Lake Bled – A Gift of Nature in the Julian Alps

The picturesque town of Bled in the Julian Alps region in the North West of Slovenia has been featured on many a postcard and magazine cover. The blue water of Lake Bled, the surrounding forests and the church in the middle of the lake creates a natural composition that begs to be photographed. During the summer months, the lake is host to a number of events such as swimming galas, sailing regattas and running races. When winter sets in, the area transforms into a winter wonderland with evening markets and hiking trails in the snowy mountains that surrounds the town.

To reach the town of Bled, catch a bus from Ljubljana which takes about 75 minutes. A quick tip, we used Flixbus, and found out that if you reserve a seat (pay online/pay at a counter beforehand), you pay an extra sum. So for those counting their pennies (Euros rather), be on time at the bus station and just get on and pay the bus driver. Once in town, you should be within walking distance from the majority of the accommodation. The hotels within the town area offer the full spa experience which is not exactly our scene. We stayed about 2 kilometres from town in an Airbnb apartment aptly named Apartments Bled Silic. Our host Alma, was friendly and helpful upon our arrival and the apartment itself was sparkling clean. The apartment was not situated close to any bus or public transport routes which may be an inconvenience if you do not have your own transport. We walked to town each morning which was not a bother at all as the surrounding snow-capped mountains offered amazing views while strolling to town.

Unfortunately, we visited bled early winter and the winter snow did not fall yet. The ski slope, Straža Bled, was not open and word around town was that funding for artificial snow would only start appearing near the end of December. This did not stop us from heading into the mountains almost every day of our visit. We even figured out our own way of sledding down the snow covered slope, watch this video of South African’s making it happen. The hiking trails, like most in Slovenia, is well marked and maintained with benches and information boards along the way. The hiking routes around town had fitness equipment scattered across the route. Depending on the direction you head in, your views will almost always include Bled Castle looking over the valley and lake below or the lake with the church standing proudly in the middle.

Bled Castle, rising more than 130 meters above Lake Bled has a rich history spanning more than 1000 years and is the oldest castle in Slovenia. You can take a taxi from the town to reach the castle but we suggest walking there. The walk includes a steep set of steps so prepare to walk more than 21 minutes on the 1.5-kilometer marked trail. The castle is open from 8 am in the mornings and closing time varies based on the season.

To visit the church standing in the middle of the lake, gondolas and rowing boats are available throughout the year. In the summer months, you can even brave the swim to the church. The current church was built in the 17th century an features a 52-meter bell tower, gold-plated main altar and a bell made by Francesco Patavino.

The town is Bled in most likely our favourite destination to visit. There is a larger variety of outdoor activities available around town than we can list in this article and we suggest that you add Bled to your must-visit bucket list.

Some tips when planning your trip to Bled:

• Slovenia is extremely clean from the streets to the deep waters of their rivers and lakes. Slovenians take pride of their surroundings and they’re serious about recycling. Think twice about what you’re throwing away and ensure you’re putting it into the right bin (paper waste, mixed waste, plastic and cans, organic waste).
• When visiting the town during the festive season, be sure to visit the Christmas markets next to the lake and attempt to cycle the swans to light them up.
• Try the famous Bled Cream Cake, better known as Kremna Rezina. We purchased a portion from the grocery store, but rather try this dessert where it all began, in the Hotel Park itself. It’s been a speciality since 1953.
• Take a moment to hear the church bells ringing in the distance during the day on the hour. The echo through the forests and open air creates a magical atmosphere.
• If you’re up for adventure, hire a bicycle during your stay and enjoy the designated route
• Download Google Maps and the Geocaches of Bled offline.
• If you plan to hike up to the Castle, wear comfortable closed shoes as the walkways are steep.
• Pack in a tripod, evenings next to the lake offers perfect opportunities for night photography.
• If you use a rowing boat to visit the church during the winter, take the necessary precautions as the icy water can be very dangerous.