Bohinjsko jezero, a long glacial lake in Bohinj
Published on 09/12/2026 at 09:52 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Bohinjsko jezero, known in English as Lake Bohinj, is a long glacial lake filling the floor of the Bohinj valley in north?western Slovenia. Its clear water lies in a protected basin within the Julian Alps, forming the largest permanent lake in the country and giving Bohinj a distinctive alpine landscape.
A glacial basin framed by the Julian Alps
Bohinjsko jezero occupies a glacially formed depression on the southern side of the Julian Alps, where past ice movement carved a trough that later filled with water. The lake lies within Triglav National Park, a protected area that covers much of the surrounding mountain range and secures the natural setting along the shore.glacially formed lake basin The basin holds a substantial volume of water between steep underwater slopes, with the surface level around 525–526 m (about 1,720–1,725 ft) above sea level, so the lake sits high enough for an alpine character without reaching extreme altitude.water sits at about 525 m
Seen from above, Bohinjsko jezero stretches as a long, narrow basin aligned roughly east–west along the valley. The water surface covers about 3.18 km², or 318 hectares (790 acres), with a length of about 4.1 km and a maximum width close to 1.2 km, figures that make it the largest permanent lake in Slovenia.318 hectares with a length of about 4.1 km Much of the basin drops quickly from the shore into deeper water, and the lake reaches a maximum depth of around 45 m (148 ft), so a large volume is held between the enclosing slopes.maximum depth of about 45 m
Water, shore and settlements around Bohinjsko jezero
The water of Bohinjsko jezero is fed by inflows from the surrounding mountains, including the Savica River, and drains eastwards along the valley. Clear alpine water fills the basin, reflecting forested slopes and rocky summits on still days and taking on different hues as light and weather change across the surface.Slovenia’s largest natural lake Forest reaches close to the shoreline in many stretches, while meadows and small gravel areas open up near the main settlements.
Administratively, Bohinjsko jezero lies in the Municipality of Bohinj in the Upper Carniola region of north?western Slovenia, inside Triglav National Park.Municipality of Bohinj in the Upper Carniola region The main village by the eastern end of the lake is Rib?ev Laz, known for its stone bridge and church near the shoreline, while Ukanc lies towards the western end where the valley floor narrows and mountain slopes draw closer to the water.Bohinjsko jezero is in the Bohinj valley in the Julian Alps
Bohinjsko jezero within the wider Bohinj valley
Bohinjsko jezero sits along the Bohinj valley, which extends westwards from the direction of Bled and the central Slovene plains. The lake’s elongated waterline forms the central feature of the valley floor, enclosed by steep slopes of the Julian Alps that rise on both northern and southern sides.long lake in north?western Slovenia Triglav National Park surrounds the valley, so forests, high pastures and rocky summits remain visible from much of the shoreline, and the lake lies within a protected alpine landscape.
Within Slovenia, Bohinjsko jezero is widely recognised as the country’s largest natural permanent lake, distinct from intermittent lakes whose surface area varies strongly with water level.largest permanent lake in Slovenia Its length, depth and enclosed setting make it a central feature of Bohinj’s geography, linking the valley floor to the higher terrain around Mount Triglav and other peaks of the Julian Alps.
Visiting Bohinjsko jezero: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Bohinjsko jezero lies in north?western Slovenia in the Municipality of Bohinj, along the Bohinj valley west of Bled. Road access follows the valley from the direction of Bled and Ljubljana.
- The shoreline combines flat meadows with sections of forested ground and stony banks. Away from the main villages, parts of the shore are reached on foot along paths that can include short slopes and uneven surfaces.
- Bohinjsko jezero is inside Triglav National Park in a mountain valley, so the terrain around the lake includes higher ground and nearby peaks rather than level countryside.
- The official language is Slovene and the currency is the euro.
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Frequently asked questions about Bohinjsko jezero
Where is Bohinjsko jezero located?
Bohinjsko jezero is in the Municipality of Bohinj in north?western Slovenia, within the Bohinj valley in the Julian Alps and inside Triglav National Park.
What should visitors expect when they reach the lake?
Visitors find a long glacial lake with clear alpine water, backed by forested slopes and mountain peaks, and small settlements such as Rib?ev Laz and Ukanc along parts of the shore.
What makes Bohinjsko jezero distinctive compared with other lakes in Slovenia?
Bohinjsko jezero is recognised as Slovenia’s largest natural permanent lake, with a long, narrow basin about 4.1 km in length and a protected alpine setting inside Triglav National Park.
