How To Visit Get To Vintgar Gorge, Slovenia 

Updated April 2024, How To Visit Get To Vintgar Gorge, Slovenia was originally published in January 2021

Slovenia was the first country I arrived in many years ago for the first time that I said, ‘I think I could live here.’ With its lush green forests and almost neon turquoise waters, it’s easy to see how the little nation of Slovenia has become an adored slice of the European Union. A few years ago on a long backpacking trip around Europe, a good friend of mine arrived in Lake Bled looking for things to do and that’s where Vintgar Gorge landed on our radar. 

My first trip to Slovenia brought me to explore Ljubljana but it was in the planning stages of this second trip that I had found out about Lake Bled, which quickly climbed the ranks of a must-see for my friend Sally and me on our post-graduation blew the last money we had after both having worked as we completed our dental hygiene degrees.  

Irresponsible? Yeah probably, but this was our last hooray before starting the beginning of the end… or so we thought (Sally and I would go on to travel a lot more over the years following). So off to Europe we went, trying to go on a 5 weeks trip on next to no budget.

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Welcome To Triglav National Park

Nestled in Triglav National Park, a short trip from Lake Bled, Vintgar Gorge is a 1.6 kilometer long canyon carved by the Radovna River as it flows through the Hom and Boršt Hills. 

A Walk Through Vintgar Gorge 

Vintgar Gorge was discovered by Jakob Žumer in 1893. Jakob Žumer is who the wooden walkway affixed to the canyon walls, the Žumer Gallery, is named after. 

The wooden walkway spans the length of Vintgar Gorge, twisting and turning with the River Radovna until you reach the end at 13 meter high Šum waterfall. 

Honestly, I was pretty impressed with Vintgar Gorge, it’s quite pretty walking through the mist with green moss clung to the rocky canyon walls, peering down into milky turquoise water. 

It had been a wet day with light rain showers off and on throughout the day in Bled before we took off to Vintgar Gorge. Even in the rain and mist in the late afternoon, it was still a beautiful place to explore before we made our way back to Bled and grabbed a pizza at Pizzeria Rustica that evening. 

The Best Time To Visit Vintgar Gorge

We visited in the late afternoon on a day in mid-June. The weather was a bit grey and it drizzled rain off and on during the day, which I believed led to us nearly having Vintgar Gorge to ourselves. 

I had read on Trip Advisor before we headed out that the best time to visit was early in the morning as soon as the park opens to beat the crowds that can quickly fill up these boardwalks, though we didn’t find that to be the case (although it could have just been luck due to rainy weather).

How To Get To Vintgar Gorge

Located less than 5 kilometers from Lake Bled, getting to Vintgar Gorge is pretty straightforward and makes for a great half-day trip. 

• By Bus: We opted to take the bus to reach Vintgar Gorge, just know that you will still have to walk about 1.4 kilometers to reach the Vintgar Gorge entrance. Several busses depart Bled Main Bus Station and Bled Union Station each day (€1.30 each way), making the 5 minute journey to Spodnje Gorje, from where you’ll walk the remainder of the way. Alternatively, you can get a bus to Podhom which will add 300 meters to the walk. 
• By Train: There is a train station in Podhom, so you can grab a train from Bled Jezero. From Podhom it’s about a 1.7 kilometer walk. 
• Shuttle Bus: In the peak months of June-September there is a shuttle that leaves hourly from the Mamut office in Bled that goes directly to the Vintgar Gorge entrance. You’ll have two hours to explore Vintgar Gorge before it takes you back to Bled. You can book it in advance here.

• On Foot: If you don’t mind taking a stroll, you can walk from Bled to Vintgar Gorge entrance in about an hour. The distance is 4.5 kilometers each way.
• By Bicycle: You can rent bicycles in Bled and then peddle your way out to Vintgar Gorge and back. 
• By Car: If you’re road-tripping Slovenia and have your own wheels you can easily reach Vintgar Gorge entrance by car. There is a parking fee.

Opening Hours

• April-June: 8 am to 6 pm
• July-August: 7 am to 7 pm
• September: 8 am to 6 pm
• October: 9 am to 4 pm
• Vintgar Gorge typically closes in November and reopens in April

Vintgar Gorge Entrance Fees & Parking Fees

Entrance

• Adults: 10€
• Seniors / Students: 7€
• Children 6-15 years: 2€
• Children up to 6 years: 1€
• Pets: 3€

Parking

• Personal car: 5€
• Camper van: 10€

Have Any Questions About Visiting Vintgar Gorge?

Ask in the comments section below.

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