Introducing Vintgar Gorge
Vintgar Gorge (Slovene: Soteska Vintgar), or Bled Gorge (Slovene: Blejski Vintgar) as it’s also known as, is a 1,600-metre-long gorge carved by the Radovna River. It is situated inside the Triglav National Park in northwestern Slovenia, some 4 kilometres to the northwest of the famous Lake Bled. There is a wooden walkway built in 1893 (and rebuilt several times since) along the entire section which gets you as close as you can possibly get and gives you a sense of adventure as it crisscrosses the crystal-clear Radovna River four times over rapids, waterfalls and pools. At the end, there’s the picturesque Sum Waterfall which drops 13 meters and is the largest river waterfall in Slovenia. The gorge was opened to the public on August 26th, 1893 and continues to be a top tourist attraction to this day.
Vintgar Gorge Review
Vintgar Gorge or Bled Gorge is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary places to visit in Slovenia. This stunningly picturesque gorge with turquoise water of the Radovna river and a spectacular waterfall at the far end is part of the Triglav National Park and is located just outside the northern side of Bled. It has been made into a huge attraction by the addition of walkways alongside and across the river. Some say it is ‘too touristy’, but there is a reason a place is ‘too touristy’ and that reason is because the place is so incredibly beautiful. Why should not as many people as possible enjoy it? The walkways are well kept and very accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. The walk is a little less than two hours long and is really not difficult by any standards. There are many families there with small kids and several more active elderly people who seem to manage the walk fine. We wouldn’t go so far as to say that the gorge is wheelchair accessible, but you could certainly negotiate it with a pushchair. Remember to have your camera in hand during the walk, you will need it for the many pictures that you will be taking. The most dramatic part is at the start with the gorge in full flow. As you walk nearer to the beautiful Sum waterfall at the far end it becomes quieter but is still picturesque. The water is very clear and you can see the fish swimming. It is really the color you see on the images of this beautiful gorge. The waterfall provides an especially wonderful backdrop for some stunning photos and is accessible by a separate track. And if you go a bit further down the path than most and wind your way through the woods (after the cafe at the end of the boardwalk), you can get down to the water and swim in the plunge pool beneath the waterfall. There is a lovely cafe in the end of the trail and a nice restaurant with fresh trouts next to the parking. Toilets at each end.
During winter the gorge is officially closed, although you can still access it at your own risk. Apparently it can be dangerous in winter when the ice between the rocks freezes. So, be very careful, wear a good pair of shoes with good soles and probably go in a group in case anything does happen.
The entrance fee is €5 for adults, €4 for students and €3 for children, which goes to support the maintenance of the walk. The gorge is open every day from 8.00 to 19.00. There is a free parking area available in front of the entrance to the gorge. We would suggest you set aside about two hours for the walk and would recommend getting there early in the day due to its popularity. Definitely a must do if you’re in Bled!
Vintgar Gorge Pictures
Vintgar gorge is a lovely walk and definitely worth the trip if you are in the Bled area. (photo: Jost Gantar, Bled.si)
The Sum waterfall is part of the Vintgar Gorge. (photo: Jost Gantar, Bled.si)
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Vintgar Gorge, or Bled Gorge as it is also known, is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary places to visit in Slovenia. Carved out by the emerald green Radovna River, the canyon walls rise up to 100 meters high around you as you traverse the wooden walkways snaking along the gorge. |
Walking through the Vintgar Gorge is such an amazing experience. It is clearly one of the best things to do in the Lake Bled area. |
With its jade green waters and natural beauty, Vintgar Gorge has become one of the most popular natural attractions to visit in Slovenia. What makes this stunning natural attraction so special is the man made boardwalks that cross their way through the gorge and make this a photographer’s dream. |
Vintgar Gorge location on the map
Address: Podhom 62, 4247 Zgornje Gorje, Slovenia
Latitude and Longitude Coordinates: 46.390977, 14.083873
GPS coordinates: 46° 23′ 27.5172” N 14° 5′ 1.9428” E
Region: Gorenjska (a.k.a Upper Carniola a.k.a Slovenian Alps a.k.a Oberkrain)
With an incredibly beautiful glacial lake surrounded by the peaks of the Slovenian Alps, an iconic church nestled in a tiny island in the middle of the lake and a medieval Gothic castle built on a 100-meter cliff overlooking the lake, Bled is possibly the most beautiful and remarkable Alpine resort in Europe. |
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Overall Rating: In Slovenia, there is a real place that looks like it came from the fairy tale world! That place is the beautiful Lake Bled, known for its stunning mountain-backed vistas, the iconic church located on a tiny island in the middle of the lake and the spectacular medieval Gothic castle built on a 130-meter cliff overlooking the lake. |
Overall Rating: When people say that a place is like something from a fairy tale, often they are exaggerating, but that is not the case with this charming little tear-shaped island in the middle of Lake Bled. The island has such an extraordinary beautiful setting that photographs of it are regularly found in travel magazines and it’s without a doubt the most recognizable place in Slovenia. |
