Zgornje Gorje is the quiet back door to Bled. From here you reach Lake Bled in about 10 minutes, Vintgar Gorge in 5 and the Radovna valley of Triglav National Park in 10, without staying in the busy town centre. This guide collects what we recommend to our own guests.
Getting here
- From Ljubljana Airport (LJU): about 40 km, 35 minutes by car or taxi.
- From Ljubljana: about 55 km, 45–50 minutes on the A2 motorway (exit Lesce), then via Bled.
- By train: to Lesce-Bled station, then about 10 km by taxi.
- From Austria or Italy: via the Karawanks tunnel (A2) or Kranjska Gora; Zgornje Gorje is signposted from Bled.
Places near the hotel
| Place | From the hotel | Local tip |
|---|---|---|
 Vintgar Gorge | ~5 min | Boardwalks over the Radovna river. Open from April into autumn with a limited number of tickets; it is busiest from 10:00 to 13:00, so go early or late. |
 Pokljuka Gorge (Pokljuška soteska) | ~5 min | Our favourite quiet alternative to Vintgar. An easy 1.8 km loop (about 1 hour) from the car park near Krnica, through the Pokljuka Hole cave. Great with kids. |
 Lake Bled & Bled Island | ~10 min | Walk the 6 km lakeside path, take a traditional pletna boat to the island church and ring the wishing bell. Swim, row or SUP in summer. |
 Bled Castle | ~10 min | A clifftop castle over 1,000 years old with the best view of the lake and island. |
 Radovna valley | ~10 min | A quiet valley of Triglav National Park, ideal by e-bike: follow the Radovna river past meadows and old farmsteads. |
 Pokljuka plateau | ~25 min | High spruce forests and alpine pastures. Hiking in summer, cross-country skiing in winter. |
 Lake Bohinj & Savica waterfall | ~35 min | Slovenia's largest natural lake, wilder and quieter than Bled. Combine with the Savica waterfall or the Vogel cable car. |
Approximate driving times.
Itineraries
One day near Bled
- Morning: Vintgar Gorge at opening time, before the crowds.
- Midday: lakeside walk, a pletna boat to Bled Island and a slice of Bled cream cake (kremšnita).
- Afternoon: Bled Castle for the view over the lake.
- Evening: dinner at Restaurant Julija, back at the hotel.
Three days in the Julian Alps
- Day 1: Vintgar Gorge, Lake Bled and Bled Castle; dinner at Julija.
- Day 2: Lake Bohinj, Savica waterfall and the Vogel cable car.
- Day 3: e-bike through the Radovna valley, Pokljuka Gorge loop, then the private sauna.
When to visit
Spring
Waterfalls at full flow, Vintgar reopens in April, green valleys and quiet trails.
Summer
Swimming, rowing and SUP on Lake Bled, canyoning, long hikes. Book early.
Autumn
Golden larches, clear views, e-bike weather and our Autumn Colours offer.
Winter
Cross-country skiing on Pokljuka, snowy walks, the sauna and New Year's Eve dinner.
Winter in Bled and the Julian Alps
Cross-country skiing on Pokljuka
About 20–25 minutes by car. Groomed trails through spruce forest at Rudno polje, home of the biathlon World Cup.
Downhill skiing
Vogel above Lake Bohinj (with views over the lake and Triglav) and Kranjska Gora are both about 40–45 minutes away, with ski hire on site.
Sledging
Sledging runs on Pokljuka and at Valvasorjev dom below Mount Stol (about 30 minutes): fun for the whole family.
Winter walks
The 6 km path around Lake Bled is beautiful in snow. The Radovna valley next to the hotel and the forest roads of Pokljuka are quiet and good for snowshoes.
December in Bled
In December the lakeshore hosts a Christmas market, and Bled celebrates New Year's Eve by the lake. We host a New Year's Eve dinner at Restaurant Julija.
Good to know
Vintgar Gorge is closed in winter and reopens in spring. Winter tyres are required in Slovenia from 15 November to 15 March.
After the day outside
Book the private sauna at the hotel (from €45 for 2 hours) and a table at Restaurant Julija.
Where to eat
- Restaurant Julija (at the hotel): local dishes cooked on inspiration and Slovenian wines; 2–4 course menus from €34.90. Book a table.
- Bled cream cake (kremšnita): the town's famous dessert, served in cafés along the lake.
- Restaurant Zaka & Bar Zaka (our sister outlets at Zaka bay, Lake Bled): a relaxed lakeside stop after a swim or a walk.
Insider tips
- Visit Vintgar early in the morning or late in the afternoon; tickets are limited in high season.
- Leave the car at the hotel and ride an e-bike to Bled and the Radovna valley; summer parking at the lake fills up quickly.
- Check the live Lake Bled webcam before you set out.
