Lake Bohinj winter travel guide: best things to do

Travel to Lake Bohinj during winter and explore a hidden gem in Slovenia! Discover how to get there, and the best winter hikes and photography spots in this article.

Lake Bohinj is the largest permanent lake in Slovenia. Despite being an amazing place to visit, it is sometimes disregarded due to being very close to one of the main Slovenia tourist spots, Lake Bled. Its smaller brother gets all the attention, and some tourists might be thinking about skipping Lake Bohinj and only stopping in Bled.

This would be a massive mistake. Lake Bohinj deserves to be explored, as it is as beautiful as Bled, but larger, with plenty of hikes and activities, enjoyable during both summer and winter.

This guide is dedicated to visiting Lake Bohinj during the winter season. However, most of the spots, tips, and hikes can be done in summer as well. Yet, some of the hikes or activities that you will find in other guides, might not be doable during wintertime, mainly because of the snow accumulation and the low temperatures. Without any further ado, this is the Lake Bohinj winter travel guide.

Why visit Lake Bohinj during winter?

It is easy to sell lake Bohinj during summer. A quick dip in the water, sunbathing, renting a boat, and getting lost on the lake… However, there are many reasons to visit Lake Bohinj during winter.

The first of them is that there will be fewer people. The harsh weather, low season, and snow… are the perfect combination to have Lake Bohinj for yourself.

Of course, the dreamy snowy landscape is another reason. Yes, it gets very cold. But it is completely worth it. I spent 2 days exploring Lake Bohinj (one during a snowstorm, and one on a sunny day after the snowstorm), and there are no words to describe how beautiful it is. You need to be there to understand it.

The final reason is that Lake Bohinj is a different place during winter. Travel photographers (like myself) find in it a unique place, less staged than Bled, but equally beautiful. If you compare photos of the lake during summer and winter, it really feels like a different lake.

Traveling to Lake Bohinj during winter is unique in many aspects. However, due to the weather conditions, it can be a bit difficult to reach, unless you know how to do it.

How to get to Lake Bohinj in winter?

The road to Lake Bohinj is in perfect condition most of the year. When it snows though, things get a bit complicated. Slovenians are quite used to driving in snowy conditions. In fact, from early November until mid-March, all cars have to wear snow tires. Thus, if you are renting a car, make sure it is properly conditioned.

In the likely situation that you find yourself driving towards or from Bohinj and it starts snowing, you have two options: keep driving or wait for the snowplow.

If the snowfall is not very dramatic, with the right tires, you will have no problem at all. Be more careful and keep a safe distance from the other cars. Better safe than sorry!

However, if it is snowing really hard, I would recommend waiting. The main road that connects bled to Bohinj is regularly cleared when it snows. If you don’t feel comfortable driving in snowy conditions, wait in Bled or stay in Bohinj until the snowfall stops or until the road is cleared.

The roads that go from Bohinj to nearby attractions, such as the Vogel cable car, the Savica waterfall parking slot, or the Mostnica Gorge, are not main roads. Thus, they are not cleared as frequently as the other ones. I committed the terrible mistake of venturing on the Savica Waterfall road before the snowplow, and I almost had a quite bad accident. The following day, though, the road was cleared and I had a blast at the waterfall (see below!). Always trust your gut feeling in such situations.

How to move around Lake Bohinj in winter?

Most Slovenia (and lake Bohinj) travel guides recommend renting a car, and the recommendation stays during winter. In fact, I’d say it is even more recommended (if you rent an adequate car).

During the high season, there are frequent buses between bled and Bohinj. Nonetheless, in winter, the frequency decreases to a handful of buses a day.

Moreover, once in Bohinj, to get to the starting point of the hikes, you need to either drive or walk. If you get the bus, to get to the Savica Waterfall hike starting point, you’d need to drive an extra 3km (at least, as not all buses reach the further end of Lake Bohinj). Similarly, to get to the Mostnica Gorge, one of the best winter hikes, there is no bus, and the hike to the starting point would be an extra 2km.

