Uskovnica & Voje Circular Hike
This full-day hike combines some of the best routes to the north of Stara Fužina into one varied circuit. The brisk climb up Studor provides most of the height gain in the first hour, along with great views over Lake Bohinj. From there, a more gentle ascent along logging tracks takes you away from the Bohinj Valley to the high-altitude pastures of Uskovnica and its welcoming mountain koča.
Beyond Uskovnica, the path gets even quieter, contouring through forest before a steep descent to the head of the Voje Valley. Slap Mostnice (waterfall) awaits, along with another mountain hut for a cake stop. After the gentle descent through the beautiful Voje Valley, and a further hut stop should more cake be required, the last few km are through the stunning Mostnica Gorge.
In total then, this hike covers all of the following shorter hikes, described in their own rights as linked here: Studor (mountain); Uskovnica; Voje Valley; Mostnica Gorge.
Uskovnica & Voje Circular Hike - Details & Map
Difficulty – strenuous hike with steep ups and downs
Start point – Escape to Bohinj, Stara Fužina
End point – Escape to Bohinj, Stara Fužina
Highest point – 1,160m
Total climb – 680m
Total distance – 15km
Walking time – 5-6 hours
Path type – single-track forest and farms tracks
Refreshments – available in Stara Fužina, Uskovnica & Voje Valley
This interactive map allows you to view the route, and should show your location if you have GPS enabled. Click here to download a .gpx file for use with GPS-enabled devices.
Uskovnica & Voje Circular Hike Directions
From the bridge in the centre of Stara Fužina, take the small road which runs north alongside the west (right) bank of the river Mostnica. It crosses a new road bridge over the river, and shortly afterwards turn left at the T-junction and cross over the leat. A small footbridge takes the path back over the leat, and you walk alongside this water course past the ruins of former mills and eventually to the point at which it starts at a small dam across the Mostnica. When the river is high, the water pouring over the dam is quite a sight. In summer, more often than not it is just a trickle.
Take the small path upwards, maybe 10m to the right of the dam, and join the gravel track upwards. You come to Hudičev Most (Devil’s Bridge), offering great views into the lower depths of the Mostnica Gorge. You’ll see more of that later! Do not cross the bridge, but instead take the small forest track up to the right. It is steep from the start, and you quickly gain height.
Cross over the logging track, heading once more onto a small forest path. After about 100m, a small path heads off to the right. It’s easy to miss – try not to as this is your way up! The path is invigorating – steep, but rewarding, with tantalising views of the village below and mountains above through the trees. There are a few benches to rest as you climb.
Some logged-lined steps help you up the steepest sections, and finally you reach the clearing on top of Studor. At the top is a bench offering outstanding views over Lake Bohinj and the mountains beyond. This clearing is a take-off point for paragliders, although it is not used as much as the one at Vogar.
Leave the clearing at its northwest corner and wind down through the forest to a lovely alp, Planina Blatce. The trees in this area were badly affected by a storm in late 2023, and you may still have to pick your way over fallen beeches to get down. As you enter the planina, turn left (west) and after 20-30m the path heads off on the right. There is a signpost to Uskovnica, but it can be tricky to find. The GPS map above should help.
The path quickly joins a forest road which you follow uphill for the next ~2km. There is little traffic, and sometimes none at all. Occasionally, the path cuts off some of the longer road switchbacks, but if you miss one it won’t matter – the road only goes to one place.
After a fairly straight, flatter section of the road, it turns sharply right. Instead of turning with it, head straight on along the footpath. After another 1km or so, a signpost points right to the koča (mountain hut) – follow this, and the hut will be on your left in a few minutes. On a fine day, it is a lovely place to sit outside with a cold drink and some hearty mountain food. And if it’s cold and/or wet, the stove inside will be most welcome.
You leave the hut heading back west, but slightly to the north of your arrival. The path passes between the houses and huts of this lovely village, and you may find some open sirarna (cheese-sellers), who will be happy to show you their local produce. A small chapel lies just to the north of your path – worth a quick detour.
Head west, winding through pastures, and then head into the forest. This section of footpath is magical – dappled light plays on the forest floor, small meadows with wild flowers surprise you. At one point, you fork right – a small sign reads “Voje”. And then quite quickly you are into wilder forest on a gentle path that contours around the mountainside.
You reach a small clearing with a wooden house up to the right. On its far side, the path starts to descend vary rapidly down through beech forest. When it is wet, last year’s beech leaves offer both cushioning and also slipperiness. You cross over a small stream and then descend further. Just when you are probably starting to get a bit tired of stomping downhill, it levels off, and you find yourself at the top of the Voje Valley.
Whilst you are still in the forest, you’ll join a larger path; head to the right, and you’ll reach the viewing point over the Slap Mostnice (waterfall). Head left, and you reach the Voje Valley proper, with a welcoming mountain hut, Koča pri Slapu Mostnice, serving home-made lunch and cakes.
From the hut, a gentle path passes through the meadows and pastures of Voje. You’re surrounded by mountains here including, high up the left, the forest through which you have just descended. The path takes you downhill to the next mountain hut, Koča na Vojah, where you’ll see your first tarmac since leaving Stara Fužina.
About 200m down the road beyond the hut and a path disappears into the forest to the left. This takes you steeply down into the Mostnica Gorge, the final delight that awaits you. You come across a bridge, and can choose which bank of the gorge to walk down from here. There is no right answer – they’re both lovely.
The gorge alternates between narrow, deep sections and gentler, wider ones. The power of the water to carve the rock is very much in evidence. Towards the end of the gorge, you will pass a small toll booth. Generally, if you are descending you are not charged, but the modest €3 asked to help maintain the path doesn’t feel unfair.
Five minutes below the toll booth and you will reach Hudičev Most once more, from where you can find your back to the centre of Stara Fužina.
