If you’re visiting Lake Bohinj, you should definitely plan to see the Vogel Cable Car. It’s the perfect day trip to catch some spectacular views of one of Slovenia’s highlights – the mountainous landscape of Vogel. Keep reading to learn why this is the best hike near the lake and how to plan your visit.
What is the Vogel Cable Car?
Located at walking distance from Lake Bohinj, the Vogel Cable Car was built in 2001 and connects the lakeside in Ukanc (579m) to the Vogel Ski Station (1535m). It covers the 956m of elevation difference in just 4.2 minutes, and it can carry up to 80 people on each ride.
In winter, the mountains of Vogel become an amazing ski resort. Vogel Ski Station has all the facilities needed for skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports. During summertime, on the other hand, the place becomes an oasis for mountain lovers and hikers seeking relaxation or adventure.
On top of the Vogel Ski Station, there is a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking the Bohinj Lake valley, a restaurant and inflatables for kids. Nearby, visitors can find several huts, a hotel and a chalet (Chalet Merjasec), surrounded by pasture.
A cable chair is also present and it goes all the way up to Orlove Glave, a mountain hut which is open in summer. Hikers can then hike all the way up the summit of Vogel mountain, with its incredible scenery. The Vogel Cable Car is also a great way for people with mobility difficulties to experience the mountain landscapes of Slovenia.
Are you travelling to Slovenia? Don’t miss the caves of Postojna and Krizna!
How to get to the Vogel Cable Car?
The base station of the Vogel Cable Car is located in Ukanc, on the Southwestern side of Lake Bohinj. It is a couple of hundred meters from Camp Bohinj, so it is an ideal activity for those staying there as well as for those visiting the lake for a day trip.
Check the map below for the exact location of the Vogel Cable Car.
Vogel Cable Car – Opening Times & Tickets
While the Vogel Cable Car makes up for a perfect summer activity at Lake Bohinj, a ride to this mountainous heaven isn’t exactly cheap.
In fact, a return trip ticket costs a whopping 28€ for adults while a one-way ticket costs 22€. There are some discounts for younger and older people (14-25 & 60+ years of age), but we are only talking about 25€ for a return trip and 20€ for a one-way ticket.
Parking, on the other hand, is free of charge and there is plenty of spots to leave your car. This is great news, as parking near Lake Bohinj is scarce and is usually very expensive! You may even consider leaving your car here when visiting Lake Bohinj, saving a few euros.
The most interesting ticket option in our opinion, however, is the package which includes a return cable car ticket + lunch at Orlove Glave. This was our favourite chalet at Vogel and the lunch includes traditional Slovenian food and stew, at just 32€ (4€ more than the regular ticket).
For more intrepid backpackers, there is a three rides in a day option which gives you the opportunity to have fun on the slopes of Vogel, either by bike or by parachute. The ticket costs 39€.
The cable car operates every day from 8:00 to 19:00, and the rides are every half an hour. During the busiest times, the cable car operates more often.
WINTER SEASON 2023: The winter season of 2023 begins on 02/12/2022 and ends on 16/04/2022.
PRO TIP: You can often find discounts during low season. Check out Vogel’s official website for the latest news!
What to do at the Vogel Ski Centre
The Vogel Ski Centre is the gateway to the mountain grazing of Vogel, a place that offers spectacular views, hiking trails, sports, traditional food and more. With such a broad range of activities, Mount Vogel is an ideal place for adventurers as well as families with children. Here are some of the best things to do on Vogel:
🗺️ HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Click the top left icon to get more info about this map. Use the star icon next to the title to save it in your Google Maps account. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, then go to “your places“, tap on “maps” and you will see this map on your list.
● Take the chairlift at Vogel
A free chairlift ride on Mount Vogel? Yes, please!
On the slopes of Mount Vogel you will find several chairlifts which are the lift facilities used during the ski season in winter. They are usually closed during the summer months, but the one leading to the mountain chalet of Orlove Glave makes an exception. Rides on the chairlift are free of charge.
