Out of all the hikes we did around Lake Bohinj the Vogar Viewpoint has to be our favourite experience – and it’s the most local hike of all the one we did!
Starting in Stara Fuzina (at the same starting point as the Mostnica Gorge hike) you make your way up the mountain to one of the best viewpoints overlooking Lake Bohinj.
The best part of this hike, which you don’t get from Savica Waterfall or even Mostnica Gorge, is that you actually get an amazing view overlooking Lake Bohinj.
This hike was another recommendation from our local host. We loved it from the moment we started the hike in Stara Fuzina to Vogar Viewpoint.
We love finding more local trails, especially hikes recommended by locals so we’re super excited to share the details of hiking Vogar Viewpoint and show you the views.
You’ll soon see why this should be on the top of your list for hikes to do around Bohinj.
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What to know about the Vogar Viewpoint hike
This is a very moderate hike with a bit of a challenging incline that makes you work for the view but without it feeling like you’re hiking hours on end to get to the top. Trust us when we say the views will be worth it!
For a good chunk of the hike, you’re deep in the forest without many views but once you make it out of the trees the view isn’t that far away. It is one amazing view over Bohinj.
From our experience, the Vogar Viewpoint is less busy than most of the hikes around Bohinj. It’s a nice hike to do if you’re looking for something a little more off the beaten path. Especially since Bohinj does get quite busy and the more known hikes can get packed with people.
Vogar Viewpoint doesn’t start exactly at Lake Bohinj but instead in Stara Fuzina which is the neighbouring village that is basically connected to Bohinj.
We actually stayed in a cozy little Old Mill House there and that’s how we figured out about this hike.
It’s so cool walking through Stara Fuzina and seeing the locals and how, even though tourism has grown like crazy in the area, some things haven’t seemed to change.
You’ll see chickens in the front yards, goats in the backyards, old tractors, and just the real, authentic mountainside of Slovenia which is really cool.
As you walk out of Stara Fuzina towards the trailhead, the rest of the hike takes place up the mountain. Once the trail starts, you will basically zig-zag up it to gain elevation and get to the Vogar Viewpoint.
Out of all the hikes and views we did in Slovenia, the one from Vogar Viewpoint has to be on the top of that list.
Practical information about the Vogar Viewpoint hike
Distance: 7.6 km return / 4.72 miles return
Elevation: Roughly 549 m / 1801 ft. elevation gain
Type: In-and-out trail
Length: 3.5-4 hours total (with a break at the mountain restaurant)
Difficulty: Moderate-hard (there is a fair bit of incline)
Rating: 4/5
Click here to see a map of the beginning of the Vogar Viewpoint hike.
Here’s a picture of the beginning of the Vogar Viewpoint hike:
Starting the hike in the Stara Fuzina parking lot
Right at the Bohinj Tourism office in Stara Fuzina, you’ll find a (paid) parking lot where you can park your car for €3 an hour. If you’re not staying at a hotel or accommodation in Stara Fuzina then this is the best place to park.
There’s even a little grocery store right there if you need to grab any snacks for the hike.
Once you’re ready to start your hike, you’ll cross the street and start following the Mostnica River upstream. This is the easiest way to get to the starting point. It’s also the exact same way you go hiking Mostina Gorge (a famous hike in the area which we can highly recommend).
In a way, this hike is also similar to the Velika Osojnica hike next to Lake Bled. On both hikes, you start on a trail that brings you through the local village.
You’ll see cottages, farmers, chickens, and maybe even some goats or cows as you start the trek in Stara Fuzina.
There’s something magical about a place like this that, even though tourism has started to boom, they still stick to their roots and continue living the way they always have.
We hope you enjoy this section of the trail before the actual hike starts. You’ll walk next to this small man-made stream which actually brings water from the Mostnica River to Stara Fuzina!
Hiking up the Vogar Viewpoint zig zags
Once you get to the T-intersection which you see in the image above, there will be a tourist information board and signs painted on the rock. Make sure to take the trail on the left (which is technically straight) towards Vogar.
If you take the right trail you’ll end up hiking the Mostnica Gorge to Vaje Waterfall hike instead of the Vogar Viewpoint. Not that that’s a bad thing since the other hike is beautiful as well. But stay left if you want to go to Vogar Viewpoint!
