Slovenia is home to one of Europe’s oldest national parks, Triglav. Located in the north-west corner of the country, the park takes up about 3% of the land in Slovenia and is home to the Eastern Julian Alps. The park is massive and beautiful and offers a wide range of opportunities for hiking, rock-climbing, kayaking, and pretty much any other outdoor activity. But for those of you just making a quick stop in Slovenia, Vintgar Gorge is a great place to get a small taste of what the park has to offer.
In the late-1800s, the 1.6km-long gorge was made accessible with wooden walkways lining the Radovna River. Locals say that when the river is calm, you can see each and every fish. But when you finding the river full means getting to watch it gush and pour through the canyon. If you’re lucky, the bad weather will deter other visitors and you will have the walkways to yourself.
The gorge is not long, and once you’ve gone its length, you could either walk back along it to where you started, or you can follow signs on a lovely walk through the woods to St. Katarina, a small church on a hill that, when it’s clear, offers a great view of the mountains and Bled. From there, you can walk back to Bled through the village Zasip.
The day is definitely best finished off with a cup of hot chocolate and a slice of the famous Bled Cream Cake (which is actually some of the best cake I have ever had – honestly).
It’s so important to spend time alone in nature. Get outside. Breathe in the fresh air. Think. Appreciate.
