Žavcarjev Vrh mountain hut

The Žavcarjev Vrh mountain hut (Slovene: Koča na Žavcarjevem vrhu) is a mountain lodge standing at 867 m on the edge of a large clearing below Žavcarjev vrh (915 m) in the Kozjak hills of northeastern Slovenia, near Maribor. It is operated by the Planinsko društvo Maribor-matica (PD Maribor-matica) mountaineering association and is listed among Slovenian mountain posts. The hut was built by PD Maribor-matica and opened on 10 October 1954, making it the first mountain post on the border Kozjak. The idea of building a hut on Kozjak had been discussed between the two world wars, motivated by the desire to protect Slovene identity and territory in the border area. In 1951 the athlete and mountaineer Tedi Voglar discovered Žavcarjev vrh; the exact location was chosen after a group of more than 50 mountaineers, members of the commission and then management board of the mountaineering society, went on an excursion. The land with a water source was donated by Matija Fike, a farmer from Slemen, with whom PD Maribor-matica signed a contract on 20 June 1953. Construction began the following year, and the hut opened on 10 October 1954. Electricity was connected in 1955, the hut was thoroughly renovated in 1986, and on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of PD Maribor-matica in 1994 the interior was renovated and modernised. The hut offers 26 beds in rooms and 10 additional places on shared bunks, with 50 seats in the dining room and 50 on the terrace. It has toilets, a washroom with hot and cold water, central heating, running water, electricity and a telephone. It is open from Friday afternoon to Sunday evening, and for groups the keeper can open it during the week by arrangement. From the hut there are views towards the east, south and west: the southern slopes of Kozjak and part of the Drava valley with Maribor and Ruše, the eastern part of Pohorje with the ski slopes of Maribor Pohorje, and to the west the Pohorje ridge with Črni vrh and Velika Kopa. Žavcarjev vrh itself has no view. Access is possible by local and forest road from Bresternica to a parking area at the hut (9 km), or from Bistrica (11 km), and on foot via several marked trails. The hut is a starting point for trips to Žavcarjev vrh (15 minutes), Duh na Ostrem vrhu (3 h), Tojzlov vrh (2 h 30 min) and Sv. Urban (5 h 50 min), and for crossings to other huts. PD Maribor Matica organises a full-moon hike to the hut in January. Near the hut, on 25 May 1969, the Kozjaška pot trail was ceremonially opened, running from Maribor across all Kozjak peaks and gorges to Dravograd.

The idea of building a mountain hut on Kozjak was discussed among local mountaineers already between the two world wars. The main motivation was the protection of Slovene identity and Slovene territory in the border area. In 1951 the athlete and mountaineer Tedi Voglar discovered Žavcarjev vrh. The exact location for the hut was determined after a group of more than 50 mountaineers, members of the commission and the then management board of the mountaineering society, went on an excursion. The land with a water source was donated by Matija Fike, a farmer from Slemen, with whom the Planinsko društvo Maribor Matica signed a contract on 20 June 1953. Construction began the following year. The hut was opened on 10 October 1954 and was the first mountain post on the border Kozjak. In 1955 electricity was connected. The hut was thoroughly renovated in 1986. On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of PD Maribor-matica in 1994, the interior of the hut was renovated and modernised. On 25 May 1969, near the hut, the Kozjaška pot trail was ceremonially opened, running from Maribor across all Kozjak peaks and gorges to Dravograd. The hut continues to be operated by PD Maribor-matica and remains a popular destination for hikers, including a traditional full-moon hike organised in January.

• 1994

  Interior renovated and modernised on the 75th anniversary of PD Maribor-matica.

• 1986

  Hut thoroughly renovated.

• 1969

  Kozjaška pot trail ceremonially opened near the hut on 25 May.

• 1955

  Electricity connected.

• 1954

  Hut opened on 10 October; first mountain post on the border Kozjak.

• 1953

  Contract signed with Matija Fike for land with a water source on 20 June.

• 1951

  Tedi Voglar discovers Žavcarjev vrh.

A traditional mountaineering hut on the Kozjak ridge, offering basic accommodation and food to hikers, operated by a volunteer mountaineering association.

• Accommodation

  26 beds in rooms and 10 places on shared bunks.

• Dining

  50 seats in the dining room and 50 on the terrace.

• Facilities

  WC, washroom with hot and cold water, central heating, running water, electricity, telephone.

• Mountain stamp

  Available in a box outside the hut when closed.

• Full-moon hike

1. 1Koča na Žavcarjevem vrhu (867 m) - PD Maribor-maticapd-mbmatica.si
2. 2Žavcarjev Vrh mountain hut - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Koča na Žavcarjevem vrhu - Wikipedia (Slovene)sl.wikipedia.org