A Yosemite Moment in Slovenia

Well, Julie and I got a little risky and took the mile-long hike along the Vintgar gorge less than 4K from Bled. Beginning in May the gorge has paid access. The build-up of snow and ice over the winter season closes the gorge down, but a local shop keeper clued us in that hiking was possible due to the minimal snow fall this year. And so, with that bit of knowledge, we decided to check it out.

At the trail head there was a middle-age couple mulling over whether to hike, all decked out in hiking gear, including chains for their hiking boots. We chatted with them a bit, but they soon decided against it because of the ice at the beginning of the trail. After a quick survey we could see not far down the trail ice turned to a stony path. Up ahead we could see a wooden bridge that looked ice-free, so we ducked under the railing to give it a go. We passed a local man on his way out and a couple within minutes. After that we never saw another person.

The Radovna river cascading over rocks below, at times stopping to rest in crystal clear pools is mostly seen from a wooden path that hugs the side of the rocky cliff walls. There were times the railing was out or a few boards here and there due to trees and rocks that had fallen over the winter season.  Only once did we hear a rock falling from above that landed with a big splash on the other side of the gorge.

Most definitely a not-miss natural beauty. A Yosemite moment in Slovenia.