5 Hiking Trails Near Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

Lake Bohinj hiking trails are truly spectacular! The best hikes around Bohinj Lake take trekkers past deep gorges, up to beautiful waterfalls and out to gorgeous scenic viewpoints. Bohinj Lake – or Bohinjsko Jezero – is an absolute gem in Slovenia and these hiking trails are the best way to discover it! 

 

Lake Bohinj Hiking in Slovenia

As the bus pulled away from the Lake Bled Station in the direction of Lake Bohinj, Slovenia, there were more empty seats than those occupied. Of our fellow passengers, a few carried backpacks and tents, some were donning only swimsuits, others were geared-up to hike at Lake Bohinj.

During the 40-minute ride, as we followed the curving Sava Bohinjsk River, we overheard fellow passengers conversing. It seemed everyone was in agreement: for anyone looking to flee the crowds of Lake Bled and completely step into nature, Lake Bohinj is the place to go.

Our anticipation was mounting. Not only did we want to breathe the fresh mountain air and swim in the clear cool water, we were also eager to set out on the hiking trails near Lake Bohinj, Slovenia.

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Best 5 Hiking Trails Near Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

Bohinj is the largest lake in Slovenia and is surrounded by impressive mountains, including the towering Julian Alps. It is situated within the boundaries of Triglav National Park – the only national park in Slovenia – and outdoor activities abound; swimming, boating, cycling, paragliding and hiking. While all of this is what drew us to the region, we were mostly looking for hikes at Lake Bohinj.

The hiking trails near Lake Bohinj vary in degree of difficulty, from “I can walk this in flip-flops” to “We should hire a guide.” The most popular Lake Bohinj trails are easily accessible and well-marked, while detailed trail maps and hiking gear are recommended for the hikes further afield.

As casual day hikers, we were interested in exploring the easy trails near Lake Bohinj that got us in touch with nature, but required little pre-planning or proper hiking gear.

 

#1 Savica Waterfall Hike

The hike to Savica Waterfall is the most popular sight near Lake Bohinj and has been for many years; in 1807 the site was visited by Archduke John of Austria.

From the west end of Lake Bohinj, Savica Waterfall is visible cascading down the rocky mountainside, but completing the hike provides an up-close view. Two separate falls – one 255 feet high and the other 82 feet high – flow from underground passages then tumble down into a stream. In fact, Savica is the only continuous source of water into the lake.

In the lakeside village of Ukanc, there is a marked trailhead where enthusiastic walkers can start the hike that leads up to the waterfall. There is also a less strenuous route starting from the much closer Savica parking lot.

While that hike is certainly shorter, it’s not without incline and requires climbing nearly 500 steps to the waterfall viewing platform. It may have been just luck, but the path wasn’t crowded at our peak summer visit and most of it was shaded under a canopy of trees.

 

Details for Savica Bohinj Hiking Route

Entrance to the Savica Waterfall hike costs €4 per person from July through September and €3 the rest of the year. However, it is free with the Julian Alps Bohinj Guest Card. There is a fee for parking, but a bus (also free with the card) takes tourists directly to the Savica parking lot. We were hiking this Lake Bohinj trail for a little more than an hour and took our time stopping at Savica viewpoints and lingering at the top.

 

Tips for Hiking to Savica Waterfall

• Bring a water bottle and fill it with fresh mountain water at the Savica ticket entrance.
• Make it a longer outing and bring along a picnic. There are tables and benches on the Savica Waterfall Trail.

 

#2 Hiking Trails at Vogel Ski Center

Vogel Ski Center sits at an elevation of 5,036 feet on the south side of Lake Bohinj – and is a 3,100-foot elevation gain from the lakeside. We had no interest in making the hike up – or down, for that matter – but were rather thrilled to take the cable car, which whisked us up in just a little more than 4 minutes.

Once at the top, after taking in the views, we set off to discover the Bohinj hiking trails that are just beyond the cable car platform.

Without a map, we were left to use the limited information provided on signs. We followed the main gravel path away from the Vogel Ski Center until we saw a sign for Turisticna sirarska POT, the Cheese Trail. Not actually expecting cheese at the end of the trek, we set off anyway!

Veering to the right, we walked on the gravel road for some distance, appreciating the solitude, the colorful flowers and mountain views. After about 15-20 minutes, we saw a trail on the left that curved back toward the ski center through the forest. We hopped on that trail – a narrow, dirt path – and circled back to where we started.

 

Details for Hiking Bohinj Trails from Vogel Ski Center

The Vogel Cable Car costs €29.50 roundtrip and is discounted by 20% with the Bohinj Guest Card. We spent about 2 hours at the top; but only about 45 minutes hiking. We explored a bit more around the immediate area and couldn’t stop taking photos of the Bohinj Mountain Goats!

