Would you travel to a new country just to see a lake? I did, and I think it was almost worth the effort. It was a casual conversation with a school buddy that piqued my interest in a lake that is of mixed glacial and tectonic origin. Lake Bled is one of the key reasons many travellers choose to visit Slovenia, but as I discovered, there’s more to this charming country where more than half the land area is covered in forests. My tour guide was quick to point out that Slovenia is the only country in the world that has ‘love’ in its name. It’s also easy to fall in love with this country especially when you take in the panoramic views of Lake Bled.
Pristine charm
The stunning blue waters of Lake Bled Ashwin Rajagopalan
I opted to board an early morning bus from Vienna to Ljubljana. I didn’t waste much time at the Slovenian capital before joining a group of travellers who were determined to explore the lake and its charms as part of a packed day trip. While it’s possible to explore Lake Bled and it’s surrounds in six to eight hours, I’d recommend an overnight stay at this charming location. I left a dark and grey Vienna that was grappling with its worst floods in recent times, to be welcomed by blue skies and the stunning blue waters of Lake Bled. None of the images that I snapped or experienced matched the stunning images with teal-coloured waters that showed up the first time I googled ‘Lake Bled’. That’s the thing with travel in a post-Instagram age. Yet it’s easily one of the most beautiful and pristine lakes you will find in any part of the world.
Bled Island
The tiny Bled Island at the very heart of the lake Shutterstock
It takes about 45 minutes to reach Lake Bled from Ljubljana. I signed up on a tour with ‘To Do in Slovenia’, an established local operator with guides who never run out of fun facts and stories. One of these was the origin story of the Lake that was created by a tectonic hole made by the Bohinj glacier through the years. The ice eventually melted and filled the basin with water and created Lake Bled in the process. At a length of 2,120 metres and width of 1,380 metres, it may not be one of the biggest lakes in Europe but it’s certainly one of the most photogenic. One of the elements that adds to its photogenic appeal is the tiny Bled island that is in the very heart of the lake. One of the popular activities around the lake is a boat ride that takes you to the island that has also been a pilgrimage spot for centuries. Locals will tell you that you have to ring the church bell at the island and make a wish.
Walk the loop
The lake offers stunning photo ops Ashwin Rajagopalan
There’s no better way to see Lake Bled than walk the full loop. This is one reason why staying the night at Bled is a good idea. The 6 km walk can take longer if you keep stopping for pictures. Ask me! The lake offers stunning photo ops, especially at sunrise and sunset. It was this trek that made my friend recommend Lake Bled to me and I’m glad I took the bait. You’ll find a lot of locals throwing their bait around the lake; there are close to 20 species of fish including Lake Trout in the lake with a maximum depth of about 30 metres.
Bled Castle
The Bled Castle Ashwin Rajagopalan
It was Emperor Henry II, ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, who probably set the stage for Lake Bled’s status as a popular tourist spot way back in 1004 CE. He built Bled Castle, which was the first stop on my whirlwind tour. The lake has been a popular destination for European travellers for centuries for its recreational and medicinal benefits (Bled is a hub of wellness spas). The Bled Castle is a slightly challenging trek from the lake but most tour operators drive all the way up except the last set of steps. Aside from a fascinating museum and a chapel, the Bled Castle offers stunning vistas of the Lake and the Julian Alps with Mount Triglav (the tallest peak in the Balkans) towering above them. But that’s not the only reason you should visit the Castle.
Sweet finish
The famous Kremina Rezina Ashwin Rajagopalan
Kremina Rezina is a local legend. To call this one of Eastern Europe’s most popular and delicious desserts is not an exaggeration. The recipe for this traditional cream cake came to Bled from Serbia in the 1950s and the town has made the Kremina rezina its very own. It translates to cream slice, but this is no ordinary cream pastry. Think butter pastry with thick vanilla cream, whipped cream and another layer of pastry to crown it all. The restaurant at the castle makes one of the most delicious versions of this pastry. All you need to do is to enjoy the pastry from the restaurant and take in the views of the lake on a beautiful, sunny day. That moment alone was enough to justify travelling all the way to Slovenia to see a lake.
