was the destination for our summer holiday 2006. Away from the kids sand and sea holidays, this was mountainous and full of energetic things to do.

Lake Bohinj from the western end (Ukanc)

Bohinj is pronounced "Bochin" with a phlegm producing "ch", we came across a few meanings of the name, all forgettable. We stayed at the far western end of the lake at Ukanc which is surrounded by a horseshoe of mountains. This is where the weather is the worst, the clouds congregate around Mount Vogel on the southern side and seemingly never move, leaving the north side clear. it is a most beautiful part of the world, with crystal clear rivers running into clean lakes and unspoilt mountains. Well some of them. Vogel is spoilt by a cablecar, chairlifts and facilities for skiers, however, I was still awestruck when we alighted from the cablecar at Ski Hotel Vogel. (This is 500 metres below the real Vogel Summit). The views are tremendous but I didn't get quite the same feeling as I had a week earlier when we walked/climbed up the opposite mountain to take us to Pršivec.

Bohinj from Ski Hotel Vogel

The rep told us not to walk up or down Vogel but this was like red rag to a bull. The family took the cablecar back and I walked down to Ribcev Laz at the eastern end of the lake. Slovenian footpaths were their usual quality, signage leaving a bit to be desired, I went off course on 3 occasions, once because there had been some forest devastation, don't know whether the wind had caused it or a rockfall but there were about 100 trees fallen, completely covering the path. After scrambling over them and going completely wrong I eventually found the correct route, only to go off course again about 1/2 hour later, this time it took 45 minutes to find the correct path again. I made the rendezvous with the family about 45 minutes late but, bless them, they were still waiting and I had a refreshing beer.

We did some cycling around Bohinj, it's not perfect as the traffic can be annoying, Slovenian drivers drive too fast, however there are a number of quiet routes shown on the local overview map, some off-road. I tried some of theses off-road routes and they are very good. Some staggering climbs and thrilling descents and excellent viewpoints thrown in which you cannot see from the road.

Towards Triglav from Senozeta

There are two large waterfalls nearby, one is Slap Savica at the western end of the lake which was ok but not particularly thrilling and Slap Mostnice which was absolutely stunning, a fantastic gorge leads you to the waterfall, this is just above Stara Fuzina ate the east end of Bohinj.

Slap Mostnice

Would we go here again? Perhaps but if I take the family it will be to Lake Bled which has more civilisation! If I go alone or with keen walkers for an assault on the Julian Alps which is more likely, I would stay at the east end of the lake in Ribcev Laz.

Click here for our account of an unplanned 2 day walk in the mountains.

Postojna

Cashpoints are easy to find and there are plenty of them.

Population is just under 2 million and Slovenia covers approximately 24000 square kilometres, 60% is forest.