Stol / Hochstuhl
2,237 m
Slovenia, Austria
Also known as Stol, Hochstuhl, +3Also known as
Stol · Hochstuhl · Stol (Karavanke) · სტოლი · Hochstuhl / Stol
- Elevation
- 2,237 m
- Prominence
- 1,021 m
- Difficulty
- 2/10
- Hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 2
Routes
2Sources differ: T3 (Camptocamp (T2/T3))
The standard Slovenian ascent of the highest Karawanks summit: an easy marked path of about 4 km and 1,080 m of ascent from Valvasorjev dom (1,181 m) above Žirovnica, up the steep grassy south flank to Prešernova koča and over Mali Stol to the top. About 3 hours up.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 4.0 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,088 m
- start → summit
- High Point
- 2,237 m
- Time Up
- 4h 11m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 2h 46m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From the Lesce exit of the Ljubljana–Jesenice motorway drive towards Žirovnica, turn for Moste and the Završnica valley, and follow the partly unpaved road to Valvasorjev dom (1,181 m); park along the road, as the spaces in front of the hut are for guests. Take the path signed for Stol into the forest and across the slopes below Monštranca to the junction on Žirovniška planina (about 20 minutes). Turn left onto the Žirovniška pot. It climbs through forest strips and shrubs, steeply along the forest edge and across a short, slightly exposed grassy slope, then through dwarf pine onto open grass (keep right where a faint path leaves left for Potoški Stol and Vajnež). It gains the ridge of Mali Stol by a memorial and reaches Prešernova koča (2,174 m), about 2½ hours from the start. From the hut, pass Mali Stol (2,198 m), drop briefly to the saddle between the two Stols, and traverse for about 10 minutes to the summit; 15 minutes in all. The longer, gentler Zabreška pot via Stara planina (about 3 h 20 min) is a common descent, making a loop. In winter the south slopes are steep, often hard snow, and avalanche-prone; crampons and ice axe are needed.
Start
Valvasorjev dom pod Stolom1,181 m
- Train or bus to Žirovnica; no regular service up the Završnica valley found (about 8 km by road from Moste to Valvasorjev dom).
- Parking at the trailhead
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Valvasorjev dom pod Stolom1,181 m
- Hut: Prešernova koča na Stolu2,176 m
- Shoulder: Mali Stol2,180 m
- Summit: Stol2,237 m
Key Passages
- Short, slightly exposed grassy slope above the forest
- Steep dwarf-pine and grass slopes to the Mali Stol ridge
- Traverse from the Mali Stol saddle to the summit
Equipment
0/5 packedDownloads
Route confidence 85%Overview
At 2,237 m, Stol (Hochstuhl) is the highest summit of the Karawanks, on the Austria–Slovenia border above Žirovnica and the Rosental. A broad grassy south flank gives an easy three-hour walk from Slovenia, with a hut ten minutes from the top; the Austrian side is steep limestone.
Stol is the culminating point of the long Karawanks ridge that separates Carinthia from Upper Carniola (Gorenjska). The two sides could hardly differ more: to the north, limestone walls and a via ferrata drop towards the Bärental and the Klagenfurter Hütte; to the south, steep grass and dwarf-pine slopes fall 1,000 m to the Završnica valley above Žirovnica and Bled. Prešernova koča sits on Mali Stol (2,198 m), 15 minutes from the main summit.
The summit view takes in the Julian Alps with Triglav, the Kamnik–Savinja Alps, the Karawanks ridge, Bled and Kranj, and on clear days Ljubljana and the Dolomites; to the north the Klagenfurt basin and the Hohe and Niedere Tauern. It is one of the most popular high walks in Slovenia.
From the Slovenian side it is a long but technically easy climb; the Austrian normal route is rougher, with scree, boulders and short cabled steps, and crosses the border at the Bielschitza-Sattel. In winter and spring the south flank is a serious slope of hard snow with avalanche risk.
Climbing Notes
From Valvasorjev dom allow about 3 hours up, with 1,080 m of ascent; the route is steep but needs no climbing skills. Start early in summer: the south flank is shadeless and has no water, and thunderstorms build over the Karawanks in the afternoon. A night at Prešernova koča (26 beds in rooms plus a 12-place dormitory, usually open mid-June to end of September) gives sunset and sunrise views; Slovenian huts do not accept sleeping bags, so bring a liner.
From Austria the route via the Klagenfurter Hütte takes about 4½ hours and needs sure-footedness on scree; carry ID as you cross into Slovenia. In winter the Slovenian approach road may be closed or used for sledging, and the summit slopes require crampons, an ice axe and avalanche judgement.
History
The first hut, built by the Carniolan branch of the Slovene Alpine Society, opened on 31 July 1910 and was named after the poet France Prešeren, born in nearby Vrba. It was enlarged in 1927–1928. After a battle on Stol on 20 February 1942, partisans burned the hut to deny it to German forces; a new hut run by PD Javornik-Koroška Bela opened on 21 August 1966 and was rebuilt and enlarged in 1981–1984. The via ferrata on the north ridge was built in 1966/67.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Possible
- February: Possible
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Possible
- June: Good
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Good
- November: Possible
- December: Possible
- Jan
- Winter ascent for experienced parties; avalanche risk on the south flank; huts closed
- Feb
- Hard snow; crampons and ice axe
- Mar
- Ski touring and winter ascents; avalanche risk
- Apr
- Spring snow; avalanche risk
- May
- Snowfields on the upper slopes and in the Austrian scree until late May
- Jun
- Prešernova koča opens around mid-June; lingering snow
- Jul
- Main season; hot south flank, afternoon thunderstorms
- Aug
- Main season
- Sep
- Stable weather; hut closes at the end of the month
- Oct
- Huts closed; often fine but first snow possible
- Nov
- Early winter conditions
- Dec
- Winter conditions
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Prešernova koča na Stolu (PD Javornik Koroška Bela): hut +386 51 660 826, club +386 51 345 806, pd.javkb@gmail.com.
- Fees
- Hut overnight fees, with discounts for alpine club members
- Rules
- The summit ridge is the Austria–Slovenia border (Schengen area); carry ID when crossing
- Parking in front of Valvasorjev dom is for hut guests only; park along the road
- Sleeping bags are not allowed in Slovenian huts; bring a liner
- Getting There
Žirovnica and Jesenice (Slovenia); Ferlach and Feistritz im Rosental (Austria)
Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport (LJU); Klagenfurt (KLU)
- Slovenia: Lesce exit of the A2 motorway, towards Žirovnica, then via Moste into the Završnica valley and on the partly unpaved road to Valvasorjev dom (8 km from Moste)
- Austria: A11 exit St. Jakob im Rosental, via Feistritz im Rosental into the Bärental to the Stouhütte
- Trains stop at Žirovnica (Ljubljana–Jesenice line) and in the Rosental; onward travel to the trailheads by car or on foot
Hazards
- Weather
- Avalanche
- Rockfall
Huts & Shelters
3- 1,181 m
Valvasorjev dom pod StolomHut
- 1,664 m
Klagenfurter HütteHut
- 2,174 m
Prešernova koča na StoluHutStaffed
38 beds · About mid-June to end of September