Mount Vogel (1922 m) is a popular hiking destination in Slovenia, because of its proximity to Lake Bohinj and its accessibility.

The hike to Vogel begins with a swift cable car ascent to Vogel Ski Resort, where you’ll have dazzling views of Slovenia’s largest lake and the high peaks of the Julian Alps, including Mount Triglav. 

The ultimate summer day is hiking to Mount Vogel in the morning and swimming in Lake Bohinj in the afternoon.

If you stay at the nearby B&B Hiša Erlah, you can combine this hike with afternoon swimming and even paddleboarding, or kayaking.

You can borrow their SUP and kayak during your stay, at no extra charge.

Mount Vogel Day Hike

• Trailhead: Vogel Cable Car mountain station (also called Rjava Skala) / Ski Hotel Vogel 
• Parking: Vogel Cable Car valley station | Google Maps
• Distance: 11.1 km circuit
• Time Needed: 5 hours 
• Elevation Gain/Loss: 782 meters
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Minimum Elevation: 1367 m
• Maximum Elevation: 1922 m
• Route: Vogel Ski Hotel (1527 m) – Orlove Glave (1682 m) – Šija saddle – Vogel (1922 m) – Planina Zadnji Vogel (1413 m) – Vogel Ski Hotel (1527 m)
• Where to Stay: Apartments Ukanc (midrange), Hiša Erlah (luxury), or Villa Park B&B – ADULTS ONLY in Ukanc
• Recommended Trail Map: Julian Alps: Hiking Map FB WK141 1:50 000 (Freytag + Berndt)

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Mount Vogel Hiking Map

Tips for Hiking to Mount Vogel

1. The Vogel Cable Car runs daily every 30 minutes from 8 am until 6 pm, during high season, and from 8 am until 4 pm, during low season. 

2. There’s a free parking lot directly at the Vogel Cable Car valley station.

3. Your Vogel Cable Car ticket includes the Orlove Glave Chairlift. If this chairlift is running, definitely take it. 

4. There’s a restaurant at the mountain station called Viharnik Café. Grab a drink here, but skip the food.

5. Start your hike as early as possible. This is a popular peak and it’s crawling with people by late morning.

How to Get to the Vogel Cable Car

Drive to the western side of Lake Bohinj to the settlement of Ukanc.

After passing a large camping area (on your right), a road branches off to the left to the Vogel Cable Car valley station. Park here.

Mount Vogel Hike Route Description

This hike to Vogel begins at the Vogel Cable Car mountain station.

If you’re trying to find the station on a trail map, locate Ukanc and then follow the line up to Rjava Skala. 

When you exit the cable car, walk to the viewing platform, and relish the birdseye view of Lake Bohinj.

You can only access this platform when you get off the cable car, and shortly before getting back on. Often there’s a cloud inversion in the morning. 

When you get to the mountain station, bear right and follow signs to Vogel (3 hrs), Rodica (3 hrs) and Šija (1:30 hrs).

Descend towards the Orlove Glave Chairlift lower station. If this chairlift is operating, take it.

It’s included in your cable car ticket and it’ll trim off 1.3 km of your ascent. 

From the top of the Orlove Glave Chairlift, follow signs to Šija (peak). The trail traverses the ski slopes of Vogel Ski Resort to the top of the Šija chairlift.

Continue straight for another 300 meters and when you get to the saddle below Šija peak, turn right towards Vogel, signed 1:40 hrs (left leads to Rodica).

You’re now on the Slovenian Mountain Way, marked with the number 1. 

When you look to the North, you’ll see Mount Triglav towering above all the other peaks of the Julian Alps. 

Crossing the Šija slopes, the hiking trail is very pleasant at first. After about 10 minutes of easy-going walking, the trail descends.

Some parts are a bit tricky, but there are some iron pegs to assist you. 

At the saddle, there’s a signed intersection pointing you straight on to Vogel (50 minutes) and right to Zadnji Vogel Planina. You’ll be returning to this spot after you summit Vogel.

Initially, the trail is secured with steel cables. The path continues along the rocky slopes of Vogel for 30 minutes.

When you reach an intersection, turn left to the peak (signed 15 minutes).

In 5 minutes, you’ll reach the Vogel ridge and it’s another 10 minutes to the very top. 

Enjoy the summit. 