 

Vogel Hiking Tips

• Bring your own water! The tap water at the Vogel Ski Center is not potable.
• When you exit the cable car, stay on the platform for a few moments to take in the best views down to Lake Bohinj
• There are several Bohinj hikes – both long and short – from the ski center, but not well marked. Do prior research (there are trails listed on the Vogel Ski Center Website, but more info should be gathered) and ask questions once you arrive. We would have been able to enjoy a longer hike if we had been more prepared.

 

#3 Voje Valley and Mostnica Gorge Hike

The trail into Voje Valley along the Mostnica Gorge extends 3 miles to a waterfall, but that isn’t the most impressive feature. Rather, it is the narrowly carved gorge and the pale blue-green water that rushes through it.

The gorge, which measures 65 feet deep in some places, was created during the period of glacial melting. Located on the northeast end of Lake Bohinj, the Mostnica Gorge trailhead is accessed through the small village of Stara Fužina.

From the parking lot, the hiking trail quickly becomes enveloped in forest and passes many bridges, as well as places to get closer (or into) the water. About halfway through the Mostnica Hike, the trail emerges from the woods into open pastures before re-entering the forest and ending at a waterfall.

In two sections of this Bohinj trail, it is possible to walk on either side of the water, allowing hikers to loop around instead of just hiking in and out on the same trail.

 

Details for the Mostnica Gorge Lake Bohinj Hike

Entrance to the Voje Valley and Mostnica Gorge hike costs €4 per person from June through September and €3 the rest of the year (free with the Bohinj Card). There is a fee for parking as well as the hop on tourist bus (also free with the card) that takes hikers to Stara Fuzina.

It took us 4 hours to hike from Stara Fuzina to the waterfall and back, including several stops for pictures and a picnic lunch. There are two restaurants on the trail – one at the halfway point (where you can also refill your water bottle) and another near the waterfall at the end.

 

Tips for Hiking Mostnica Gorge and Voje Valley 

• Pick up a detailed Voje Valley and Mostnica Gorge pamphlet from the tourist office in Stara Fuzina or Ribčev Laz.
• For a shorter Bohinj hike that is about an hour long, follow the trail to Cesenjski Most (Bridge). Cross it and loop back to the entrance.
• This was our favorite hiking trail near Lake Bohinj; we would have hiked it twice if we had time!

 

#4 Galetovec Trail and Pokljuka Trails near Bohinj

The Pokljuka plateau, which is within the boundaries of Triglav National Park, sits above Lake Bohinj to the northeast and is dotted with villages, pastures and forests. Many hiking trails begin near the villages and a few paths run between them allowing you to ramble from one to another.

Since we wanted to experience hiking trails near Lake Bohinj that were a bit further from the crowds, we set out to hike Galetovec from the village of Gorjuse.

The trail was estimated to take 2.5 hours and includes viewpoints to Lake Bled. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a detailed trail map, which was a poor decision on our part. We were only able to find the first two yellow trail markers.

Without a clear understanding of which direction to go (we had three options), we chose the gravel road to the right. We followed it for more than an hour before turning back around. Although it was technically a road, it was completely enveloped in forest.

During our time walking, we saw a running deer, a small snake and not a single other person. However, we don’t believe we were on the correct Bohinj trail (or a trail at all, for that matter!) and we never arrived at the viewpoint of Lake Bled.

 

Details for Hiking Pokljuka Plateau

The summer Hop On, Hop Off Bus makes four round-trips from Lake Bohinj to Pokljuka from late June until mid-September and is free with the Bohinj Card. After spending a few hours on this Bohinj trail we made it back in time to catch the next bus that continued further up the mountains to Rudno Polje. After a short wander there, we rode the bus back to Lake Bohinj.

 

Tips for Hiking Pokljuka Plateau

• Get a detailed map from the Bohinj Tourist Information Center! To really enjoy the trails on Pokljuka, a proper map is a necessity.
• Even though we didn’t feel as if we were on a ‘hike’, riding the bus was a pleasant way to get a glimpse of the rural area outside of the Lake Bohinj tourist zone.

 

#5 Lake Bohinj Circumference Trail

For hikers who aren’t interested in leaving the water, there are Bohinj hikes along the lake. In fact, there is a Bohinj trail that follows the lake’s edge in a complete circle.

The loop around Lake Bohinj is 7.5 miles and takes about 3-4 hours to complete. We didn’t have enough time to complete the circle all the way around, but enjoyed portions of it along the east and south sides of Lake Bohinj.

 

Details of the Lake Bohinj Circumference Trail

Start the hike on the east end by the often photographed St. John the Baptist Church. There is also a volleyball court and Kramar Restaurant with a very nice Lake Bohinj view. The shallow waters on the east end are perfect for easing into the chilly water – and a good starting point for Lake Bohinj hiking trails.

