Lake Bled has the only natural island on a lake in Slovenia, and 99 steps lead up to its church. It's the second stop on one line west into the Julian Alps, and each stop sits higher than the last: Ljubljana at about 300 m (980 ft), Lake Bled at 475 m (1,558 ft), Lake Bohinj at 526 m (1,726 ft), and finally Triglav, at 2,864 m (9,396 ft) the country's highest peak.
Ljubljana, about 300 m: the castle above the river
Ljubljana Castle has stood on the hill above the city for about 900 years, and it's open every day of the year. Walk up the Študentovska pot from the Central Market in about ten minutes, or take the funicular from Krekov trg. Down by the Ljubljanica, the Triple Bridge has two pedestrian side bridges that Jože Plečnik added in 1929–32. On Fridays from mid-March to the end of October, chefs cook at the Open Kitchen on Pogačarjev trg.
Bled, 475 m: the island and the castle
A pletna, the traditional wooden boat, takes you across to the island and the 99 steps up to the Church of the Mother of God on the lake. Bled Castle, above the water, appears in written sources from 1011 and is the oldest castle in Slovenia. Nearby, the Vintgar gorge runs 1.6 km (1 mi) between vertical rock walls, a natural monument in Triglav National Park. It's open from April to October, entry is in timed slots that you book online, and the path is one-way. Tickets cost €15 for adults and €5 for children up to 15 (as of October 2026); the gorge isn't advised for children under 3. Before you leave, try the Bled cream cake: flaky pastry, egg custard and cream.
Bohinj, 526 m: the biggest lake
Lake Bohinj, inside Triglav National Park, is the largest natural permanent lake in Slovenia: 4.1 km (2.5 mi) long, up to 45 m (148 ft) deep, at 526 m (1,726 ft). The path around it is an easy 11.4 km (7.1 mi) with barely 100 m of climbing. From Ukanc, at the western end, a 7.6 km (4.7 mi) loop leads to the Savica waterfall, 78 m (256 ft) high, up many steps. The waterfall charges an entrance fee (free under 16) and closes in heavy rain, storms, snow or ice.
Above the lake, the Vogel cable car climbs from 569 m to 1,535 m (5,036 ft). It closes for long periods outside the main seasons, so check its opening dates first.
Triglav, 2,864 m: the end of the line
From Bohinj, Triglav is a two- or three-day tour through the Triglav Lakes Valley, with nights in mountain huts, and at least 6 hours of walking each way. The final section from the Kredarica hut is very demanding and exposed, on steel cables, and you need a helmet, harness and self-belay kit. Only IFMGA-licensed mountain guides may lead tours. The high huts are typically open from May to October, and in summer they need booking. Our Triglav guide has the routes.
Getting there
From Ljubljana bus station, buses run to Bled via Kranj and Radovljica in 58 minutes on the faster services and about 1 hour 20 on the others, and to Bohinjska Bistrica in about 1 hour 50. In summer, Bohinj's municipality adds its own seasonal shuttles around the lake. Our Ljubljana guide covers the capital.
Last checked: October 2026