Lake Jasna (Jezero Jasna in Slovene) is the name of two interconnected man-made lakes located along the road to Vršič Pass near Kranjska Gora in Slovenia.
The lakes are located at the confluence of Mala Pišnica and Velika Pišnica streams, very close to the northern boundary of Triglav National Park.
Easy to get to and accessible all-year-long, Lake Jasna is a must-see destination whenever you’re passing through, or staying in Kranjska Gora.
Why is this artificial lake so popular? Lake Jasna is blessed with a striking backdrop of limestone mountains, which is chiefly formed by Mount Prisank and Mount Razor. In addition to its scenic appeal, the surroundings are idyllic and pristine. There’s very minimal commercial activity around the lake.
There are also two standout accommodations at Lake Jasna, including the Jasna Chalet Resort with 8 apartments located on the heavenly north shore and the upmarket Boutique Hotel Milka with six suites and a Michelin-star restaurant.
In summer, it’s possible to SUP and swim in the lake and enjoy a lakeside lunch. In spring, winter, and autumn, it’s enjoyable to walk around the lake, taking in the panoramic mountain views.
Over the past several years, we’ve visited Lake Jasna before trekking across Triglav National Park, on this two week road trip, and again in October, when we stayed at Jasna Chalet Resort.
- Location: Google Maps
- Elevation: 833 meters
- Swimming: Allowed
- Fly Fishing: Allowed with a fishing license
- Where to Stay at Lake Jasna: Jasna Chalet Resort (lakeside aparthotel) and Boutique Hotel Milka (luxury hotel)
- Where to Stay in Kranjska Gora: Hotel Vandot (midrange), Hotel Pino Alpino (midrange), Hiša Kosobrin (midrange-luxury), or Boutique Hotel Skipass (luxury)
- Recommended Trail Map: Julian Alps WK141
Lake Jasna and Kranjska Gora Map
Where is Jasna Lake
Lake Jasna is situated in the Julian Alps in northwestern Slovenia, near the triple border with Austria and Italy.
From Ljubljana, it’s a 1 hour drive to Lake Jasna. From Bled, it’s a 37 minute drive to Lake Jasna.
From Villach in Austria, it’s a 30 minute drive to the lake. And from Tarvisio in Italy, it’s a mere 24 minute drive to Jasna Lake.
How to Get to Lake Jasna
Walk
From the town center of Kranjska Gora, it’s a mere 20 minute walk to Jasna Lake.
Follow the sidewalk along the Vršiška cesta road, or the path along the Pišnica stream. The Kranjska Gora-Vršič road runs parallel to the Pišnica stream.
This road will take you directly to the lake.
Bus
Between late June and late August, it’s possible to take a bus to Jasna from destinations in the Soča Valley like Bovec and Trenta.
The timetable is published on Kranjska-gora.si.
In that timeframe, you can also take the same bus from Kranjska Gora, but walking is preferable, since the bus departures are limited.
Car
Lake Jasna is accessible by car.
Do you need a rent a car? We recommend searching for and booking car rentals using the Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform. This easy-to-use booking platform compares car rental deals from 500+ trusted providers, so that you can choose the best option for your trip to Slovenia.
Lake Jasna Parking
Lake Jasna Paid Car Park – North
There is a paid car park at the northern side of Lake Jasna.
Location | Google Maps
Opening Times | 24 Hours/Day
Pricing | When we last visited, the parking fee was as follows.
- The First Hour of Parking: 1.50 EUR/Hour
- The Second and Each Further Hour of Parking: 2.50 EUR/Hour
- Parking from 8 pm – 8 am: 15 EUR
- Parking Per Day: 24 EUR/day
- Lost Payment Card: 36 EUR
Payment | It’s only possible to pay with credit cards: Visa, mastercard, or maestro.
Lake Jasna Paid Car Park – South
There is another car park with 120 spaces located south of the lake. Campers are not allowed to park here.
Location | Google Maps
Opening Times | 5 am – midnight. Parking is not allowed between midnight and 5 am.
Pricing |
- The First Hour of Parking: 1.20 EUR/Hour
- Each Additional Hour: 2 EUR
- Daily Parking Max: 15 EUR
More Info | parking.kranjska-gora.si
5 Things to Do at Lake Jasna
1. Walk the Lake Jasna Circuit Trail
Walking briskly, it only takes 15 minutes to walk the perimeter of the lake. The path hugs the lakeshore and consists of several boardwalks and bridges.
On the eastern shore, there’s a three-level observation platform, open seasonally.