As you continue on the trail, the elevation slowly starts to kick in. You’ll come across a meadow where you’ll see some horses and cows. From there you should then see the entrance of a forest “above” you where the trail continues.
The forest is where the zig-zags up the mountain start. Proper hiking boots are highly recommended especially once you get up into the mountains.
The trails are nice but there are plenty of rocks, roots, and puddles if it has rained and hiking boots just make it so much more enjoyable. Also, since this trail is kind of steep and has a bunch of rocks and roots, it can get quite slippery if it’s been raining lately.
As you hike up the zig-zags you might feel like it’s never-ending but don’t worry… Soon enough you’ll be in the clear and only have a little bit to go.
Once you’re done with the zig-zags the rest of the hike is a piece of cake. There’s also a restaurant at the top where you can order coffee, sweets, and some yummy food. So if the view isn’t motivation enough, hopefully, this is!
The last stretch up to Vogar Viewpoint
We’re not lying! The last stretch to the viewpoint is really chill and easy. The last stretch is a flat walk through this mountain trail that actually gets used quite often because there is a paragliding starting point right before Vogar Viewpoint.
It’s possible to go check out the paragliding viewpoint before or after you visit the viewpoint. It’s only a minute from the main trail and it gives you another great view of Lake Bohinj. You’ll see signs guiding you in there in case you’re interested.
A few minutes after that viewpoint, a clearing will appear between all the trees. This is where the nice little restaurant/pub where you can order some snacks.
But first, continue down the trail to Vogar viewpoint which is now only a few minutes away.
Take in the views at Vogar Viewpoint
During our time in Bohinj, we wanted to make sure we did one hike where we got an amazing view of Lake Bohinj from above. You might even be able to see the Bohinj Lake Trail that loops around the lake if you look closely.
Savica Waterfall was amazing but you can’t really see the lake from there. Mostnica Gorge is also stunning but there are no views of the lake from up there either.
Finally, Vogar Viewpoint offered exactly what we were looking for! A stunning view of Lake Bohinj. After canoeing on the lake we had to see what it looks like from above – and man is it cool!
We had the entire viewpoint to ourselves the whole time which was really cool. This might be because of the fact that we went in early October which is kind of off-season but maybe also because it’s a bit more local. Either way, we loved it!
Enjoy the moment and your time up at the Vogar Viewpoint. There’s a beautiful bench with a heart carved into the back of it where you can sit and rest your legs for a bit. This is also a wonderful spot to hang out and enjoy some snacks.
The viewpoint is quite open so you can get an incredible view of the lake. And, on a clear day, you can see the top of Mount Vogel and the Vogel Cable Car!
You may even see some paragliders flying around and some people canoeing on the lake. Both are awesome activities to do around Lake Bohinj.
Enjoy a snack at the Vogar Restaurant
After taking the view from Vogar and hiking all the way up the mountain it’s time to sit back, enjoy the sun, and maybe have a beer or dessert! (We can highly recommend the crepes 🤤).
The cottage next to Vogar Viewpoint is a sort of mountain restaurant/pub with accommodation where people can stay if they plan to hike further up the mountains for a few days.
Even in early October, which is during the off-season in Bohinj, the restaurant was still open. We found it quite surprising since it is a bit of a journey to get up there (although it is possible to drive up there through a back road).
It’s a really nice spot though. They have plenty of outdoor seating so if it’s nice and sunny out you can sit outside while enjoying your food and drinks. Otherwise, they have a fire going on in the fireplace so you can go inside to warm up if you need to.
Even though it’s only a 3-4 hour hike you can easily turn this into a full-day activity if you spend time up on the mountain hanging out. If it’s a nice sunny day, then why not?
It’s so beautiful and peaceful up on the mountain and you can easily spend all day up there.
Back down from Vogar to Stara Fuzina
When you’re finally ready to go back, you can take the same way down. It’s an in-and-out trail so you will hike back the same way down as you came up.
If you missed the paragliding viewpoint on the way up and feel like getting in one more view of the lake then this is your second chance to do so! You can also see all of Stara Fuzina from there which is really cool.
