Slovenia - Lake Bohinj and Slap Savica

Lake Bohinj and Slap Savica Walk - By Alan Garner

This walk has Lake Bohinj as its centre feature.

Start at Ribcev Laz at the edge of the Lake. There are several interesting things to view here so start at the statue of the local men who first climbed Mount Triglav- opposite the Jezero hotel. Also visit the tourist info office – good information and excellent gifts.

Walk to the bridge over the river outflow and gaze at the still waters of the lake. Trout abound. Then proceed to your left across the road and walk into the climbing rock area – a little further on find a path – a little disguised but once on it is clear. This path is the alternative to walking along the tarmac path alongside the busy road.
Walk on this path as it undulates over small valleys and it can be vertiginous at times – but the path is well used and generally dry. The route is through the trees mainly, so views are limited to glimpses of the shimmering lake through the trees. After 4 kilometres, you reach the roadway to the Vogel Gondola – have a look here – it maybe you want to explore Vogel at some other time. Walk down the road to the main road and proceed left along the road with the lake on your right. Note – not the road that is signed Slap Savica.

Pass the Zlatorog Hotel then you see the bridge over the infant River Sava – a super photo opportunity here. Time from the start – 1.5 hours.
Turn right immediately after the bridge then reach the lake side – a favourite relaxing spot for locals and visitors alike. Continue slightly left just before the lake side path turns right – you will come back to that eventually – and make for the path between trees, a broad path the gently rises past large limestone rocks that have fallen form the wall of limestone to your right.

The path widens and rises for about 2 kilometres – you may hear the rushing waters of the Sava river – not in sight but in sound and eventually you reach a bridge over the foaming river that leads you to an area where there are a couple of cafes and gift shops and also the bus terminus. This area is just before the entrance to the Slap Savica waterfall complex- well worth a visit – a few euros to enter then 500 steps to reach a platform where you can view the river falling from the rocky limestone cliff face – see later information.

Return down the steps and back to the café area – maybe a coffee here or lunch- then return the same way as you came to the lake side. Take the path that proceeds round the lake to your left- this path is largely in the tree scape with the lake on your right. It’s a good path, watch out for mountain bikers though – and after 4 kilometres the path enters the lovely meadows before turning right at the lake end - again this area is a locals relaxing spot- swimmers and sun bathers on good sunny days especially at weekends.

Continue along the broad path – maybe you will see para gliders here as above you there is a take-off point – then look out for a lovely café tucked away on the right - Café Kramar- a lovely beer, ice cream or coffee stop.

New toilet block here – carry on through the trees after the toilet block, and eventually reach the road that goes over the Sava river bridge. Just before the bridge is the most photographed church in Slovenia – St John the Baptist- it’s worth a visit as it has some wall fresco’s and an interesting inside – you may need to pay to enter though.

Superb ice cream – local- at the stall opposite the bridge – and several cafes to get a beer or coffee- a lovely way to end this walk that is easy mainly with only one gradual ascent to the waterfall area.

At Ribcev Laz you can catch a regular hourly bus service to Bled and beyond
In total 16 kilometres – with a visit to Slap Savica – 5 to 6 hours

Ribcev Laz

Vogel

Slap Savica

Lake Bohin

Church of St John the Babtist