Uršlja gora

Due to its great popularity, new paths leading up the mountain appeared. Today there are really many and the most popular ones lead from Naravske ledine to parts with no trails at all. From the lake Ivarčko jezero there are more demanding paths that adrenalyn lovers prefer. The view from the top allows you to see most of the Koroška region, over Pohorje and Kozjak into Austria and all the way to other Slovenian Alpine peaks, including Triglav (the highest Slovenian peak) if the weather is clear enough. The view is the main reason for most people coming here, but the mountain is popular for tour skiing and mountain biking as well. The name Plešivec stuck because the mountain is made of grey limestone, with is very visible at the top and recognisable among the forest covered slopes and hills on the side. Uršlja gora is also known for the church built at the highest altitude in Slovenia.

The Slovenian mountain trail is passing across Uršlja gora and to it or over it there are also many competitions, from mountain cross country runs to duatlon and so forth. But not all activities are connected to sports. The top of the mountain features the TV antenna and the church of Saint Uršula, which holds services as well! Many societies organize hikes up the mountain all through the year. Apart from the great view, there is also the monument to the fighters for Koroška on top, who fell during the fights of 1918 and 1919. You can also see Urška’s footprint and get something to eat at the mountain lodge, which offers a place to sleep as well. The lodge is opened during weekends in winter and usually every day in the summer and it hosts New Year Eve’s parties. Under the mountain you can also sleep in Slovenj Gradec at the Youth Hostel Slovenj Gradec, or in Ravne na Koroškem at Youth Hostel Punkl. There are trails up the mountain starting in both towns.

The already mentioned footprint of St. Uršula is an attractive point of interest just under the top. It’s a natural dent in the rock, that is said to be her footprint. The legend says who steps in it, will never again feel pain in legs. As children we always stepped in, for it’s rather small. A grownup cannot step in it. But the footprint is also marked along the way, with the legend written by it. It is said Uršula came from the ranges of Pohorje, where she could not live, so she made a home at the lone mountain. Because it was so beautiful here, she made it her permanent home, but luck was not on her side. She met the water man (legendary povodni mož) who didn’t like her and dragged her with him to the Črno jezero (Black lake) on Pohorje, where she’s still trapped today. A question also pops to mind, why would anybody build a church way up here? It happened in 1570, when the house of Plešivnik had a master and two sons, who said they’ll build a god’s temple so high up, no other would be higher. And that’s exactly what they did and claimed that under St. Uršula there will never be lacking bread, young wine, wool, pastries or true Christian religion. With the help of bishop of Ljubljana the church was finished in 1602.

 

I’m a big fan of this mountain and have visited it too many times to count. I’ve been up on it any season of the year, any time of the day, in any weather and by any means – walking, cycling, or with skies. But even though I know the mountain inside out during day or night, the view from the top still lures me to return.