Lake Bohinj, Savica Waterfall and Vintgar Gorge - more Slovenian bliss

Lake Bohinj

 

If Bled is the pearl of the Julian Alps, and the proud of Slovenian tourism, Lake Bohinj is a more quiet place to enjoy the natural beauty of the country. More than one friend suggested that I should visit Lake Bohinj as well as Bled, so I did. Bohinj Jezero (Lake Bohinj in Slovenian) is only a short bus ride from Bled. I hopped on a public bus and in half an hour I arrived in Ribčev Laz, the first stop on the lake.

 

View of Lake Bohinj. Picture taken during my hike.

 

 

To welcome me a stone bridge over the river Sava in the point where it joins Lake Bohinj, and what is said to be the most picturesque and photographed church in Slovenia, dedicated to St. John the Baptist. First built in the tenth or eleventh century, it contains some stunning frescoes of St. Cristopher, who incidentally I found out to be the protector of travellers!



The lovely stone bridge and the church of St. John the Baptist
 

The inside of the church, with frescoes dating to the early 14th century

Did I mention that I fell head over heels in love with Slovenian churches? They are tiny, with slender clock towers reaching towards the sky and sometimes onion-shaped roofs. Inside they are very colourful, unlike most churches in Italy which I often find sad because of the dull colours.

Inside the church of St. Martin, Bled
 

St. Martin Church from the outside (and castle rock at the back)

After visiting this little pearl of a church, I hiked to the other side of the lake (1 h 30 min to a place called Ukanc). Lake Bohinj is less developed than Bled. Because it's inside a national park (Triglav National Park) the rows of restaurants and bars of Bled are out of the question. Instead you will find many quiet spots to have a swim, to go canoeing or paragliding. The water is absolutely amazing. At the end of the hike, I had lunch with trout skewers and roasted potatoes in a nice restaurant. It cost me 15,50€ with lemonade and espresso coffee. Not bad, eh!?

My delicious lunch (and yes, I do food porn sometimes)

 

 

Savica Waterfall

 

From Ukanc I took a path that led me to Savica Waterfall (Savica Slap in Slovenian): I thought it was closer but it took me 45 minutes to reach the car park for the famous waterfall. That hike was very easy, but a bit boring. From the car park I reached the waterfall in about 30 minutes of stone steps into the woods (ok, I was tired and you can do it in 20). The waterfall is really impressing: it's a very high jump, the highest I have ever seen. You can't swim or dive there, if you're interested to know (many backpackers who reach Slovenia are intrepid crazy people who would dive anywhere!). I found a bit strange that in Slovenia you have to pay to see things like waterfalls and gorges, but the fee is never more than 4€. A nice mention to the three guys who gave me a lift back to Bled is in need. I had missed a bus and the next one was in two hours and a half!




Savica Waterfall

 

 Vintgar Gorge

 

My last trip was to Vintgar Gorge, a twenty-minute bus trip from Bled. This is already my second gorge this year, as I have hiked the Samaria Gorge in Crete. Vintgar gorge is a lot smaller, it's a thirty to forty-minute very easy hike to the end, where there is yet another waterfall, larger than Savica Slap but not as beautiful. The water inside the gorge is incredibly blue and the wooden walkways are very cool. Some people managed to dive and have a swim, but I wouldn't dare.

 

Vintgar Gorge

 

Goodbye Slovenia, until next time! I hope it's going to be soon!!!

 

Slovenian Mountains seen from Bled Castle

 

Ever considered this for your summer vacation house?

 

 

Have you been to Slovenia? Have you got any suggestions to my next trip to the fairytale country? Let me know!