Trip to Lake Bled, Slovenia

Sunday 20th September 2009

High Level Walk

The weather on Sunday morning was less overcast than previous so three of us decided to head up into the mountains and tackle Mount Vogel (1922m). This is not quite as ambitious as it sounds as we followed the guide book which recommended not walking up from the valley floor, described as “miserably steep” but to take the Vogel cable car, leaving us with an 11km walk which included 380m of climbing.

Going up the cable car there was a lot of cloud cover partially obscuring the view of Lake Bohinj far below. Once at the top Alan, a big skiing fan was fascinated to see a ski resort with no snow. In fact with the ski lifts and exposed slopes it made for a bit of an ugly landscape until we had walked on a bit further away from the main resort area.

The first part of the walk was relatively easy walking with well marked paths with some climbing but unfortunately the views of the Julian Alps were limited due to the cloud cover. The paths were well marked by blobs of red paint.

In fact the cloud cover never completely lifted, as we climbed higher the temperature became noticeably cooler and the top of Vogel never fully came into view.

As the terrain began to get more difficult we could see a scree slope ahead of us and Alan was expressing doubts about walking along it especially with the poor visibility. We then reached the rocks which required some scrambling and here Angela froze at the point where there was a need to swing out away from the rock face with a long drop below! Behind Alan was still not looking forward to the scree slope and suggested we turn back. A suggestion very gratefully received by Angela who by this time was clinging onto the rock like her life depended on it! Simon, who was ahead was overruled and we turned back 175m from the summit which was still shrouded in cloud.

We took a slightly different route back and at one point had a long stop whilst Alan and Simon debated actually where we were on the mountain! Finally turned out that the map we had, showed two ski lifts alongside our path. However these had been removed in favour of one huge new one, meaning we had lined up with the wrong ski lifts!

Still it was never going to be difficult to find our way back as eventually all the ski lifts headed back to the resort! Here we stopped at the café for drinks and a huge plateful of pancakes before heading back down the cable car and driving back to Bled.

Report – Angela

Pictures – Alan

We took the cable car so this was the view at the start of our walk at about 1500m.

This was the terrain we walked into.

We came across some attractive alpine flowers.

The paths wend around the mountains.

Things are starting to get more rugged.

This is getting a bit too much like Striding Edge.

The path heads off across this steeply sloping scree slope before turning up into the cloud (the top of Vogel is at 2900m). Alan thinks this looks a bit too hairy!

At this point, Angela also decides that the scrambling is getting a bit too hairy, so we turn back at about 2700m.

But that is not easy either.

More flowers.

Things get easier as we drop down.

A view on the way down.

The Girl’s Walk

Today we did different walks. Alan, Simon and Angela planning to go to the top of Mount Vogel, Barbara staying in Bled and planning to take the road train round the lake and Michelle, Rosemarie, Claire and Jackie going on a walk from the hostel Jackie being appointed navigator. It took a while to find our way out of Bled and we were spotted by Barbara going round in a circle! And Rosemarie was not convinced Jackie knew her way.

Eventually we ambled out of Bled on the right track towards Koritna missing the path across the field but did still come across the path marked No 10 which was ours. We enjoyed an extended coffee in the sunshine – a rare treat indeed, discovering when we continued that route 10 went 3 ways. Oh dear! Which way now? Jackie’s navigation skills found the right track more luck than judgement one believes. We diverted towards the camp site to obtain a view of the River Dolinka which was a beautiful clear greenish blue. We continued our trek through forest and across the river Bohinjka at which time we had descended 100metres from our start point.

We joined path 11 where our ascent began walking on loose stones and steps tracks and the ascent went on and on and on and on!!!!!!!! It was only the lure of coffee at the café which we kept seeing signposts for that kept us going. We came across a couple of beautifully kept shrines with several red glassed candleholders which appeared to be on sale by the million in the Mercator (supermarket), where we stopped for a short break on the conveniently located bench. We then continued our slog up and up only to quickly realise at last we were at the viewpoint and café Lovska. No coffee was served at the café which looked down over Bled and a few local villages. Our host was very enthusiastic showing us a variety of homemade fruit schnapps. We did a quick risk assessment and decided that alcohol would not be good for our tricky descent back but we did not want to offend our host so we all resorted to alcohol, Michelle choosing the beer and the rest of us tasting the homemade schnapps served by a charming local lady. Rosemarie had hoped to get a Cornish pasty but she was out of luck – we were not sure where she thought we were. She then spotted something that took her eye on the top shelf – a packet of TUC biscuits which she asked if for sale then proceeded to buy. On the way out we spotted a couple of skulls which we guessed were deer. We did not feel we could eat our packed lunch in the café so we again sat on the bench overlooking the shrine.

The descent was tricky, which was possibly why it was a grade 2 walk. We came across a charming local gentleman complete with Slovenian style moustache who pointed us in the right direction. We zigzagged through forest passing a local scout hut until we reached the river where we met lycra dressed cyclists (spotted by Claire). Downstream was a pebbly inlet where a couple were sunbathing and enjoying the sunshine.

We were now in the village of Ribno where we walked along the road admiring the pretty chalet house with geranium filled window boxes and vegetables in the middle of the lawns. This was an upward climb through the village and we all needed a break at the top, so rested in the bus stop admiring the beautiful scenery hoping a bus would come along but we were out of luck.

We then power walked along the road until we reached Bled. As we approached Bled, we all jumped onto the road not looking to see what traffic was about after a ferocious dog suddenly barked and showed his head under the fence. We continued along the road this time finding the right route into Bled passing a well kept cemetery on route.

A good day was had by all and Jackie successfully passed her navigation test with flying colours although bearings and compass skills were not required today.

Report – Jackie, Rosemarie, Claire and Michelle

Pictures – Jackie

A stop for drinks was made at this interesting place.

The views are great.

There is somewhere to sit down.

And I am really enjoying myself.

Rosemarie on the look out for kerb crawlers. Obviously expecting to be there some time. [Ed – Hey, Rosemarie, I think you need to show a bit more leg!]