Radeljski prelaz - Sveti Pankracij (Radelca) (Austrian path)

Access to the starting point:
Drive to Radlje ob Dravi, then continue to the Radeljski Pass. After a few kilometres of climbing, we arrive at Border crossing Radelj, where we park.

Path description:
On the Austrian side of the pass, we see mountain direction signs, including for the Kapunerhütte hut, which point us sharp right onto the macadam road. Follow the road up to the edge of the forest, where you turn left onto a road that is closed to public traffic. We climb along the road for a few minutes, and then the signs direct us slightly to the right on a marked footpath which climbs over a clearing and from which we get some views. Above the coppice, the path passes into the woods and, on the Austrian side, passes the summit of Radelj (784 m). While crossing, we have a nice view towards Golica / Koralpe, and then the path reaches the national border, along which it continues. We climb along the edge of the meadow, with a large private cottage on the left, and enjoy the views to the upper edge of the meadow, where the trail returns to the forest. Follow the waymarks through the woods, and the path reaches cart track at a sign.

From cart track go immediately slightly to the right and climb over the next clearing, from where a beautiful view opens up again, this time a little more to the Slovenian side, where you can see Uršlja Gora and Pec. Higher up, the trail runs alongside a chain-link fence for a while, then begins to descend gently. There is an easy downhill and the cart track crossing, and then we arrive at the Kapunerhütte hut.

From the hut, continue towards St. Pankratzen, where you start to climb steeply through the forest. Higher up, the path turns right and then quickly leads to the state border, where you descend in a few steps to a marked crossroads.

From the crossroads continue slightly left in the direction of St. Pancratius (straight along the ridge unmarked path to Kapunar, slightly right caravle and Slovenian path to the church of St. Pancratius, sharp right Radlje ob Dravi) and go around the top of Kapunar on the north side. Lower down, at the water trough, reach a minor road and follow it to the right, then walk along it to the hunting cross, where you are quite close to the Slovenian path. Continue on the Austrian side of the border, and the path will later lead you to Waldgregor Farm, where you will emerge from the woods. The trail soon returns to the forest, where you follow the signs, and at the crossroads you follow the Austrian trail. After a while, you will pass Hubenlenz Farm, from where you will again have a beautiful view of Austria, and when the path returns to the forest, it will pass onto the slopes of Pongrac Peak (994).
We continue walking for some time away from the border, still following the signs and markers for the Church of St Pancras at the crossroads. There is some more walking through the woods, and then you reach a road, passing a lonely house on the right, and soon leave the road and follow the cart track to reach a marked crossroads at the state border, where you join the trail past St Urbana.
Continue left, initially slightly downhill, and a minute after the chapel you will reach the Church of St Pancras, which offers a fine view, especially towards Austria, and for an even better view in summer you can climb the lookout tower.
Radeljski Pass - Kapunerhütte 1:20, Kapunerhütte - St. Pancratius 1:40.
Description and images refer to the situation in May 2019 and December 2018.

On the way: Kapunerhütte (1003m)

We can extend the trip to the following destinations: Sveti Urban (Radelca), Kapunar

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