Dovška baba

One of the Most Popular Mountains in the Western Karawanks

Nature and mountain lovers often find ourselves unsure where to go next. We constantly wonder where we haven’t been yet, which places remain unexplored, which peaks we haven’t conquered. Slovenia truly has a great number of mountains, so only few have visited them all. Most of the time, we head to the same familiar peaks, the more well‑known mountains. But sometimes we forget that the less visited and less famous ones are just as beautiful—if not even more so. We often choose the Kamnik–Savinja Alps or the Julian Alps, but overlook our magnificent Karawanks. Aside from Stol and Vrtača, many other peaks tend to slip our minds. One beautiful mountain in the Karawanks is Dovška Baba (1891 m). It rises above the village of Dovje, near Mojstrana. Those who live nearby know it well and visit it often, while for others it may be a hidden gem that they are hearing about for the first time—perhaps even inspiring them to climb it in the coming days.

Dovška Baba is best known among ski tourers, as it is a peak that can be tackled almost anytime, especially when weather or snow conditions do not allow for higher or steeper ascents. A road leads high below the summit to the alpine pasture Dovška Rožca, which is lively during the grazing season. Fortunately, a marked trail leads upward, avoiding the road entirely. It begins just above the village of Dovje, making the hike a proper tour. If the trail seems too easy at first, the steep ascent below the alpine pasture will change your mind—it is quite relentless. That is why you will surely appreciate the refreshments offered in the shepherds' hut on the pasture.

On the ridge, the wild appearance of the northern face of Dovška Baba surprises many hikers. The panorama is quintessentially Karawanks: Austrian Carinthia lies in the palm of your hand, and toward the northwest the broad‑shouldered Kepa rises along the ridge. The most stunning, however, is the view to the south, where the Julian Alps stretch out and Triglav dominates the landscape. At the summit of Dovška Baba, you will also find a stamp and a summit register.

Dovška Baba lies between two peaks: Hruški Vrh and Kepa. It offers several well‑marked and easily accessible trails, though there are also some unmarked paths. If you are not familiar with the area and are not skilled in using maps, it is better not to choose the unmarked routes. Stick to the marked trail, which will safely bring you to your goal. Since the trails are not too difficult—there is some steepness, as there should be—they are suitable for almost everyone, and you can even bring children along.

The fastest ascent is from Ravna, which takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. Starting from Dovje will take around 3 hours, while the route from Erjavčev Rovt takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes.