Skutnik Hike&Fly

Skutnik (Monte Guarda in Italian) is a stunning mountain above Žaga, right on the border between Italy and Slovenia. Ever since I moved to Bovec, I’ve been eyeing its grassy peak, standing out invitingly every time I drove from Kobarid to Bovec. A few days ago, I finally had the chance to fly from Skutnik and it did not disappoint.

There are two main ways to reach the top. You can hike up from Žaga, which allows you to land near your car. However, this route is quite long, and locals say the trail is poorly marked and tricky to follow in some spots. Instead, I opted for the more common approach – starting from Uccea after getting a ride there.

The hike itself is straightforward, with no technical or exposed sections. First, you ascend to Vrh Planje, then follow a breathtaking ridge trail leading to the summit of Skutnik. The views along the way and from the top are truly spectacular. You can see Triglav, the Trenta Valley, Bovec Valley, Krn, Polovnik, and Stol. To the left, the high peaks of the Kanin mountain range dominate the skyline, while to the west, in Italy, stand majestic mountains whose names I don’t even know.

You can launch directly from the summit. The takeoff area isn’t huge, but it’s spacious enough for a miniwing and, in the right conditions, a standard paraglider. For reference, you can see my 21m² Skywalk Spirit in the pictures. The terrain is slightly uneven. I would say this is not a takeoff for beginners, but pilots who are comfortable with mountain takeoffs should have no problems launching, even in null wind. The ideal wind direction is SE. In the photos, the takeoff is covered in snow, but in summer, it’s grassy with few rocks.

I thoroughly enjoyed both the hike and the flight. If you’re looking for a rewarding mountain adventure with incredible scenery and a beautiful flying experience, I highly recommend Skutnik!