11 Apr Bled to Bovec Road Trip: 15 Instagram Stops in Triglav National Park
Booking vacations in Slovenia is a smart move if you love the outdoors. Bled is our crown jewel, no doubt. But if you’re up for adventure and don’t mind cruising the countryside, we’ve got a stunning journey from Bled to Bovec. Those sneaky mountain roads twist way longer than the map promises. Good thing we’ve got 15 Instagram-hot stops to save you from turning green with road sickness. Think shiny rivers, wobbly bridges, and Ajdovska Deklica—a rock face of a girl so photogenic it’ll make your followers jealous enough to chuck their phones into Lake Bled. This trip’s so epic, you’ll stretch your one-day ride into a two-day Soča Valley adventure with rafting included!
DRIVING DIRECTIONS AND TIPS – DON’T FORGET YOUR PASSPORT
Ready to roll from Bled to Bovec?
- Grab your passports or IDs—those strict Italian border guards near Predel don’t mess around, and you’ll be sent back without them.
- Pack plenty of water – some stretches are bar-free zones.
- Those mountain roads twist like a snake, so splitting this into two days is smart—especially if you’re rocking a camper.
- Heading out in August? Add an extra hour; highways and regional roads turn into a circus with cars, campers, bikers, and buses.
- Oh, and if winter’s your vibe, check AMZS for Vršič Pass closures—it’s often snowed shut.
Toss in comfy shoes and a phone charger, and you’re golden. Hit the red buttons below for our quick guides: Bled to Bovec via Vršič and Bovec to Bled via Predel!
1. BLED LAKE FROM BLED CASTLE
Start your adventure at Bled Castle, perched like a king overlooking Lake Bled’s famous island with its cute church. This castle’s been around since 1011—yep, over 1,000 years old!—and it’s the oldest in Slovenia. Legend says a grumpy knight once hid treasure here, but don’t dig. Locals have already done it and that mission failed successfully. Just snap pics of the lake’s turquoise glow and those dreamy mountains. They’ve got a tiny museum with old swords and a printing press that still works – pretty cool, right? Check out Bled Castle site for opening hours and more info, then grab a coffee at the castle café and soak in the view that’ll make your Instagram pop!
2. JASNA LAKE AND ZLATOROG STATUE
Next up, pull over at Jasna Lake, where the water’s so clear you’ll want to jump in – stop and reconsider, it’s chilly! Strike a pose with the Zlatorog statue, a golden-horned chamois who’s basically the rockstar of Slovenian legends. His story starts up at Vršič Pass with Ajdovska Deklica (you’ll meet her later at stop 4), but here’s the second half: a hunter tried to nab Zlatorog’s horns, and let’s just say it didn’t end well for him. Read the full drama in our Zlatorog Legend blog, then snap a pic with this shiny guy – your followers will be impressed!
3. RUSSIAN CHAPEL
Tucked in a dreamy forest on the Vršič Pass, the Russian Chapel is a tiny gem with a big story. Built by Russian prisoners during World War I, it’s a quiet spot to soak in history—check out the full tale in our Russian Chapel blog. The wooden chapel sits like a postcard, surrounded by tall trees, and there are benches where you can sit, breathe, and feel the peace. Snap a pic of this cozy spot—it’s a perfect mix of history and nature for your Instagram feed!
4. AJDOVSKA DEKLICA AT VRŠIČ PASS
You’ve reached the top of Vršič Pass—park your car and hike 15 minutes to an epic viewpoint, but careful: the trail’s a bit steep, so if walking’s tough, maybe skip this one. Ajdovska Deklica, a girl’s face in the rock, was a mythical helper who got frozen for spilling secrets—she’s tied to the Zlatorog legend from Jasna Lake (stop 2). Learn more in our Ajdovska Deklica blog.
🚨Selfie challenge alert – we used this photo since her face is too far for a good selfie. We couldn’t take a nice selfie here because we’re rafters, not some Insta influencers, but if you manage a selfie with her, send it to us – we’ll post it here for bragging rights!
5. VIEWPOINT ŠUPCA AT VRŠIČ UPPER CABLE STATION
At the Šupca viewpoint, you’ll gasp at the jaw-dropping mountain views – peaks all around like a 360-degree postcard! A metal plaque names every mountain, so you can play “spot the peak” while snapping pics. Bonus: there’s a military cable car station here, built during World War I to haul supplies up the steep slopes. Check out its story in our Vršič Military Cable Car blog – it’s a history nerd’s dream and a perfect backdrop for your Instagram grid!
7. KUGY IN TRENTA
Say hi to Julius Kugy at his statue in Trenta. A mountain lover who climbed the Julian Alps like a boss in the 1800s. The locals here have respected these peaks forever, treating them like sacred giants, and Kugy fit right in with his passion. But there’s a plot twist—he wasn’t just a badass climber demigod; in fact, he was a gentle soul searching for a mysterious flower that was supposed to be growing up there. His statue stares at the mountains like he’s ready to climb again, so snap a pic with him and soak in the vibes. Dive into his story in our Kugy Monument blog—it’s a perfect stop to feel the mountain magic!
