Sava Dolinka in the village via a bicycle bridge. The stage specifies its total length and endpoints; on Kranjska Gora 03, the river crossing is a specific point on the local route.

Information boards about the Heritage of Rute near Kekljev Bridge explain how Gozd Martuljek developed and the customs and traditions that existed there. The content aims to preserve local heritage and memories and share them with locals and visitors alike. “Rute” is an earlier name for Gozd Martuljek, which locals still use as a reminder of the past. In this way, the history of the place is connected with a name that lives on in local memory.

Discover more destinations: Mojstrana, Hrušica, Breznica, Planina pod Golico, Rateče, Zgornja Radovna, Jesenice, Podkoren.

Back to the main travel overview: Jesenice.