Lake Bled

Lake Bled occupies a basin carved by ancient glaciers in the foothills of the Julian Alps, with forested slopes descending toward its shoreline. The water surrounds a tiny island crowned by a church and bell tower that rise above the treetops near its center.

Bronze Age artifacts dating to the 13th and 12th centuries BC indicate early settlement along the shore. Medieval records from 1004 document the transfer of this region to the Bishop of Brixen, placing it under church control.

Pletna oarsmen operate under a charter first granted in the 12th century, maintaining a rowing tradition that still connects the shoreline with the island today. Travelers boarding these flat-bottomed boats follow the same crossing route that pilgrims and villagers used for hundreds of years.

A paved path runs continuously around the shore for roughly six kilometers, suitable for walking or cycling. Early morning or late afternoon visits offer quieter conditions and softer light across the water.

Water temperatures range from 39 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, occasionally warm enough for summer swimming. Locals and visitors sometimes swim from designated shoreline spots while rowboats and canoes glide across the surface.

Location: Carniola

Elevation above the sea: 475 m

Length: 2,120 m

Width: 1,380 m

Address: Lake Bled, 4260 Bled, Slovenia

GPS coordinates: 46.36444,14.09472

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:00