There’s a calm kind of majesty to Stol (2,236 m)—the highest peak of the Karawanks, that broad and gentle Alpine range running like a green spine between Slovenia and Austria. Stol, whose name translates simply as Chair, doesn’t command with cliffs and edges. It welcomes with wide views, gentle pastures, and a path that unfolds slowly, like a poem.
And so we walked. Not to reach the summit fast, but to experience what it’s like to hike above Bled Lake, between meadows, valleys, and ridges that echo with alpine legends and the murmur of distant cowbells.
A Morning at Valvasor – Where the Journey Begins
Our trail began at Valvasorjev Dom pod Stolom (1,181 m)—a rustic mountain hut nestled in the quiet forest above Žirovnica. We drove up from the valley in the early hours, taking narrow turns past sleepy villages, forests heavy with dew, and the occasional fox darting across the road.
The parking lot was already stirring with life—locals tightening bootlaces, thermoses being passed, and the scent of pine in the air. And from here, we stepped onto the trail—slowly, deliberately, letting the landscape set our pace.
Through the Forest: Toward Žirovniška Planina
The first stretch of the trail leads gently upward through a shaded pine forest. The soft soil beneath our boots cushioned each step, the trees absorbing every sound.
After about 20 minutes, we emerged into the sunlight at Žirovniška Planina—an alpine pasture where wooden huts and cows share space with hikers and wildflowers. From this sunny terrace, we got our first glimpse of Lake Bled—that postcard-perfect blue oval glinting far below.
It was tempting to linger longer, but we knew that the real gift of Stol lay further up.
The Heart of the Mountain – Upward to Stol
We followed the Žirovniška pot, a marked trail that winds gradually upward into the mountain’s grassy flanks. The climb is steady but forgiving. Along the way, we passed a small stone basin of spring water—the restored Stedene source—cold and clean, framed by rocks and lichen.
At this point, the forest began to retreat, revealing wide open alpine meadows and vistas that grew grander with every step. Far in the distance, Triglav’s sharp silhouette stood watch over the Julian Alps. And below, the Sava Dolinka River curved through the valley like a turquoise ribbon.
The final ascent to the summit was a joy, not a test. It was here that we first saw the jackdaws—those clever, sociable birds that love the heights and weren’t shy about circling us in greeting.
At the Summit – Stol / Hochstuhl (2,236 m)
The summit was not a place to conquer, but to sit. To breathe. To look.
From up here, you can see everything. To the south, the Julian Alps with Triglav proudly rising. To the north, the gentle descent into Austrian Carinthia, with views reaching toward the Drava River and hazy farmlands. To the east, the continuation of the Karawanks ridge. And right below your feet, a patchwork of green forests and the flicker of Lake Bled far below.
There are no crowds, no noise—just the sound of wind, bird calls, and the soft rustle of your own breath.
A Gentle Descent: Toward Prešeren Hut
After spending time at the top, we descended eastward along the ridge, past Mali Stol (2,198 m), toward the Prešeren Hut (Prešernova koča na Stolu)—a small, friendly mountain refuge tucked just beneath the summit.
Only 15 minutes from the top, it’s an ideal place to pause again. We stepped inside to warm wood, alpine stew, and strong tea. The hut, named after Slovenia’s national poet France Prešeren, is a living link between nature, history, and hospitality.
It has stood here in various forms for over a century—rebuilt after wars and wild winters, extended, modernized with solar power and a windmill, yet still as simple and grounded as ever.
Back Down to Valvasor – Through Meadows and Memory
The descent took us along a different path, passing alpine pastures that slowly melted into forest again. The air shifted from alpine crispness to earthy pine, and the cowbells grew louder as we neared Žirovniška Planina once more.
As the trail dipped into the final forested stretch, we slowed down—sore-legged but smiling. The late afternoon light dappled the path, and the trees welcomed us back.
We reached Valvasor Hut again after around 6 hours on the trail, not including breaks. But it wasn’t about the time. It was about the sense of wholeness, of moving through landscape slowly enough to become part of it.
Trek Goat Tips for Hiking Stol
- Route: Valvasor Hut – Žirovniška Planina – Stol Summit – Prešeren Hut – Valvasor (circular)
- Time: 5–6.5 hours (leisurely pace with breaks)
- Elevation Gain: ~1,050 m
- Highest Point: Stol (2,236 m)
- Best Season: Late spring through early autumn; early summer is especially vibrant
- Trail Type: Well-marked, grassy and rocky, moderate fitness needed
- Recommended Gear: Hiking shoes, sun hat, layers, water (though springs are available)
Why Stol Deserves a Slow Climb
Stol is not a mountain that tests you—it teaches you. It teaches slowness, attention, gratitude.
You’ll come for the views—of Lake Bled, of Triglav, of Austria—but what stays with you is the feeling of space, the softness of the meadows, and the silence that says: this is your place, too.
There are flashier peaks, wilder trails, more dramatic ridges. But few are as complete as Stol—the high chair of the Karawanks, a place to rest, to rise, and to look out across a world made brighter by the climb.