Overall Rating: This stunningly picturesque gorge with turquoise water of the Radovna river and a spectacular waterfall at the far end is part of the Triglav National Park and is located just outside the northern side of Bled. It has been made into a huge attraction by the addition of walkways alongside and across the river. |
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Overall Rating: Above the incredibly beautiful glacial Lake Bled, on a mighty steep cliff rising 130 meters high, is the iconic Bled Castle. It is one of the most visited Slovene sights with over 300.000 annual guests. |
Overall Rating: Church of the Mother of God on the Lake, also known as the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Mary, or The Church of Mary the Queen, or Our Lady of the Lake, is located on a a tiny, tear-shaped island in the middle of an incredibly beautiful Lake Bled. The church has such a beautiful setting that pictures of it are regularly found in travel magazines and on travel blogs and forums. |
Overall Rating: Royal Bled Golf is the oldest and the largest golf course in Slovenia and one of those must play courses in Europe. The facility comprises the 18-hole King's Course and the 9-hole Lake's Course. The 18-hole King's Course is pretty challenging and plays host to several tournaments and other events during the year, while the 9-hole Lake's course is a bit easier option for those whose handicap is too high, or those with not-so-deep pockets. Club membership is invitation only, but both courses are regularly open to the general public with advanced booking. |
Cuisine: Slovenian Located on the quiet side of Lake Bled, the restaurant has some of the most amazing views of the lake, church on the island, and Slovenian Alps. The food is outstanding with a varied choice on the menu to suit every taste. It’s exquisite fine dining but with quite big portions. OVERALL RATING: PRICES: |
Cuisine: Slovenian This famous restaurant is now under new management of the Jezersek family who serve modern interpretations of recipes written more than 70 years ago by their grandmother. The food is absolutely lovely - it's traditional Slovenian served in a superb fine dining style with lots of lovely touches. OVERALL RATING: PRICES: |
Cuisine: International The restaurant is located in the very heart of Bled. It's a fine restaurant with a lovely terrace that has a breathtaking view of Lake Bled and Bled Island. The menu is varied with a good selection of meat, fish and pasta dishes. The food served is full of flavour and beautifully presented and yet is not too heavy on the pocket. OVERALL RATING: PRICES: |
Cuisine: Slovenian This is a lovely small restaurant that is opened only during the season (from May 1st till mid-October). The setting is charming in an open garden with lit candles all around the tables. The menu is surprisingly extensive for a small place and there's something for everyone. All the plates coming from the kitchen are a feast for the eyes. OVERALL RATING: PRICES: |
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| The accommodation options in Bled can be divided into six main categories: hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, apartments, farm stays and hostels. |
Finding a hotel that suits your needs and fits your budget can be a hassle. Bled is a very touristic place with lots of hotels of varying standards, from ultra-luxurious where guests can indulge themselves in some exquisite spas to a nice choice of affordable 3-star hotels. Find out which hotels in Bled we recommend and why. |
Bled guesthouses are definitely a nice, safe option for a place to stay as they are comfortable and homely with owners who take an interest in their guests. Many offer not only breakfast, but also lunch and dinner. There are quite a few wonderful guest houses in Bled, find out which one would best suit your needs, style and budget. |
Bed and breakfasts are a cheap way of staying in Bled. In essence you get a room and usually also a private bathroom in someone's house, with breakfast included in the price. Find out which B&Bs in Bled we recommend and why. |
Many local residents in Bled offer apartments for rent in their houses. Each apartment has one or two bedrooms, a bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen. Some also have a living room and a balcony or a terrace. It's a very popular wallet-friendly option when you are staying in Bled. But be careful, the rates and quality vary seriously, so always do a good research before you book an apartment for your stay! Here you will find the apartments that we think are the best ones in Bled right now. |
Hostels are a very popular option for those seeking low-cost accommodations in Bled. Most spaces and amenities are usually shared, but even if you’re not up for the cheapest option - a bed in a dorm room - you can often get a basic private room at a Bled hostel for significantly less than the cost of a low-end hotel or privately rented room. Competition between Bled hostels has grown over the past 5-10 years so the quality has risen considerably. There are now some really nice hostels in Bled, find out which are the ones that we recommend and why! |
There’s nothing quite like going to sleep under the stars, surrounded by nature and only the sound of birdsong to wake you up in the morning. The Bled area has a breathtaking nature which is perfect to do just that: whether it’s an all natural campsite or a luxurious glamping experience, these are the best outdoor sleeping areas in Bled. |
Farm stays are an increasingly popular vacation option, especially for families with young children. Styled after traditional B&Bs, farm stays offer comfortable lodging, low rates, generous breakfasts and direct access to farm animals, fresh fruit, vegetables and eggs. On some farms you can also join in with farm tasks, including feeding and egg collecting. Find out which farm stays in the Lake Bled area we recommend the most. |