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Slovenian Alps

Here begins the first chapter of a few who continue to tell our trip, short but intense, Slovenia. We also made a foray into Istrian Peninsula Croatia and we spent two wonderful days in Venice. In all, eight days that have given so much of himself.

Slovenia I love it. So, without further. A small country which has much to offer, we have also enjoyed a splendid spring days that have contributed to fall in love with its landscape, its cities and its people.

Our first stop was the Julian Alps. One could spend several weeks between the magnificent scenery of Triglav National Park or taking advantage of the wide range of activities offered, especially in Bled, the tourist resort of the region. We stayed only two nights, limiting ourselves to the most emblematic or more recommended, but we left wanting more.

Lake Bled

Start the Julian Alps was a little risky in the sense of finding the rest after decaffeinated travel, but it was not, what continued after not disappoint.

name Julian Alps is due to Caesar, who established Roman rule in place, founding his feet municipality Forum Julii, now Cividale del Friuli . Extending from northeast Italy to Slovenia and a large part are included in the Triglav National Park, the country's only national park that is 84.805Ha protected area since 1924.

Two of the most beautiful and accessible, are located in the picturesque Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj and its surroundings.

The Lake Bohinj is only 26km from Bled, where we spent the two nights. The 209 road tour is as enjoyable as the scenery is postcard and spring is manifested in full force. When we were astonished to Lake Bohinj.

Lake Bohinj

The water is a mirror that accurately reflect successful mountains, church steeple, small boats rest on its shores ... beautiful. It is a glacial lake and the largest, with 4.5 km long, 1200 meters wide and 45 meters at its deepest point.

Lake Bohinj

We make various stops to view it from different points as we follow a few kilometers to the Cascade Savica , other designated locations to an excursion. It can be accessed in two ways: one way 4 km outside the hotel Zlatorog in Ukanc or drive close to the park and take the road leading to the waterfall in about 20 minutes.

Path that leads to the waterfall Savica

We choose the latter option despite the 500 stairs to climb there, the effort - as usual - is rewarded. Flowers of all colors and the murmur of the river water with us to the waterfall, the point where the river Sava Bohinjka rises to the surface. The visible part get their water from the karst region Crno sherry or Black Lake, which lies at 500 meters above.

is a waterfall in the form of A which has, therefore, two arms. The level of elevation of the large waterfall is 78 meters and 25 meters for the lower cascade. The waterfall did not seem too spectacular, but the trail itself is worth the walk. We turned down the same road and the car and we went to Ukanc to take the cable car to take us to Mount Vogel , the best viewpoint of the Triglav NP.

Cableway Mt Vogel

It's a bit expensive (13 € per person) but we can not miss the opportunity and less in a day so clear which ensures a good visibility. As we climb, views become more spectacular: the villages, Lake Bohinj and the surrounding mountains, with the last snow of the season.

Upon reaching the station, we were a good while still enjoying the scenery and a map in hand trying to identify all peaks that reaches our eyes. No problem, we guess the Mount Triglav, which with its 2864 meters is the highest mountain in the country and all Julian Alps, which gives its name to National Park.

The highest peak corresponds to Mt Triglav

is a mythical mountain that even appears on the flag of Slovenia. Triglav's name means "three heads" referring to a three-headed deity who ruled heaven, earth and hell and no one stopped until 1778 to reach its peak. The first to achieve this was an Austrian and Slovenian three guides, but since the nineteenth century up to Triglav has become a national challenge and is said to all authentic Slovenian must climb the mountain at least once in their life.

From Triglav, the landscape extends into the Soča river valleys and the upper valley of the Sava River configuring the entire length of the park. It is a land of rocky mountains, deep gorges and ravines, but also nice karst mountains that are home to a large number of species of fauna and flora.

Enough skiers do the last descents of the season, although at this time, many of them are cornered in the sun, eating or drinking a beer. It is great and, although the intention was to ride a trail, there is too much snow and not let well enough shoes. We descended from the heights and return to the shores of Lake Bohinj to the town of Bohinjska Bystrica. We crossed the bridge leading to the church San Juan Bautista in the hope of finding it open, but it is not. It seems that its interior is one of the best in the country, but we must be content with surround it out. All churches in this alpine zone have the same structure and same style bell tower, with painted borders in their walls and bulbous tip. We approached the shore of the lake where ducks green collar share water with a myriad of fish that can be clearly distinguished through the clear surface. We follow the road that leads to pretty villages such as Stara Fuzina and Studor , both with typical alpine architecture and very similar all together.

