Bohinj Lake

Slovenia’s largest lake is a tranquil oasis of pristine water lying in Triglav National Park northwest of Ljubljana. Bordered by the peaks of the Julian Alps, this is a region of powerful natural beauty, rich in cascading waterfalls and limestone cave complexes burrowing underground. It was formed by glaciation in the last Ice Age and today the lake is fed by spring waters bubbling up through limestone deep under its northern shores as well as glacier melt from the Savica River, which starts life plunging over a spectacular 71-m (232-ft) waterfall upstream in the Julian foothills. The same river leaves Lake Bohinj as the Sava Bohinjka, which twists and turns its way 30 km (18.5 miles) through tumbling gorges into the clear waters of Lake Bled. 
Lake Bohinj is a hive of activity all year round, with cyclists and hikers basing themselves in the sleepy town of Ribcev Laz to follow the marked trails around the shoreline. While Bohinj occasionally freezes hard enough for ice-skating in winter, the sunny summer months are a haven for sports fans, when water temperatures are warm enough for swimming, wind surfing, kayaking and canoeing. Sailing and fishing for trout and char are other popular summer pastimes and excursion boats chug around the lake, departing from Ribcev Laz between May and October. Ibex, rare chamois and golden eagles can sometimes be spotted in the remote alpine landscapes surrounding Bohinj.

Practical Info

Lake Bohinj has a shoreline of 11.25 km (seven miles) and is 75 km (46.5 miles) northwest of Ljubljana. It is easily accessed by road or rail. Savica Waterfall is accessible Apr–Oct daily 8am–6pm, admission €2.