Waterfall Šum

Šum is the waterfall at the upper end of the Vintgar Gorge, a few kilometres from Bled, and the name means noise, which is a fair description of the sound of the water as it falls. It is one of the highest river waterfalls in Slovenia, with a drop of about thirteen metres, and it marks the end of the walkway through the gorge, so most visitors see it as the climax of a walk. The Radovna river, which flows down from the Pokljuka plateau, narrows here and slides over a rock step before dropping into a deep, round pool, and the white water against the green of the pool and the dark limestone creates a picture that is often used to represent the area.

The volume of water changes with the season and the weather. After heavy rain or during snowmelt in spring, the Radovna swells and the fall becomes a powerful, roaring sheet, with spray reaching the viewing platform, while in dry spells in late summer it is lighter, though still attractive. The pool at the foot of the fall is cold and deep, and swimming is not allowed, as the currents can be dangerous. A stone railway bridge with a high arch crosses the river just downstream, and the old line over it, built for the Bohinj railway, adds a touch of engineering to the scene. Photographs are best taken from the platforms, using the bridge as a vantage point.

The waterfall has drawn visitors since the nineteenth century. The gorge was discovered by outsiders in the early 1890s, and before that, local people knew the waterfall as a place of interest. Today, a path leads to it from the Vintgar walkway, which runs through the canyon for over a kilometre, and from a car park on the other side, so it can be reached in different ways. Most people walk the whole length of the gorge, see the waterfall and then return the same way, a round trip of an hour or two, and some continue along paths in the woods.

The village of Zgornje Gorje, nearby, has traditional farms and churches, and offers places for lunch, such as Kmetija Pr' Kolenc, a farm where local food is served. Lake Kreda, a small and quiet lake in the area, is another place for a short walk. The waterfall can be visited as part of a trip to Bled, and early morning gives the quietest experience. The gorge is generally open from spring to autumn and closed in winter, so check before travelling.