The Bohinj trail along the south side of the lake follows the road, which is not exactly an ideal way to experience nature, but hikers are rewarded with the stunning views. The dock for the electric Bohinj tourist boat and statue of the Zlatorog are also on the south shore of the lake, both toward the east end.

 

Tips for Hiking Lake Bohinj Circumference Trail

• Although we did not walk along the northern side of the lake, we heard that was the best portion to hike for a true nature trail as there are no roads.

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More Hikes in Slovenia near Lake Bohinj

We featured our favorite easy hiking trails at Bohinj Lake – but there are many more challenging trails for avid (and properly equipped!) hikers, too. 

 

Triglav Lakes Valley Hike

This hike through the Slovenian Julian Alps connects 7 lakes in the valley. The walk can be completed as a day trek – or as part of a longer, multi-day hike from Lake Bohinj.

 

Juliana Trail: Julian Alps Hikes

Serious hikers can head for the hills (or rather, the mountains) and embark on a trek through the stunningly beautiful Julian Alps. An intense looping trail – called the Juliana Trail – clocks in at 167 miles! Find out more about this epic long distance hike from Bohinj in this article. 

 

Lake Bled Hikes

Although nearby Lake Bled tends to be more commercial and crowded than Lake Bohinj, there are still plenty of opportunities to get away and out in serene nature. Visitors can hike Lake Bled Trails to incredible viewpoints – or trek through Vintgar Gorge. Find more tips for visiting the area in our complete article, Best Things To Do in Lake Bled, Slovenia. 

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Travel Tips for Trips to Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

Before you go to Slovenia, we have a few travel tips that will help make your trip planning a breeze!

 

Planning a Trip to Lake Bohinj, Slovenia

Whether seeking out nature, a little relaxation or just planning stops on your Slovenia road trip, Lake Bohinj is an ideal destination. Those creating a trip to Bohinj can use our Lake Bohinj Itinerary for advice on how to plan more adventures. 

Those visiting Slovenia from abroad should first read our tips on How To Plan a European Vacation.

When planning a trip, organization is key! Stay on top of all the details with our Printable Travel Planner. 

 

When To Go To Lake Bohinj

Lake Bohinj is gorgeous year round, but if you want to go hiking in Bohinj, then summer and autumn are the best seasons to visit. 

In the summertime, the weather is warm and the days are long. Early summer is the best time for spotting wildflowers. In fact, in the beginning of June, many towns around Lake Bohinj host a Wild Flower Festival.

Autumn is a fantastic time for Lake Bohinj hiking – as the cooler temperatures make for more comfortable treks. 

While winter is not a good time for hiking at Bohinj Lake, it is a good time for snow activities, like skiing at Vogel and snowshoeing. In the spring, it is possible to hike at Bohinj – just avoid trails after heavy rains or recent thaws. 

 

Where To Stay at Lake Bohinj

During our visit to Lake Bohinj, we stayed at Rooms Simon Ceklin, which we can definitely recommend as an affordable and comfortable accommodation. However, there are many hotels to choose from that are close to Bohinj. First, read our tips on Getting the Best Hotel Deals – then start your search on Booking.com. 

 

What To Pack for Lake Bohinj

Now that you are ready to go hiking at Lake Bohinj, we have some advice on what to pack. You can find all of our hacks on our Packing Page – but for now grab your Free Packing Checklist!

 

Hiking Shoes for Lake Bohinj

For the Bohinj hikes that we recommend, hiking boots are not necessary – just be sure to pack a good pair of travel walking shoes. I wore my everyday trainers and Kris preferred his Merrell Trail Shoes. 

 

Travel Camera

The beauty of Lake Bohinj is astounding! We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos during your vacation to Slovenia. Rather than relying on your phone to capture the sights, upgrade to an actual camera for high quality photos.

We travel with a Canon Rebel and use a 18-135mm lens. We love that it is easy to use, takes excellent photos and consistently ranks as one of the best budget cameras for travel.

 

Day Pack

Whether you travel with a backpack or a suitcase, you will also want a great day pack for all your daily hiking essentials. We always use these lightweight backpacks and they were great on the trails we hiked at Lake Bohinj.

 

Slovenia Travel Insurance

If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip to Slovenia, consider traveling protected with World Nomads. Trip insurance may reimburse costs associated with lost luggage, canceled flights or if you become ill while traveling.

 

Start planning your trip to Slovenia! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing!  Want more travel advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!

 

More Travel Guides for Visiting Slovenia

We absolutely love Slovenia and have spent an extended amount of time in the country. Check out our other travel article about Slovenia to plan your vacation!

• How To Spend One Day in Ljubljana
• Top Day Trips from Ljubljana
• Great Reasons to Visit Maribor
• What To Do in Piran
• Best Things To Do in Kranj
• How To See Skocjan Cave
• Visit the Predjama Castle and Postojna Cave
• Where to go Glamping in Slovenia
• Discovering Bela Krajina

 

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