Three Venomous Snake Bites in Two Days Near Bled
In the Slovenian mountains, a 75-year-old man was the first victim, grabbing a snake instead of a branch, and a day later, two young foreigners resting in the grass were bitten.
In the Slovenian mountains, a 75-year-old man was the first victim, grabbing a snake instead of a branch, and a day later, two young foreigners resting in the grass were bitten.
In just two days, three venomous snake bites were recorded in the area of Blejska koča on Mount Lipanca in Slovenia. The first incident occurred on Sunday, August 2, 2026, when a snake, most likely a horned viper, bit a 75-year-old hiker on the finger. The very next day, on Monday, August 3, two 21-year-old foreign nationals were bitten at the same location.
The accident involving the older hiker happened on a steep section of the trail. Trying to maintain his balance, the man reached for what he thought was a branch, but instead grabbed a snake, which immediately bit him on the finger. Members of the Mountain Rescue Service (GRS) from Radovljica arrived at the scene promptly, providing assistance at his home, and he was then transported by helicopter to the University Medical Centre in Ljubljana.
A day later, another call for help came in. Two 21-year-olds were bitten by snakes, suspected to be two different ones, while resting in the grass. One was bitten on the forearm, the other on the finger. Despite their injuries, the young men walked for about 45 minutes to the nearest mountain hut, where one of them suddenly experienced a rapid deterioration in his health.
The head of GRS Radovljica, Toni Smolej, recounted the details of the unusual intervention. "We were informed that a young foreign hiker ran into the hut and said he had been bitten by a snake, just like his colleague. After that call, it seemed strange to us how he was even still able to walk," Smolej recalled. Both were then airlifted by helicopter to the Ljubljana hospital.
Smolej added that he cannot recall this many bites in such a short time in the last ten years. He attributes the increased activity of reptiles to specific weather conditions. Experts warn that after a venomous bite, it is crucial to seek help immediately and to remain strictly still to slow the spread of venom through the body, which is exactly the opposite of what the young hikers did.
These cases are part of a broader and concerning pattern, as experts are noting a significantly higher number of encounters with venomous snakes on Slovenian hiking trails this year.
