Explore Two Waterfalls in One Waddle and Swim in Lake Bohinj

We hope you are ready for an unforgettable adventure. Not far from Lake Bled is a small village called Stara Fužina, where a beautiful waddle across Slovenia’s nature awaits. You can immerse yourself in the beauty of untouched wilderness and will end up in one of Slovenia’s beautiful waterfalls. This blog post will guide you through everything you need to know about waddling to this stunning waterfall, including where to park, what makes this journey unique, and what breathtaking sights await you.

Where is Stara Fužina?

Stara Fužina is a village in Slovenia’s Upper Carniola region (Gorenjska). It is in the Bohinj Valley, near the shores of Lake Bohinj, which is part of the Triglav National Park. The village is surrounded by the Julian Alps, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy waddling and exploring the natural beauty of Slovenia. Stara Fužina is known for its traditional alpine architecture, cultural heritage, and proximity to several natural attractions, including Waterfall Mostnice.

How to get to Stara Fužina?

To get to Stara Fužina, you have several options depending on your starting point and preferred mode of transportation. 

• We stayed at Lake Bled, approximately 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) away. As this is our road trip, we came to Stara Fužina by car, which usually takes  30 to 40 minutes to drive from Lake Bled, depending on traffic and road conditions. The route typically involves driving through scenic landscapes, including forests and small villages, making it a pleasant journey. When your starting point is from Lake Bled, head southwest on Route 209 towards Bohinjska Bistrica, then continue past Bohinjska Bistrica and follow the signs for Stara Fužina.
• When starting from Ljubljana, take the A2 motorway towards Jesenice/Kranj—exit at Lesce (Exit 3) towards Bled. Follow signs to Bohinjska Bistrica and continue on Route 209. Drive through Bohinjska Bistrica and follow signs to Stara Fužina. The drive takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes (around 80 kilometers or 50 miles).
• By Bus. From Ljubljana, you can take a direct bus from the central bus station (Avtobusna postaja Ljubljana) to Bohinjska Bistrica. The journey typically takes around 2 hours. Once you arrive in Bohinjska Bistrica, you must transfer to a local bus to Stara Fužina. This local bus ride takes about 10-15 minutes.
• If you are starting from Lake Bled, direct buses run to Bohinjska Bistrica and Stara Fužina. The trip from Lake Bled takes about 40-50 minutes, depending on the route and schedule.
• By Train. You can also reach Stara Fužina by train. Take a train from Ljubljana to Bohinjska Bistrica; the train journey takes about 2 hours. From Bohinjska Bistrica, you can take a local bus or taxi to Stara Fužina, about a 10-15 minute drive.

Where to park in Stara Fužina?

In Stara Fužina, there are several convenient parking options, and it depends on what you want to explore. As we explored the Mostnice Waterfall, we parked at our starting point, the Vorančkojca Parking. The first 15 minutes are free, then 3€ per hour. We ended up paying 12€. 

The car park is quite big and well-marked. There is even a toilet you can use, which is amazing. 

A few tips

• Arrive Early. During the peak tourist season, especially in the summer, parking spots can fill up quickly. Arriving early in the morning increases your chances of finding a good place. We arrived a little after 8 am, and it was pretty empty, but when we returned, the parking lot was full. 
• Bring Coins or Small Bills. Some parking areas require payment in cash, so it’s good to have small changes available.

Our waddle:

• Waddle duration: 3 hours 42 minutes 
• Distance: 10.08 km (6.20 miles)
• Route: Red
• Map: link
• Things to see: Devil’s Bridge, Waterfall, Julian Architecture, Mostnica Gorge, Voje Valley, Mostnica River, Mostnica Waterfall, Fužinarske Planine

Our Waddle to Mostnice Waterfall

Each waddle in nature is unique, but you can expect quite a lot here. The path is well-marked and easy to follow. It starts from the parking lot, where it takes you around various species of flora, which are all marked. This was the first time we saw something like this: small notes next to the plants. It was great to learn the names of the various flowers and weeds along the way. 

The Devil’s Bridge or Hudičev Most

As you waddle on, you reach the Hudičev Most, also known as the Devil’s Bridge, a stone bridge in the scenic Mostnica Gorge. The bridge arches dramatically over a deep, narrow section of the Gorge. Legend has it that the bridge was built by the devil himself, who agreed to construct it in exchange for the soul of the first person to cross it. Clever locals outwitted the devil by sending a dog across first, preserving their own lives and leaving behind a story that adds a mysterious charm to the site. There is also a waterfall beneath the bridge. 

