The Vintgar Gorge

The wild and untamed Radovna has carved its way between the slopes of the Pokljuka and Mežakla plateaus. A narrow and deep gorge was formed with steep, in places vertical banks overgrown with forest.

The power of nature is reflected in the roar of the foaming water, the many rapids and the clear pools where the Radovna calms for a moment. The 1,600-metre-long Vintgar Gorge ends with the picturesque, 16-metre-high Šum river waterfall, which, as a natural landmark, has become part of Triglav National Park.
 

The gorge in the immediate vicinity of Gorje, about 4 km north-west of Bled, was discovered in February 1891 by Jakob Žumer, the mayor of Gorje, and the cartographer and photographer Benedikt Lergetporer. The discovery was accidental, and at a time when the water level of the Radovna, which flows through Vintgar, was exceptionally low. They set off on their exploratory journey from Spodnje Gorje towards Blejska Dobrava. With effort they forced their way through the otherwise impassable gorge. They discovered so many natural beauties that they decided to set up a building committee. The gorge was arranged for visits, above all by guests from Bled. The public opening was on 26 August 1893. The Vintgar gorge, 1.6 km long, is cut between the vertical walls of the hills Hom and Boršt, and it is adorned by the Radovna with its waterfalls, pools and rapids.

The trail leads across bridges and the so-called Žumer galleries and ends with a bridge above the mighty, 16 m high Šum river waterfall. Because of its natural beauty, Vintgar has been ranked among the more important tourist attractions in Slovenia, and the number of visitors grows from year to year. On one leg of the gorge visit you can take the option of the “panoramic footpath” over Hom to St Catherine's (a historic little church and a beautiful view).

At the entrance and by the Šum waterfall you can take refreshment at the buffets. Access by car and bus is possible up to the car park in front of the entrance to the gorge.