In the middle of May I spent a week in this beautiful little town called Bled. Maybe you've heard of it, maybe you haven't. If you have ever been on holiday in Slovenia, I believe you know it, and you may have visited it, as it is one of the most visited tourist sights in Slovenia. Bled is known for its beautiful glacial lake, which is adorned with an island and a beautiful church on it. Pearched on the high cliff above Lake Bled there is the picturesque Bled Castle.
Bled is situated in north-western Slovenia, beneath the Julian Alps, about 50 kilometres from the capital Ljubljana.
As I mentioned before, I was in Bled on business trip. I've spent most of the days in the conference hall with a beautiful window view of Lake Bled, which distracted me from work 😊. On Wednesday afternoon we finished our activities early and I was able to spend a few hours walking around the lake. The weather wasn't great but at least it wasn't raining.
The route around the lake is about 6 kilometres long, which takes about an hour and a half of normal walking. The path is flat, with no climbs, well maintained, undemanding and suitable for all ages. It is mostly asphalted, but part of the path runs right next to the lake on a wooden surface. If you stop to admire the surroundings, the walking time increases, of course, but you can also go for a run around the lake and cut the time to under an hour, if you are in good physical condition. You can also go by bicycle, which you can rent in the town, and of course electric bikes are available too.
I started my walk in the very centre of Bled. The route here runs along a kind of promenade by the lake, where there are many restaurants and bars. I immediately noticed an unusually large number of rowers on the lake. Although Lake Bled is also known for rowing, this was an unusually large number of rowers. And there was a reason for that. Bled hosted the European Rowing Championships 2023 the week after my visit and the competitors were already warming up on the lake.
From different part of the route, you can admire Bled Castle, which rises on a nearby hill above the lake. From the castle you have a stunning view of the lake and the surrounding area, but you have to pay an entrance fee. The castle is also home to an old printing house, a museum, a wine cellar and a renowned local restaurant.
The path around the lake passes mostly through the greenery along the edge of the lake, giving a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere, far away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. If you are wondering whether you can swim in the lake during the summer months, the answer is yes. Lake Bled is also popular among swimmers, and a refreshing dip in the lake is refreshing in the high summer temperatures.
On the way, I also had the opportunity to see the small traditional wooden boats called "Pletna", which are used to transport tourists to the island of Bled. The rower is called a "Pletnar", and the oar they row with is called a "Pletno". A pleasent ride that I recomend to every vistor (of course yoou have to pay a fee, plus a fee to visit the island).
The church on the island of Bled is called the Church of the Assumption and is one of the oldest churches in Slovenia. It was built in the 9th century, and its current appearance was completed in the 17th century. The church itself is reached by 99 steps. There is also a bell tower with a special bell called the "Wishing Bell", which is a real attraction for the visitors. According to legend, wishes made by ringing this bell are supposed to come true. I am still waiting for my wish to come true 🙃.
It is not uncommon to see ducks and swans on the lake. I took photos of the ducks this time, but I didn't manage to see any swans. If you want to see pictures of swans on the lake, you can check out my post about Bled.
After I reached the starting point again, my walk was over. After a full day's work and a walk, I was getting pretty hungry and had dinner at one of the many restaurants in town, this time I chose udon noodles with beef.
Lake Bled is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Slovenia and therefore a very popular tourist destination, well-known all over the world, attracting a large number of visitors from all over the world every year. If you are visiting Slovenia, this is a must-see.
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