Urščov Most and entrance fee

The trail continues, and not far from Hudičev Most, you will encounter another bridge, though not as pretty as the previous one. You will pay an entrance fee here and a trail maintenance fee from April to October. It is 4€ per person and cash only is accepted. So be ready to have some on you, as we saw several people struggling to find some coins on them. Before you ask, the parking fee does not include the entrance fee. A guard is collecting the money. For changes in prices, check the website here – link

Mostnice Gorge

After paying the fee, you enter the Mostnice Gorge, the most visited natural attraction in Bohinj. On the way through the Gorge, you admire the crystal-clear water and the boldly reshaped rocks. 

The Mostnica Gorge was formed due to surface water erosion caused by most water running into Voje from karst springs. Although the water is not turbid, it still contains enough gravel and sand to erode and reshape the rock, especially when the water is high and the stream is faster with more volume. The rapid water flow is turbulent, which is the most important factor contributing to the erosion of the rocky river bed. The most visible erosion forms in the Mostnica Gorge are potholes and round basins in the river bed that usually contain sand and small stones. The energy of the water swirls the rocks around, widening and deepening the potholes. One exciting feature is an opening in the rock between two water-carved potholes, forming a natural window with a rocky arch resembling an elephant’s trunk.

Voje Valley

From the dramatic Mostnica Gorge, you continue your waddle through the Voje Valley. It is a grassy meadow in the middle of the Mostnica Valley, at an altitude of just over 700 meters. The area is characterized by glacial moraine terrain, with a terminal moraine dam closing the pasture to the south. 

The valley is rich in water, with springs emerging from the ground in several spots. Shaped like a U, Planina Voje is a typical glacial valley. The pasture is primarily used for autumn grazing, so cows can often be seen here during fall. Notably, four men from Bohinj made the first ascent of Triglav from the Voje Valley on August 26, 1778. 

Mostnica Waterfall

Continuing through a forest, you will reach Mostnica Waterfall. The waterfall cascades down a series of rocky ledges, creating a mesmerizing display of water and mist. The sound of the water rushing into the pool below is powerful and calming, providing a perfect soundtrack to your moment of awe. 

The area around the waterfall offers several vantage points for viewing and photographing. You can waddle closer to feel the mist on your face or find a comfortable spot on the rocks to sit and take in the view. We had to take the pictures fast, as it started to rain heavily. Which, though, gave us beautiful scenery of Voje Valley when waddling back.

Best Times to Hike

The best times to hike, especially in regions like Stara Fužina and the surrounding areas of Lake Bohinj, depend on the experience you’re looking for. 

The best times to hike in areas like Stara Fužina and Lake Bohinj are spring and autumn when temperatures are mild, trails are less crowded, and the scenery is especially beautiful, with blooming flowers in spring and colorful foliage in autumn. Summer is also an excellent time for hiking, offering long daylight hours and warm weather, but trails can be busier. Winter provides a unique experience with snowy landscapes but requires proper gear and preparation due to colder conditions and potential snow cover. Each season offers a unique experience, so choose based on your preferences and preparedness.

Tips for a Memorable Waddle

• • Wear comfortable shoes. The trail is well-maintained but does have some rocky and uneven sections. Good footwear will ensure a comfortable experience.
  • Pack snacks and water. On the way, you will encounter two cottages where you can sit, have a snack, and eat. 
  • Stay on the marked trail. This helps preserve the natural environment and keeps you safe.
  • Check the weather. Waterfall Mostnice is beautiful year-round, but conditions can change, so be prepared. We checked, but the rain surprised us anyway. Sometimes, the weather is unpredictable. 
  • Arrive Early. As mentioned several times, come early. You can avoid crowds of people and enjoy your waddle more.

Continue the Adventure to Bohinij Lake

After finishing our waddle, we descended from the parking lot to eat lunch, which we had brought to Bohinij Lake, the largest natural permanent lake in Slovenia. It is about 2.1km (1.2 miles) from the parking lot to the lake, and it will take about 6 minutes by car: a dedicated parking lot and plenty of area to sit and chill. Read more about our visit here – link

Overall, this was one of our favorite hikes in Slovenia, as our surroundings changed so much. You can waddle from a valley through a gorge and see a dramatic waterfall all in one hike. We hope you enjoy yours. 

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