Although these are walkable distances, remember that you need to add the hiking time to it. Also, walking in snow is quite exhausting, especially if it is recent snow.

Where to park in Lake Bohinj?

Parking around Lake Bohinj is easy. However, it is not cheap. There are no free parking lots in the areas surrounding the lake. However, there is a huge benefit to visiting Lake Bohinj during winter. Parking fees are reduced during the low season, and it is way more affordable to park in the official parking lots. All of them are easy to identify.

During winter, it might be appealing to leave your car and not pay the fee. Be careful, as you might get a parking ticket, way more expensive than the fee you should pay.

Consider the weather prediction before leaving your car unattended for a long time. If there’s snow in the forecast, make sure you will be able to get back to the road “easily”.

Top things to do in Bohinj during winter

Most articles I found online suggest activities such as renting a boat, enjoying the sun, or sunbathing by the lake. I strongly advise you against doing any of those during winter. Instead, these are some of the best things that you can do in Lake Bohinj during winter.

Stroll around the lake

Any Lake Bohinj travel guide (summer or winter) includes it, and it must be for a reason. It is just gorgeous. Unlike its brother Bled, Bohinj is quite a large lake. The complete circular route is around 12km, but it is worth it. Even if you just want to walk part of it, do it.

If you are not sure which side of the lake you want to hike, I recommend choosing the one that is not drivable. This is the less known (and visited) part of the lake. Moreover, if you then want to see the other side of the lake and you are too tired, you can drive it and admire the landscape from your car windows.

Explore the Mostnica Gorge

If I had to choose only one hike to do in the Lake Bohinj area, this would be the one. Way ahead of the Savica Waterfall (although it is gorgeous). The Mostnica Gorge and the Mostnica waterfall hike seem created specifically for winter.

This is a 12km hike, and it is one of a kind. It starts at this parking lot (marked as Parkirišče Stara Fužina on Google Maps). The price varies depending on the month of the year, but as said previously, it will be way cheaper than during summer.

There are 2 possible ways to do the hike. From the parking, you can either take the road that ascends into the mountain or take the small path indicated as Mostnica, which will follow the Gorge for half of the route. I strongly recommend choosing the path, and keeping the road for the way back if you are too tired.

During the first 3 kilometers, the route crosses the gorge multiple times, with amazing views over small waterfalls or the gorge itself. Then, the path ascends into the forest, and you will get to the main road (the same one you can take on the way back to get to the parking).

Get to the Mostnica waterfall

Once you reach the Planinska Koca na Vojah (mountain hut, closed in winter) the best part of the hike starts. To get to the Mostnica Waterfall, you will walk through a valley covered with snow, and with occasional wooden huts. It will be impossible not to stop and take some photos. During summertime, the huts can be rented, but during winter, no one is around, and there can be quite a lot of snow.

Keep walking until you reach the waterfall. On the way back enjoy the view of the whole valley, and then choose the road or the same path you took on the way up.

Do I need winter gear to hike to the Mostnica Waterfall?

This is the question I’d ask myself after reading the previous lines and seeing the photos. It depends. I “only” used my hiking boots, but I imagine that depending on the snow conditions, crampons or snow rackets can be useful (or necessary). My advice would be to ask the locals (or the place you are staying in) so that you can know what to expect and be prepared for the adventure.

Hike the Savica waterfall (the most visited waterfall in Slovenia!)

The most famous hike in the Lake Bohinj area is the Savica Waterfall. You will find it listed in any Lake Bohinj travel guide (both summer and winter editions). This waterfall is said to be one of the most visited spots in the whole country, and it usually requires a 2.5€ fee. However, during wintertime, there is no one at the ticket office, so it is free! (another of the benefits of visiting lake Bohinj during winter).

Park by the Koča pri Savici (mountain hut) and take a short hike to the waterfall. It takes less than 20 minutes, and the way up is really beautiful, especially the day after a snowstorm.

