Lake Bohinj (Bohinjsko jezero)
Lake Bohinj is a picturesque lake in the Triglav National Park, surrounded by pine forests, flowering meadows and snow-capped mountains. It is located 26 km southwest of Lake Bled, but unlike Bled, Lake Bohinj is almost untouched by civilization. Construction on its shores is prohibited. Bohinj is a great place for hiking: there are many excellent trails through the surrounding forests and mountains.
Video: Lake Bohinj
General Information
On the eastern shore of Lake Bohinj is the small tourist complex Ribcev Laz (Ribcev Laz) and Hotel Jezero. In the tourist information center (No. 48) you will find the necessary maps. Several agencies offer their services in organizing extreme sports, renting bicycles, kayaks and canoes. You can also swim here – the best bathing places are located in the northeastern part of the lake. Hiking enthusiasts can follow the 12-km coastal trail. In Ribčevo Laz, see the elegant white medieval church of St. John the Baptist (Cerkev svetega Janeza), decorated with 15th-16th century frescoes and a huge statue of St. Christopher.
.From the small embankment opposite the church there are regular boat trips (May – October 10.00-17.30, departure every 90 minutes, travel time 30 minutes) that take tourists from Ribčev Laz to the Zlatorog camp in the small village of Ukanc in the western part of the lake. There is also a road along the southern shore (4.5 km). From Zlatorog there is a trail to the popular Savica waterfall (Slap Savica; April – October 8.00 – 18.00, entrance fee). The height of the waterfall cascade is 97 meters. A steep staircase leads down into a deep gorge. The most popular tourist route leading to the highest mountain in Slovenia, Triglav (2864 m), starts in Ukanec.
.South of Ukanc is the Vogel cable car (daily every half hour, 7.00-18.00 in summer, 8.00-18.00 in winter, for a fee). It takes you up to the Vogel ski center, located at an altitude of 1535m. From here you can enjoy stunning views of Lake Bohinj and the surrounding mountains.
.At the eastern end of the lake, northeast of Ribchev Laza, are several cozy alpine villages with rustic restaurants, rooms for rent, and a couple of small museums. In Stara Fuzina (just north of Ribchev Laza) there is the Alpine Milk Museum, which is housed in a 19th century farmhouse (Plansarski muzej; em-every July-August 11.00-19.00, January-June, September-October 10.00-12.00, 16.00-18.00, entrance fee). Here you will learn about the history of dairy farming and cheese making in Slovenia. 1.5 km from Stara Fužina is the town of Studor, where you can visit the Oplenova hisa (same opening hours, entrance fee). It is a typical 19th century farmhouse, with a “black kitchen” for smoking ham, a spinning wheel, a loom and farm implements.
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The signs will take you to the Mrtsina Ranch riding center (www.ranc-mrcina.com). Icelandic ponies are kept here and can be ridden for a pleasant ride through the mountains.
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