Travel Report: Road Trip Through Slovenia 3
The Lakes Bled & Bohinj: Postcard Motifs with Charm
After Ljubljana, my road trip continued to Lake Bled. From the capital, it takes about an hour to reach this picturesque destination. The visit is definitely worth it: the lake at the edge of the Alpine foothills looks even more beautiful in reality than in the many pictures circulating on the internet. It's not surprising, then, that alongside me there are countless other tourists here to stroll around the lake, swim in it, or visit the small island in its middle by canoe.
I therefore recommend visiting Bled as early in the day as possible to cleverly avoid the crowds of tourists.
One more small tip: Be sure to take a short hike to one of the many elevated viewpoints located around the lake. It's quite a steep climb for about 30 minutes, but you'll be rewarded with an incredibly beautiful view! Since, despite all its beauty, Lake Bled felt a bit too touristy for me personally, I set off early in the afternoon to my second accommodation: a holiday apartment on a small farm in the middle of the mountains. I made myself comfortable here for two days and simply enjoyed the view over the vast landscape and the many mountains.
From Bled to Bohinj
Next, I headed to Lake Bohinj, which is only a 30-minute drive from Bled. Once there, I first looked for a place to sleep and found a lovely campsite right on the turquoise waters. Here I set up my tent for a few days to enjoy the peace and nature: you can go swimming, rent kayaks or canoes, walk in the forest, and hike in the mountains. Exactly the right thing for all outdoor enthusiasts!
By the way, my highlight in the region was the hike to Lake Jezero, which lies a bit higher up in the mountains. But beware: the route is quite demanding, as you sometimes have to climb and make your way rung by rung, quite close to the slope. So a minimum tolerance for heights is recommended. Those who prefer not to go so high will also find great excursion destinations in the valley: the beautiful Savica Waterfall, for example, is easily reached with a short walk and is well worth seeing!
Caves and Castles in the Karst Region
After the beautiful lakes, the journey continued to the Karst region. I stayed there for a few days to see the famous Predjama Castle and the Postojna Caves.
Predjama Castle, spectacularly embedded in a massive rock face, fascinated me with its history and architecture. While exploring the dark corridors and secret rooms, thanks to the audio guide in my ear, I could vividly imagine what the atmosphere in this imposing fortress might once have been like. A truly exciting visit!
Off to the Caves
It became even more exciting (or let's say more mystical) afterwards in the Postojna Caves. This enormous, labyrinth-like network of stalactites and stalagmites can be visited partly by a small train and partly on foot – always with a tour guide, of course. So anyone in the area shouldn't miss this experience: the beautiful underworld offers incredible sights, and during the tour you learn a lot about the caves and the formation of this fascinating scenery.
But even apart from these two popular sightseeing spots, the Karst region southwest of the capital is worth a short stay: the region is wonderfully quiet and expansive. That's why I couldn't resist spending a few days in a cute little hut in the middle of the wide meadow, simply relaxing.
You can find all the important information about the toll in Slovenia in our guide.
