Gorenjska · Slovenia

Bohinj and Triglav

The largest permanent natural lake in Slovenia, surrounded by the peaks of Triglav National Park: the Savica waterfall, the Vogel cable car, and the trails to the country’s highest mountain.

Alpine Slovenia

In the photo: Lake Bohinj and the Julian Alps, as seen from Vogel.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The Bohinj valley is about 28 km west of Bled, surrounded by the peaks of the Julian Alps and almost entirely within the protected area of Triglav National Park. At the bottom of the valley lies glacial Lake Bohinj, about 4 km long. There are no buildings on the shore and motorboats are not allowed: the water is used for swimming, rowing, and fishing.

Bohinj is not a town but a municipality made up of villages scattered through the valley. Ribčev Laz, the village at the eastern tip where the river flows out of the lake, is the starting point for almost everything. Bohinjska Bistrica, the administrative center, is about 6 km downstream and has the Bohinj railway station. Stara Fužina, Studor, and Ukanc complete the valley, with stone houses, hay barns, and mountain pastures.

West of the lake, a staircase leads to the Savica waterfall, which springs from a rock source. On the south side, the Vogel cable car climbs above 1,500 meters, offering views of the lake and Triglav. Near Stara Fužina, the Mostnica stream has carved a narrow gorge that can be explored on footpaths.

Triglav, the country’s highest point at 2,864 meters, appears on the national coat of arms and flag. The ascent to the summit usually takes two days with an overnight in a mountain hut and includes sections equipped with steel cables.

This destination brings together 2 cities: Ribčev Laz, Bohinjska Bistrica.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Bohinj and Triglav is

Boundaries: Geodetska uprava Republike Slovenije (GURS), Register prostorskih enot, 28/02/2024, licença CC BY 4.0. Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Bohinj and Triglav

✈ Letališče Jožeta Pučnika Ljubljana (LJU), in Brnik · 60 km to Ribčev Laz

By road along the Sava Bohinjka valley, it’s about 28 km from Bled and 80 km from Ljubljana. Regular buses run from Ljubljana and pass through Bled to Ribčev Laz and Ukanc. By train, the Bohinj railway stops at Bohinjska Bistrica, about 6 km from the lake, with connections to Jesenice and Nova Gorica.

Suggested arrival point: Ribčev Laz

Gorenjska · Bohinj and Triglav District of Bohinj Suggested arrival point

Ribčev Laz

Village at the eastern tip of Lake Bohinj, in the municipality of Bohinj, where the stone bridge, the Church of St. John the Baptist, the statue of Zlatorog and the information center are located. It is the starting point for swimming and paddling on the lake and for going to Savica, Vogel, the Mostnica Gorge and the Triglav trails.

Gorenjska · Bohinj and Triglav District of Bohinj

Bohinjska Bistrica

The administrative center of the Bohinj municipality, about 6 km from the lake, on the banks of the Sava Bohinjka. It has the Bohinj railway station near the tunnel mouth that crosses the mountains, shops and services, the Tomaž Godec Museum in an old tannery, and the Ajdovski gradec archaeological site. It’s a practical base for those arriving by train.

Festivals and events

Festivals in Bohinj and Triglav

Dates change every year: check this year's date before you travel.

International Wildflower Festival of Bohinj

May/June

Culture · Ribčev Laz

International Wildflower Festival of Bohinj

For about two weeks, from late May to early June, during the flowering season of Bohinj’s meadows.

In late spring, Bohinj, in the heart of Triglav National Park, devotes two weeks to the flowers of the Julian Alps, with guided botanical walks, exhibitions, workshops, and restaurant menus featuring wild plants from the valley.

September

Popular festival · Ribčev Laz

Cow Ball of Bohinj

On the third Sunday of September.

On the third Sunday of September, Bohinj celebrates the return of the shepherds and their cattle from the high mountain pastures: the cows descend, decorated with flowers, to the meadow at Ukanc on the western tip of Lake Bohinj, in a festival with music, dancing and regional food.