Bohinjska Bystrica

Church San Juan Bautista in Bohinjska Bystrica

Back in Bled and although the day before we had discovered its charms we still had a lot to see.

Bled is the name of the town and the lake, the most photographed and admired in Slovenia. And no wonder, because when you first see what you already love.

The medieval castle atop a cliff, surrounded by high mountains and particularly the small island that emerges from the water, give an added value that make it really lovely.

Castle on Lake Bled

The history of this small enclave could fill pages because of its beauty and its warm waters were soon appreciated by pilgrims Media Age who came to pray at the church of the lake, but it was not until the eighteenth century when a Swiss doctor Arnold Rikli, saw the potential and in 1855 that he founded a Spa specializes in cures for sun and thermal treatments. The railway line to Tarvisio Ljubljana which opened in 1870 allowed easy access to Bled which became a resting place for many families, including the Yugoslav royal family.

Bled

One of the most rewarding activities you can do is to surround the lake, either on foot or by bicycle. We prefer the first option is a ride that would advise everyone because you can enjoy the lake and its environment from different points of view.

Way around Lake Bled

Many people rent a pletna - small rowing boats - to reach the island the lake where you lift the Church of Assumption. In different places have adapted access points to the bathroom and wooden platforms to lie in the sun.

When we have completed more than half a turn, turn off on a road leading to the viewpoint of Mala Osojnica to 685 meters altitude. The first part of the path is common to the Ojstrica viewpoint, but from a point is split in two. I thought I left the life, as my mother up that!. Finally we arrived at the viewpoint and the award of impressive views and the panoramic favorite of photographers, which goes on every postcard and guide, an image it seems unreal but we have before our eyes.

View from the viewpoint Mala Osojnica

Island Lake Bled

The return is made by a shorter route and on better terms, yes, a few drops of the devil that I leave the calves and ankles to dust.

We have just completed around the lake and we deserve celebrating with a good snack. Eat the cake typical of Bled, the kremna Rezina , a delicious cream pie and cream between two layers of hojadre we feel great.

Delicious kremna Rezin, the typical sweet Bled

After we climb to regain strength castle. It can be done on foot, but today we are at the limit of our possibilities and we take the car. The castle itself is not terribly interested but the views over the lake which are oriented to the opposite side of which we have enjoyed from the viewpoint of Mala Osojnica. The view from here is very nice, but I'll no doubt with the view from Mala Osojnica.

Osojnica

lake views from the Castle, with Mala hill in the foreground

visited the small museum , exhibiting different archaeological pieces that have been found near Bled and representation of the first settlers of these places. Nothing fancy, but we had a good time.

Bled Castle

Castle Chapel

Within the castle grounds you can also visit an old printing press, a winery and a small chapel, high demand for weddings, almost as much as it is the church of the lake where it is customary for the groom with the bride in his arms ascend the steps.

Steps of the Church of the Assumption

The next day we made the trip to Vintgar Canyon which is located 4 km Bled towards the village of Podhom. I recommend visiting early in the morning when there are hardly any people, as the walk along the narrow wooden walkways may be uncomfortable with a lot of influx, which is why the insurance is one of the most visited places in the area.

Radovna and Canyon River Vintgar

is a way 1600 meters, which basically runs on wooden walkways along the course of the river Radovna and crosses in different sections. This road was built in 1893 and since then thousands of people have had the opportunity to visit it. The river is opening Radovna way through gorges and the water's murmur is the soundtrack that accompanies us all the way. In some low points with great force, while others presented more quiet, but the transparency of the water is maintained throughout the course.

Form small waterfalls, whirlpools and a canyon. Almost reaching the end is a dam that releases water into a powerful waterfall. Few meters and just below where the second entry access, you can see another waterfall 13 meters. From here there is the option of continuing the path that takes half an hour in the chapel of Santa Katerina. A highly recommended excursion.

As I said at the beginning of the post, the Julian Alps deserve many more days of dedication but that input has helped us to stay with a huge desire to return.