Vintgar Gorge – one of Slovenia's most magical natural wonders

Vintgar Gorge – one of Slovenia's most magical natural wonders

The legendary Vintgar Gorge was shaped and shaped by glaciers: when they began to melt and retreat, Lake Bled was formed in the valley. At that time, the Radovna River began to carve a new path for itself at the lowest point between the Hom and Boršt hills. After the end of the last ice age, the water stubbornly continued to shape the Vintgar Gorge. Only at the end of the pass, due to the harder rock, was the difference in water levels preserved in the form of the picturesque Šum waterfall, which can still be seen today.

The origin of the name of the gorge is still unclear. It may have originated in Celtic times, or it may have come from the German word “Weingarten” – referring to the vineyards near Podhom. The third version, according to the notes of teacher Janko Žirovnik, is that when the new path through the gorge was opened, it was christened Vintgar – after the hill above the “Dead Woman's Rock” (Ranča peč).

Discovering Vintgar

The gorge remained undiscovered and inaccessible until 1891. That year, the winter brought unusually little rainfall, which caused the water level of the Radovna River to drop significantly, and for the first time in a long time, it became possible to enter the wild gorge. The first to dare to do so were the local resident and mayor of Gorje, Jakob Žumer, and the photographer and cartographer Benedikt Lergetporer. They were enchanted by the beauty of the gorge and introduced Vintgar to the world - thus starting a story that lasted more than 130 years.

I admit, when I first walked through the gorge, I could fully experience what it must have felt like to enter it for the first time. The roar of the water, the proximity of the cliffs, and the ever-changing panorama are something quite special.

Green athmosphere

The Vintgar Gorge is home to over 600 plant species. Due to the unique terrain and special microclimate, plants that are not typical for the area grow here. Alpine and subalpine species live in the riverbeds and on the shady slopes, while heat-loving plants flourish on the sunny slopes.

It's worth paying attention to the details: if you walk more slowly, you can discover lots of little things of interest on the rocks and the beach that rushing visitors often don't even notice.

Šum Waterfall

Even before the discovery of the gorge, the Šum Waterfall was known to locals and later to visitors from nearby Bled. Initially, it was admired from the banks of its deep pool, and later from the suspension bridge built over it in 1878. The picturesque waterfall has often inspired painters and photographers, and has often served as a backdrop for festive events in the gorge.

When I got to the waterfall, I honestly just stood there for minutes listening to the roar of the water – it was an incredibly calming experience.

Animal world

The clean, pristine waters and banks of the Radovna River are home to many endangered species. At the bottom of the river, among the rocks, the rare souffia (flat-bodied fish) hides, able to withstand the strong currents of the wild river. On the banks, the water thrush (white-throated thrush) nests, the only songbird that dives underwater in search of food. In winter, when other rivers freeze, the Vintgar Gorge provides a refuge for the rare European otter.

Through the Vintgar

When the locals wanted to make the gorge accessible, they drew up a plan. The funds for the construction were donated by companies, hotel owners and many local residents, including from the proceeds of dance parties. The construction of the roads, bridges and wooden planks was extremely difficult due to the steep cliffs and the wild river. Nevertheless, it was officially opened on August 28, 1893.

Today's hike on Vintgar takes about 1 hour , depending on the pace and the stops, but you also have to calculate the time it takes to walk back to the shuttle bus outside the gorge, and there are 2 hiking trails of different lengths to choose from. To me, this time seemed like moments, I was so captivated by every detail of the environment.

Cultural heritage and geological structure

Where the Radovna River carved the gorge over millennia, people built bridges, dams and tunnels in the 20th century. Slovenia's largest, completely preserved stone arch railway bridge rises 34 metres above the Radovna River. Below it lies the inlet of the Vintgar Hydroelectric Power Plant, today Slovenia's oldest still-operating power plant.

The gorge contains a variety of rock types: micrite limestones, thicker limestone layers, and granular limestones. The pronounced rock layers visible in the high walls, their bends, folds, and shifts, still shape the landscape today.

Practical tips

• Buying tickets: especially in summer, it is very important to buy tickets online in advance , because tickets sell out quickly on site.

• Arrive on time: Entry will take place at the time stated on your ticket, to the minute.

• Shuttle bus: A shuttle bus from Bled's main bus station will take you to the starting point of the tour , so you don't have to look for a parking space. However, if you want to go some distance by car, a 15-minute bus ride from the central parking lot to the starting point of the tour is included in the ticket price.

• Duration: the entire walk takes an average of 2.5–3 hours, but it is worth going slowly, stopping to take photos and enjoying the view.

Overall, Vintgar Gorge was one of the most special experiences in Slovenia for me. Not only the view, but also the history, the proximity to nature, and the excitement of discovery made it truly memorable.