A walk between two villages, following forest paths above the Sava Bohinjka River
Not far from Lake Bled, there are small villages where everyday life still follows a different rhythm from the sometimes busy area around Lake Bled, especially during summer months. Selo pri Bledu (Selo near Bled) and Kupljenik are two such places. Both lie in the countryside surrounding Bled, with traditional houses, fields and pastures that are still part of rural life.
The hike connecting these villages takes you across the Sava Bohinjka River and uphill through the forest, with views opening towards the surrounding hills and countryside along the way.
This hike begins in Selo pri Bledu, a quiet village on the edge of the Bled countryside.
There are no famous viewpoints or major attractions waiting at the end of this hike. Instead, it’s an opportunity to discover a part of Bled that many visitors never see.
Beginning the hike in Selo pri Bledu
Selo pri Bledu is a small village tucked away in a quieter part of the Bled countryside, beneath the forested hill of Dobra Gora and above the left bank of the Sava Bohinjka River. Although it’s only around two kilometres from the centre of Bled, the village feels quite different from the area around the lake. Here, you can still see traces of traditional rural life, from old farmhouses to beehives and the surrounding fields.
Beekeeping has a long tradition in Slovenia, and some local farms offer opportunities to learn more about it and taste locally produced honey.
If you’re coming from Lake Bled, you can reach Selo on foot through Mlino (Google maps). It’s a pleasant way to extend your walk and see how the landscape gradually changes as you leave the lakeshore behind.
From the main crossroads in Selo, the route towards Kupljenik follows a smaller road downhill towards the Sava Bohinjka River.
The trail passes through the village of Selo pri Bledu before continuing towards the bridge across the Sava Bohinjka River.
Crossing the Sava Bohinjka River and heading into the forest
As you leave Selo behind, the road descends towards Selo Bridge. After crossing Selo Bridge, turn right and follow the gravel road towards Zabriše. This part of the walk passes open countryside, where you might see horses grazing in the pastures.
Soon, the path enters the forest and begins climbing towards Kupljenik. The uphill section becomes steeper as you continue, but there are places along the way where you can stop, catch your breath and look out over the valley.
As the trail begins to climb, views open towards the villages below.
Stopping at the wayside shrine at Koren
One of the places worth stopping along the trail is the small wayside shrine at Koren. There are wooden benches nearby, offering a place to rest after the climb.
From here, you can look across the countryside towards the villages below, the Sava Bohinjka River and Bled Castle in the distance. The small shrine is also a reminder of the religious traditions that have long been part of life in Slovenian villages.
Make a stop at the wayside shrine at Koren to enjoy the view over the countryside.
View of the Sava Bohinjka River from the hiking trail.
It’s worth spending a few moments here before continuing uphill.
Walking across the Ravan Plateau towards Kupljenik
After leaving the shrine behind, the trail continues through the forest towards the Ravan Plateau. As you reach the plateau, the landscape begins to open up again.
The steeper gravel path gives way to gentler terrain, with meadows stretching towards Kupljenik, a small village resting on the hillside beneath the Jelovica Plateau. After walking among the trees, it’s pleasant to emerge into the meadows and see the surrounding hills again.
Before reaching the village of Kupljenik, the trail crosses a peaceful meadow.
From the Ravan Plateau, the path continues towards the first houses of Kupljenik.
Discovering the small village of Kupljenik
Kupljenik is one of the smaller villages in the Bled countryside, with only around 30 residents. Its history stretches back several centuries, with settlement believed to date to around 1380, possibly even earlier.
As you walk through the village, you’ll notice traditional houses and farm buildings, including kozolci, the wooden hayracks that are such a recognisable feature of the Slovenian countryside.
In Kupljenik, you’ll see examples of traditional Slovenian architecture, including the kozolec, a wooden structure used for drying hay.
Above the village stands the Church of St Stephen. There is an interesting local tradition connected to this church. Every year on 26 December, St Stephen’s Day, horses are brought here for a traditional blessing. It’s one of those customs that reminds us how closely village life, farming and local traditions have been connected over the centuries.
The church stands at the heart of the village of Kupljenik.
Even if you visit at another time of year, the church and the surrounding area are worth taking a little time to explore.
Looking beyond Kupljenik
If you enjoy longer hikes, Kupljenik can also be a starting point for exploring the surrounding hills. From here, hiking trails lead towards Babji zob (Old Woman’s Tooth), a distinctive rock formation rising above the Jelovica Plateau. There is also a cave below Babji zob, which can be visited with local cavers who look after and protect it.
Another option is to continue towards Talež, a forested peak on Jelovica Plateau with a mountain hut where hikers can stop for something to eat or drink.
But you don’t need to continue any further to make the hike from Selo to Kupljenik worthwhile. You don’t always need a long hike or a famous viewpoint. Sometimes, a hike to a small village is just as enjoyable.
Below, you’ll find a few practical details to help you prepare for the hike between the villages of Selo pri Bledu and Kupljenik. If you would like to discover Bled and its surrounding countryside with a local guide, I’d be happy to take you on a guided walk, sharing local stories and some of my favourite places along the way.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Location: Kupljenik lies at 640 metres above sea level, overlooking the village of Bohinjska Bela, while Selo pri Bledu rests lower at 455 metres, closer to Lake Bled.
- Starting point: This hiking route begins in Selo pri Bledu (Google map), a small village around two kilometres from the centre of Bled. If you are staying near Lake Bled, the village can be reached on foot or by bicycle. For those choosing to walk, I would recommend starting in Mlino, on the eastern side of Lake Bled.
- Getting there: I recommend arriving on foot or by bicycle, as there is no official parking area at the trailhead. Some visitors leave their cars by the Selo Bridge. The nearest official parking is in Bled.
- Walking time: Allow around one hour to reach Kupljenik from Selo and approximately two hours for the return hike, excluding longer stops.
- Hills nearby: If this hike feels too short, Kupljenik also offers opportunities to continue further. From the village, you can hike to Babji zob (1,128 m) or to Talež (883 m), a less demanding option than Babji zob. There is also a mountain hut on Talež, where you can stop for a rest and something to eat or drink.
- Safety: The route follows local roads, gravel paths and forest trails, with a steeper uphill section near Koren. This is not a demanding hike and the paths are well-beaten and easy to follow. Some even choose to run or mountain bike along this trail. Despite this, wearing appropriate hiking shoes and clothing is essential.
