The Lakes: Bled & Bohinj Information

SKIING

At Vogel, Kobla & Soriska Planina. There is also a mini ski area in Bled itself called Straža, but unfortunately these days as it is quite low it is only open on exceptional snow years. From Bled it is a half hour drive to either Kranjska Gora, Krvavec or Arnoldstein / Gerlitzen in Austria.

HIKING

There is outstanding hiking for all levels throughout the region. Highlights include tours of both lakes Bled & Bohinj & the Vintgar gorge near Bled, the ascent of Triglav (Slovenia's highest peak) from Bohinj and a variety of walks from the the top of the Vogel gondola which runs in Summer.

MOUNTAIN BIKING

There are outstanding biking trails for all levels throughout the region. From easy Lake circuits / valley rides to all sorts of more demanding peaks and trails.

KAYAKING

Lake Bohinj itself offers easy beginner kayaking, whilst there is excellent beginner - intermediate level on the Sava Bohinjka river which runs from Bohinj to Bled or the Sava River running south of Bled.

RAFTING

There is easy rafting possible on the upper part of the Sava Bohinjka river which runs from Lake Bohinj towards Bled or the Sava River running south of Bled. More challenging is the section of the Sava Bohinjka between Soteska and Bohinjska Bela.

PARAGLIDING

There are several paragliding points in the Bohinj region, which is recognised as one of Slovenia's most beautiful paragliding areas. The most recognised points are Vogel (home of Bohinj's main ski area), Vogar and Studor.

CANYONING

There are numerous options in the Lakes region, especially in the Bohinj area where many tributaries feed into the Sava Bohinjka river. There are canyons to suit all abilities, most popular of which are the Mostnica, Grmečica and Jerečica gorges.

FLY FISHING

There is superb fishing on Sava Bohinjka river running from Bohinj to Bled & also on the Sava river south of Bled & the Radovna river running between Bled and Mojstrana.

SWIMMING

In Summer it is possible to swim in both Lakes Bohinj & Bled, both of which have lots of "beach" areas to swim and sun bathe from. Water is usually fresh but perfectly OK in both lakes in high Summer months. There is also an excellent spa / waterpark in the town of Bohinjska Bistrica and various hotels in the region also offer swimming / spa facilities.

HORSE RIDING

The lakes region offers wonderful horse riding country. The Mrčina Ranch in the village of Studor in Bohinj is amongst the best place to go to organise tuition / treks of the local countryside.

GOLF

Bled plays host to two golf courses; The Kings Golf Course and its adjoing Lakes Golf Course. Together these two courses cover more than 100 hectares with stunning views of the Julian Alps. Open during the season March to October.

ARCHITECTURE & HISTORICAL SITES

The most obvious historical sites of the Lakes region are Lake Bled Castle and Lake Bled island. The castle, dating back to the middle ages, is one of Slovenia's most impressively located and best preserved castles and offers spectacular views of the lake and the Karavanke mountains as well as an interesting museum about the history of Bled, a restaurant and wine cellars which can be visited and tastings arranged. Lake Bled Island is home to a number of beautiful old buildings at the top of a staircse of 99 stairs leading from the lake shore. Notable is the pilgrimage church of Mary of the Assumption which dates back to the 17th century in its current form but originally from the 15th century. Other sites of interst in the region include the charming medieval town of Radovljica and the characteristic Bohinj villages between Stara Fužina and Jereka.

FESTIVALS

Bohinj hosts an annual wild flower festival at the end of May / early June and a hiking festival in early September. Lake Bled plays host to an annual international rowing regatta nowapproaching its 60th year - usually taking place in May. Annual World Cup biathalon events are held during Winter on the Pokljuka Plateau betwen Bled & Bohinj.

FOOD & DRINK

The Lakes area being in the heart of Slovenia's alpine region offers a hearty alpine based cuisine. Like most of the country it is easy to find excellent value good quality eating out. Some of the region's highlights include the famous Lectar restaurant in Radovljica old town and Gostilna Rupa in the village of Srednja Vas in Bohinj.

MUSEUMS & GALLERIES

Bled Castle ofers a permanent exhibition about the history of Bled as a recreated (and slightly touristy) medieval printing press and wine cellar that can be visited.

Of interest to anyone interested in beekeeping will be the excellent museum of Apiculture in the town of Radovljica dating back to 1959 charting the history of beekeeping in Slovenia - which is a rich one given that there are still 4 beekeepers / 1000 people in Slovenia today, one of the highest in the world!

NATURAL ATTRACTIONS

The Lakes region is perhaps Slovenia's best known and richest area for natural attractions. The Lakes Bled & Bohinj, the Vintgar Gorge, the Sava Bohinjka river, Savica Waterfall and a very many beautiful peaks which can be scaled for stunning views of the region - most notable among which is probably the ascent of Slovenia's highest mountain Triglav via 7 beautiful alpine lakes.

SPA & WELLNESS

The thermal waters that rise on the banks of Lake Bled are shared by the elegant Studio Luisa Wellness Centre at the Grand Hotel Toplice dating back to 1925 and the modern Wellness Živa centre at Hotel Golf which offers 380m2 of water surface and a wide range of relaxation facilities and treatments as well as a beautiful terrace overlooking the Lake. The Bohinj areas offers the excellent Bohinj Aqua Park in the region's main town - Bohinjska Bistrica. The Aqua Park is a modern facility with a huge range of relaxation and beauty facilities and treatments, and a kid friendly environment with waterslides and kids pool. There is also a small wellness centre at the charming Kristal Hotel and the Jezero Hotel.