8. TRENTA VILLAGE AND MUSEUM
Roll into Trenta Village and pop into the Trenta Museum—it’s like stepping into a time machine! Nestled in the Soča Valley, this spot shows off the old-school life of Trenta locals with a cool setup of a 19th-century house, complete with a black kitchen. You’ll also find exhibits on the Triglav National Park’s nature, from funky rocks to the Soča River’s secrets, plus a multivision show that’ll make you feel like you’re hiking the park. It’s the perfect place to chill and learn before heading to the next stop. Check TNP Info Center Dom Trenta website for their opening hours and more info!
8. HANGING BRIDGES ON THE SOČA RIVER
As you cruise along the Soča River, you’ll spot a few hanging bridges swaying over the emerald water – perfect for a quick stop and a photo op! They’re as wobbly as they look, so don’t go jumping on them, or you might take a chilly dip in the Soča’s tricky rapids (and trust us, that water’s freezing!). The river’s got a wild spirit, just like in the Legend of the Soča River, where a creepy giant had a beef with mountain gods and ended up barfing lots of water. Snap a pic from the bridge, but keep your feet steady—the views are worth it!
9. GREAT SOČA GORGE
Get ready to have your mind blown at the Great Soča Gorge—one of the prettiest spots in the Soča Valley! The turquoise water cuts through steep cliffs like a painting, and the best part? It’s super easy to reach, so you can stroll right up and snap some jaw-dropping pics. Check out more about this gem in our Great Soča Gorge blog—it’s a must-see that’ll make your Instagram glow!
10. RAFTING ON THE SOČA RIVER
Time to get wet—join us for a thrilling rafting trip on the Soča River right here in Bovec! Our tours run every day at 9:30, 13:00, and 16:30, but if those don’t fit your schedule, book a private tour and pick any hour you like. Don’t stress about your phone – we’ve got GoPro cameras (each guide has their own), snapping pics of your wild ride, and we’ll send them to you for free as a thank-you gift on the same day. Ready to paddle? Check out our rafting page and book your spot for the best splash in the Soča Valley!
11. KLUŽE FORTRESS
Just a few kilometers from Bovec, Kluže Fortress has stories carved into its stones—starting as a wooden outpost when Bovec was part of the Venetian Republic. It faced Turkish invaders, Napoleon’s army, and even saw Austrian royalty walk by, before becoming the sturdy stone fort you see today. Perched above the Koritnica River, it’s a perfect spot for pics with killer mountain views. Check out its wild history in our Kluže Fortress blog—a quick stop with a big past!
12. FORT HERMANN
Leave your car at the Kluže Fortress parking lot, cross the road, and look for the trail – it’s easy to spot, the only one there, and you can’t miss it! The path takes you through a cool, lit tunnel carved into the rock, built by the Austrians around 1897 to haul cannons up to the fort. It’s a 20-minute easy walk, less demanding than the steep Vršič trail to Ajdovska Deklica (stop 4). Built in the days the threat of World War I loomed, the Austrians named it after a brave colonel Hermann. He and his soldiers gave their life for the Austrian Empire defending Predel Fortress (stop 14) during a Napoleonic war. Fort Hermann got hammered during World War I but still offers awesome views over the Bovec basin. We’ll have a blog on it soon, but for now, snap a pic and soak in the history!
13. MANGART SADDLE
Buckle up for the drive to Mangart Saddle. It’s a jaw-dropping ride, but not for the nervous! The road is narrow and steep, with hairpin turns and some serious drop-offs, so if you’re in a camper, skip this one (trust us, you’ll thank us later). At 2,055 meters, it’s Slovenia’s highest road, offering unreal views over the Log Koritnica Valley and Italy’s Lakes of Fusine. Perfect for a quick pic to make your friends jealous. Check out more tips and stunning photos on the Earth Trekkers blog – it’s a thrilling stop you won’t forget!
14. PREDIL FORTRESS WITH A LION STATUE
Right on the Predel Pass, Predil Fortress is a must-see with its fierce lion statue guarding the entrance like a bouncer at a fancy club. Built in the 1800s to control the border between Slovenia and Italy, this fortress has seen its share of drama. Back in the day, a fearless Austrian captain Hermann and his brave Croatian soldiers held the line here, fighting off Napoleon’s army like total rockstars. For some reason, the Austrians didn’t rename this fort after that captain, but later built Fort Hermann (stop 12) in his honor to face a new enemy in the same valley. Dive into its epic story in our Predil Fortress blog. The views over the pass are stunning, and that lion makes for a perfect photo op to show off your road trip swagger.
15. PREDIL LAKE
End your journey at Predil Lake, a shimmering emerald beauty in the Julian Alps, right by the Predel Pass border with Italy. Surrounded by towering peaks and pine forests, this glacial lake sparkles with clear, chilly water. Perfect for a quick dip if you’re brave, or just a serene picnic on its pebbly shores. There’s a small island in the north that looks straight out of a fairy tale, begging for a photo to cap off your trip. It’s a quiet spot to relax after your epic drive, soaking in the mountain magic before heading back to Bled!
MAKE IT A TWO DAY ADVENTURE
With so many awesome spots to explore in the Soča Valley, like glittering lakes, wobbly bridges, and fortresses with epic tales, you’ll probably want to stretch this road trip into two days. Especially if you’re rolling in a campervan! We have a special offer for you. Take your time soaking in the views, then park overnight at our sports center in Bovec, just a 5-minute walk from the town center, with showers, toilets, and a garden kitchen to keep you comfy. We’ve got a special rafting + campervan package that’ll make your trip even better so let’s make your Soča Valley adventure a double-day blast!