The ride takes about 10 minutes. As the chairlift doesn’t move particularly fast, visitors can take it as an opportunity to admire the views and enjoy the Slovenian sun. The chairlift will also allow you to skip a 1.4km hike with a 100m elevation gain.
Orlove Glave sits about 1640m above sea level, and if you plan on hiking Mount Vogel (1922m) this will be your starting point. The chairlift can also be taken downwards, on the way back.
PLEASE NOTE: From 5.9 2022, the Orlova glave chairlift will not be in operation due to regular maintenance work.
● Best hiking trails (Sija, Vogel, Rodica)
There are so many mountains to hike and explore, all of which are accessible via some well maintained trails. The Vogel Cable Car and the chairlift make getting up these peaks so much easier. All the hikes discussed below begin in the mountain chalet of Orlove Glave, which is located just at the end of the chairlift.
⛰️ Hiking Mount Sija
Mount Sija (1880m) is the closest mountain to the starting point of the Vogel Cable Car. It is just 1.7km from Orlova Glave with about 300m of elevation difference.
The trail is well-marked and easy to follow, and it might be a good idea to hike to Mount Sija before visiting Mount Vogel or Mount Rodica.
⛰️ Hiking Mount Vogel
Mount Vogel (1922m) is slightly further than Mount Sija. It is about 3.6km from Orlove Glave with a total elevation difference (+-) of 490m.
Mount Vogel is the most popular peak in the area, so expect more people on this trail compared to other mountains.
The alternative route you can see on this map is 4.2km long but with a much more important height difference. This trail, on the other hand, combines Mount Sija with Mount Vogel, and it can be done as a loop.
⛰️ Hiking Mount Rodica
Mount Rodica (1963m) is the furthest of the three from Orlove Glave. First, you need to hike to Mount Sija. From there, hike in the opposite direction of Mount Vogel to reach Mount Rodica.
This is a beautiful 4.8km hike with a section of it on the mountain ridges, and also one that isn’t particularly crowded.
● Try Slovenian traditional food
The Vogel Cable Car gives access to several mountain restaurants and chalets. It is the perfect place to try Slovenian traditional food in such a unique environment.
The closest eatery to the Vogel Cable Car is Restaurant Viharnik, which is also the least charming as it’s part of the cable car building. However, the restaurant has amazing views over the valley of Lake Bohinj, which are unmatched in the area.
The next place on the list is Chalet Merjasec. This mountain hut serves great food and it has a great location, but it can be very busy at times. All main courses on the menu are under 10€, and most drinks are under 4€.
Lastly, our favourite place: Orlove Glave. Not only is it the chalet with (by far) the best reviews on Google, but also it is the highest hut up the mountains. The food here is great and also affordable. In fact, most dishes are under 10€ and some bigger ones are priced at 15€. The restaurant is open from the first hours of the morning till the evening.
Amongst the local specialities, try Hišni Ričet (house stew with barley and vegetables), Žganci (buckwheat mush) which comes with sauerkrout and carniolan sausage, Stews and Goulash.
● Check out the viewpoint over Lake Bohinj
The viewpoint is located on the upper station of the Vogel Cable Car. From here, you can admire the entire Lake Bohinj and a big chunk of the Triglav National Park. While the lake might look tiny from up here, it is actually 4.4km (2.70 mi) long and over 750m (0.45 mi) wide.
Best time to visit Vogel Ski Park
The Vogel Cable Car can be visited year-round. In winter, you can have fun on the slopes of Vogel Ski Park with skis or snowboards. In summer, it is the perfect place to hike and enjoy the Slovenian mountain ranges.
We recommend taking the Vogel Cable Car as early as you can in the morning, as you will find the best lighting conditions. Taking the first ride in the morning is great. The place has completely different vibes, much calmer and more relaxing compared to other times. It is also the best time to start your hike.