Natural beauties

Straža (642m)
This is the finest Bled viewpoint rising above the south-eastern lake shore. Mala and Velika Straža, covered with stand of linden aok and spruce trees offer a magnificent panorama. The Rikli Fitness Trail runs through meadows and wooded areas.

In the abyss caves of Iglica, just above Bohinjska Bela, hides an 18 m high waterfall on the Suha stream. It falls over a vertical wall of Permian limestone.

In the village there is a signpost to the waterfall. The acces is very easy.

This approximately 300 m long cave is adorned with beautiful stalactite formations. A special feature of this cave is spiral stalactites, so-called helectites, and large calcite crystals which are rear in Slovenia. The tradition of visiting this cave dates back to the 19th century and has continued to the present day through the Bled Society for Cave Research. The Society in co-operation has arranged paths and electrical lighting to enable safe access to the cave.

Organised visits are possible: Mai,June, July, August – Sundays at 10.00 a.m. or by agreement 

Start point: in front of the cave.

Society for Cave Research
Tel.: +386 (0)41 678 401,
+386 (0)31 802 578
+386 (0)51 393 737

The Pokljuka ravine lies above the valley of the Radovna river and is only 1 km away from the village of Krnica, 2 km from Gorje and 7 km from Bled. You can reach these places by bus, but if travel via private transport note that you can go as far as the entrance to the ravine above Krnica, or alternatively access is also possible from Zatrnik. The ravine is 2 km long and 40 m deep in its most picturesque part. It was carved into limestone by water flowing from the Pokljuka glaciers, the only reminder of which is the Ribščica stream, a tributary of the Radovna river. Paths for visitors lead into the most beautiful central part of the ravine. The main path runs along its bottom, while side branches lead to the edges of the ravine and connect it with Zatrnik.

This ravine in the immediate vicinity of Gorje, approximately 4 km north-west of Bled, was discovered by Jakob Žumer, the Major of Gorje, and the cartographer and photographer Benedikt Lergetporer in February 1891. The discovery was accidental   and took place at a time when the water level of the Radovna river which flows through Vintgar was very low. They started their exploration in Spodnje Gorje and headed towards Blejska Dobrava. They made it through, the otherwise impassable ravine with great difficulty and discovered so much natural beauty that they decided to establish a construction committee. The gorge was arranged for visits, especially for visitors to Bled. It was opened to the public on 26th August 1893. The 1.6 km long Vintgar gorge carves its way through the vertical rocks of the Hom and Bort hills and is graced by the Radovna with its waterfalls, pools and rapids. The path leads you over bridges  and Šumer’s galleries, and ends with a bridge overlooking the mighty 16 m high Šum waterfall. Due to its natural beauty, Vintgar was classified among the more important tourist sights in Slovenia and the number of visitors increases every year. From the Šum waterfall you can take the opportunity of walking up a picturesque footpath through Hom to St. Catherine-a historical church with a beautiful view. At the entrance, and at the Šum waterfall there are cafes serving refreshments. Access by car and buses is possible as far as the parking area in front of the entrance to the ravine.

The lake was formed after the recession of the Bohinj glacier. It is up to 2120 m long and up to 1380 m wide, its maximum depth being 30.6 m and tectonic in origin. After the last Ice Age, the Bohinj glacier deepened the natural tectonic hollow and gave into its present form. The basin was filled with water when the ice melted. The lake has no large natural tributaries; it is fed only by a few springs.

The thermal springs in its north-eastern part are led into three swimming pools - Grand Hotel Toplice, Hotel Park and Hotel Golf. The picture-like image of Lake Bled is highlighted by the island in the western part of the lake.