Is Bled Castle Worth Visiting?
The Hike to Bled Castle - How Hard is the Hike?
Sitting high atop Lake Bled is the historic Bled Castle. Bled Castle was first mentioned in 1011, making it one of the oldest castles in Slovenia. One of the ways to get to Bled Castle is to hike from the shores of Lake Bled up a path consisting of multiple switchbacks. So, how hard is the hike from Lake Bled to Bled Castle? Well, it depends on your level of fitness. Although the hike is strenuous, Bled Castle is definitely worth visiting.
I didn’t have much difficulty walking up the steep incline of switchbacks. In total, it took about fifteen minutes to walk the entire way to Bled Castle.
Hiking the Bled Castle Path
The path to Bled Castle is located on the northeast shore of Lake Bled and marked by a sign that says “Blejski Grad.” To get to Bled Castle, simply follow the path.
The first half of the hike from Lake Bled to Bled Castle is a series of switchbacks. About halfway, the switchbacks turn into stairs. I actually found the steps to be more difficult than the switchbacks. For those who struggle to go upstairs, there are benches along the way to sit down and rest.
Bled Castle TIcket Cost
Eventually, the steps reach a cobblestone path that leads up to the ticket office to Bled Castle. In total, it took me around 15 minutes to hike from the shores of Lake Bled to the entrance to Bled Castle. While I did huff and puff a little along the way, the hike was nothing I couldn’t handle. The cost to enter Bled Castle was €17.
The photo below was taken from the Bled Castle Ticket Office looking towards the path. You can see the difference in elevation between Lake Bled and Bled Castle. For those who are physically able, I highly recommend the hike. If the hike appears too difficult for you, Bled Castle can also be reached by bus, car, bicycle, or horse-drawn carriage.
Is Bled Castle Worth Visiting? - Table of Contents
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Walking Around the Grounds of Bled Castle
Bled Castle is slightly different than some of the other famous castles in Slovenia. In the early 11th century, German king Henry II gave Bled Castle to Bishop Albuin of Brixen. Bled Castle was mainly used for defensive purposes, as the Bishops of Brixen never lived at the castle.
Since it was never used as a residence, visitors walking the grounds of Bled Castle will not see any fancy estate rooms or living quarters. Instead, tourists will see a variety of observation points overlooking beautiful Lake Bled.
Throughout the grounds of Bled Castle, there are many great viewing locations. Be sure to go up the steps to the upper courtyard, as it is the location for the best views of Lake Bled.
While the Bishops of Brixen never lived in Bled Castle, it did have a toilet. Pictured below is the Bled Castle toilet.
The Viewpoints at Bled Castle
Views from the Lower Courtyard of Bled Castle
There are many great viewpoints at Bled Castle as Bled Castle sits on a bluff high atop Lake Bled. Visitors to Bled Castle will be treated to the best views of Lake Bled as well as Bled Island. The first viewpoint is the lower courtyard.
Views from the Upper Courtyard of Bled Castle - The Best Views
The next few photos are from the Lower Courtyard. Be sure to climb the steps to the Upper Courtyard, as it provides even a better view of Lake Bled.
The Best Time of Day to Visit Bled Castle
Looking back on my visit, I wish I had waited until early afternoon to visit Bled Castle. I struggled to get good photos as the sun was still rising and producing quite a glare. The best time to visit Bled Castle is in the afternoon when the sun won’t be interfering with photos.
Views from the Walls of Bled Castle
On the side opposite Lake Bled is a wooden walkway that sits on the castle walls. This walkway is full of windows and archer holes. These openings provide a great view of the nearby towns.
While the reason to climb the steps to Bled Castle is for the stunning views of Lake Bled, the views of the surrounding cities are just as amazing. Be sure to get a good photo of St. Martina Parish Church, the second most famous church in Bled.
Views from the Circular Rotunda at Bled Castle
At the end of the wooden walkway is a circular rotunda. This rotunda has windows that open up to all of the cities and towns opposite of Lake Bled. Each window has a sign next to it that tells visitors what town/city is out of that particular window.
Below is the city of Jesenice. If you took the train to Bled Jezero Station, you likely switched trains in the city of Jesenice.
The Chapel at Bled Castle
My favorite part of Bled Chapel was the Bled Castle Chapel. Not only is the chapel beautiful, but it is also quite a tongue-twister. Try to say “Bled Castle Chapel” five times fast.
Dedicated to the patrons of the Diocese of Brixen in Tyrol, St Albuin, and St Ingenuin, the Bled Chapel was completed during the 16th Century. In 1960, the chapel was renovated following an earthquake that nearly leveled Bled Castle. My favorite part of the Bled Castle Chapel is the pink-colored artwork on the ceiling. If you visit Bled Castle, be sure to visit the chapel, as it is one of the most beautiful parts of Bled Castle.
As my visit to the Bled Castle Chapel was during the month of December, a Nativity Scene was front and center near the altar of the chapel.
The Exhibits at Bled Castle
There is a small museum at Bled Castle which features artifacts and historical information from the time that Bled Castle was in active use. I only spent about fifteen minutes walking through the museum. While I found some of the artifacts interesting, I mostly had climbed the stairs to Bled Castle for the amazing views.
There were multiple exhibits that featured information on what the inhabitants of the area would have looked like during the various time periods where Bled Castle was actively used. Below is one of those exhibits.
Other items featured in the Bled Castle Museum included pottery and iron tools and items. Following a quick walkthrough of the Bled Castle Museum, I decided it was time to descend the steps back down to Lake Bled and continue exploring the area. Overall, I was happy that I had visited the castle and can definitely say that Bled Castle is worth visiting.
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