Vintgar Gorge (Blejski Vintgar)

The Vintgar Gorge lies a few kilometres north-west of Lake Bled, in the parish of Gorje, and it is the best-known gorge in Slovenia. The Radovna river, which rises on the Pokljuka plateau and the Jelovica forests, has cut a narrow canyon through the rock for about a mile and a half, with walls that rise steeply above the water, in places overhanging it, and the river runs through the gorge in a succession of rapids, pools and small falls. The water is a clear green and blue, the walls are hung with moss and ferns, and the sound of the stream is constant. It is a place of strong atmosphere, particularly in the cool shade of the canyon on a summer day.

The gorge was not accessible to visitors until the end of the nineteenth century. It was explored in 1891 by a local surveyor, Jakob Žumer, together with the mayor of Gorje, Benedikt Lergetporer, who recognised its potential as an attraction and persuaded the authorities and the Bled tourist society to build a path. The wooden walkway and bridges were completed and opened in 1893, an ambitious project in its day, with galleries bolted to the cliff and bridges across the river, and the walk has been a favourite excursion for visitors to Bled ever since. The route has been maintained and rebuilt many times since, and it is now one of the main tourist attractions in the area.

The walk is one-way along the gorge, ending at the Šum waterfall, where the river drops into a deep pool at the end of the canyon, and from there visitors return by one of several paths through the surrounding forest and fields, past the farms and chapels of the Gorje district. Information boards describe the geology, the plants and animals, and the history of the discovery. Trails for different interests have been developed, among them paths with themes from local history and legend and a path for children with characters from a local story, and these can be used to extend the visit to several hours. Wooden boardwalks and railings make the main route safe, but they can be slippery, and the gorge closes in winter, when ice and snow make it dangerous.

Because the gorge is so popular, access is managed. Visitors are normally asked to use the official car park and a shuttle, instead of driving to the entrance, and in busy periods, timed tickets or reservations may be needed, so it is wise to check the current arrangements before travelling and to book in advance for summer weekends. Early morning is the best time to avoid crowds. The River of Trees Trail and the Wooden Bridges and Boardwalks are other parts of the area covered separately, and a visit to the gorge fits into a day around Bled.