Radulja Gorge

The Radulja is a small stream that has cut a narrow, wooded gorge into the hills near Šmarješke Toplice, in Dolenjska in southeastern Slovenia, and the walk through it is one of the most pleasant short outings in the area. The gorge is not on the scale of the great canyons of the Alps, but it has a wildness that surprises in such gentle countryside. The walls are steep, the stream tumbles over rocky steps and small waterfalls, and the forest on both sides is dense and mossy, so that after a few minutes on the path you feel far from the nearby spa town.

The route follows the stream through the gorge, with the water always close at hand. In spring and autumn, when flow is highest, the small cascades and pools are at their most striking, while in dry summers the water level drops and the stream can shrink considerably. The geology is limestone country, and the rock walls show how water has worked on the stone over a very long time. Ferns, mosses and shade-loving plants thrive in the damp air, and the woods hold a variety of birds and small animals. The path is not hard, but it can be wet, muddy and rocky, with roots and steps, so shoes with a good grip and a little care are needed, especially after rain. Do not attempt it in flood conditions.

The gorge is linked with the nearby Klevevška Toplica, the warm spring from which the area takes part of its character, and the walk can be combined with a visit there. The surrounding landscape of Vineyards, Meadows, and Forests is typical of Dolenjska, with small vineyard cottages, orchards and farms, and the Crystal Valley is another scenic corner in the neighbourhood. The Izvir cvička, the Wine Fountain, celebrates Cviček, the light red wine of the region, and gives walkers a place to taste it. The House of Living Heritage presents local traditions and crafts, and Šmarješke Toplice Lesen Bazen, the wooden pool, offers a soak after the walk.

There are no fixed opening hours or fees, and the gorge can be visited at any time of year, though spring and autumn are the best seasons. It suits walkers and families with older children who enjoy a short, wild-feeling hike. Allow one to two hours, carry water, and tell someone where you are going if you walk alone. After the gorge, the Radulja Gorge walk can end with a glass of Cviček. The Radulja River is small, but the gorge it cut is memorable. Klevevž and the nearby spring complete the picture.