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Help on making my no-car lake Bohinj itinerary

Hello!

It will be my first time visiting Slovenia in mid-June as a solo traveler. I do not wish to rent a car. I will be staying a few nights in Ljubljana before taking the bus to Lake Bohinj to stay for 3 nights.

I am trying to figure out what location for accommodation around the lake would be most convenient as a starting point for day hikes, as well as food and transportation back to the airport.

From this location, what hikes or day trips would you suggest from this point that would be easily accessible using public transportation? I would also love to do some swimming during this time as well.

I would also love just any overall tips and tricks on public transit as well as sites I can't miss!

Thank you!!!

Posted by
3008 posts

The bus goes to the village of RIBCEV LAZ, which is on the eastern end of Lake Bohinj. Without a car, it’s easiest to get around on a bicycle and there are bike rentals available at a couple bike shops and also from some of the guest houses in Ribcev Laz.

Posted by
84 posts

You are going to have a wonderful time! I spent 6 nights in Stara Fužina on a solo trip in July 2023, hiking each morning and swimming in the afternoons, and it's one of my favourite travel memories.

The Lake Bohinj region wants everyone to park their cars and use transit to reduce traffic so the options for car free travellers are great! They have tourist buses that start running in June that link the villages in the region and go to some trailheads. There are different transit ticket options depending on the length of your stay and you can buy the ticket/pass at the tourist info centres. I had the Julian Alps card, which in addition to free transit included access to some sights, free boat rides, and discounts.

My two favourite walks/easy hikes (both of which can be done as loops, no transit required) were:
- Through the Mostnica gorge up to the Voje valley and waterfall (https://www.bohinj.si/en/mostnica-gorge-and-voje-valley/)
- Walking the circular part of this route counterclockwise, starting from my hotel: https://www.bohinj.si/en/aktivnost/bohinj-cycling-route/ (shared as a cycling route but I never saw a single cyclist once I started climbing up the hill out of Brod, only walkers). I love seeing all the hayracks around Studor

I also did stage 7 of the Juliana Trail (https://julian-alps.com/en/tour/hiking-trail/juliana-trail-stage-7-stara-fuzina-bohinjska-bistrica/34668333/), the loop around the lake, and, with the help of twisty bus ride to get up a mountain, a longer hike to the Vodnik viewpoint but I wouldn't prioritize any of them for a short trip. For seeing more of the lake, it would be nice to walk out along the north shore and cruise back on the boat.

For swimming, head away from the bridge in Ribčev Laz to find more room to spread out (and fewer day trippers taking pictures of you from their boat tours). The area just north of Restavracija Kramar was great - enough people that I always felt safe swimming on my own, but not too many.

Have a fabulous time!