As a photographer, I’m always looking for new locations. Recently, I made a trip to a peak in Italy called Jof di Sompdogna, which is known as Krniška Glavica in Slovenian. It turned out to be a really worthwhile spot, especially for anyone interested in mountain photography.
The Drive Up Val Dogna (Dolina Dunja)
The trip to the trailhead at Sella Somdogna begins with a drive through the narrow Val Dogna (Dolina Dunja). The valley is interesting, not just for its Slovenian name origin—from ‘Dolnja,’ meaning lower valley—but for the incredible views it offers. As I drove, I was treated to a particularly dramatic and sharp view of Monte Montasio (Montaž), which towers over the landscape.
These days, the valley is very quiet. There are no permanent residents, and the old villages are mainly used as holiday homes in the summer. The peaceful drive was the perfect way to set the mood before starting the hike.
The Jof di Sompdogna (Krniška Glavica) Hike
I started the hike from the Sella Sompdogna saddle (Rudni Vrh) to catch the sunrise. A major plus for this trail is that it’s not particularly difficult. That’s always helpful when I’m carrying a backpack full of camera gear.
The hike involves about 500 meters of elevation gain, and it took me under an hour and a half. The trail itself is easy to follow, not technical, and has no exposed sections. This means you can focus on the scenery around you instead of difficult footing.
Here is a link to hiking instructions on the best website for the Slovenian mountaineering community.
The Views from the Top
I reached the summit before dawn. Jof di Sompdogna is a true “razglednik” (a viewpoint peak), offering a whole 360-degree panorama. The view is impressive and provides a great perspective for photos of the Julian Alps.
I was very close to the majestic north face of Monte Montasio (Montaž). To the East, the view is dominated by the sharp peaks of Jof Fuart (Viš) and Monte Nabois. As the sun rose, the early light on their rock walls brought out a lot of texture and detail, which was great for photos. Looking further east, I could clearly make out the main peaks of the Slovenian Julian Alps: Mangart, Jalovec, and even Triglav in the distance. It’s a unique angle to see the Slovenian mountains from the Italian side.
Besides the views, the mountain also has a lot of history. All around the summit and along the ridges, there are visible remnants of World War I—old trenches, foundations of buildings, and military paths. It’s interesting to see this history in what is now such a peaceful, natural environment.
Photography
For this trip, I decided to hike light. I only packed two lenses: my versatile 24-120mm and the 100-400mm for those distant shots. I also made a conscious choice to leave the tripod at home. Modern cameras are so good at higher ISOs, and the built-in image stabilization is incredibly helpful for reducing camera shake, so I find myself opting to go without a tripod more and more often.
When I started composing, I realized that the majestic Jof di Montasio (Montaž) was so massive and close that even a wide-angle lens couldn’t capture it all in one frame. To get the composition I wanted, I had to shoot a five-shot vertical panorama. The telephoto lens, on the other hand, was perfect for capturing details, like small pockets of snow tucked into the mountainside, and for bringing the distant peaks in Slovenia (Mt Mangart, Mt Jalovec, and Mt Triglav) closer.
The light during dawn was beautiful, with a nice glow and muted orange-to-pink tones over the distant ranges. The sunrise itself, however, was a bit lackluster. A thick cloud blocked the sun, so I didn’t get that classic “first light” hitting the nearby peaks. Instead of packing up, I decided to sit and wait to see what would happen as the sun rose higher. My patience paid off. There were a couple of brief, magical moments when the sun broke through a gap in the clouds, illuminating the entire scene beautifully.
Photos From Jof di Sompdogna (Krniška Glavica)
Open the photos in gallery view for captions.
A Hidden Gem Worth the Trip
I’d highly recommend this trip. Jof di Sompdogna offers a rare combination of excellent, up-close views of major Julian Alps peaks and incredibly easy access. The short, non-technical trail means you can carry all your camera equipment for a sunrise or sunset shoot without an exhausting trek. Best of all, it isn’t one of the famous, busy spots, which gives you the freedom to work on your compositions and find unique photos without the usual crowds.
After a rewarding morning of photography, I hiked back down. The perfect way to finish the trip was a quick stop at the Dogna (Dunja) river to cool my feet in the clear water before heading home. All in all, Jof di Sompdogna is a solid choice for a mountain trip, offering a fantastic blend of photographic opportunities, a straightforward hike, and a bit of local history.
Have you found any good, lesser-known spots in the Alps? Let me know in the comments.
