Bohinj Valley is a 20 km long and 5 km wide basin in the Julian Alps, positioned in the Upper Carniola region of northwestern Slovenia, traversed by the Sava Bohinjka river. Its main landmark is the periglacial Lake Bohinj. Bohinj is not a town, but the name for Municipality of Bohinj, with its capital, Bohinjska Bistrica.
The basin consists of four geographic units, the Lower Valley, Upper Valley, Ukanc Basin or Lake Basin, and Nomenj Basin. It is bounded by the Komarča head wall on one end, and Soteska Canyon at the other. The Lower Bohinj Mountain Range represents its southern border. The Sava River has carved a canyon between the Jelovica and Pokljuka plateaus in the east. On the north there is a Mount Triglav, Slovenia’s highest mountain, which is also a part of the municipality.
The Sava Bohinjka (which merges with the Sava Dolinka into the Sava) begins with merging of two rivers, the Jezernica and the Mostnica. Jezernica is a very short river that flows from Lake Bohinj, while many smaller streams flow into the lake. The largest of them, the Savica, emerges in Komarča as a large waterfall. Savica Falls gets most of its water from the Black Lake, the largest lake in the Triglav Lakes Valley.
The name Bohinj originally applied to the village of Srednja Vas v Bohinju, and was first seen as such in written sources in 1065 as Bochingun. As a regional name, it appears in 1250 as Vochin, in 1253 Fochin, Vochino in 1287, and Bochino in 1333. There is a popular story that explains its origins. It is said that when God finished giving land to the people, he realized that he had forgotten about a small group of them, as they were silent and did not insist and demand like the others. Their modesty and patience moved him. He decided to give them the most beautiful land of all, which he had set aside for himself. It is called Bohinj, because a local expression “Boh” means God.
Geographic circumstances have contributed to isolation of Bohinj in the past. The 5,000 inhabitants are mostly descendants of the native people of Bohinj. There are historical findings that prove the valley was populated as early as in the Bronze Age. The isolation has also contributed to a development of a specific dialect that is very different from the Upper Carniolan dialect. There is also a notable difference between the dialects in the inner valleys. People live in 24 villages, the largest of them being Bohinjska Bistrica.
There are many legends and myths relating to Bohinj. Most are short and humorous.
It is said that while trying to invade Bohinj, the Turks turned around, because they thought it was the end of the world.
An area also has a magic creature, Zlatorog (the Goldhorn), that lives in the mountains.
According to the legend, the Devil’s Bridge was created by the Devil, as the local people were unable to do it by themselves. They have tried it but it always collapsed. The devil made a deal with the people. The deal was, if he built the bridge for them, the first soul to cross it would be his. The people agreed, but then, when it was finished, could not decide whom to sacrifice. Finally a smart farmer sent a dog. When he realised he has been tricked, the Devil went mad.
Bohinj tourism
Bohinj began opening up for tourism years ago. Nowadays it offers quite some things to do. It has become a starting point for tourists that come for day trips, walks on the trails that run throughout the valley, mountaineering and climbing tours. In the winter the valley becomes a winter sports centre for skiers, snowboarders, ice climbers, ice skaters etc. During the summer, Lake Bohinj is frequented by swimmers, while kayakers and fishermen enjoy Sava Bohinjka River as well. Biking, trekking and climbing are also typical tourist activities in the area. For anyone the does not care about sports or active type of a holliday, the area offers quite some festivals, sightseeing opportunities, a nice choice of local restaurants, a wellness centre etc.
Bohinj waterfall
There are a few waterfalls in the Bohinj area, but certainly most famous of them is the magnificent Savica Waterfall, which cuts deep into a gorge 78m below. It is located 4km from Ukanc and can be reached by a walking path that takes approximately an hour and a half. By car, you can continue past Ukanc via a sealed road to a car park beside the Savica restaurant. From there to the falls it takes a 25-minute walk up more than 500 steps, over rapids and streams. Opening hours of the Savica Waterfall may vary depending on weather conditions, which means the falls may be open even in winter if the weather permits.
Bohinj accommodation
With the touristic development, there is a big choice of different accommodations that are offered by the area. You can choose among the hostels, boarding houses, apartments, private rooms, holiday houses, chalets, tourist farms, campsites, mountain huts and hotels.