There’s also a bronze statue of Goldhorn (Zlatorog in Slovenian), which stands on a large rock along the northern shore.
In Slovenian folklore, Goldhorn is the legendary white Ibex, or chamois, with golden horns who reigned over the Triglav mountains. The myth of Zlatorog tells the story of a greedy hunter who falls to his death in his pursuit to kill and claim the golden horns of the ibex.
He wanted to kill and claim the treasure of Goldhorn in order to impress a lady, who lost interest in him, because she was wooed by a wealthy merchant. I think that’s a rather suitable outcome. After realizing the shallowness of her affection, he should have moved right along, and said good riddance.
During the warmer months, you can order drinks at the lakeside kiosk Kasabrin Jezero Jasna and the Jasna Chalet Resort bar-restaurant.
2. Swim in Lake Jasna
Swimming in Lake Jasna is allowed.
Fed by the flowing Pišnica stream, the mountain water is always clean and clear. In fact, Jasna means “clear” in Slovenian.
3. Morning Yoga
Starting in late June, Jasna Chalet Resort offers a yoga class at 7:30 am every Wednesday and Saturday.
Reservations are required. Email info@jasnaresort.com to secure your spot.
It costs 18 EUR to join a yoga class without breakfast, or 22 EUR to join a yoga class with breakfast, following the class.
Yoga participants receive complimentary parking for a maximum of 2 hours (between 7:15 am and 9:15 am) at the paid car park near Jasna Chalet Resort (north). Validate your parking ticket at the reception inside the hotel.
4. Savor New Slovenian Cuisine at Milka Boutique Hotel
Milka is a fine dining restaurant and newly opened boutique hotel located directly at Lake Jasna. Here, guests can savor creative and exciting Slovenian cuisine in a romantic setting overlooking the Julian Alps.
This One Michelin Star restaurant offers a set menu for lunch (Saturday only) and dinner (Wednesday – Saturday).
For the most magical experience, book a table 1 hour before sunset.
If you’re planning your anniversary, or honeymoon, consider staying at Milka Boutique Hotel. Check rates and current availability on booking.com.
We ate a very memorable dinner at Milka, before they renovated and evolved their concept. It was delicious then and we hope to return soon to experience the new menu.
5. Hike in Triglav National Park
There are many hiking trails near Lake Jasna, including the Krinica Valley trail to Koča v Krnici and the Slemenova Špica hike starting at Vršič Pass.
From the nearby village of Gozd Martuljek, you can hike to the Martuljek Waterfalls. You can venture to Vrata Valley and hike to Peričnik Waterfall.
Experienced hikers can summit Mount Špic on stable weather days.
Where to Stay at Jasna Lake
Milka Boutique Hotel
Milka Boutique Hotel is a responsibly-created alpine hotel with six rooms overlooking Lake Jasna and the Northern Julian Alps. The architectural design is an ode to the hotel’s pristine surroundings. Stay here for the fine dining restaurant (open for lunch and dinner), stunning mountain vistas, and a plentiful, mouthwatering breakfast.
Book your Stay at Milka Boutique Hotel.
Jasna Chalet Resort
Family-friendly Aparthotel at Lake Jasna
Jasna Chalet Resort stands on the north shore of Lake Jasna, occupying the most coveted location in Kranjska Gora. The hotel overlooks the lake backed by the mighty Razor and Prisank peaks.
The 8 apartments of Jasna Chalet Resort all have 2 bedrooms, a seating area with sofa, a well-equipped kitchen and dining area, and a private bathroom. Guests also enjoy free on-site parking.
Given the size of the apartments, this is an ideal aparthotel for families. It’s also a great choice for travelers who cherish independence and autonomy. All apartments have their own entryway.
Guests can also rent e-bikes (15 EUR for 4 hours) and SUPs (7.50 EUR for 30 minutes) from the reception.
Jasna Chalet Resort also has an adjoined bar and eatery with indoor and outdoor seating, open to the public.
This Lake Jasna hotel was opened in 2019 after the property was sustainably renovated.
The renovation entailed insulating the building with local sheep wool, heating the facility with glacial water from depths of 50 meters, and using recycled natural materials for the building. As a result, the hotel’s carbon footprint is minimal.
You can book “breakfast in your pajamas,” which is a room service breakfast.
It’s a nice concept in theory, but you have to choose what you want the day before and decide the time of delivery. We didn’t like the inflexibility of this service. Also, guests are responsible for cleaning their own dishes. If we were to do it again, we’d rather just pop into the café and order breakfast when we want, without any prior arrangement.
Guests receive discounts when eating and drinking at the Jasna Chalet Resort bar (20% discount) and the restaurant (10% discount).
