A walk in Zgornja Dolina, the Upper Valley of Bohinj

by David Robertson ~ 19-Oct-2009 ~ updated 22-Dec-2009

Walk 23 – in Zgornja Dolina, the Upper Valley of Bohinj, also climbing Rudnica, from a Walking Guide to Slovenia.

Hayracks in Zgornja Dolina

Starting at Ribčev Laz, this pleasant countryside walk meanders through the villages and fields of Zgornja Dolina, the Upper Valley of Bohinj, as well as climbing Rudnica.

Start/Finish – Ribčev Laz

Distance – 11.8km/7.4miles

Height gain - approx 400m

Time – 3h40min

Grade – moderate; mainly on good paths and tracks, except for the steep and sometimes loose descent from Rudnica.

Recommended map(s) - are the 1:50 000 Triglavski Narodni Park or the Julijske Alpe vzhodni del (eastern) maps, published by PZS. There are also the 1:25 000 Bohinjsko jezero and Triglav maps, again by PZS.

Equipment – Walking boots, walking sticks. See our clothing and walking equipment page for more recommendations.

Refreshments on route – Available at Srednja Vas, Stara Fužina and, in summer from a hut near the summit of Rudnica.

Logs and flowers, Srednja Vas

Updates to the 2005, 2nd Edition – “From Studor we took the path, a dotted line on the map in the book, to Ribčev Laz instead of the road with the cars. It is much nicer!” (A reader, 12/07). Yes, this is a recommended alternative route back towards Stara Fuzina, although it does miss out the beautiful Studor barns. Added by the Authors in 06-09.
The waymarking on this route is poor especially on Rudnica – the descent is particularly difficult to follow, but a faint path is there. Look out for a flat area on your left in the trees – our route exits the wood at this point. (We have asked at the local Tourist Information Office and left a request for the waymarks to be updated, we can only suggest that you do the same!) Added by the Authors in 06-09.
From the 2h05min point. Turn left and follow this track down into the valley (it is no longer possible to walk down from the ski tow). As soon as the track levels out in the valley, turn sharp left along a track (black dotted line on our map) which will lead you to Srednjas Vas at the 2h25min point. Added by the Authors in 06-09.

Public transport – Ribčev Laz is easily reached by bus.

Click here for up to date bus timetables from Bohinj Bistrica to Ribčev Laz.
Click here for up to date bus timetables from Bled to Ribčev Laz.
Click here for language help reading timetables.

Car parking in Bohinj – there is a parking charge at all car-parks beside or near Lake Bohinj. For more details see, our Bohinj information page.

Nearest Town/Village – Bohinjska Bistrica. In the town and nearby villages, including Ribčev Laz there is a wide range of hotels, apartments, guesthouses and rooms plus there are a couple of camping sites – Camp Danica at Bohinjska Bistrica is our favourite. The town also has a good range of shops too.

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To view some pictures taken on Walk 23, please visit David’s Zgornja Dolina picture gallery on his photography website, or click on the image below. Prints can be purchased online and all images are also available for publication.

A Studor toplar

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