Vintgar Gorge
Vintgar Gorge is a narrow 1.6km long gorge carved out by the Radovna River, about 3km North-West of Bled. There is a car park at the start of the gorge, however spaces are fairly limited so during the high season either get there early, or take the bus link from Bled. There is a charge to enter the gorge and all visitors are provided with safety helmets.
The gorge was carved out at the end of the last ice age by the large amounts of water flowing from the melting glaciers. Although it was probably known to local people, it was not until 1891 that it became well known thanks to photographer Benedikt Lergetporer and cartographer Jakob Žumer. At that time the gorge was inaccessible, but a series of galleried walkways was constructed to carry a path through the gorge, in some places attached directly to the cliff face.
From the car park the path follows the river through woodland, which is particularly attractive during autumn. The river is quite narrow and fast flowing and has a lovely turquoise colour.
The Radovna River
After a short distance, the path crosses the river and passes through a turnstile gate. From here on, the path is one-way to avoid congestion on the narrow walkways with people trying to pass in both directions.
Footpath Into Vintgar Gorge
Once in the gorge proper, the path is suspended out from the cliff walls with the river rushing below. In places, the gorge walls are only a couple of metres apart.
The Narrow Part of Vintgar Gorge
Eventually the path re-crosses the river, just before exiting the narrowest part of the gorge.
Exiting Vintgar Gorge
Beyond this, there is a stretch where the gorge is more open with woodland either side of the river. After this short stretch however, the gorge walls close in once again and the path skirts around the base of some cliffs.
Autumn Colour On The Radovna River
The Radovna River
From the path there is a view down to the river through some tree branches, which makes for an interesting shot, using a long exposure to soften the water behind the tree branches.
Looking Down On The Radovna River
As the walk through the gorge nears its conclusion, a couple of man-made structures are reached. First is the Bohinj Railway Bridge that was built in 1905 to carry the railway line 30m above the gorge. At this point the river is also dammed, and some of the water is diverted to power a small hydro-electric power station below the Sumy Waterfall.
Bohinj Railway Bridge
On the last part of the river walk, there are more cascades and the flow of the water quickens as it heads towards the Sumy Waterfall. The waterfall is 13m high, making it the highest waterfall in Slovenia which is located on a main river – other higher falls being cascades down the sides of mountains. There is a small cafe and eating area just above waterfall, and the path crosses the river, giving a view down to the falls belwo.
The Radovna River Above Sum Waterfall
The Radovna River Above Sum Waterfall
Sum Waterfall
The Return Path
To return to the car park, the path now climbs steeply out of the Vintgar gorge and at some farm buildings and a cafe skirts around some fields, before entering the woods.
Autumn Colour Above Vintgar Gorge
Autumn Colour Above Vintgar Gorge
When we visited in October, the woods were particularly colourful. For the first half of the return walk, the woodland path is well away from the gorge, and the surrounding woods provide a peaceful walk after the noise of the river cascades.
The Return Path Above Vintgar Gorge
Eventually the path returns to the edge of the gorge and there are glimpses through the trees to the river below.
Autumn Colour Above Vintgar Gorge
The path now descends to the car park, completing an interesting round trip. The walk could easily be completed in three hours, but we took our time to photograph the river and woodlands, and effectively made a full day out of our visit.