Basic information
Location
Bohinj Gorenjska
Difficulty
Duration
8 h
Start point elevation
1140 m
Highest point
2327 m
Total vertical climb
1200 m
Skiing difficulty

Starting point:
In Ribčev Laz at Lake Bohinj turn right across a bridge towards Stara Fužina. In Stara Fužina pay attention to signposts which direct you to the left before the bridge across Mostnica. Carry on past houses until you come to a large parking lot. If there is a lot of snow, you might have to leave the car here already. Otherwise continue on the road as long as the snow allows it (towards Blato alpine meadow: at first crossroad go left, at second go right). If there is little snow, you can drive all the way to a parking lot below Blato meadow (around 1140 m). It takes a good hour and a half on foot from Stara Fužina to Blato meadow.

Description:
In front of the parking lot (at Blato meadow) a signpost directs you to the left towards 'Planina Pri Jezeru'. A forest road (well traced and orientation is not too difficult) leads you through a forest to 'Planina Pri Jezeru' meadow. All crossroad are marked. Cross 'Planina Pri Jezeru' meadow towards north-west and before long you reach 'Dedno Polje' meadow in a gentle ascent through a small clear valley. Turn right at 'Dedno Polje' meadow (look for a hiking signpost for 'Za Kopico' valley, direction north-west), walk past cottages and begin to ascend through a small valley in a sparse larch forest. When the valley opens up, you will see the summit of Prvi Vogel in front of you and the typical 'rock' of 'Za Kopico' valley slightly to the left (further away). Cross the slopes towards the 'rock' (north-west), and then a valley opens on your right, where you continue towards north. Soon the valley opens up a bit more (about 2050 high altitude meters) and here you have two options:
A) A somewhat less clear passage between the slopes of Srednji and Zadnji Vogel shows towards north-east. Go up towards north-east throughout across not very steep slopes all the way to the summit of Zadnji Vogel.
B) Continue through 'Za Kopico' valley to its summit: Vrata saddle. A beautiful view on Škrlatica and pointy Razor opens here. Turn right and cross the partially steep slope towards south-east. A short walk on a delightful ridge to the summit comes after. This option is slightly longer and more difficult.

All the way from 'Dedno Polje' meadow you will enjoy in a fascinating mountain ambience; the view from the summit itself is just icing on the cake of this wonderful trip.

From Vrata saddle you can also ascend to the ridge of Zelnarice on the west side of the valley. The slopes are steep, so only take them on in good snow conditions.

Highest point
Zadnji Vogel: 2327 m

Duration:
Blato meadow - 'Planina Pri Jezeru' meadow: 1 h
'Planina Pri Jezeru' meadow - 'Dedno Polje' meadow: 30 min
'Dedno Polje' meadow - Vrata saddle: 2.30 h
Vrata saddle - Zadnji Vogel: 30 min
Zadnji Vogel - Blato meadow: 3.30 h
Total: 8 h
In case that the road to Blato meadow is not negotiable due to snow, you have to add 2.30 hours to the above mentioned time (if you have parked at the large parking lot in Stara Fužina).

Difficulty: 3 (The ascent from Vrata saddle to the summit of Zadnji Vogel has a few steep sections! Some slopes above 'Za Kopico' valley are steep and endangered by avalanches!)

Skiing:
Ski on the described route of ascent A. Even if you ascended across Vrata saddle, orientation (in good weather) will not be a problem. Simply ski off towards south-west and the terrain itself will lead you to the lower part of 'Za Kopico' valley. Slopes are not too steep and enable really enjoyable skiing. In good conditions a smile on your lips is guaranteed. Skiing from Zelnarice ridge is much more difficult (upper slopes are very steep and endangered by avalanches). Skiing joys downhill from 'Dedno Polje' meadow are pretty dependent on the amount of snow. If there is little snow, it can get rather 'wild'.
Skiing difficulty: 2
Skiing duration: ca. 1.30 h (until Blato meadow)

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