Then you’ll continue down the zig-zags and out of the forest until you’re back in the meadow with the horses and cows. Soon enough you’ll see Stara Fuzina and the end of the hike is near.
You’ll walk back through the streets where all the locals live and if you end up staying at The Old Mill House you’ll basically be back home since the accommodation is right inside Stara Fuzina.
Grab a bite to eat in Stara Fuzina
In case you don’t grab a bite to eat at the Vogar Restaurant and are hungry we have the perfect little local spot to grab a bite to eat…
It’s a small local restaurant in Stara Fuzina and it’s really really good! Gostilna in Picerija Bohinj is only a few minutes walk from the parking lot where you start the hike.
When we went, the service was great and fast, and the variety of food is really nice. They have anything from pizza, pasta, soups, salads, and of course some more local meals. There’s definitely something for everyone.
It’s a nice place to relax and have a bite to eat or some coffee. In the summer, they have a huge outdoor seating area and in the cooler months, you can cozy up inside.
What to bring on the Vogar Viewpoint hike
Since it’s a moderate-length hike, we suggest you bring lots of water and a few snacks to keep you going.
Conveniently enough, there’s a grocery store right next to the parking lot and also a restaurant next to the Vogar viewpoint at the top of the hike. So you’re never far from food and water.
You should still pack a big bottle of water though. We love our reusable water bottles from LifeStraw. We’ve been using them for a few years now and absolutely love them.
We hiked Vogar Viewpoint and the weather did change a few times throughout the hike. When you’re deep in the trees zig zagging your way up the mountain there’s not a whole lot of sun. Which means it can get a little chilly.
We actually had an amazing experience going through the trees as the weather was kind of foggy but then the sun came through. It created the most beautiful rays of sunlight. It was amazing!
Anyways, try to pack some layers and throw some extra stuff in your bag. We usually bring our Osprey day hiking bags and pack everything we think we might need. Everything from a tripod to a power bank to food and bandaids.
Packing list for Vogar Viewpoint:
- Water! We always fill up our LifeStraw bottles before hikes and even during them when we can. Make sure to fill it up beforehand. You can also fill it up once you get to the top of the hike.
- Sunscreen is highly recommended when hiking in Slovenia during the summer months. This hike isn’t the best example since you’ll be covered in the trees for most of the hike – but once you’re at the top you’re quite exposed and it can get very sunny.
- A power bank is always nice to have on any hike you do! You don’t want a dead phone halfway through a walk or when you have to navigate back to your accommodation.
- Bring some snacks for when you make it to the viewpoint overlooking the lake.
- It’s always nice to have hiking poles! Vogar is actually a great hike for hiking poles because of all the elevation in the zig-zag section of the hike.
Where to stay near Lake Bohinj
One of the nice things about staying near Lake Bohinj compared to Lake Bled is that it’s way less touristy. In Lake Bohinj, you’re close to a bunch of amazing hikes and it’s also going to be more affordable for the most part compared to Lake Bled.
We have two awesome accommodations we can recommend if you plan to stay near Lake Bohinj for a few days and hike around the area. One is quite cheap but really good. The other is an authentic stay and very homie and just a full-on experience.
Hostel Pod Voglom
Hostel Pod Voglom is a hostel located right on Lake Bohinj. They have everything you need to have an awesome time at the lake.
They have so many fun things you can rent such as canoes and kayaks you can bring out on Lake Bohinj and mountain bikes you can take up and down the mountains.
There’s a bus stop located right in front of the hostel so it’s super easy to get there from Lake Bled or Ljubljana. It’s a great place to stay if you want to meet people and find some adventure friends to explore the area with.
You can book Hostel Pod Voglom right here.
Old Mill House Stara Fuzina
The Old Mill House is one of the coolest places we’ve ever stayed at. It truly is an Old Mill House that has been passed down from generation to generation. There’s so much history and things to see that are connected to this house which is so cool.
The owners (who live upstairs) will give you a full guided tour of the place and share some interesting stories about the place and its history along with some good hikes to do in the area. Maja (the owner) was the one who actually recommended Mostnica Gorge and Vogar Viewpoint to us.
The best part is you can actually do both of these hikes from the front door of the Old Mill House. You don’t need to drive anywhere.
The house itself is newly renovated. When we went, they had two different places available for rent: the main floor and a smaller apartment right across the street.