Check rates and current availability on Booking.com.
Keep Reading about the Julian Alps
- Viševnik Day Hike
- Debela Pec Day Hike
- Seven Lakes Valley Day Hike
- Mount Vogel Day Hike
- Pokljuka Plateau
- Vintgar Gorge
Slovenia Trip Planning Essentials
Use our Slovenia Travel Guide to plan an unforgettable trip.
When to Visit Slovenia
Summer and Fall Seasons. The best time to travel to Slovenia is between late May and October.
The best time to hike in the Slovenian Alps is between June and October. For hut-to-hut hiking, we recommend planning your trek between early July and mid-September.
Winter Season. For skiing and winter activities, the best time to visit Slovenia is between mid/late December and March.
Where to Stay
We’ve summarized our favorite destinations and accommodations in Best Paces to Stay in Slovenia, including Lake Bled, Lake Bohinj, Logar Valley, Kranjka Gora, and Kobarid.
How to Explore Slovenia
Small Group Guided Hiking Tours
If you’re a solo traveler, or friend group who would love to explore Slovenia’s hiking trails with a knowledgeable and licensed mountain guide, consider booking one of these small group hiking tours.
All of these tours are designed by Slotrips, a trustworthy local tour operator that crafts meaningful and memorable itineraries.
Best Walks in Slovenia is an 8-day hiking tour (day hikes only) with fixed and guaranteed departure dates between late May and late September.
Discover the Slovenian Alps is an 8-day hiking tour, which combines a 3-day hut-to-hut hike in Triglav National Park with moderate day hikes.
Best of the Julian Alps Hut-to-Hut is a 3-day hut-to-hut hike in the heart of the Julian Alps. This guided tour departs every Monday from July to September. Hikers have the option to add on Mount Triglav summit with an IFMGA licensed mountain guide.
Self-Guided Hiking, Biking, and Rafting Tours
If you love hiking independently, but want a professional to handle the logistics of bookings, transfers, and luggage storage (when applicable), then we recommend booking a self-guided trip like Mountains and Lakes Hut-to-Hut, or Crossing the Julian Alps.
During shoulder-season (May and October), you can hike, bike, and raft along the 4-day Alpe Adria Trail Adventure, 9-day Mountains to Sea route, or 8-day Best of Alpe-Adria and Juliana Trail.
Road Trip
Though public transit is very good in Slovenia, some destinations like Logar Valley are not accessible with transit.
If you want to explore more off-the-beaten-path and remote areas of Slovenia, we recommend renting a car.
Check out our itineraries for road trip inspiration:
Use the intuitive Discovercars.com car rental reservation platform to search for and book car rentals. This easy-to-use booking platform compares car rental deals from 500+ trusted providers, so that you can choose the best option for your trip.
Tip: If you can only drive automatic transmission cars, as opposed to manual transmission cars (stick shift), book your car rental as early as possible.
Top Things to Do
- Summit Mount Triglav with an IFMGA-licensed mountain guide.
- Eat Štruklji Borovničevi at Kofce Mountain Hut.
- Trek across Triglav National Park along this epic 4-day Triglav National Park Trek, or this self-guided Crossing the Julian Alps hiking tour.
- Visit an alpine dairy like Koča na planini Dolga njiva.
- Stay in a farm stay like Tourist Farm Šenkova domačija in Zgornje Jezersko.
- Swim in the crystal clear waters of Lake Bohinj.
- Watch the sunrise at Mala Osojnica, overlooking Lake Bled.
- Hike to the Kamnik Saddle.
- Glamp in a treehouse like Ribno Alpine Glamping.
- Uncover hidden gems like Solčava panoramic road.
Slovenia Packing List
Guidebooks
- Lonely Planet Slovenia
- DK Eyewitness Slovenia
- Rick Steves Croatia & Slovenia
- The Julian Alps of Slovenia: Mountain Walks and Short Treks
- Trekking in Slovenia: The Slovene High Level Route
- Trekking Slovenia’s Juliana Trail: Three-week trek: Bled, Triglav and the Julian Alps
Slovenia Hiking Guides
Slovenia is heaven on earth for hikers. We recommend allocating sufficient time to discover both the Julian Alps and the Kamnik Savinja Alps.
In Best Hikes in Slovenia, we’ve summarized the most thrilling day hikes and multi-day hikes across the Slovenian Alps, ranked by difficulty.
If you’re interested in hut-to-hut hiking, read our guide to Slovenian Mountain Huts and Hut-to-Hut Hiking in Slovenia.
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