Festival calendar in Slovenia

The local experience

Things to do in Bohinj and Triglav

Ribčev Laz · Gorenjska · Lake

Lake Bohinj

The largest permanent natural lake in Slovenia, of glacial origin, with largely undeveloped shores, inside Triglav National Park. Cold, clear water for swimming, paddling and walking around.

Bohinjska Bistrica · Gorenjska · Museum

Tomaž Godec Museum

The museum in Bohinjska Bistrica is housed in an old tannery by the stream, with exhibits on the valley’s leather and iron industries and a display about the Isonzo front in World War I.

Bohinjska Bistrica · Gorenjska · Archaeological site

Giant's Castle

The archaeological site on a hill near Bohinjska Bistrica, with remains of a wall and the base of a gate from an ancient fortified settlement, reached by a short forest trail.

Ribčev Laz · Gorenjska · Church

Church of St. John the Baptist

The small Gothic Church of St. John the Baptist, next to the stone bridge at the eastern tip of Lake Bohinj, with medieval frescoes inside and out. One of the valley’s most iconic images.

See 4 more places in Bohinj and Triglav

Ribčev Laz · Gorenjska · Waterfall

Savica Waterfall

The 78-meter waterfall west of Lake Bohinj, which arises from a spring in the rock and falls in two A-shaped jets into a green pool. You reach it by a staircase of more than 500 steps.

Ribčev Laz · Gorenjska · Mountain

Vogel Ski Center

The mountain south of Lake Bohinj, with a cable car that climbs from Ukanc to 1,535 meters. From the top you can see the lake and the Triglav; in winter it is a ski area, and in summer a starting point for trails.

Ribčev Laz · Gorenjska · Canyon

Mostnica Gorge

The narrow gorge of the Mostnica stream near Stara Fužina, with green pools, the Devil’s Bridge from 1777 and a rock shaped like an elephant. Trails continue to the Voje valley and the Mostnica waterfall.

Ribčev Laz · Gorenjska · Mountain

Mount Triglav

The highest peak of Slovenia, at 2,864 meters, a symbol of the country and the center of the only Slovenian national park. The ascent from Bohinj usually takes two days, with sections equipped with steel cables.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

Summer, from June to September, is the season for swimming and hiking; the high trails and the Triglav ascent are normally snow-free from July to September. In early autumn the beech trees on the slopes turn yellow and the valley quiets down. From December to March, Vogel operates as a ski resort.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two days cover the lake, the Church of St. John, the Savica waterfall, Vogel, and the Mostnica gorge. With three or four days you can add longer hikes to the alpine pastures. The ascent to Triglav requires at least two days by itself.

Which city to stay in

Ribčev Laz and Stara Fužina provide direct access to the lake and to walking trails. Ukanc, at the western tip, is more secluded and close to Vogel and Savica. Bohinjska Bistrica has more services, shops, and the train station, about 6 km from the lake. The hillside villages of Studor and Srednja vas are peaceful.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Bohinj and Triglav

How many days should you stay in Bohinj?

Two days for the lake, the Savica waterfall, Vogel, and the Mostnica gorge. Three or four days for longer mountain hikes.

How do you get from Bled to Bohinj?

By car it’s about 28 km, roughly a 40-minute drive. Regular buses run from Bled to Ribčev Laz and Ukanc.

Do you need a car in Bohinj?

It’s not essential: buses connect the valley villages and, in summer, there are extra lines to Savica. A car helps if you want to reach trails early and access mountain parking areas.

Is Bohinj a feasible day trip from Ljubljana?

Yes, but it’s a long day: about 80 km, with more than an hour of driving each way. It’s better to spend at least one night in the valley.

What’s the best time to go to Bohinj?

Summer, for swimming and hiking; December to March for skiing at Vogel. Early autumn offers fewer crowds.

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Bohinj and Triglav

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.