Sports activities in and around Bled

There are masses of possibilities for enjoying sports around Bled. Below we have listed some that may be of interest to you during your stay here.

Jogging: is possible around the lake of Bled, and also in the surrounding villages where numerous pathways are really appropriate for this activity.
Rikli's Fitness promenade leads over meadows, woods and paths to the 646-meter high Straža. The "sunny health resort" of Bled was founded in 1856 by Arnold Rikli, a Swiss citizen, who opened one hundred years ago his own "park for sun-bathing".

Walks: in addition to the beauty offered to the eye by the still lake surface and the sheer peaks of the Julian Alps and the Karavanke at the very first glance, visitors can also discover how attractive Bled is for a pleasant holiday on short walks around the lake or longer trips into the vicinity. Everyone can visit the old Bled Castle, which rises proudly on the steep rock above the lake. With motor vehicles, access is possible by asphalt road, while on foot you can take nice shaded paths.

From Straža, you will have a magnificent view of the Bled panorama in all its splendor. Wonderful views of the lake and its surroundings are possible from other hills (Osojnica - a popular point for photographers, Kozarca, Kuhovnica). Half day trips to pleasant villages around Bled, e.g. Kupljenik, Bodešce, Slamnik, Grabce, Krnica and Mevkuš, in which they make characteristic cowbells, are a pleasant experience for everybody. Maps and descriptions of footpaths are available at the Bled Tourist Association’, C. svobode 15, Bled (tel: (04) 5741 122) and in tourist agencies.

Boats will take you to the island in the middle of Lake Bled, which has been an extremely popular tourist spot for centuries.

Tennis: there are 14 outdoor tennis courts in Bled and its surroundings. Five are located at Hotel Ribno (tel: (04) 5741 321), fax: (04) 5741 184 four right on the lakefront - in Mala Zaka near the Regatta Center (tel: (04) 5741 112). Tennis lessons are also available. Nearest to the center of Bled are the tennis courts at the Hotel Golf (tel: (04) 5792 000, fax: 5741 768) at the Alp Pension (tel: (04) 5741 614, fax: 5744 590), at Vila Erika below Mt. Straža and Hotel Kompas Ribno.

Golf: Bled has the largest golf course in Slovenia. The Bled golf course has the longest tradition in Slovenia, going back to 1937. With over 100 hectares of ground and two courses designed by Donald Harradine, it is also one of the biggest. You can play from March to December. The course is known as one of the most beautiful in Europe. Many international tournaments take place on it during the playing season. (tel: (04) 5700 777)

Back to top

Horse riding: Bled and its surroundings offer universal opportunities to lovers of horses and riding. A hippodrome between Bled and Lesce, riding horses and teachers of horseback riding are available to visitors of Bled on prior agreement. The hippodrome lies by Bled-Lesce road, Near Šobec Camp, 3 km from Bled. At the Podvin horseback riding center there is a covered hippodrome, parking places and two outlets for horses. Riding every day, with or without a teacher. Information: Hotel Grad Podvin, Mošnje 1, tel: (04) 5738 111.

Cycling: Bled is also a good starting point for short or long, guided or unguided cycling tours. Cycle photo at left, courtesy of friendly 3glav adventure agency. Bike rental also available at: Kompas, Ljubljanska 4 (tel: (04) 5741 515), Regatta Center, Globtour, Ljubljanska 7 (tel: (04) 5748 821, fax: 5741 518).

Paragliding and Gliding: the Lesce-Bled sports airport lies 4 km from the center of Bled. In addition to glider flights, tandem (guided) paragliding and panoramic flights over Bled, Bohinj and the Julian Alps are available (tel: (04) 5733 431, fax: 5733 882).

Skiing: Straža - a new, modern skiing area, constructed in 1990, at a height of 600 m above sea level is only minutes away from the center of Bled. It is equipped with snowmaking facilities and night skiing, a double chair lift and a rope tow. The latter is suitable for beginners, i.e. for the needs of the ski school. Two ski slopes are available for both beginners and experienced skiers (tel: (04) 5741 133).

Kobla and Vogel - skiing centers in Bohinj, only 20 and 30 km from Bled. There is enough of snow almost all winter, because the 36 trails on Vogel run from 1300 to 1800 m above sea level, and Kobla has snowmaking facilities. (tel: Vogel (04) 5723 466, Kobla (04) 5721 414)

Cross-Country Skiing: Pokljuka - Bled is closely connected with Pokljuka, at which there are 32 km of cross-country skiing trails. The best known trail is on Rudno Polje - a Biathlon World Cup event is held here every year. You can also go cross-country skiing on Zajavornik, Goreljek and in the Kranjska valley.
You can rent skiing equipment at the Kompas agency in Bled (tel: (04) 5741 517, 5741 515).

Skating: The skating ring is open from July to March. Recreational skating three times a day; for hockey competitions and groups by prior agreement.

Curling: also possible. (tel: (04) 5741 612). In winter it is a real pleasure to skate or go curling on the frozen lake. But make sure you ask whether the ice is safe before you venture out!

Sauna, Fitness, Turkish Baths: The Grand Hotel Toplice, Golf Hotel and the Park, Krim, Jelovica and Ribno Hotels offer you sauna, solariums and massage, also massages in the Alp boarding house. Turkish baths are also available in the Golf and Jelovica Hotels. Fitness and a “well-being” Centre is part of the services at the Golf Hotel, Jelovica and Ribno Hotels; exercise is also possible at the Bio Fit fitness center in Koritno.

Swimming pool: in Hotel Toplice, Golf Hotel, Hotel Jelovica and Park Hotel.

Back to top