Gorges

Stara Fužina is an old village on the northern side of Lake Bohinj, in the Julian Alps within Triglav National Park, and it is the start of the walk into the Mostnica Gorge, the best-known gorge in the Bohinj area. The Mostnica is a mountain river that rises on the slopes above the valley and runs down in a narrow cut to join the lake system, and over thousands of years it has carved a deep, winding channel in the limestone. The gorge is not very long, but it is dramatic: smooth walls, hollowed pools, small waterfalls and turquoise water that churns through narrow passages.

The walk begins in the village, from where a signed path follows the river upstream into the gorge. Wooden walkways, bridges and steps carry visitors over the wettest parts, and the path alternates between the shaded canyon and open sections. In places the walls close in and the river is visible far below, while in others the water spreads into clear green pools. The spray and the cool air make it a pleasant walk on a hot day. Water volume depends on the season, and the gorge is most impressive in late spring and early summer, when snowmelt swells the river, while autumn brings colour in the beech woods that line the slopes. A well-known landmark along the route is the Devil's Bridge, a natural stone bridge across the gorge, and farther on a waterfall tumbles from a rocky ledge.

Beyond the gorge the path opens into the Voje Valley, a quiet upland valley of meadows and hillside, where herders' huts and alpine pastures show the traditional dairy farming of Bohinj. Visitors can continue to walk through the valley toward the waterfall at its head or turn back toward the village. The route is suitable for most walkers who are used to uneven ground, but the paths can be slippery when wet, so shoes with a good grip are important, and children should stay close to the edges.

Stara Fužina has a strong history of its own. The village takes its name from the ironworks, or fužine, that once used the water of the Mostnica, and an eighteenth-century stone bridge is linked with the Zois family, who owned the iron industry in Bohinj. The Alpine Dairying Museum in the village explains the pastoral traditions of the area, and a small square hosts summer events. Shops, such as Trgovina Krpan, supply picnic food for a day on the trail.

The gorge suits families, walkers, photographers and anyone who enjoys water and rock. Check conditions after heavy rain, when the path can be closed or hazardous.