How to Hike Around Lake Bled Slovenia
Lake Bled, Slovenia, is one of Europe’s most spectacular natural sights. The deep blue water is surrounded by rugged mountains as a castle overlooks the whole area. If that’s not enough, there is a picture-perfect church on the island in the centre of the lake. Lake Bled is also pretty close to Slovenia’s capital city, Ljubljana, making it a fabulous trip out into the country. If this is on your bucket list, and it should be, we have created a guide detailing exactly how to hike around Lake Bled. We have included helpful tips and local knowledge from our previous hikes in the area.
Can you Hike Around Lake Bled
Yes, of course. Hiking is a very popular activity in this part of the world, and it’s easy to see why! A hike around Lake Bled is highly recommended if you are lucky enough to be planning a visit to Slovenia.
What Time of Year is Best to Hike Around Lake Bled
The Slovenian mountains have quite extreme weather conditions. Meaning in the summer it is pretty hot and sunny and the winter is usually snowy and quite chilly. The lake can even freeze over. If you plan to hike around Lake Bled, in our opinion, the best time to hike around lake Bled is in the spring or autumn. If you do visit in the summer, arrive early to beat the crowds. Maybe snow hikes are your thing, in which case winter is amazing. Just remember you will need different clothes and equipment.
How to get to Lake Bled
There are several different ways to get from Ljubljana to Lake Bled. We have summarised the best travel options and included times and costs in a detailed blog HERE. You can drive, take the bus or even the train to the town in under 1 hour. From the town, you only need to walk for a few minutes before you find the path that will take you around the lake.
How Long Does it Take to Hike Around Lake Bled
If you walk at a reasonable pace, you can hike around Lake Bled in about an hour. However, there is so much to see and loads of amazing view points to stop at, so it is likely to take a bit longer. We will look into that a bit more later…
Where to Start your Hike
Most people start their hike around Lake Bled in the town of Bled. From the centre of the small town, where the bus drops you off, it is only a 5 or 6 minute walk until you find the lake trail. Its up to you weather you want to follow the path clockwise or anti clockwise around the outside of the lake. You can see the start of the trail on the map HERE.
What Route to Take Around Lake Bled
Once you are on the path, the route around Lake Bled is pretty simple. You can follow the paved path all the way around the water. If you want to add a little to your hike, make sure you take the paths up to some of the amazing viewpoints that we detail later.
What to See on the Hike Around Lake Bled
When you are hiking around Lake Bled, make sure you look out for some of the amazing sights in the area. The stand out vision is of the stunning Assumption of Maria Church on the island in the middle of the lake. Dating back to the 1100s, this church is accessible by boat and worth a visit if you have the time.
It is also worth keeping an eye out for the imposing Bled Castle. Perched on the top of a cliff face, Bled castle surveys the lake and the surrounding area from high above. You can take a walk up to the castle if you want to see it in more detail.
Lake Bled is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Look out for the numerous amphibians, such as the frogs and newts, as well as some of the reptiles, like slow worms and lizards. There are also many different bird and mammal species in the area. Although, if you visit when it’s busy, you are unlikely to spot very many of them.
Where are the Best Photo Points Around Lake Bled
There are so many amazing view points and photo spots to stop at when you hike around Lake Bled! This scenic location seems to have a photo opp at every turn! Here are a few of the best –
- Ojstrica – a shot 20 minute climb up will reward you will amazing views right across the lake (we did this one – pictured right)
- Mala Osojnica – a slightly longer climb (maybe 30-40 minutes) you will see the lake from higher up
- The Boardwalk at the top of the lake – Razgledna Tocka (pictured left)
- There is a small jetty with a heart sculpture – The Heart of Bled – Blejsko Srce
- Jezro Bled – from here, you can include the castle in your shot
- Lago di Bled – for a closer look at the church on the island
What to Pack to Hike Around Lake Bled
Some of these go without saying, however, we have put together a helpful list for you so you won’t forget any of the basics you might need for your hike around Lake Bled and the surrounding area.
- Hiking boots or shoes
- Backpack
- Cash (euros)
- Snacks for the hike
- Water bottle (at least a litre in summer).
- Weather appropriate clothing such as windbreaker, hiking socks, buff/hat, and fleece. Make sure to wear layers to account for the changing conditions if you plan on hiking further
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen, sunhat and/or sunglasses
- Map or downloaded GPS or map application on your phone
- Phone
- Decent camera with plenty of space for pictures of the spectacular scenery
Where to Eat
There are a few good spots to eat around Lake Bled. However, they can get pretty busy if you visit during the summer. We would recommend Oštarija Peglez’n. It is in a really pretty location with views of the lake and the food is good as well. If you’re not bothered about a lake view, the Old Cellar in Bled town is great for a cosy atmosphere and delicious food.
We stopped to refuel a few times…
What to Avoid
Lake Bled is a captivating location and we would whole heartedly recommend a visit. However, as with most places, there are a few things that you might want to avoid.
- Try to avoid mid day visits in peak months
- Avoid getting stuck in traffic during busy periods
- Watch out for restaurants aimed solely at tourists (usually the menus will have pictures everywhere)
- Don’t walk on the ice if the lake is frozen over
Where to go next
Ready for another adventure? Why not take a look at some amazing things to do in Ljubljana.
Final note: Things change in the Balkans all the time and there is not much information online in English. We would definitely advise checking with a local where possible. We found people to be really friendly and super helpful.
Have you visited Lake Bled or anywhere else in Slovenia? Are you planning a trip and need more information? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!
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