When I visited, there was a locked door that did not allow me to get any closer to the waterfall, most likely to avoid people slipping and getting injured (see photography spots for a view of the waterfall).

While it is a hike that can be done using only hiking boots, it can be quite slippy, especially if the snow is frozen. Be careful, and if possible wear crampons or use hiking poles. With fresh snow, you won’t have any problems. At the end of the day, it really depends on your skills walking on snow. It is a really short hike (2km return), and unlike the Mostnica Gorge, there are more people in the area.

Lake Bohinj winter photography spots

Besides hiking, Bohinj is a perfect place to take beautiful photos, either for your Instagram feed or to create an album of your Slovenia trip. As a travel photographer, I had to include a photography spots section in this Lake Bohinj winter travel guide.

These are my favorite photography spots at Lake Bohinj.

Savica Slap

Slap is the Slovenian word for waterfall. Savica waterfall is for sure one of the best Slovenia winter photography spots. It can get quite moody, and if it has been raining/snowing a lot, your chances of getting a nice view increase. Of course, you can’t get a lot of water flowing at that time of the year, but it feels really special even without a lot of water.

Snowy waterfalls

Savica is not the only waterfall worth visiting. On the way up to Savica, or towards Mostnica Gorge (see above), there are a couple of minor waterfalls, that can get really beautiful, especially with a lot of snow.

Mostnica Gorge and waterfall

Mostnica Gorge and the waterfall at the end of the previously mentioned hike are perfect winter photography spots in the Lake Bohinj area. make sure to wear appropriate footwear and clothes, as well as to check the weather forecast. Light hours can be tight in Slovenia during winter!

Valley huts

The small huts that appear here and there at the Valley that leads to the Mostnica waterfall are (in my opinion), the best-unexpected photography spot I found during my trip. These are especially enjoyable after a huge snowstorm when the snow is untouched. Again, be careful with daylight and gear, temperatures can get really low, and cameras do not like low temperatures at all.

St. Duha Church

Although Lake Bohinj church is the most famous photography spot in the area, this little church deserves a visit. Located just next to the road that connects the lake with the Savica waterfall, its colorful walls get on well with the white of the snow. Once you are by the church, wait, don’t leave! Check the next spot!

Snowy docks

Just in front of the St. Duha Church, there is a wooden section, I guess that is used as docks during summer, that mixed with a bit of fog creates a perfect photo. Do not be afraid to visit Lake Bohinj in foggy conditions. While it is true that the main view of the lake is compromised, it really helps to create unique and moody photos.

Chamois Statue

This little statue located close to the main church and bridge of Lake Bohinj is one of the most iconic photo spots in the area. While it is interesting, it is just a statue, although it is a nice place to get a nice view over the following two spots.

Lake Bohinj winter huts

Snowy huts next to the lake were one of my favorite and most enjoyable things to photograph at Lake Bohinj. There are plenty of them, and the calmer the waters, the better the final picture will turn out.

Lake Bohinj church and bridge (winter postcard)

This is THE Lake Bohinj photography spot (both in winter and summer). The iconic stone bridge and the church are both reflected in the lake. It is a must-take photo and although it does not give a lot of space for creativity, it is a really nice view.

Solitary tree

There is one tree in Bohinj that is photographed significantly more than others. This tree is located exactly here, and you can find photos of it online in any condition you can imagine. Of course, surrounded by snow, fog, and snowy weather, it is a fantastic spot to photograph.

Lake reflections

The final spot is more like a recommendation. When taking photos at any lake, look for reflections. Even if the weather is not perfect, a bit windy… reflections help create symmetry, complete the images, and in lake Bohinj during winter, give this blue and green touch to an otherwise very white photo.

I hope you found this Lake Bohinj winter travel guide useful. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message on Instagram (@aniolvisuals), or via the contact form in the contact section of this website. For business inquiries, send me an email at hello@aniolvisuals.com.