Hiking Mount Vogel: Complete Trail Guide – Lake Bohinj, Slovenia (2026)
- jandrzej76
- Mar 31
- 7 min read
Updated: Apr 3
During our June stay in Slovenia, in the beautiful village of Stara Fužina located near Lake Bohinj, we were conquering trails recommended to us by the owners of the guesthouse where we were staying. The first was the popular trail to Vogel. It begins with a cable car ride up to the top station Rjava Skala, from where it leads through successive peaks: Orlova Glava (1,682 m), Šija (1,880 m), and Vogel (1,922 m). If there's enough time, you can also summit Rodica (1,964 m).
As our host described it — someone who has been climbing these mountains since childhood — the suggested route is easy, short, and enjoyable. It shouldn't take more than 4–5 hours, and with Rodica perhaps around 7 hours. It sounded tempting. We didn't check how long the climb would take without using the cable car — what mattered more to us was admiring the surroundings from the heights of the mountain ridges.
Trail stages:
START – Lower cable car station (570 m) → Cable car → Rjava Skala (1,540 m) — Time: 10 min | Cost: €33 (return)
Rjava Skala → Chairlift (FREE) → Orlova Glava (1,682 m) — Distance: 0.3 km | Time: 5 min walk + 10 min lift
Orlova Glava → Šija (1,880 m) — Distance: 1.5 km | Time: 45 min | Elevation gain: +198 m — Difficulty: Moderate, rocky path
Šija → Vratca Pass (1,700 m) — Distance: 0.8 km | Time: 30 min | Elevation loss: -180 m — Difficulty: DIFFICULT – steep descent, chains, scree
Vratca Pass → VOGEL (1,922 m) — Distance: 1.2 km | Time: 40 min | Elevation gain: +222 m — Difficulty: Moderate – via ferrata, climbing over boulders
VOGEL → Vratca Pass (return) — Distance: 1.2 km | Time: 30 min | Descent
Vratca Pass → Planina Zadnji Vogel valley (1,600 m) — Distance: 2.5 km | Time: 50 min | Elevation change: -100 m — Difficulty: Easy – traversing the slope
Planina → Orlova Glava (return) — Distance: 2.8 km | Time: 60 min | Elevation gain: +82 m — Difficulty: Easy
END – Chairlift + cable car down to the car park — Time: 20 min
TOTAL: 11.8 km | 5h 34min walking + ~1h break = approximately 6.5–7h in total
How to get there – parking and access to the Vogel cable car
Free parking is located right next to the cable car entrance. In summer, due to the increased number of visitors, parking spaces may be taken. Parking on the main road is supposedly not allowed, but everyone was leaving their cars there. Free bus no. 1 also goes there.
Vogel cable car – ticket prices and timetable
General cable car timetable
Winter season: from 08:00 to 18:00 (daily, every half hour)
Off-season: from 08:00 to 16:00 (daily, every half hour)
Summer season: from 08:00 to 18:00 (daily, every half hour)
Ticket prices (2025 update)
Standard return ticket: €33.00 / children (6–14 years) €16.50 / youth and seniors €29.50
One-way ticket: €25.00 / €13.00 / €22.00
Family ticket (min. 2 adults plus a child):
Return: €28.00 / €14.00 / €25.00
One-way: €22.00 / €11.00 / €19.00
Important information: The ticket price includes free parking and access to the free chairlift to Orlova Glava at the top station!
We weren't in any particular hurry, so we arrived at the top station only around 10 o'clock. The view of Lake Bohinj from the panoramic cable car was spectacular, however you need to take a window seat to see anything. People are packed inside like sardines.
At the top, in good weather, you can have a lovely time admiring the views, relaxing, and having fun. There is a restaurant, a hotel, a children's playground, a paragliding launch site, and cycling trails.
We, however, headed towards the chairlift to Orlova Glava.
Chairlift to Orlova Glava – an additional attraction
This is a free chairlift operating from 8:00 to 16:00. It runs non-stop and can be used without any restrictions. I'm not sure how much climbing this lift saved us — maybe 40 minutes — but for us it was simply an additional attraction.
The Vogel trail: Orlova Glava – Šija – Vogel (detailed description)
From Orlova Glava (1,682 m a.s.l.) we headed towards Šija (1,880 m a.s.l.).
