Iof di Miezegnot (Poldanasnja spica = Noon Peak) is the highest mountain in a 15 kilometers long northern streak of mountains in Western Julian Alps. But its altitude doesn't make it important, nor its primary position in this small subgroup. What is nice about this peak is its excellent panoramic position combined with the ease of ascent. Its position north of the most impressive part of Western Julian Alps guarantees the best possible view on huge north walls of Montaz, Vis (Iof Fuart) and other giants, rising more than 1600 meters from Zajzera (Valbruna) valley. To all other directions the view is free.

From the south

The summit rises out of the mountain ridge for only some 200 meters, suggesting that a mountain tour along the whole chain would be something extraordinary. South slopes of the mountain end just on Sella di Somdogna (Rudni vrh pass), 1398m, where also the road through the Dogna (Dunja) valley ends. An easy ascent brings you over these 700 meters in two hours. Towards north the slopes are higher. Malborghetto (Naborjet) and Ugovizza (Ukve) in Val Canale have only some good 700 meters of altitude.

Iof di Miezegnot is easily and frequently ascended. The usual ascent is from south, the other one comes from north and a marked path also continues (or arrives) along the main ridge to summits on the west.

From the east

The whole northern range of Western Julian Alps is also well known from the World War I. All kinds of rests can still be seen on the whole streak, where Italians held positions. Austro-Hungarian positions were deep down in Val Canale.

Names in this area have different origins. Here are mixed Slovenes and Furlani, and throughout history Italians came from south and also some Germans from north.

General remark: When reading Slovenian words on maps or in books, you will find special characters for ch, sh, and zh. They are written with c, s and z with a caron - little v above them.

Pictures of Vis (Iof Fuart) from Iof di Miezegnot can be seen here and here and here.
A picture of Montaz from Iof di Miezegnot can be seen here.

Getting There

The approach valley to the Western Julian Alps will probably be the highway through Val Canale (Udine - Tarvisio).

1. For the south ascent you must deter from the highway in the village named Dogna and travel 18 km through the Dogna valley to Sella di Somdogna (Rudni vrh pass), 1398m. The other possibility is exiting the highway in Valbruna (5 km west of Tarvisio) and driving south into the Valbruna (Zajzera) valley. The road ends on an alpine meadow on the altitude of 1000 m, from where you reach Sella di Somdogna in one hour.

2. For north ascents you start in Val Canale. Trailheads start in Malborghetto and Valbruna.

Tarvisio can also be reached from east, from Slovenia (from the Sava valley or over the Predel (Predil) pass and of course also from north, from Austria (from Villach or from Gailtal over the Nassfeld Pass).

The list of marked paths:

1. From Sella di Somdogna, 1398m. In few minutes you reach nearby alpine huts and proceed through woods toward north. A well marked path brings you in several curves up to the altitude of 1800 meters where rests of buildings from the World War I are. In one of them a cute bivouac is arranged. Now you are on an open terrain. Proceed over grassy slopes towards NE, the path leads you into rocky south slopes of the summit and in some 15 minutes you reach the summit. 2 hours from the Pass.

2. Either from Malborghetto or from Valbruna you follow a forest road or a path to Planina (Malga) Strechizza and Planina Ravna, 1500m. From there proceed towards south on the main ridge and towards west to the top. 4-5 hours.

Red Tape

No limitations or special permits.

When To Climb

Iof di Miezegnot can be climbed in any season. The best months are from June till October, but also in Winter, when days are clear. The final ascent over the rocky part is not difficult even in winter, if icy it requires some carefulness. Also the road on Sella di Somdogna is of course not cleaned all the winter.

Camping

The summit can be climbed in one day. If you plan more days in these mountains, one possibility where to spend a night is Rif. Attillio Grego (parking place 400 m below it in Valbruna or on Sella di Somdogna, 1398m, 15 minutes away), 1398 m. It has 44 beds and a winter room with 4 beds. Tel.: 0428 60111.

The other possibility is the bivouac just below the summit. It is apparently new. On december 6th, 2003 it was opened, looking really attractive.

On the main ridge of the northern streak, west of Iof di Miezegnot, some 2 hours away, there is Bivacco Bernardis, 1830m.

In Val Canale there is a camping place near Tarvisio.

Images



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