Updated July 2024: Vintgar Gorge visitors now required to wear helmets.
Vintgar Gorge is a magical place in Slovenia that has been a magnet for nature-lovers since it opened to tourism in 1893. Today, visitors need to plan ahead. Here’s how to schedule your visit under a ticket system that aims to promote sustainable travel and protect the gorge from overcrowding.
The reservation system spaces out the visitors during “rush hours” and allows you to savor your own photo opportunities in Vintgar Gorge. The one-way path prevents the traffic jam that resulted from large groups trying to pass each other on the narrow walkways in both directions.
Why Visit Vintgar Gorge?
The spectacular ravine on the Radovna River is 1600 meters long and up to 250 meters deep. The jewel-tone colors of the water and the mighty Šum waterfall are photogenic from any angle. Only 4 kilometers from Lake Bled and on the edge of the Triglav National Park, it offers day-trippers easy access to a natural river gorge at the foot of the Alps.
Vintgar Gorge was unknown and inaccessible until 1891. The mayor of nearby Gorje village and a local photographer were the first known explorers in 1891. They decided to build more than 500 meters (547 yards) of bridges and walkways for public access. It opened as a tourist attraction two years later.
Those 19th Century bridge-builders could not have foreseen the popularity of the Vintgar Gorge in the age of mass tourism and social media. On beautiful summer days, the narrow paths and walkways would jam up with people jostling for photo ops and trying to squeeze by each other in two-way traffic. And leaving behind their trash.
This sign greets visitors in the parking lot for Vintgar Gorge. If you don’t have a reservation, you’ll most likely be turned away at this point.
Vintgar Gorge Ticket Reservations
Overwhelmed by visitors during the “rush hours” from 9:30 am to 1 pm, the Gorje Tourism Authority instituted a reservation system. You might get lucky if you show up earlier or later, but your best bet is to make a reservation. The gorge is open from 8 am to 7 pm in the summer months.
Visit the Vintgar Gorge website for information and a link to reserve your tickets. Visitors without reservations during the “rush hours” will be turned away if all the tickets are sold out. The goal: to spread out the crowds over the whole day.
In this video, Vintgar tourism ambassador Lea Petek explains why the reservation system will make it possible for you to have a more pleasant experience in Vintgar Gorge. And then read on to learn the details.
One-Way Walk through Vintgar Gorge
Once you’ve arrived and claimed your ticket, you will step down into the route through the gorge. Sadly, the path is NOT accessible to wheelchairs or strollers. Dogs also need a ticket and must be on a leash.
Starting in 2024, Vintgar Gorge visitors are also required to wear the free helmets distributed at the entrance to guard against rockslides. Turn in the helmet at the end of the walk through the gorge and before you start on the hike to return to the parking lot.
Depending on how often you stop for photos, it should take about 20-30 minutes to walk through the Vintgar Gorge. Stay on the paths and don’t climb over the railings. Yes, there were a few obsessed selfie-takers ahead of me, but most people were polite and didn’t block the walkways for everyone.
One-way traffic on the path started out as a way to promote social distancing during the pandemic. But officials found that it helped to prevent overcrowding. The small inconvenience of having to reserve tickets pays off in a much more peaceful experience with more personal space to take in the beauty of the alpine environment.
The one-way traffic through the Vintgar Gorge allows visitors plenty of personal space with less jostling for selfies. But it means you have to be prepared for a longer and more challenging hike back to the starting point in the parking lot.
Breathtaking Šum Waterfall in Vintgar Gorge
The mostly flat network of bridges, walkways and dirt paths ends at the Šum Waterfall, the largest river falls in Slovenia. A bit farther on, you will find a small cafe where drinks and snacks are available.
The rushing water of the Šum waterfall marks the end of your trek through the Vintgar Gorge. Above the river, a stone railroad bridge is still in use.
Long, Scenic Walk Back to the Parking Lot
Now you have a decision to make. You can not just turn around and go back the way you came. You’ll get a pamphlet when you claim your ticket, describing the routes marked in red and green.
Turning left leads to an easier and slightly shorter path back to the parking lot that parallels the gorge below. This route was closed on the day of my visit due to logging activities in the area. So we turned right and headed up a steep hill through a beech forest.
The green path led to the church of Saint Katherine and a splendid panorama of the valleys below. There’s another cafe and a playground. But we still had a long way to go. We hiked through cow pastures and stepped carefully around the poop. The friendly livestock didn’t seem to mind.
Visitors to Vintgar Gorge should be prepared for a more challenging hike to return to the parking lot. The longer path on the “green” route winds through pastures filled with livestock and their poop. You will also pass the church of St. Katherine and some stunning views of the valley below.
Terry’s Travel Tips
Getting to Vintgar Gorge: If you’re staying in Bled, it is possible but not easy to walk the 10 km to Vintgar Gorge and back. You can get there by bicycle in 30 minutes over hilly terrain. Get directions on the website. Trains and buses go to the nearby town of Podhom, which is a 15 minute walk from the gorge.
Your best bet is to arrive by car and pay for a space in the parking lot. That’s where you will be turned away if you don’t have a reservation. If you are staying in Ljubljana, you can book a day trip to Vintgar Gorge, or include it as part of a tour to Lake Bled. Read this post to discover why one day in and around Lake Bled is not enough, all year long.
When NOT to Visit Vintgar Gorge: The gorge is closed to visitors in the winter, but the exact opening dates from April to November depend on the weather. It is most popular in the summer months of July and August, when Bled fills up with visitors. I prefer to visit in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall. Even then, I’d avoid the weekends when the gorge gets crowded with Slovenian families enjoying the beauty of their own country.
What to Wear in Vintgar Gorge: Sturdy, non-slip hiking shoes are a must. The shady gorge can be chilly even in the summer, so dress in layers or bring a light jacket. If it’s raining, a hooded parka is recommended. An umbrella will block the views.
All set for an October visit to Vintgar Gorge with sturdy hiking shoes, a sun hat and a warm sweatshirt.
And the ONE thing you need to do to reserve your ticket:
Visit the website. That’s it. Click here.
Yes, I understand that it can be annoying to make reservations in advance if you’re the kind of traveler who likes to go with the flow. But in these post-pandemic times when everyone is eager to travel again, overcrowding is a real issue. Another thing to reserve in advance: your airport transfer with GoOpti. Buy online at least two days ahead of time to avoid waiting for an empty space in the shared van.
I wasn’t surprised to see a reservation system in Milan for Leonardo daVinci’s masterpiece, The Last Supper. But this was the first time I was aware of a reservation needed for a walk in nature! A peaceful day in natural surroundings is even more memorable when you know you’re doing your part as a mindful traveler to preserve the beauty that you came here to see.
Want more insider tips on visiting Slovenia and the rest of Europe? Sign up for my FREE monthly newsletter to get regular updates about new posts on the blog. Many thanks to Lea Petek at the Gorje Tourist Association for sponsoring this post. And thank you for clicking on the ads or links in this post to shop for your hotel, car or airfare. It supports my writing at no cost to you. And please check out my YouTube channel for more fun travel secrets. Don’t be a stranger!