Follow the same route back down to the saddle (40 minutes) and then take the left turn to Zadnji Vogel Planina.

Descend all the way to a grassy meadow, where there will probably be some grazing cattle,  and then continue on to the Zadnji Vogel Planina, where there’s a hut.

You can take a break here and try some homemade cheese, cottage cheese, sour milk, and buckwheat spoonbread.

Continue straight along the road (not the left one going downhill) to the Ski Hotel (30-40 minutes). A marked path branches off to the right.

You can take the trail or the road. Both will lead you to the Vogel Cable Car station. 

Where to Stay near Mount Vogel

Ukanc

Midrange | Set in a quiet location ringed by forest, the top-rated Bohinj Apartments Goldhorn Kingdom (Apartmaji Kraljestvo Zlatoroga) is a 3-star apartment complex (1-2 bedrooms). Each unit has a fully-equipped kitchen with a dishwasher. Extra perk: daily housekeeping. 

Midrange | Apartments Ukanc offers clean and functional apartments in Ukanc. 

Luxury | Chalet Apartments ALPIK offers cozy 1-3 bedroom apartments with well-appointed kitchens in a fairy-tale-like location in Ukanc. 

Luxury | Villa Park B&B – ADULTS ONLY is a bed and breakfast with a large garden situated next to the Savica stream, which flows into Lake Bohinj.

Luxury | We stayed at Hiša Erlah, a bed and breakfast in Ukanc. Because Hiša Erlah is a mere 3-minute drive (13-minute walk) from the Vogel Cable Car valley station, we were able to hop on the first ride of the day (after a sumptuous breakfast). This B&B is also a few steps away from the bridge at Sava Bohinjka and a 5-minute walk to the lake. 

Look for accommodation in Ukanc.

Ribčev Laz

Ribčev Laz is the main hub at Lake Bohinj, with a direct bus connection to Lake Bled and onward to Ljubljana.

Here, you’ll find a cluster of eateries, grocery stores, and boat rental shops. 

Budget | Hostel pod Voglom is located along the southern shore of Lake Bohinj. This budget-friendly accommodation offers simple twin, single rooms, triple, and quadruple rooms. Bathrooms are either private, or shared. From the hostel, it’s a 20 minute walk (1.8 km) to Ribčev Laz, the closest village (restaurants, shops, etc…). You can rent kayaks, SUPs, and bicycles on-site. 

Midrange | Apartments and rooms Cerkovnik is located in Ribčev Laz, a mere 10-minute walk to the lakeshore (1 km). This sparking clean accommodation offers double and triple rooms as well as well-equipped apartments. Breakfast is available for an additional fee. On-site parking is free. 

Luxury | The newly renovated Hotel Bohinj is located in the center of Ribčev Laz, only a few meters from Lake Bohinj. Designed to impress as much as to pay homage to the region’s cultural heritage, Hotel Bohinj is the most striking hotel in the Bohinj region.

All rooms have air-conditioning. Guests are treated to a healthy and delicious breakfast buffet. You can also enjoy dinner at the hotel and indulge in a wellness package.

Look for accommodation in Ribčev Laz.

Stara Fužina

Midrange | Ideal for families, the top-rated Pr `Agotnik apartmaji sobe Bohinj offers spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments with fully-equipped kitchens, and washing machines. 

Midrange | The recently renovated Residence Novak Bohinj offers stylish one-bedroom apartments with fully equipped kitchens in an idyllic area of Stara Fužina. Guests love the idyllic surroundings and mountain views, the proximity to Lake Bohinj, and the kind hosts. There’s a minimum stay requirement of 2-3 nights.

Midrange-Luxury | Apartmaji Triglav is a stylish aparthotel in Stara Fužina with an on-site restaurant and bar and spa and wellness center. Rooms are clean, modern, and feature balconies, kitchenettes and seating areas. Guests particularly love the mountain views and the hotel’s proximity to hiking trails and the lake. Breakfast is included. 

Luxury | Hotel Majerca is a lovely boutique hotel with an on-site restaurant in Stara Fužina. The restaurant extends onto a grassy lawn, with views of farmland backed by the Julian Alps. It’s wonderful to start and end your day here. The al fresco breakfast is phenomenal. 

Look for accommodation in Stara Fužina.

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