Lake Bled Loop

Bled, Slovenia is an incredibly picturesque town situated at the foot of the Karawanks Mountains near the boarder of Austria. The small lake town is often regarded as one of the best kept secrets because of the intimate and secluded location. The town center sits right on the waters edge with views of snow capped mountains, the local castle, and of course Bled Island in the middle of the lake.

There are many good hikes around this area but if you are looking for a more mellow stroll, there is nothing better than taking the hour and half walk along the waters edge. The trail is very well marked and even paved at times, but feel free to wander away from the path and walk through the woods and climb the hills for more expansive views of the surrounding area. Perched on top of the cliffside is an ancient Castle that has the most spectacular view of the lake and mountains. It's a humbling experience sitting on the ramparts of that castle thinking about how it was built so perfectly to rest above the lake.

Once you have finished your walk around the lake, you have undoubtedly been staring at Bled Island the majority of the time so please take the ferry out and visit it for yourself! It's a short 15 minute boat ride out to the Island and once you arrive you get to see Bled from a whole different vantage point, as well as explore one of the most uniquely positioned churches in the world.

Depending on where you are visiting from, this could be a wonderful day trip, but I suggest staying a few nights so you are able to explore the area more. There are quaint neighboring towns and breathtaking views, hikes, and waterfalls. Enjoy!