Slovenia Treasures: Bled, A Fairy tale Village and picturesque site
Bled, Slovenia
Bled is a small village located in the Carniolan region of northwestern Slovenia and is well known for its natural wonders, such as the Bled Lake and the Julian Alps. The village itself is quite picturesque, with narrow streets and old houses. It is a popular tourist destination and has a number of interesting historical sites, such as the Church of St. Mary Magdalene and the Church of St. Peter and Paul. Bled is also known for its history and festivals, such as the Bled Festival, which takes place every summer.
The geology around Bled Slovenia
Bled is located on the southern foot of the Karawanks mountain range near the border with Austria, about 50 km northwest of the national capital of Ljubljana. South of Lake Bled is the densely forested Pokljuka and Jelovica plateaus and the easternmost parts of the Julian Alps. Bled and lake Bed is set within a tectonic basin, that was formed due to the tectonic uplifting of the Alps. The Alps mark the point of intersection between two converging tectonic plates; the African and Eurasian plates. The Julian Alps are the portion of the Alps that spread in Slovenia and act as the country’s northwestern border. Mount Triglav is the highest peak in this region of the alps, at 2864 meters. After the last ice age, the Bohinj Glacier melted and flooded the basin, forming both Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj. Bled Island, set in the middle of Lake Bled, was formed through erosion and weathering.
Lake Bled
The lake is 2.12 kilometers long and 0.5 to 1 kilometer wide. it is suitable for swimming. During winters, the entire lake freezes and can be used for ice skating, which makes it a major tourist attraction. Lake Bled is beautiful and the water is unbelievably blue. The lake is quite large and walking around it is a beautiful experience, surrounded by mountains and nature. Iconic Bled Castle Perched on a rock overlooking the lake is a great view. The town is also known in Slovenia for its vanilla and cream pastry.
Best Viewpoint
On the southern shore of the lake, there’s a trail that leads to the peak of the hill called Mala Osojnica. It’ is a steep hike to get to the top and takes around 45 minutes to reach the viewpoint. The view is spectacular, visitors can see picturesque, postcard scenes around the Bled.
Bled Castle
Bled castle is located on the northern side of the lake, built on a high, steep cliff in the 17th century. It offers one of the most beautiful viewpoints as well as cultural/historical attractions for travelers who love medieval castles. It’s renovated very well and there are many restaurants and cafes around it to rest for some time.
Vintgar Gorge
Vintgar Gorge is located some 4km to the northwest of the Bled village. The main attraction is a 1600m wooden walkway through the gorge, built-in 1893. It crisscrosses the swirling Radovna River four times over rapids, waterfalls, and pools before reaching a 16m-high Waterfall. The entire walk around the gorge is spectacular.
What to Do in Bled?
The town has a very typical Slovenian architecture and it is full of narrow streets, small squares, and eye-catching scenery. It is also home to some beautiful churches and monasteries. Bled is a great place to spend a day if you are looking for some peace and relaxation. There are plenty of interesting attractions close to the town, including the Lake Bled, which is famous for its beautiful scenery and wildlife.
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Today Bled is offering a wide range of sports activities such as Golf, fishing, and horseback riding. Lake Bled is a starting point for mountain treks and hikes, especially within nearby Triglav National Park. Apart from this, the main attraction is a small island in the middle of the lake that is home to the Mary Pilgrimage Church; visitors frequently ring its bell, due to an old legend claiming it provides good luck. This is the special feature of the church with 52 meters high free-standing bell tower, made of porous stone, known as buckwheat grains. The panoramic bell tower has one large and two small bells.
Where to Stay in Bled?
If you’re looking for a beautiful place to visit in Slovenia, look no further than Bled. This small village is known for its beautiful lake and stunning views. There are many hotels and guesthouses available to stay in Bled. Some of the best places to stay include the Zlatorog Ljubljana, the Villa Bled Resort, and The Kranjska Gora.
How to get to Bled Slovenia
To visit Bled from anywhere in Slovenia is very easy. Fly to Ljubljana the capital city of Slovenia and then take a bus or train from Ljubljana to Bled. If you arrive by train from Ljubljana, the station is located around 4 km to the south of Bled. To get to the lake, you can take either a bus that runs every 30 minutes or shares a Cab with other passengers from the train station.
