Bornova pot: hiking through a tunnel to Prevala Mountain

The Šentanska Valley in the Upper Carniola region offers a number of interesting and beautiful mountain hiking routes, most of them providing a touch of adrenaline along the way. Among these, the ascent to Prevala Mountain, in northwest Slovenia, is definitely something special. The reason being a unique trail, called Bornova pot, leading to the hut at the top of the mountain. Allow me to present to you the course and the history of this famous hiking path, which winds along the slope of the Begunjščica mountain ridge and runs directly to a tunnel through a cliff, from its northern to its southern side. 

Through forests, tunnels, and screes 

One of the most common starting points for your trip is a parking lot near the Ljubelj Pass at the Slovenian-Austrian border. After you have parked your car, you can immediately start your hiking experience on the marked path that will direct you to Prevala Mountain. The ascend will probably take you a bit more time than the sign says, since nature and scenery are so beautiful and definitely worth slowing down to enjoy the view. After walking through the forest path for some time, you will soon arrive at the more exposed part of the trail, where there are rocks and precipices on each side of the path. But don’t worry, there are safety catches set along the way for your protection. You will then arrive at the most unique part of the trail, the Bornov tunnel, which will lead you under and through the mountain. For this part of the trail, I would recommend bringing a small flashlight with you, as the ceiling is slightly lowered, and there are various stones on the floor. When you pass the tunnel, you cross one more scree, and then a gentle, pleasant forest path leads you to Prevala Mountain. 

About the man who created the path

The concept of literally walking through a mountain was enabled by a baron, called Karl Born, who built the tunnel and was also responsible for the creation of the remaining part of the trail. The Bornova pot hiking path was, of course, later named after him. He was a German banker, who liked coming to the area and even bought an estate here in 1881, where he built a small mansion and settled in it. The main fields of his interest were wood and water, which is also why he built an electricity switchboard and a sawmill. He was also a big fan of hunting and even brought a large number of deer and goats to the area from abroad. After his sudden death, the estate was inherited by his son Karl, who successfully continued his father's work. So much about history, now you know a few things about the man who created the Bornova pot hiking path.

The ascend to Prevala Mountain is a great idea for a day trip in Slovenia, if you like spending your time in an active way, hiking through beautiful parts of nature. For all of the hikers, the main attraction is, of course, the unique Bornova pot hiking trail. By using this trail, you will reach the top of the mountain through a tunnel and discover other interesting parts of the path. Prevala Mountain is also an interesting and popular destination for mountain cyclists, which usually choose another route, as Bornova pot can be very difficult and perilous for their mode of ascending. If you would like to spend your time in Slovenia in a similar active way with a hint of adrenaline, a rafting experience in the Soča Valley or exciting adrenaline activities in Bohinj are also great options worth trying out.

Prevala Mountain, Slovenia

C66V+38, 4275 Begunje na Gorenjskem, Slovenia