Tolmin Gorges

The Tolmin Gorges, Tolminska korita in Slovene, are a pair of narrow canyons cut by the Tolminka and the Zadlaščica rivers near the town of Tolmin, in the Soča Valley in northwestern Slovenia. They lie at the southern edge of Triglav National Park at only about 180 metres above sea level, which makes them the lowest part of the park, and they are one of the oldest tourist sights of the region, having been developed with paths and bridges in the early twentieth century. The setting is dramatic: the rivers have carved deep, narrow cuts in the limestone, with smooth, polished walls, hollows and pools of green and blue water far below the path, and the sound of the water fills the canyon.

The visit follows a circular trail of about two kilometres, which takes between an hour and a half and two hours at a normal walking pace. The path is cut into the rock and carried over the water by bridges and steps, and in all there are several hundred steps, many of them in the form of a natural staircase, so the walk requires reasonable fitness and good shoes. It is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. The route passes the place where the two rivers meet, and one of the best-known features is the Devil’s Bridge, a high stone bridge that crosses the gorge far above the water, with a view down into the narrowest part. A rock formation known as the Bear’s Head, which does look like a bear's head in profile, is another landmark, and there is a spring of slightly warm water, a thermal source at about twenty degrees, that flows into the gorge.

The gorge also has a literary and legendary side. Local tradition links it with the poet Dante, who is said to have passed through the area during his exile in the early fourteenth century, and a cave in the gorge is known as Dante's Cave, a story that adds a touch of romance even if the facts are uncertain. The gorge was a place of local legend long before it was a tourist attraction.

Practical points matter. Entry to the gorge is by ticket, prices change with the season, and the gorge is generally open from spring to autumn, so check current arrangements before travelling. Free parking is available at the lots at the start of the route, and a shuttle bus connects them to the entrance, which cuts down on traffic. Stout shoes, a light jacket and a little time for photography make the visit more comfortable, and the walk is best done early or late in the day to avoid crowds.

The gorges suit walkers and families with older children, and they combine well with a visit to the Soča River, Kozlov Rob Castle and the town of Tolmin.