If you stay in the main floor apartment, you have the whole floor to yourself and it’s really cozy. This is great for a family or two couples travelling together. There’s also the smaller Old Mill House which is great for a couple’s getaway.
Stara Fuzina is only a 3-4 minute drive to Lake Bohinj so you’re not far from the lake which is really nice.
You can book the Old Mill House right here.
Also read: Top 5 Bohinj Hotels for an Unforgettable Stay
How to get from Ljubljana to Bohinj
Having a car to explore Slovenia is probably the easiest way to get between all the different cities and hiking spots. Buses do run and actually, there is a bus directly from Ljubljana to Bohinj so it’s not that inconvenient if you don’t (want to) drive.
You still have to get to the trailheads of some of the hikes thought which are mostly a lot easier to access by car. Having a car makes sense from a convenience perspective!
Rent a car in Ljubljana
Renting a car is by far the best option for this hike and also for many of the hikes in and around Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj.
It’s fairly affordable to rent a car from the Ljubljana Airport (check out DiscoverCars to compare prices). And being able to drive will save you lots of time getting to and from all the trailheads.
You can look at different rental car options from the Ljubljana Airport here.
Taking the bus to Bohinj
You can actually take a bus directly from Ljubljana that goes through Lake Bled and then stops in Bohinj.
Arriva is the main company that does these bus trips daily and they run quite frequently during peak season and less frequently during the off-season.
You can also look at all the other ways to get to Lake Bohinj. Even if you don’t have a car, it’s still very manageable.
Before you hike Vogar Viewpoint
Check the weather
It’s always nice to get a feel for what kind of weather you’re going to have on the hike. You don’t want to get caught halfway up the mountain when a storm comes in and then have to decide about turning back or going.
You can see the weather for Stara Fuzina here, which s the town right next to the start of the hike. The weather up the mountain near Vogar may be slightly different but still quite similar to down in Stara Fuzina.
It’s always better to throw a few extra things into your backpack and carry it than not have them. It’s always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared on hikes!
Wear hiking shoes
Almost everywhere in Slovenia up in the mountains proper hiking shoes are recommended. We wear them on all mountain hikes we do. It makes the hike so much more enjoyable. It’s also a lot safer, especially with all the loose rocks, roots, and other things you find on the trail.
Maybe it was the time of year we went but a lot of the trails were quite muddy and loose because of the rain. Hiking up to Vogar Viewpoint, the trail up the mountain has rocks and roots all over the trail so proper footwear was nice to have.
Best time to hike up to Vogar Viewpoint
There are so many hikes to do around Lake Bohinj but we would prioritize this one on a clear sunny day. The main view from the Vogar Viewpoint is stunning but you need a clear day to be able to see the lake.
If the weather’s not as good you can always hike to Mostnica Gorge or from Bohinj to Savica Waterfall. But on a clear sunny day, this is the hike to do.
Since it is a bit more of a local hike it usually doesn’t gets too busy up toward Vogar Viewpoint so even in the summer when the lake and most of the hikes around Bohinj are busy this might be a good one to do.
You may also like…
- Top 5 Bohinj Hotels for an Unforgettable Stay
- 3 Fun Bohinj Hiking Trails to Check Off Your List While in Slovenia
- Hiking to Velika Osojnica Viewpoint Lake Bled
- Walking the Scenic Bohinj Lake Trail: A Must-Do in the Triglav National Park
- An Epic Day Trip From Ljubljana to Lake Bled in Slovenia
Recap of the Vogar Viewpoint hike overlooking Lake Bohinj
That’s it for this post about the Vogar Viewpoint! This is an awesome hike that takes you up into the mountains above Lake Bohinj. Out of all the hikes we did in the area this was the most local and least touristy hike.
We love that it gets you up into the mountains with an awesome view of Lake Bohinj. The Triglav National Park is absolutely stunning and there are so many great hikes in the area but we really loved this one.
Enjoy this amazing hike in Slovenia! If you have questions on how to get there then DM us on Instagram @redwhiteadventures or leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you right away!
There are plenty of hikes to do in the area so if you have the time make sure to give yourself at least a few days to see everything, explore the lake, and hike the mountains around it.
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