Planinska Hut na Ermanovcu

Planinska Koča na Ermanovcu sits at 964m on the northern slopes of the Julian Alps, above the village of Sovodenj in the Tolminc valley. The hut anchors a network of trails linking the Karavanke range to the higher Julian ridges. Reach it in 1.5 hours from Sovodenj village on a well-marked path that climbs steadily through beech forest. This is the obvious starting point for ascents to Blejski Vrh, Čavlek, and onward traverses toward the central Julian massif. The location makes it a solid base for 2–3 day trips without needing extreme altitude or technical scrambling on day one.

The hut has 30 beds split between two rooms. PZS manages the facility and the local Sovodenj mountaineering club (PD Sovodenj) operates it. Meals are simple—expect pasta, stews, and local cheese. They serve hot drinks and sell basic provisions. Water comes from a reliable spring. The hut is open year-round but staffing is irregular in winter; contact ahead if visiting November to March. Summer weekends draw day-hikers from Ljubljana, so it fills quickly on Saturdays.

Book directly with the hut. Ring ahead (especially in summer weekends and in low season) to confirm they're staffed and to order an evening meal. July and August need booking 2–3 weeks prior. The hut lies on the main PZS hiking network; marked trails radiate in all directions, making it flexible for 1–2 day circuits or longer traverses.