Along the way we passed a junction from which you could traverse towards Vogel or climb to the summit of Šija. We of course chose the second option. The trail there was no easy feat — rocky, and I was practically going on all fours. The view from the summit was incredible. It was a moment for rest and a snack. This section of the trail took us about 45 minutes (1.5 km).
Vratca Pass and the via ferrata – the most difficult section
From Šija, the path leads along a ridge with beautiful views of the surrounding peaks. Then we descend to the deeply incised saddle of Vratca Pass. The steep descent is secured with chains and brackets — you need to be very careful, as the scree fields here are easy to slip on.
Vogel is already visible and seems close, but unfortunately that's not the end of it. To reach the summit, you still need to go around the mountain. The climb out of the pass is accompanied by steel cable anchors — a short but very helpful via ferrata section. Then we traverse Vogel all the way to a junction from which you can reach Bivak Globoko, a mountain shelter where you can stay overnight in an emergency. However, the Vogel trail turns sharply left and after about 20 minutes of fairly laborious climbing over rocks and boulders, we reach the broad summit. At the top there is a metal box with a summit register. There is no summit plaque.
Vogel summit (1,922 m) – views and trail time
At this altitude, the landscape is characterised by dwarf pine and alpine vegetation. The view from the summit takes your breath away. Here you can sit down, eat something, and absolutely soak in the wonders of nature.
The return route
The descent leads back to Vratca Pass, and from there by traversal to the Planina Zadnji Vogel valley.
Then it's back up to Orlova Glava, from where you take the chairlift down to the Rjava Skala upper cable car station, and the cable car back down to the valley.
Practical information – what's worth knowing before you set out
Trail time: The entire trail took us 4.5 hours, not counting the cable car journey up and down.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with one more difficult section at Vratca Pass (secured with safety equipment).
Attractions along the way: Free chairlift, via ferrata, beautiful views of the Julian Alps and Lake Bohinj.
DISTANCE SUMMARY
Section | Distance | Time | Elevation change |
Cable car (start) | - | 10 min | +500 m |
Walk to chairlift | 0,3 km | 5 min | 0 m |
Chairlift | - | 10 min | +140 m |
Orlova Glava → Šija | 1,5 km | 45 min | +198 m |
Šija → Vratca Pass | 0,8 km | 30 min | -180 m |
Vratca → Vogel | 1,2 km | 40 min | +222 m |
Vogel → Vratca (return) | 1,2 km | 30 min | -222 m |
Vratca → Planina Zadnji Vogel | 2,5 km | 50 min | -100 m |
Planina → Orlova Glava | 2,8 km | 60 min | +82 m |
Return by chairlift and cable car | - | 20 min | -640 m |
TOTAL | ~11,8 km | ~5,5 h | ~600 m |
Walking times do not include stops, photos, or rest. Add ~1–1.5 h for breaks.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How much does it cost to get to Vogel?
A return cable car ticket costs €33 for an adult, €16.50 for children (6–14 years), and €29.50 for youth/seniors. Free parking and the chairlift to Orlova Glava are included in the price.
How long does it take to climb Vogel?
The trail itself is about 4.5–5.5 hours of walking. With stops at the summits, photos, and rest, it's worth planning for 6–7 hours. Add the cable car journey time (2 × 10 min).
Is the chairlift free?
Yes! The chairlift to Orlova Glava is completely free and included in the cable car ticket price. It operates daily from 8:00 to 16:00.
What is the difficulty level of the Vogel trail?
The trail is rated easy to moderate. The most difficult section is the descent from Šija to Vratca Pass (steep, scree, chains). There is a short via ferrata section at the exit from the pass.
Do you need climbing equipment?
No. All the more difficult sections are secured with chains, brackets, and ropes. Good trekking boots and a lack of vertigo are sufficient.
When is the best time to go to Vogel?
The best period is June–September. In summer (July–August) there are the most tourists. We recommend early morning – fewer people, better light for photos.
Can you stay overnight there?
On the trail there is an emergency shelter, Bivak Globoko, as well as mountain huts at Orlova Glava. Most tourists do the trail as a day trip, staying overnight in the Lake Bohinj area.
How many kilometres is the Vogel trail?
The entire loop is about 11.8 km (according to a GPS map). Without the cable car and chairlift it would be significantly more.
Planning a trip to Vogel?
I also invite you to read my other posts about trails in the Bohinj region: